Giving hope to all of us global audience types, that Death Note 2016 will quickly migrate from Japan to our own screens, is a rather random movie magazine cover from Great Britain.
Dominated by a mostly monochromatic photograph, the front of Screen International's special February 11th 2016 edition features next generation L clone Ryuzaki (Sousuke Ikematsu), in what appears to be a pristine prison cell. He is slumped on a closed-lid toilet seat, wearing a hyottoko mask - as previously donned by his genetic forebear L in the first two Death Note movies, when the detective sought to conceal his own identity from Misa Amane.
The legend slanted on the floor is in English and reads, 'The new saga begins.' Whilst a larger one, in the familiar Death Note font and a more than familiar first rule, floats alongside the actor telling us, 'Death Note. The human whose name is written in this note shall die.' The implication is clear. L's biologically cloned successor isn't going to make it to the closing credits either.
Though none of us believe it. The danger point is too blatant and too premature.
Dominated by a mostly monochromatic photograph, the front of Screen International's special February 11th 2016 edition features next generation L clone Ryuzaki (Sousuke Ikematsu), in what appears to be a pristine prison cell. He is slumped on a closed-lid toilet seat, wearing a hyottoko mask - as previously donned by his genetic forebear L in the first two Death Note movies, when the detective sought to conceal his own identity from Misa Amane.
The legend slanted on the floor is in English and reads, 'The new saga begins.' Whilst a larger one, in the familiar Death Note font and a more than familiar first rule, floats alongside the actor telling us, 'Death Note. The human whose name is written in this note shall die.' The implication is clear. L's biologically cloned successor isn't going to make it to the closing credits either.
Though none of us believe it. The danger point is too blatant and too premature.
 |  Berlin Film Festival Screen International Death Note cover, as distributed on the day |
This wasn't a British magazine found generally upon the shelves of newsagents. It was a private marketing magazine circulating at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Only 10k were ever printed and they were distributed to attendees of the opening day on February 11th 2016.
The clue to why lies in the logo of Death Note 2016 copyright holders Nippon TV prominently displayed in the bottom right hand corner, alongside details for enquiring about world sales. Ryuzaki may look slumped, but that merely serves to turn his whole body towards the lower logo and its missives. His bulging hyottoko eyes are trained upon it. The floor legend leads the eye straight into said inquiry details for the international distribution of Death Note 2106.
After all was is a marketing fly cover (wrapped around the film magazine's actual cover), which must have knocked NTV back a pretty penny! Therefore knowing that a representative was waiting - at booth 111 of the European Film Market in Martin Gropius Bau - was the actual point.
Now all we need to know is whether anyone from our own respective countries nipped on over to stand 111, and if a deal was struck.
Incidentally, Screen International has its Feb 11th 2016 Death Note Berlin Film Festival cover - plus contents - online for us all to read.
The clue to why lies in the logo of Death Note 2016 copyright holders Nippon TV prominently displayed in the bottom right hand corner, alongside details for enquiring about world sales. Ryuzaki may look slumped, but that merely serves to turn his whole body towards the lower logo and its missives. His bulging hyottoko eyes are trained upon it. The floor legend leads the eye straight into said inquiry details for the international distribution of Death Note 2106.
After all was is a marketing fly cover (wrapped around the film magazine's actual cover), which must have knocked NTV back a pretty penny! Therefore knowing that a representative was waiting - at booth 111 of the European Film Market in Martin Gropius Bau - was the actual point.
Now all we need to know is whether anyone from our own respective countries nipped on over to stand 111, and if a deal was struck.
Incidentally, Screen International has its Feb 11th 2016 Death Note Berlin Film Festival cover - plus contents - online for us all to read.
In other related news, new casting Rina Kawaei has been Tweeting herself (February 24th 2016) on set, during filming of Death Note. She was basically telling her fans that she was playing Sakura Aoi, and it had just been publicly announced by the studio.
While four days previously, on February 20th, her actor colleague Masaki Suda celebrated his 23rd birthday. He was surprised at his desk, while performing his role as hacker and Kira worshipper Yūgi Shion, with something which obviously delighted him. Unfortunately we can't get a decent enough translation to find out what! Paper lanterns, perchance?
While four days previously, on February 20th, her actor colleague Masaki Suda celebrated his 23rd birthday. He was surprised at his desk, while performing his role as hacker and Kira worshipper Yūgi Shion, with something which obviously delighted him. Unfortunately we can't get a decent enough translation to find out what! Paper lanterns, perchance?
Death Note 2016 movie, official Twitter (Feb 20th 2016)
