 | Well what a fabulous find out there in the world wide web! There's a site which allows you to create your own cyber advent calendar - adding in links, pictures, videos and all manner of things for the awe and delight of your friends. So guess what I've just spend an inordinate amount of time doing just for you? I've mixed and matched a variety of festive Death Note fun, across a range of genres and media. But you won't be able to open a thing until tomorrow, and then only each window as the date arrives. Which gives you time to create your own online advent calendars as a present for your friends too. The countdown starts here! Enjoy your Death Note News Advent Calendar. |
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This is a fast changing story. I was writing this blog entry, took the screenshot, wrote three more lines, refreshed... and the situation had changed! See the ending for the latest Death Note film news from the US. Original Blog:It's hardly like it was ever moving in the first place, but Logan has spotted something even more disturbing than usual. Until October 28th 2014, the IMDb status listing for the US live action Death Note film seemed to be permanently set to 'script'. Then, on that date, it was changed to 'unknown'. Screenshot as it looks at the moment:  Death Note: Internet Movie Database November 28th 2014. None of us know who updated it. It might be a random contributor. It might be Warner Bros finally giving up. But suddenly the Death Note movie seems much further away. What's everyone's thoughts on this? And once again, thanks for being on the ball with all the Death Note news, Logan. When Suddenly... I'm in the habit of refreshing webpages, if they've sat for a while. I think IMDb does it automatically too. Hence I finished writing the above and, as a last minute check that I hadn't missed anything else that I might tell you, I refreshed the page. The status had changed again in the minute or less since I took the above screenshot. It now looks like this:  Death Note: Internet Movie Database November 28th 2014. There's most definitely something wrong with the website's internal calendar, as I've just this second watched it change!
On both occasions, the only thing that altered was the status. Its return to 'script' makes this Death Note news pretty much a non-story, unless that flip-flopping reflects some movement behind closed doors. In which case things just became a little more exciting. Or it could be IMDb's contributor check in action. Whereon it's all merely admin stuff and nothing to concern us at all. NOW what are your thoughts on this?!  Can't you tell that I'm behind on my post and comment responses?
Half the blog entries that I'm writing right now name-check readers giving me the heads up on something or the other! This one is a little different. Death Note News reader Bill Samyin has a question for us. A big chance to put our collective detail obsessed heads together, and see if we can answer it for him! I'll admit straight off that I haven't got a clue. Which should tip you off on the level of obscure knowledge required to meet his query. Good luck geniuses of the Death Note fandom! Bill noticed that not all Death Note anime is created equally. There are little tweaks in the visuals, which may alter from version to version. Different releases reveal these minute changes, which only the most keenly observant Death Note fan will ever notice. His example concerns the Death Note itself. There are adaptations where the camera zooms in to show Japanese names with their English translations right alongside them. Our questions:
Can we help him? To help in recalling all the different box sets for the Death Note anime, here's a link to the relevant category in our store. I knew it was worth those hours collating them thus far! Though it's not yet an exhaustive list in there. I'll do my best in the quest by prioritizing getting that completed and up to date. So much to do, so little time...
Read Skip! Yamada-kun Online
It all began when forum member Ramfield asked r/manga if anyone had found the Skip! Yamada-kun manga by Tsugumi Ohba.
There was some discussion, but no joy in anyone actually reading it, until Redditor 891st jumped in with a tremendous offer. 891st had the raw Japanese manga one-shot from its publication in Weekly Young Jump. (S)he was willing to scan it for everyone else to view it too. Equal to their word, the OP delivered. All 55 pages of it! You may read the result on Imgur, also embedded below. We've already seen various crowd filmed footage of the moment when Takeshi Obata got his pen out at New York Comic Con. However, Viz Media were able to get much closer than most - the perk of organizing the panel in the first place, plus the Death Note artist being there as their guest. Enjoy this unimpeded, over the artist's shoulder view, as Obata draws L and shinigami Ryuk live in front of a New York crowd. Freehand. Mine wouldn't come close if I used a blooming stencil!  Do you ever look at Misa and think 'badly drawn and not at all girly cute'? Nope, nor me. On the contrary, she seems to be the epitome of all that's cute, practically unto the point of annoyance. Give or take the murderous gaze and scribbling. That's not so cute. It just makes for a great story. Neither do I consider the likes of Hal or Naomi to be particularly conceptualized on the page. Yet their artist doesn't share our view. Takeshi Obata gave an interview to Juliet Kahn of Comic Alliance, during his recent trek to the United States. There's not a great deal of focus upon Death Note, so I'll not wax too lyrical about it here. But there was an intriguing comment about his art. CA: Is there anything you especially love or hate to draw? What do you think? Do you agree that Obata is better at drawing the male of the species than its ladies? Or are you as dismissive as I am about the self-effacing criticism?
