"Death Note THE MUSICAL" will be performed again with a star-studded cast including Kato Seishiro, Watanabe Ao, and Miura Hiroki!

November 24, 2025 at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL (Toshima Ward Arts and Culture Theater)Death Note The Musical' has opened.
"DEATH NOTE," a popular manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006, has been adapted into a wide range of media, including film, TV drama, and anime. The musical version of this work, which premiered in Japan in 2015, quickly captivated audiences and was subsequently performed in 2017 and 2020. Furthermore, in 2015, the same year as its Japanese world premiere, a Korean cast also began performing in Korea. It has since been revived in 2017, 2022, and 2023. It achieved the remarkable feat of selling out all dates in Korea, won the Best Musical of the Year Award in 2022, and enjoyed a successful four-month run in 2023. A concert version was also performed in London in 2023, selling out all performances. Ten years after its launch, it has received high praise overseas and is now a smash hit musical attracting attention from around the world.
This time, we were able to cover the press conference and dress rehearsal that took place on November 22nd and 23rd ahead of the opening.

■ "The stage illuminates society" Kato Seishiro x Watanabe Aoi x Miura Hiroki ~Encirclement interview~

Q. I would like to ask you how you feel on the first day.

Kato: I spent about two months of rehearsals feeling a lot of different things, both as a person and as an actor. After all that time, as the opening day approaches, I'm keenly aware that living in the world of "Death Note THE MUSICAL" as Light Yagami requires a lot of determination.
Although there were many nervous moments, I think the excitement won out. Right now, I'm just going to keep moving forward so that we can make it to the opening day safely.

Watanabe: We've been rehearsing for about two months, and during that time, director Kuriyama (Tamiya) and the rest of the company have been discussing not only the work "DEATH NOTE," but also the impact that "theater" itself has on the world and the actual problems our society is currently facing, so I'm sure it will go beyond the framework of a "musical" and become a powerful work that will have a social impact. I hope to approach this production with a strong heart, so that I don't succumb to the strength of the work.

Miura: It was a great rehearsal period, where we were able to spend a much more intense time than any other production I've ever experienced. As the two of you said, each of us worked on creating this production while thinking about things other than the play itself, and I feel like we've all grown as a team. Now that the opening day is finally here, it's not up to us to decide how the audience will receive it, so I hope they will take it as they wish.

Q. Tell us about an episode that happened in the dressing room.

Watanabe: The three of us share a dressing room, and Christmas songs are playing.

Miura: We ordered a 150cm Christmas tree for the dressing room! Because the work has a heavy theme, we hope that everyone will buy an ornament each day backstage, decorate it together, and have a wonderful Christmas.

Kato: I think they get along well!

Q. What are your impressions of each?

Kato: This isn't limited to the three of us here, but each of us has a different style when it comes to how we approach our roles. My impression of how the three of us approach our roles is that they're all "different in form, but serious and really weird."
(Watanabe) Ao is someone who is consistently sincere in his approach to this job, his role, and the production. Since we are playing the same roles, we often talk about various things at the rehearsal hall. Thanks to the time I spent talking with (Watanabe) Ao, there were parts where my interpretation of the role expanded.
…and on the other hand, this weirdo over there…lol

Miura: Thank you. I'm a strange person. lol

Kato: It might seem a bit careless, haha.
Deep down, he is a very serious person. There is a scene in the second half where he confronts Light on stage as L, and you can sense something that L is searching for, or perhaps a flame, which is a simple word, and you get the sense that this is what lights a fire in Light as well. He is an actor like that.

Watanabe: (Kato) Seishirō-kun is playing the same role, but as a person and as an actor, I wonder how many lives he has lived, how many eyes and ears he has had...

Kato: You only have one life, two eyes, and two ears! (lol)
But the same can be said for (Watanabe) Ao-kun...! If you listen to my enthusiasm for the opening day, you'll understand, but this is really...

Watanabe: I want to talk about the good things about (Kato) Seishiro! lol
This work depicts the ugly, pitiful, yet lovable side of human beings, and (Kato-san) has an incredible understanding of the work, so whenever we talk, I learn something new from him.
Hiroki (Miura) is just... my favorite big brother! He's always looking out for me, and I think we might have a lot in common at the core. I get the impression that he senses when I'm feeling nervous or anxious about something and comes to my rescue. What's more, I think it's cool that he casually cares about me, and I love him!

