Death Note: The Musical

Act I

Light Yagami is a genius high school student in Tokyo, Japan, who despises criminals. Light gets into an argument with one of his teachers during a lecture on law. Light questions his teacher’s beliefs on the subject, proclaiming that there is no "true" justice in the world anymore and that someone needs to bring it back. Light’s classmates rally to his side in agreement ("Where is the Justice?").

Meanwhile, Ryuk, a Shinigami (meaning "god of death"), whines about how bored he has become to Rem, a female Shinigami. Both discuss how they view humans as pitiful before Ryuk, seeking entertainment, decides to drop a supernatural notebook known as the Death Note into the human world, where it is found by Light ("They're Only Human").

Inside, a set of rules state that any person who has their name written in the notebook shall die within 40 seconds, so long as the writer knows what they look like. Light, thinking it is a prank, writes down the name of a criminal that is currently holding a group of children hostage ("If I Could").

After exactly 40 seconds, news breaks that the criminal has suddenly died of a heart attack, proving that the notebook's power is real. Initially horrified that he has killed a man, Light's hatred of criminals prompts him to use the Death Note to rid the Earth of crime, with the subsequent murders quickly attracting the attention of the police in Tokyo. Overjoyed with his newfound ability, Light expresses his desire to create a perfect world, which he will rule over as a god ("Hurricane").

Still baffled by the sudden and mysterious deaths of so many criminals in such a short length of time, Soichiro Yagami, who is chief of police and also Light's father, meets with his colleagues. He proposes that they enlist the enigmatic detective known only as L, who has solved every case ever presented to him. However, Soichiro also admits his misgivings towards L's unorthodox methods, having worked with him in the past.

Whilst flicking through the Death Note in his room, Light suddenly discovers an unexpected house guest—Ryuk, who introduces himself as a Shinigami and the notebook's original owner. He explains the power of the Death Note and the cost of using it in greater detail, revealing that he will write Light's name inside when it's his time to die. He also notes that only those who have touched the Death Note can see him—as demonstrated when Light's little sister, Sayu, bursts into the room, completely oblivious to Ryuk's presence. When she leaves, Ryuk is shocked to discover the great deal of names already written in the notebook, prompting Light to reveal his plans to become the world's savior. Using the internet, Light shows Ryuk that people are rejoicing at the killings, labeling them the work of "Kira" (derived from "killer"). Ryuk, amused that the "hero" of the people is no more than a bratty teenager, rejects the notion that he chose Light for the task, revealing that he actually dropped the Death Note out of boredom ("The Name is Kira!").

Having been invited by Sayu, Light attends the concert of famous idol Misa Amane, who dedicates her performance to Kira ("Ready to Love"). Afterwards, Sayu asks Light if he enjoyed himself. When Light replies that he liked how Misa dedicated the concert to Kira, Sayu admits that she didn't, believing that Kira's actions are wrong. When Light asks what she would say to Kira if she met him, he is left stunned by her response—she would tell him to stop, declaring that he should follow her brother's example. Misa, meanwhile, muses over how much she idolizes Kira ("My Hero").

Returning home, Light watches a broadcast by Interpol, in which L reveals himself and promises to capture Kira, declaring him evil. Angered, Light states that L is the true evil and writes his name in the Death Note. However, this turns out to be a trap; after the man dies, the real L's voice enters, explaining that the former was a criminal used as a stand-in to bait Kira and reveal his location. Ending the broadcast with the deduction that Kira is in the Kantō region, L, in a room of computer screens, ponders the oncoming battle between the pair. Declaring his intention to capture Kira, he realizes that the schedule of deaths each day must mean that his opponent is a high school student ("The Game Begins").

Reeling after carelessly falling into L’s trap, Light tries to learn more about the Death Note from a restless Ryuk, wondering how far he can manipulate the details of a person's death. Then, Soichiro enters the room and discusses the Kira case with his son, including L's deduction that he is a student. However, this leads Soichiro to admit his hesitations towards L's methods, declaring that he crossed a line by sacrificing his stand-in during the TV broadcast. He then advises his son to be as morally upstanding as possible, completely unaware that he is Kira ("Don’t Cross That Line").

