Netflix’s Death Note: Comparing The Live Action To The Anime

Netflix’s new Death Note film looks epic, there is no doubt about that, but how does it compare to the anime series? Anytime the words “live-action adaptation” is mentioned, anime fans cringe from a past of hurt and distrust. Death Note is no exception to the rule, fans of the manga and anime have been voicing their concern off the “white washed” adaptation that is coming soon to Netflix. But before writing off the film as just another Dragon Ball Evolution, sorry for bringing that one up, we need to take a closer look at the first trailer.

If you are unfamiliar with the Death Note story, Netflix describes the new film below:

Based on the famous Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realizing it holds within it a great power; if the owner inscribes someone’s name into it while picturing their face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike abilities, the young man begins to kill those he deems unworthy of life.

To start, lets talk about the obvious changes that film has from the Death Note anime. First off, the story is set in Seattle, this is seen in an overview the city shot showing the Seattle skyline. This is obviously a change from the original Japan setting in the anime. With this change comes a change in characters race, since it is set in America instead of Japan. Lets not dive too deep into the whole “white washing” controversy here, but instead focus on the scenes in the trailer side by side with their anime counterparts. Check them out in the slide show below:

The Death Note Itself

The obvious place to start with the Death Note comparison is obviously to start with the Death Note itself. In the anime the black journal falls from the sky into the school yard, with the simple words “death note” seemingly scratched on the cover. The same seen is shown in the first couple of seconds of the live-action trailer, with a rainy and moody twist. The Death Note itself looks pretty similar, a black leather bound journal with Death Note scratched into the front. However the Netflix version has two triangles in the top corners, as well as wear and tear on the front, unlike the original. See for yourself below:

Light Yagami

Light, the main character in the whole story. Regardless of whether you love or loath him, lets take a look at the model student gone mad with power. In the anime Light is a young attractive man, with light brown hair and enchanting brown eyes. He dresses formal and neat, usually wearing his school uniform or suit. Many characters and fans of the series, comment on his physical attractiveness. In the live action trailer, it seems that he is a lot less formal, wearing a stripped knit sweater and rain jacket. Nat Wolff seems to fit the role pretty well physically, having similar hair and eyes. Also, at the end of the trailer, we see Light with a crazy look in his eye, just like the one he gets in the anime. 

Ryuk

In the anime, Ryuk is a Shinigami, or an evil god, and is the one who is responsible for Light receiving the Death Note. He is lanky with light gray almost blue skin, spikey hair, and menacing smile with sharp teeth.He also has retractable wings and feathery shoulders. We don’t see much of him in the live-action trailer, but what we do see is terrifying and he looks similar to the anime. The one second clip of Ryuk shows his lanky body, small red eyes, spiky hair, and feathery shoulders. However we don’t get to see his wings, and also it seems he has new spikes on his soldiers. Check them out below: 

L

L is the detective who takes on Light. In the anime he is extremely slim, tall young man with crazy messy black hair and dark sunken eyes. He is always seen with a shadow under his eyes, because of the lack of sleep. L always wears the same thing, blue jeans a long-sleeved white shirt, and is always shown barefoot. The American film takes a different approach on L, even though not much is shown of him in the trailer. In the movie L is African American, and is seen multiple times with a black hoodie over his head. But we did get to see him doing the classic L pose in a new visual: