The film was a commercial success, grossing over ¥3.1 billion (approximately $28 million USD) in Japan alone, making it one of the highest-grossing live-action manga adaptations of its time.
A comparison of the vs. the novelization (which has different plot points). Details on Kenichi Matsuyama's preparation for the role.
The score was composed by Kenji Kawai, known for his work on Ghost in the Shell . Kawai replaced the electronic, industrial sounds of the previous films with a more melancholic orchestral theme, emphasizing L’s solitude and sacrifice. The theme song is by Japanese rock band Shiny Toy Guns.