Miura: Thank you. I'm honored. (laughs)
There are many differences between the two actors (playing Light Yagami), but first and foremost, he is amazing. He has matured both as a person and as an actor, and I can really sense his sincerity and love for theater, as well as his approach to what he needs to do and this production. I have learned a lot from him.

Q. Please give us a final message.

Miura: It feels like the curtain is finally rising. The enthusiasm of the entire company is building up as we approach the opening day. Director Kuriyama-san has given us many words of encouragement every day, and we are not just facing the stage, but are also thinking about many things as we face the production. I hope that the audience will be able to receive those same feelings.

Watanabe: The grand worldview of the work "DEATH NOTE" unfolds on stage, and at the same time, I get the impression that today's society is being created.
I think that the large cast members have worked together to portray current social issues and realistic matters. And because it's a musical, (Frank) Wildhorn's wonderful music really supports the story, making it a truly wonderful production. I hope to see you at the theater.

Kato: I would be happy if people could feel what it means to be "human." And if they can take something away from watching "Death Note: The Musical" and take it back with them into the world they live in today, then I think there's nothing better than that.
I hope to be able to live a down-to-earth life in the world of "Death Note THE MUSICAL" as Light Yagami. I hope everyone will enjoy it.

■Composer Frank Wildhorn ~Individual Interview~

The inspiration for creating the song came from his son's words
First of all, the reason I wrote the music for "Death Note The Musical" was because my son said to me, "Dad, this is popular. You should take this job." I told him, "Okay!" and we started writing.

The Japanese interpretation of "God" and "Human"
This is not limited to the manga "DEATH NOTE," which we are calling the original, but Japanese manga in general has a different interpretation of "gods" and "humans" than Western books.
The biggest challenge for me was thinking, "What does God sound like?" and "What does a human voice sound like?"

Highlights of "Death Note THE MUSICAL"
If you suddenly had power, how would you use it?
This work asks young people who are searching for their own voice: would you be able to remain a great person even if you obtained the power of Death Note?
It's also about family, and of course, the battle between two giants.
There are so many great characters in the game, including the Shinigamis Rem, Ryuk, and L, so it was a lot of fun writing the music.
(A Death Note musical is scheduled to be performed in London's West End in the summer of 2026. I'm really looking forward to bringing it to people overseas.)

Message to students
Hello, dear students.
I am very happy to be able to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the premiere of "Death Note THE MUSICAL."
Before this production, "Death Note: The Musical," I performed "Fist of the North Star" and the musical "Your Lie in April." My Broadway shows have been performed for a long time for a young audience, so I'm happy and excited when young people come to the theater, and I would like to continue performing musicals for a young audience.

©Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata/Shueisha

■The overwhelming power and beauty felt at my first Death Musical performance ~A student's performance report~

The first time I saw the musical version of "Death Note," I was captivated by its power, which exceeded my imagination. As someone who has read the original novel, watched the TV drama, and watched the film, I was excited to see how the long and intricate story would be adapted for the stage. In reality, the story's appeal was carefully condensed, and the sense of speed and depth that are unique to a musical coexisted beautifully, leaving me completely overwhelmed.
The highlight was the moment when the Shinigami Ryuk, Rem, and L appeared alongside the lights and music. They were so realistic that it felt as if they were really there, and it took my breath away. Kato Seishiro's performance of Light Yagami delicately portrayed the process of his facial expressions and tone of voice changing as the story progressed, gradually losing his humanity, and I felt that his performance powerfully anchored the entire stage.
The production was filled with the excitement that only Death Note fans could experience, and was sprinkled throughout with surprises and realizations.
Karin Ishimatsu, second-year student at Tsuda University

This work shows the weakness of humans, and I felt that Light Yagami is a man who is wise and calm, possessing a level of reasoning that ordinary people cannot match, yet is obsessed with the ideal of justice. Seeing him cling to the Death Note, which has great power, makes me wonder what it would be like for me. On the other hand, L's thoughts and demeanor go beyond the bounds of ordinary humans, and although he appears to be an alien being, I felt the human warmth hidden deep within his heart.
It was beautiful to see how they recognized and respected each other despite their confrontation, and I was moved by the way they risked their lives to fight each other.
It was a work that made us question what is right and wrong, with the tension that can only be felt on stage.
Musashino University, 3rd year student, Akina Yoshimatsu

