Rated: PG
Distributor: Simply Fun

See L run. Run, L, Run! Now see L ride his bike. Ride, L, ride! We suspect that L Change the World had a ridiculously simple goal ? to provide a service to the cult following of Death Note (and cash in on its roaring success). But rather than keep things simple, it decided to be too ambitious for its own good and create the “ultimate case” for super-detective L (Kenichi Matsuyama), a deadly virus that turns people into pus-filled zombies before killing them. It’s a wonder that L can continue munching on his candied treats without gagging on all those putrid open sores.

Created as a spin-off to the highly-acclaimed Death Note films, L Change the World chronicles L’s last 23 days, after he writes his own name in the Death Note. The new threat to the world is a nasty virus (a delicious cocktail of the flu and ebola) that the Blue Ship organisation is using to rid the world of undesirables. So L runs around Japan with two kids by his side, trying to find the antidote.   
     
It’s appalling how lacklustre this show is, especially given L’s brilliant mind and gawky charm in Death Note. Poor L really has no worthy adversary this time ? the new baddies have all the spark and wit of a test tube. Also, the plot is so appalling that the only reasons to watch would be for the rare moments of classic L behaviour (slouching and typing with two fingers), and laughing at what must be the world’s most hilarious B-movie death scene ? someone being fried to death while exhibiting zombie-like symptoms.
     
The making-of and interviews are mildly interesting, but seeing Matsuyama sporting facial hair and a suit is fan service enough. The notebook packaging is a nice touch, too. -Lisa Twang