There's much more in the interview, though it's mostly about All You Need is Kill and Bakuman. Visit Comic Alliance for the full low down. As we haven't already got nearly enough collected box sets of all Death Note anime episodes, Viz Media have added another. Death Note: The Complete Series hits the stores today. All sarcasm aside, the cover art looks amazing.  So what have we got here? All thirty seven Death Note anime episodes captured on ten DVDs. You can hear the dialogue in either English or Japanese (with the option of English subtitles for the latter too), rendered in 2.0 stereo wonderfulness.
The bonus material includes interviews with those who made the anime, a behind the scenes look at the Japanese voice acting cast at work, and a gallery made up of production concept art and storyboards used in production. Anyone tempted by this? If you are, please do report back, so we can evaluate its worth amongst the melee of other Death Note DVD box sets. For those wanting to take a closer look and/or buy, that link takes you to our very own Death Note mercantile, where you may find all the current purveyors of fine anime gift boxes. Please do comment too if you believe you've already found the Best Death Note Anime Collection Ever. It's good to compare notes on these things, particularly where our hard-earned cash is involved. Difficult to Draw Shinigami Should Have Been Kept Simple - Takeshi Obata Interview at CBR17/11/2014  The recent appearance of Death Note artist Takeshi Obata at New York Comic Con provided plenty of opportunities for fan posed questions and full scale professional interviews alike. As a result, tidbits of information and Death Note insights are currently falling like confetti over our entire fandom. Thank you all for sharing! One delightful little interview with Takeshi Obata has been published by Brigid Alverson over at Comic Book Resources. She picked up on his point - given during his panel Q&A - that he took inspiration for Ryuk's look from Italian fashion designs. So did Obata have a particular designer in mind? Apparently not. Actually I am not specifically interested in fashion, but I like designed clothing, and like a lot of people, I read magazines and then I'll see stuff I like. I like looking at fashion, and if I see something I like, it ends up in my work sometimes. (Takeshi Obata, CBR. Oct 17th 2014) Which isn't to say that he's not interested in designer fashion per se. As already intimidated, there is inspiration to be had there! The clothes I put the characters in obviously become part of the characters, so I am really careful about how I dress them, for sure. I take a lot of care in that. (Takeshi Obata, CBR. Oct 17th 2014) That brings a whole new complex to the adage that clothes maketh the man... and the shinigami too. Talking about shinigami, Ms Alverson wondered if Takeshi was ever so enthusiastic in his original character drawings, that the complexity became later regretted, as he was stuck with reproducing the look in later scenes. He concurred that such things occurred - Ryuk being a case in point. Definitely, especially with the shinigami, I always end up drawing something really detailed in the beginning, and it gets really difficult as I keep doing it and I think I should have done something a little bit simpler. (Takeshi Obata, CBR. Oct 17th 2014) I have to admit that it never crossed my mind that this kind of thing happened. I'm no artist, so I haven't got the context first hand. Though I do know how soul-destroying it is to edit stories as a writer. It's the sheer tedium of going over old ground, without the joy of discovering or creating anything new, that weighs me down.
I'm now very, very grateful that I never had the talent to become an artist in a long serial. You'd have to go over old ground constantly, just changing poses here and there, or maybe hair-styles and clothes, if your character gets to enjoy costume changes. *shudders* How do you artist types keep sane under such conditions?! Back to the plot, it's worth checking out Brigid Alverson's actual interview with Takeshi Obata, as there's more there than I've quoted here, particularly concerning his non-Death Note work.
In addition to which might be added:
Viz Media Video Takeshi Obata at NYCC 2014
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There were other ways (YouTube's as porous as a pumice stone), but the above was the quickest and simplest method off the top of my head. If it fails, give me a head's up and I'll find another way for you.
I got so excited when I glimpsed the headline.
Gus Van Sant to Helm American Adaptation of Hit Anime Series Produced by Warner Bros. were the words emblazoned across my computer screen, courtesy of my alert feed.
I immediately high tailed it over to Cross Map, clicking the link with a type of frenzied movement usually reserved for twitch played boss fights.
I thought that writer Claire Taylor was onto something - confirmation or information relating to that hallowed Grail of current Death Note gossip, is Gus van Sant definitely doing the movie? Moreover, when? In what manner? And who's being cast?!
But apparently not.
While we were all rushing to repeat The Tracking Board's strong rumor - about Gus van Sant directing the US Death Note live action movie - back in July, Claire and Cross Map have only just noticed it's a thing.
False alarm then. *sigh* Though it was a lovely feeling to think for a moment there that we were actually moving on this.
As soon as I catch wind of anything, you'll be the first to know. (Forget about the blog, you'll probably hear my shriek from there. Wherever you are.)
