Death Note based on a popular manga comic topped The Da Vinci Code at the Japanese box office with US$4.13 million in its first two days.
Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, the film tells the story of boy genius Raito Yagami, who can kill anyone he wants simply by writing their name in a notebook.
A second movie in the series is due to open in November, while Nippon Television Network plans an animated version.
Experts were surprised though that the movie was able to knock out The Da Vinci Code which has been going strong since its opening. The latter movie topped the world box office for the fifth straight week.
The Da Vinci Code has reportedly earned about US$680 million.
