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Every country, it seems has a neo-action epic. Where worlds merge, and people realise possibilities beyond restriction. America has 'The Matrix', Russia 'Night Watch'. As for Japan?

'Death Note' is a fantastic idea, originally based on a manga novel but now being made into a trilogy. The first was released half a year ago, but shown on television tonight to hype up the release of 'Death Note: The Last Name' next month.

A school-boy, Light, finds a Death Note* dropped by one of the Sky-Gods. Whosever name is written in the book will die. Light realises the good he can do with this, and sets about killing all the evil people in the world. Known by the public as 'Killer'**, the power and infamy begin to control him. A genius, only known as 'L' so as to deter Killer from using his name within the book, sets about tracking him down. The rest of the movies become more complicated, with more 'death notes' and complicated relationships (Killer and L work together-ish).

It's a very interesting watch, not that I understood most of it, but in terms of exploring the human psyche and responsibility.

As (sadly) usual, expect the Hollywood butchering, I mean remake, within the next year.

*In Japan, 'note or note-o' is a Japanized word for notebook, which helps makes more sense in this context.
**Actually, pronounced 'kira'.