This work made me reconsider what justice is.
It was my first time seeing a play in a large theater, and I was overwhelmed by the actors' soulful performances; it felt as if the characters had jumped out of the original work.
The scene that left the biggest impression on me was the tennis match between Light and L. The way L swings his racket is not described in detail in the original work. I heard Miura-san say that he interpreted that from L's habitual movements and acted it out, and I was impressed by the passion that actors put into their performances.
Also, by adding lyrics to each frame of the original work, I was able to learn about the inner conflicts of the characters through their lines. As a fan of the original work, I was able to experience a new perspective and be moved by it.
Ayami Matsuyama, 1st year student at Aoyama Gakuin University

Light Yagami's belief in justice grows as the situation changes, and the changes depicted on stage as he gradually goes off course in order to get his way were so captivating that I couldn't take my eyes off the show.
And in the scene where Light Yagami and L play tennis, despite their respective positions and doubts, there is a moment when they glimpse their age-appropriate selves, and the atmosphere of mutual recognition is somehow sad and stays in my heart. Why is it that they are beautiful despite being enemies? I think this contradiction is unique to this work.
The lighting and costumes were also impressive, and the contrast between black and white was very beautiful. I was particularly overwhelmed by the inhuman, quiet beauty of the strong lighting that shone on L. Even though the film is swirling with cruelty and tension, there are moments when it somehow feels "beautiful," and I felt that this feeling was what made it so appealing.
The final scene in particular was beautiful and left a strong impression on me, so I would definitely recommend seeing it in the theater.
Yurie Watanabe, second-year student at Josai International University

■ Performance overview　"Death Note THE MUSICAL"

<Performance schedule>
November 24th (Monday, public holiday) - December 14th (Sunday), 2025
Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL (Toshima Ward Arts and Culture Theater), Tokyo

December 20th (Sat) - 23rd (Tue), 2025
Sky Theater MBS, Osaka Prefecture

July 2026th (Sat) – 1th (Monday/holiday), 10
Aichi Prefectural Arts Theatre, Large Hall

March 2026th (Sat) -1th (Sun), 17
Fukuoka Civic Hall, Large Hall, Fukuoka Prefecture

March 2026th (Sat) -1th (Sun), 24
Okayama Prefecture Okayama Arts and Creative Theater Hallenowa Grand Theater

<Appearance>
Light Yagami: Seishiro Kato and Ao Watanabe (double cast)
L: Hiroki Miura
Misa Amane: Riho Sayashi
Yagami Shouyu: Rico (HUNNY BEE)
Grim Reaper Rem: Megumi Hamada
Ryuk the Grim Reaper: Kenji Urai
Soichiro Yagami: Kiyotaka Imai
Kazuya Tawara, Shiina Ishimaru, Dai Iwahashi, Sara Otani, Sakura Ogata, Go Ozaki, Shun Kamijo, Daichi Kawaguchi, Kyohei Kanda, Sakura, Mayu Tanaka, Yumiko Teramachi, Hirotaka Terui, Hiroki Fujita, Kohei Masuyama, Misaki Machiya, Tomoka Matsunaga, Rin Mochizuki, Yune Morishita, Takeshi Yasufuku, Akira Tokuoka (swing), Shota Moriuchi (swing)

<Staff>
Original work: "DEATH NOTE" (original story by Tsugumi Ohba, illustrations by Takeshi Obata, Shueisha Jump Comics)
Composer: Frank Wildhorn
Directed by: Tamiya Kuriyama
Lyrics: Jack Murphy
Screenplay: Ivan Menchel
Translated by: Xu Kaseyzi
Lyrics: Ako Takahashi

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on November 22nd and 23rd, 2025: Tsuda University third-year student Ishimatsu Karin, Musashino University third-year student Yoshimatsu Akina, Josai International University second-year student Watanabe Yurie, and Aoyama Gakuin University first-year student Matsuyama Ayami