Excitement over the live-action "DEATH NOTE" (Story: Tsugumi Ooba, Manga: Takeshi Obata) film is building, with international theatrical releases planned for eight countries to date.

The film (directed by Shusuke Kaneko and distributed by Warner Brothers) is currently scheduled for a June 17 release, with a second concluding chapter debuting in October. According to a Hochi Shimbun article dated May 25, the screening of a five minute promotional trailer at the Cannes film festival received a tremendous response, with more than 50 companies from throughout Asia, North America, and Europe visiting the Japan TV booth and expressing interest in releasing the film abroad. Negotiations with Thai and Hong Kong film distributors have recently been settled, and releases in 8 Asian countries have been confirmed. There are plans to show the film in an estimated 15 countries throughout the world in all.

The popularity of "DEATH NOTE" in the US and Asia is on the rise, with an especially large number of fans in China as well. Japanese horror films have amassed considerable critical acclaim abroad in recent years, and many speculate that the "DEATH NOTE" movie may build on this interest and become a global success.

* For related items, see Ken Obata works (Hikaru no Go.DEATH NOTE)

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