The Simpsons’ Death Note parody animated by the original anime studio

Carolyn Omine, a talented writer from the long-running animated sitcom The Simpsons, recently shared intriguing behind-the-scenes details about the collaborative experience of transforming the beloved comedy series into an anime-inspired parody of Death Note.

Omine, an Emmy Award-winning writer known for her exceptional contributions to The Simpsons, provided insights into the creative process behind the creation of the “Treehouse of Horror” episode, which featured a Death Note parody called Death Tome. In an article by Otaku USA Magazine, Omine live-tweeted her involvement in working with DR Movie, one of the animation studios that contributed to the original Death Note anime. She revealed how the parody artfully blended the distinctive elements of both The Simpsons and Death Note, seamlessly incorporating the classic Simpsons aesthetic into the dark and supernatural narrative of Death Note.

While Omine was not part of the writing team responsible for crafting the Death Note parody sequence, she was the one who initially pitched the idea. Inspired by her desire to “do something that reflected [her] heritage,” Omine’s son and niece suggested a Death Note parody, which resonated with her. The draft for the episode was skillfully penned by Ryan Koh, a talented writer who had previously worked on several episodes of The Simpsons. To prepare for the table-read in October 2021, Omine collaborated with assistant director Dane Romley to create an anime-inspired rendition of Lisa Simpson, one of the iconic characters from The Simpsons. Omine shared that she drew over a screen-grab of Light in his classroom, giving Lisa her own unique style by adorning her with the classic lampshade dress and pearls while Romley added the finishing touches.

Interestingly, Omine disclosed that initially, there were discussions about having The Simpsons’ in-house animators handle the anime parody. They even completed an animatic using their own resources. However, Richard Raynis, one of the show’s main producers, expressed a strong desire to ensure the authenticity and quality of the parody, leading the team to reach out to DR Movie, the esteemed animation studio behind the original Death Note anime. Omine acknowledged the tight timeframe within which DR Movie had to work, as the collaboration between the two teams began in March 2022 with the goal of showcasing a 90-second clip at ComicCon. In her praise of DR Movie’s efforts, Omine described their designs and animated clips as “thrillingly beautiful.”

When it came to developing the concept art for an anime version of Homer Simpson, Omine sent references to the talented team at DR Movie. Her instruction was for the protagonist to appear “cute and likeable.” Director Eom added a distinctive “M” in Homer’s sideburns and a drunken blush to capture his iconic look. Omine highlighted some key scenes in the parody, including the memorable notebook-writing sequence where Lisa meticulously writes the names of the Board of Directors responsible for Globo-Warm into the Death Tome. The sequence is accompanied by ominous choral music composed by Bleeding Fingers Music, further enhancing the dramatic atmosphere. Omine expressed her awe at the sequence, emphasizing its visual and narrative impact. She continued to shower praise on the DR Movie team, sharing a screenshot of the ending scene where Lisa, now transformed into a Shinigami, walks alongside Bart, known as El Barto or the enigmatic L in Death Note. Omine raved about the shot, proclaiming it to be possibly the most beautiful moment in The Simpsons’ history.

The Death Note parody in The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror” episode centers around Lisa’s discovery of the Death Tome, a supernatural notebook granting her the power to kill anyone whose name she writes in its pages. Motivated by her disgust with big corporations’ role in causing global warming, Lisa utilizes the Death Tome in creative and unexpected ways, with each death requiring a distinct method. The parody episode aired on Fox on October 30, treating viewers to a clever fusion of The Simpsons’ humor and Death Note’s gripping storytelling.

Through the collaboration with DR Movie, The Simpsons successfully paid homage to the iconic anime while maintaining the irreverent charm and enduring appeal of the long-standing sitcom. The creative synergy between the two animation teams brought forth a unique and engaging blend of humor and darkness, ensuring that fans of both The Simpsons and Death Note were treated to a memorable and entertaining experience.

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Lind, Takuo,Matt, Wedy, Aiber, Steve