A new Death Note game may soon be on the horizon, according to a recent listing by the Taiwan Game Rating Board. The unannounced title, named “Death Note: Killer Within,” is listed for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with Bandai Namco set as the publisher. While there has been no official confirmation from Bandai Namco, the listing has ignited speculation about a forthcoming game based on the iconic manga and anime series.
This is not the first time rumors of a Death Note game have surfaced. Previously, trademarks were filed in Europe and the United States under the title “Death Note: Killer Within,” hinting at a potential game development. Bandai Namco has significant experience working with licensed intellectual properties, having developed games for popular franchises such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, and My Hero Academia. Given this track record, a Death Note game from the studio would not be out of character.
The Death Note franchise, initially popularized as a manga series from 2003 to 2006, chronicles the narrative of Light Yagami, an adept student who comes across a notebook with the capability to end the life of anyone whose name is inscribed within its pages. The series delves into his ethical decline as he endeavors to transform the world while being pursued by an enigmatic detective known as “L”.
Since its inception, Death Note has given rise to a successful anime adaptation, numerous live-action films in Japan, and a 2017 Netflix reimagining. Furthermore, Konami launched three Death Note games for the Nintendo DS in the mid-2000s.