Running the investigation from behind a computer screen, L deduces that Kira needs a name and a face to kill. Meanwhile, Light hacks his father's computer and gains access to the investigation records. He then asks Ryuk, whose eyes can see someone's name and lifespan above their heads, to tell him L's name should they ever meet him. Refusing, Ryuk instead offers to give Light his own "Shinigami Eyes"; in exchange, Light must give up half of his remaining lifespan to Ryuk. Light rebuffs the deal, coming up with an alternative plan. By specifying in the Death Note that a criminal dies each hour, Light heightens the tension between L and the police by making it clear that information is being leaked to Kira - forcing L to probe his own investigation team. Confident that the police will retaliate by investigating L and exposing his identity, Light shares a moment of thought with his opponent on which of them will be the victor of this game ("Secrets and Lies").

Afterwards, a news broadcast announces that the FBI have sent several agents to Japan to aid with Kira's capture. Determined to eliminate them, Light searches the web and finds the identity of one agent, Harry Belle, on his fiancée's social media profiles. Light then writes his name in the notebook, manipulating events so that they meet at Shinjuku Station, where Belle writes the names of his fellow agents onto a Death Note scrap before throwing himself in front of a train ("Hurricane (Reprise)"). Upon hearing the deaths of the FBI agents, Soichiro’s team is torn between their duty to capture Kira and fear of being killed. Soichiro gives each man the option to leave, prompting one member to quit the case. ("If I Could (Reprise)").

Light wanders through the streets listening as the citizens praise Kira. Light delights in his victory while, elsewhere, L vows to bring Kira to justice. Suddenly, a second Death Note falls from the sky and is discovered by Misa, who has fled from the clutches of a stalker. ("Where is the Justice? (Reprise)").

Act II

Misa picks up the notebook and faints when Rem unexpectedly appears before her. When she awakes, Rem explains that the Death Note belonged to a Shinigami named Gelus, who killed Misa's stalker to save her life. However, Shinigami are forbidden from saving human lives, and Gelus turned to sand as a result; leaving Rem to give his notebook to Misa. Rem also reveals that Light is Kira. Misa makes the Shinigami Eye deal with Rem in order to find Light. Misa explains that she did so because, now knowing the identity of her hero, she has fallen in love with Light. Rem, however, does not fully understand the concept of "love" ("A Cruel Dream").

Soichiro’s team begins to suspect that L might, in fact, be Kira; as there is no one in Tokyo as brilliant as him. L overhears this and retorts that there is someone else who rivals him: Light Yagami. L reveals he has become suspicious of Light as he is "too perfect", and has come to the conclusion that there is a five percent chance that Light is Kira. L plans to enter the same University as Light to keep an eye on him.

During the University Entrance Ceremony, both Light and L are called on stage to give speeches. After the speeches, L reveals his identity to Light. Light becomes paranoid, not knowing whether or not L really is who he claims to be; he also becomes frustrated that he cannot safely kill L, or else he will be revealed as Kira. The two geniuses begin plotting each other's downfall. Meanwhile, Misa writes a new song she hopes will get Light’s attention ("Stalemate").

Misa records her new song, which Light later hears on Sayu's music player; Misa sings of her undying devotion to the man who is Kira ("I’ll Only Love You More").

News reports suddenly claim that police have received a message from someone claiming to be a second Kira. The second Kira begs the original to meet with them at a specific location to reveal their Death Notes and Shinigami to each other. Light, fearing the competition, becomes devastated. The citizens of Tokyo, however, celebrate, hopeful that the two Kiras’ will join forces. Meanwhile, L forces himself to concede the fact that Shinigami do, in fact, exist. ("The Way Things Are").

Rem, growing concerned for Misa, warns her against meeting Light. Misa eventually finds Light waiting in the specified spot, and the two introduce their Shinigami. Misa proclaims her love and reveals that she is the second Kira. Light, seeing her only as a pawn in his plan to become a god, asks her to prove her power by killing one of L’s spies; which she gladly does. After the pair leave, Rem muses over her worry for Misa while Ryuk warns her not to get in the way of his fun ("A Cruel Dream (Reprise)").

L informs Soichiro that he has become further convinced that Light is Kira. Soichiro refuses to believe that his son could be a serial killer ("Honor bound").

L challenges Light to a tennis match, hoping to prove the latter is Kira. The two geniuses hope to learn more about the others’ mental state by studying how they play the game. L knows Kira hates to lose, so if Light beats L, the young detective will be sure his opponent is secretly Kira ("Playing His Game").

