In the 2006 film adaptation of Death Note, audiences around the world were captivated by the portrayal of the iconic character L by actor Kenichi Matsuyama, who faced off against Kira, or Light Yagami. With his striking looks and piercing gaze, Matsuyama brought a unique depth to the character, establishing an image of L that remains irreplaceable on screen to this day.
According to information we received, the 2016 version of Death Note (officially titled Death Note: Light Up the New World) will see the return of the character L, portrayed once again by Kenichi Matsuyama. The actor expressed excitement about revisiting the role a decade after the original Death Note release, although his screen time in this new iteration will be limited to just a few minutes.
Prior to this announcement, many fans were thrilled by the idea of Matsuyama Kenichi being selected to reprise the role of L. The 2006 film truly brought to life the enigmatic detective from the manga, fulfilling viewers’ hopes for a character that embodied both brilliance and a quirky personality.
On the other hand, some viewers expressed disappointment after Death Note (2006) concluded, noting that Kenichi Matsuyama had gained significant weight since his initial portrayal, leading some to humorously refer to him as XXL instead of L (a nickname based on his clothing size). This has sparked interest among fans who are eager to see Kenichi slim down to reprise the role of L once again.
In a logical interpretation, it seems almost certain that a film adaptation as meticulously crafted as Death Note would not have L resurrected. Therefore, his appearance in the new film may only be possible through flashback scenes or video clips that he left behind, as he seeks to thwart those who misuse the Death Note for malicious purposes.
For those who may not know, Death Note: Light Up the NEW World is the sequel to the original manga series created by Takeshi Obata, set to be released on October 29, 2016.
The film will continue the storyline from the 2009 manga, delving into the aftermath of Kira’s demise and how the world grapples with the chaos that follows the re-emergence of the Death Note. This time, the narrative will not only revolve around one book but will introduce up to six Death Notes, complicating the investigation and raising the stakes for all involved.