Gus Van Sant to Helm American Adaptation of Hit Anime Series Produced by Warner Bros. were the words emblazoned across my computer screen, courtesy of my alert feed.
I immediately high tailed it over to Cross Map, clicking the link with a type of frenzied movement usually reserved for twitch played boss fights.
I thought that writer Claire Taylor was onto something - confirmation or information relating to that hallowed Grail of current Death Note gossip, is Gus van Sant definitely doing the movie? Moreover, when? In what manner? And who's being cast?!
But apparently not.
While we were all rushing to repeat The Tracking Board's strong rumor - about Gus van Sant directing the US Death Note live action movie - back in July, Claire and Cross Map have only just noticed it's a thing.
False alarm then. *sigh* Though it was a lovely feeling to think for a moment there that we were actually moving on this.
As soon as I catch wind of anything, you'll be the first to know. (Forget about the blog, you'll probably hear my shriek from there. Wherever you are.)
It's entitled 'The World Premiere of Death Note the Musical in Production' and it's been uploaded onto YouTube by promoters HoriPro. Beyond that, there's not too many details attached.
It seems that we're watching both Kira actors sing what's presumably a key song from the Death Note stage show. Kenji Urai kicks us off, before Hayato Kakizawa picks up the second verse, then the pair continue in their duet.
I'd assumed that they shared the role - as in each actor working alternate nights - but this suggests that both actors will be playing Light Yagami for all performances. Perhaps a younger and older version? Though that makes no sense. They're both whippersnappers! Plus Kira never gets old enough to require a more senior actor.
We're not even given the title of this Death Note tune. The blarb beneath is merely a general announcement, listing star cast members, while telling us that Frank Wildhorn composed the music, and Tamiya Kuriyama is directing the performance.
Nevertheless it's a first glimpse at Kira in the musical (times two). What are your first impressions?
And many, many thanks to Logan for catching this, then giving us a heads up.
It seems that we're watching both Kira actors sing what's presumably a key song from the Death Note stage show. Kenji Urai kicks us off, before Hayato Kakizawa picks up the second verse, then the pair continue in their duet.
I'd assumed that they shared the role - as in each actor working alternate nights - but this suggests that both actors will be playing Light Yagami for all performances. Perhaps a younger and older version? Though that makes no sense. They're both whippersnappers! Plus Kira never gets old enough to require a more senior actor.
We're not even given the title of this Death Note tune. The blarb beneath is merely a general announcement, listing star cast members, while telling us that Frank Wildhorn composed the music, and Tamiya Kuriyama is directing the performance.
Nevertheless it's a first glimpse at Kira in the musical (times two). What are your first impressions?
And many, many thanks to Logan for catching this, then giving us a heads up.
Death Note Artist Takeshi Obata's All You Need is Kill as Oversized Omnibus Print Edition
12/11/2014
 | I'm never sure to what extent you're all interested in Death Note related work, but I'll dutifully report upon new releases until someone tells me to stop. Back in May, we heard how the English language version of All You Need is Kill - artwork by Takeshi Obata providing the relevance - was out in digital format. Viz Media have now released a print edition for those of us who like to hold, sniff, display and gather dust on our graphic novel collections. But only in the USA and Japan. Hiroshi Sakurazaka's cult sci-fi novel follows the fortunes of Keiji Kiriya, who is trapped in the Groundhog Day from Hell. Forced out onto a battlefield to fight the invading Mimics, Kiriya is just one more face amongst the general cannon fodder. Nor does he make it very far. He's soon killed and his body is piled up with all of the rest. Then he wakes up. It's the morning of the battle once again and Kiriya has another chance to survive the carnage of the day. While all common sense says to flee, he's not given the option. One day, another death. Then he wakes up, and so on. Only each iteration allows him to add a little more to his observations, amassing a sum of knowledge in the angles fought and lost, which might eventually see him safely out the other side. But what would actually happen if he did survive? And is this even the same world from which he first marched off to war? Enjoy your pretty omnibus 2 in 1 hard copy edition of All You Need is Kill, America and Japan. Meanwhile, the rest of us can check out the digital versions at Amazon: Canada | China | France | Germany | Great Britain | Italy | Japan | Spain | US |
at Amazon US 
Gakkyū Hōtei is coming back.
Shuiesha announced that Nobuaki Enoki's 'shocking court mystery' manga will feature throughout 2015, as a Weekly Shonen Jump serial, beginning with the January publication (due in December 2014).
So far, so utterly relevant within the remit of this blog. Until you notice that Takeshi Obata is the artist brought on board for the project. Shuiesha will be hoping that Death Note's own visionary will be able to reprise his magic for this title too.
Previously, Gakkyū Hōtei's artwork was drawn by its author Enoki. The story, formatted as a Smartphone app, ran as part of Jump Live.