Light wins the match, and is embraced by Misa. Light introduces the pop star to L, who claims to be a fan. After the meeting, Misa exclaims that she has seen L’s real name with her Shinigami eyes. Feeling that he has won, Light celebrates; however, Misa is abruptly arrested before she can reveal L’s name.

Misa is chained to a cross in her cell and interrogated by L. L demands that she reveal the identity of the original Kira, but Misa refuses to betray the man she loves. She reveals that her parents were murdered by criminals, and that Kira killed those criminals in turn; thus explaining why she idolizes Kira ("The Value of Life").

After L leaves, Rem enters Misa’s cell. Having grown close to the young girl, Rem decides to save Misa. Rem explains that if Misa gives up the power of the Death Note she won’t have to betray Light; however, doing so will also erase her memories of the Death Note and of Rem. Misa complies and Rem, while heartbroken, finds solace in the fact that she now understands what love is ("When Love Comes").

Rem finds Light and Ryuk and gives them L’s real name in revenge for L’s torture of Misa. She writes L’s name in her Death Note, along with specific instructions from Light, before promptly turning to sand.

The stage set for the final showdown, L searches for Light, now fully convinced that he is Kira, with the intent to arrest him. L tracks Light to an abandoned warehouse and holds him at gunpoint. Light confesses to being Kira, and explains how he committed his murders, revealing the Death Note. Ryuk watches from afar. As L prepares to arrest Light the latter proclaims that he has won, as L’s name has already been written in the Death Note. As Light counts down, L raises his pistol to his own head and is compelled to commit suicide by the Death Note. Light relishes his ultimate victory, laughing maniacally. Ryuk congratulates Light for winning the game, but laments that it means no more fun is to be had. When Light becomes confused, Ryuk explains that he will now become bored with Light, as there is no one left who could challenge him, and betrays the young man by writing his name in the Death Note. Distraught, Light begs Ryuk to spare him, and wails his desire to continue killing and become a god as he dies ("Last Moments").

Soichiro and Sayu mourn for Light, while the citizens of Tokyo bewail the loss of their hero. Misa also weeps for Kira, but does not remember that he was Light ("Requiem").

Productions

Highly respected in Japan, Wildhorn was approached to write the musical back in 2013. “Until I was approached to do it, I’d never heard of ‘Death Note,’ but I was immediately intrigued,” Wildhorn tells The Japan Times while visiting the Nishi-Sugamo Arts Factory in Tokyo. “My son told me I had to do it as it would be the coolest thing I’d ever done. As I started looking through the material, I soon realized what he meant.” The musical received a New York workshop in April 2015 in anticipation of the Tokyo premiere. The New York workshop cast included Andy Kelso, Robert Cuccioli and Adrienne Warren. The musical premiered on April 6, 2015 and ran until April 29, 2015 at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, with Kenji Urai and Hayato Kakizawa sharing the role of Light, Teppei Koike as L, Kotaro Yoshida as Ryuk, Fuka Yuzuki as Misa, Megumi Hamada as Rem, Takeshi Kaga as Soichiro, and Ami Maeshima as Sayu. A Korean production ran in Seoul from July 11, 2015 to August 11, 2015. The Korean production sported an entirely new cast, and featured Hong Kwang-ho as Light and Kim Junsu as L. An English concept album was recorded before the show's Japanese premiere and featured Jeremy Jordan as Light, Jarrod Spector as L, Eric Anderson as Ryuk, Carrie Manolakos as Rem, and Adrienne Warren as Misa. Despite the show originally being written in English, no English-language production of the show has been announced. The Korean production is set to open again at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center, running from January 3rd to January 26th, 2017. The majority of the roles will be played by the same actors from the Premiere production, save for the roles of Light and Misa; which will be taken over by musical actor Han Ji-Sang, and pop singer, BEN. It has been announced that this production of Death Note will be Kim Junsu's last performance before he begins his mandatory military service in the South Korean army.

Critical response

The musical was one of the most highly anticipated musicals of the year in Japan and Korea. The Korean production received positive to mixed reviews from critics. Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Junsu were universally praised for their "powerhouse voices" and "brilliant, subtle acting;" while Park Hye-na and Kang Hong-suk, as the Shinigami Ryuk and Rem, were praised for "practically stealing the show." Wildhorn's score was also praised, while the story was criticized for trying to cram 12 volumes of the manga into a two-and-a-half hour musical. The staging was also criticized for being very simplistic and lacking in visual spectacle.