While the two mediums are not often associated in peoples’ minds, anime and musical theater actually have a number of similarities. For example, musicals such as Moulin Rouge, Newsies and a more recent example, The Notebook, are known for their melodrama, expressed through song. On the other hand, anime’s depictions of strong emotions in series such as Erased and Fullmetal Alchemist are often quite theatrical, setting them apart from other media.

While America has access to most series released in Japan, there is one main source of entertainment that most Western fans are not aware of: anime musicals. Currently, only one anime musical has made its way to America. Death Note the Musical, based on the manga and anime series of the same name, which featured a score by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy, and book by Ivan Menchell.

The Japanese musical premiered on April 6, 2015, at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. The stage adaptation starred Kenji Urai and Hayato Kakizawa as Light and Teppei Koike as L. The musical was originally written in English and later translated. To advertise the Japanese premiere, the 2015 Complete English Concept Album was released. Aside from a concept album, no anime musicals have premiered in America. In contrast, multiple anime musical adaptations have toured around Japan, something Western anime fans are seriously missing out on.

Primary Similarities Between Musicals & Anime

Musicals and Anime Series Are More Alike Than Fans May Think

Musicals and anime series have two central similarities that set them apart from other media. First, while Dragon Ball is famous in Latin America for several reasons, it heavily resembles Telenovelas, which are often sourced from Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. Telenovelas are renowned for their melodramatic tones and multi-season arcs, similar to anime. In the same way, musicals capture intense feelings through heartfelt ballads, dicey duets, and playful, comedic reprises.

Additionally, musicals and anime share their use of score. Songs are pivotal in the plot of musicals and almost consistently reflect the ongoing emotions of the characters who are singing. Likewise, anime soundtracks and themes are distinct from Western scores. In contrast to Westernized animated films such as Disney or Pixar, Japanese anime scores and music do not highlight the characters’ movements but rather the contextual emotions, just like musicals.

Anime’s Newest Theatrical Adaptation: Attack on Titan: The Musical

Attack On Titan: The Musical to Be the First Anime Stage Adaptation in an American Theater

While anime musicals have not yet made it to American theaters, Attack on Titan: The Musical will make history this October. Based on the manga by Hajime Isayama, the AOT musical adaptation will premiere at the New York City Center on October 11-13 in Japanese with live English subtitles. Isayama himself approved the musical, further exemplifying that anime adaptations are a phenomenal solution to presenting classic series in new ways:

“When I saw the production in Tokyo, I was floored by how powerful it was. I felt that a musical was the perfect medium to express the story of Attack on Titan. The action and the songs by the performers have created a new Attack on Titan that is different from the manga or the anime series. They have created such an amazing show, and I cannot wait for everyone to see it in New York. Please look forward to the opening.” – Hajime Isayama

Death Note: The Musical took America by storm, starring the iconic Jeremy Jordan as Light Yagami, alongside a cast of brilliant actors to bring the beloved story to life. However, Death Note is not the only anime that has received a live-action musical adaptation. Pokémon, Your Lie in April, and Sailor Moon have all been brought to the stage in London and Japan. Aside from concept albums, these musicals haven’t seen the light of day in America. However, an Attack on Titan musical coming this fall could change everything, proving one of the best recent movements in anime is something American fans are seriously missing out on, but not for long.