When the information and trailer for Death Note 2016 were released, fans of the 2006 film adaptation were shocked as the cast was entirely “recast” with new characters and a new storyline. Although Kenichi Matsuyama’s character, L, had died in the 2006 film, fans were eager to see the “legendary” L character again, a role that would be hard to replace. However, just two weeks before the official release of Death Note 2016 in Japan, the production company announced a significant detail: audiences would have the chance to see “L” Kenichi Matsuyama on the big screen once more in this installment.
Not only will fans see “Misa” Toda Erika return, but they will also get to witness the legendary L in action once again. This information is sure to heighten public anticipation as it has been eight years since Kenichi Matsuyama last appeared on screen as L, specifically in L: Change The World (2008).
Kenichi expressed his excitement about reprising the role of L after so many years. “L and I have been very far apart, both in terms of physical appearance and spirit. I am genuinely grateful that this project has given me another opportunity to realize my journey back to the essence of L,” he said.
The character L, as portrayed by Kenichi, is described as “emerging from the pages of the manga”
In Death Note 2016, instead of L and Kira, there are three new main characters involved in the ongoing battle: “L’s Successor” Ryuzaki (Sosuke Ikematsu), who is introduced as the genetically-engineered successor of L while he was still alive, possessing the ability to think and act like L; “Kira’s Successor” Yugi Shion (Suda Masaki); and the detective “expert” studying the Death Note – Mishima (Higashide Masahiro).
The trio of the new film
Kenichi’s character, L, will appear in Death Note 2016 through the thoughts of his successor, Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki will contemplate L’s use of the Death Note as a last resort against Light in the previous film, while he seeks solutions to the current situation where all six Death Notes have appeared. Due to the nature of the character’s presence, scenes with L will be very brief, lasting only about three minutes, yet they will be sufficient for fans to feel a strong connection. Kenichi himself is also quite proud to reprise this role.
The film is set to premiere in Japan on October 29.
