For several years now, Death Note has been one of those anime and manga adaptations that seems to have been in constant development in Hollywood. While it’s definitely one of the newer manga series out there to get tossed around Tinsel Town, it joined the likes of Akira and Ghost in the Shell as one of the series that would inevitably head on over to the west. 

Unlike a good number of anime or manga series coming out of Japan, it was one with a premise that could easily be catered to a Western audience with few changes. Just rearrange the setting, change shinigami to grim reaper, or some variation, and you got yourself a pretty solid thriller. More than even Akira and Ghost in the Shell, I felt Death Note had the potential to really take off in a big way in North America.

Some time ago, Netflix picked up the property, and as it went through the development and production stages, we heard very little from it. However, after a long wait, we now have our first look at what to expect from Death Note, thanks to a brand new teaser, shown above.

I always hate to say this when a new teaser comes out, but if one were to ask me how it looks, I’d still have to solidly say that it’s too early to tell. Nat Wolff looks a bit odd with his whole look, and I something about it seems a bit off. On the whole, however, all we got was a few lines, a sizzle reel, and a tease of Ryuk the shinigami (who, based on his silhouette, looks very much like his manga counterpart, surprisingly enough). It’s impossible to tell just how it is all being executed, and as such, I’ll have to hold on to my judgement for the time being.

The official synopsis for Death Note is below.

What if you had the power to decide who lives and who dies?

We suggest you obey the rules. Based on the famous Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Death Note follows a high school student who comes across a supernatural notebook, realizing it holds within it a great power; if the owner inscribes someone’s name into it while picturing their face, he or she will die. Intoxicated with his new godlike abilities, the young man begins to kill those he deems unworthy of life.

The Netflix original film is directed by Adam Wingard (Blair Witch, You’re Next) and stars Nat Wolff (Paper Towns), Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers), Lakeith Stanfield (Get Out), Paul Nakauchi (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), Shea Whigham (American Hustle) and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man).

Death Note, Netflix, Adam Wingard, Nat Wolff, Margaret Qualley, Lakeith Stanfield), Paul Nakauchi, Shea Whigham, Willem Dafoe

What did you think of this first trailer? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Death Note will hit Netflix on August 25, 2017.

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SOURCE: Netflix