“Death Note” is a manga series that spawned a mega-franchise in Japan including an anime, two live-action films, a spin-off focusing on a fan-favorite character, three video games, seven soundtrack albums and enough licensed merchandise to make George Lucas salivate. In the US, however, the franchise remains fairly obscure for those who aren’t anime fans or Nipponophiles even as a big budget Hollywood remake of the film looms. Is “Death Note” an irresistible fantasy of power, intrigue and murder or just a kiddie tale dressed up in goth clothes?