'Gakkyū Hōtei' translates as School Investigation Court. Each of the manga's chapters will highlight another elementary school offender, as they go to trial.
It's a kind of Ace Attorney meets Grade School because... well, why not? High School students being judgmental is hardly anything new (it sets them up for adulthood, where being opinionated comes as standard, though we have to be more subtle about finger pointing and kicking people out of our gangs).
Though I'm still unsure about how legally binding these School Tribunals are, nor am I 100% on the nature of the crimes under consideration.
If it's mass murder via a supernatural note book, then Obata has this one totally in the bag. Whatever it is, I'm sure he'll cope.
Shuiesha announced that Nobuaki Enoki's 'shocking court mystery' manga will feature throughout 2015, as a Weekly Shonen Jump serial, beginning with the January publication (due in December 2014).
So far, so utterly relevant within the remit of this blog. Until you notice that Takeshi Obata is the artist brought on board for the project. Shuiesha will be hoping that Death Note's own visionary will be able to reprise his magic for this title too.
Previously, Gakkyū Hōtei's artwork was drawn by its author Enoki. The story, formatted as a Smartphone app, ran as part of Jump Live.
'Gakkyū Hōtei' translates as School Investigation Court. Each of the manga's chapters will highlight another elementary school offender, as they go to trial.
It's a kind of Ace Attorney meets Grade School because... well, why not? High School students being judgmental is hardly anything new (it sets them up for adulthood, where being opinionated comes as standard, though we have to be more subtle about finger pointing and kicking people out of our gangs).
Though I'm still unsure about how legally binding these School Tribunals are, nor am I 100% on the nature of the crimes under consideration.
If it's mass murder via a supernatural note book, then Obata has this one totally in the bag. Whatever it is, I'm sure he'll cope.
Real life keeps happening in abundance, often in untold ways - good, bad, extraordinary and banal. Which means that I've been horribly distracted from here, hence being a bit behind.
This wouldn't usually matter too much, as time moves slowly in the Death Note news world, with little going on.
But Takeshi Obata is wandering all over the globe giving interviews; those staging the musical keep trickling out more information; Viz has indulged in a pre-Christmas/Yay!-Takeshi-came-here! Death Note franchise release/reissue/sales bonanza; and fans are all fired up into creating greatness in tribute.
Hence I sodded off right at the moment when Death Note news finally erupted big-time after several years on a go slow. Go me.
I've devoted the entire of today to a massive catch up. This includes responding to comments left ignored for days; scheduling blogs, so you're not inundated with everything all at once; and finally getting around to those formatting repairs to the Death Note anime store page, which many kind souls pointed out weeks ago.
As regards the latter, I've been in there already. I've added links to an online retailer of Spanish Death Note DVDs, then messed with the formatting.
By 'messed', I mean 'messed'. I've tried out a couple of different ways to organize this, all on the same page. There's so much information to impart, different countries, different titles, different packaging etc, that it's hard to know how to order it all.
I'd be very grateful if you'd nip in and give me some feedback on what works best in your opinion:
As soon as a fabulous format has been settled upon, I will arrange everything to match it. Plus it'll stop being so Amazon-centric, as I'll add other merchants. Choice is good.
In short - HELP!!!
This wouldn't usually matter too much, as time moves slowly in the Death Note news world, with little going on.
But Takeshi Obata is wandering all over the globe giving interviews; those staging the musical keep trickling out more information; Viz has indulged in a pre-Christmas/Yay!-Takeshi-came-here! Death Note franchise release/reissue/sales bonanza; and fans are all fired up into creating greatness in tribute.
Hence I sodded off right at the moment when Death Note news finally erupted big-time after several years on a go slow. Go me.
I've devoted the entire of today to a massive catch up. This includes responding to comments left ignored for days; scheduling blogs, so you're not inundated with everything all at once; and finally getting around to those formatting repairs to the Death Note anime store page, which many kind souls pointed out weeks ago.
As regards the latter, I've been in there already. I've added links to an online retailer of Spanish Death Note DVDs, then messed with the formatting.
By 'messed', I mean 'messed'. I've tried out a couple of different ways to organize this, all on the same page. There's so much information to impart, different countries, different titles, different packaging etc, that it's hard to know how to order it all.
I'd be very grateful if you'd nip in and give me some feedback on what works best in your opinion:
- Listed in rows like here.
- Listed in columns, as here.
- Alternating, as I attempted here.
- Split into countries, like I did here.
- Or by purveyor, as demonstrated here.
As soon as a fabulous format has been settled upon, I will arrange everything to match it. Plus it'll stop being so Amazon-centric, as I'll add other merchants. Choice is good.
In short - HELP!!!
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Site Claim and Authorship Verification: All that follows is for me to prove my authorship of Death Note News in various places. Hoop jumping stuff for me; boring for everyone else.
