Because it always follows the exact same cycle of poor excuses:
1. A white actor is cast for a role that could have easily gone to an Asian (or other minority)
2. Bullshit reason is given and they're told to either produce things themselves and cast Asian, or try for roles where the role is explicitly Asian.
3. Asian property is adapted so Asians think "Well, they have to cast one of us now", and then under the excuse of American adaptation the lead character's race is changed from Asian to white. And thus we go back to 1
So instead of cherry picking what I said, respond to all of the points I made.
If that's how you feel then fine, but at least be consistent in your outrage.
If you're upset about Death Note then I hope you're just as upset about Edge of Tomorrow and the listed Marvel properties and really any other film with poor Asian representation. Because it comes off as insincere and more caring about the faithfulness of the property rather than actual representation.
In no way does an adaptation need to be 100% faithful to its original material. That's why its called an adaptation, not a recreation, and I stand firmly by the belief that just because it's an adaptation of Japanese material, that doesn't mean it needs to feature Asian Americans in leading roles unless it's an important distinction within the adaptation. It's not in Death Note, so whether or not the leads are Japanese or even Asian should be wholely irrelevant.
I'll give it to you for Ghost in the Shell, and I've already said that I'd prefer a Japanese actress. But at the end of the day attractive white people in leading roles sell more than minorities, though black people are starting to make their way there too.
Am I saying that we shouldn't discuss it as a whole or that Asian representation doesn't matter? No but not every case is as cut and dry as you're trying to make it out to be.
So what's the solution? You guys are right that Asians shouldn't only get cast when they need a martial arts master or an ancient figure of lost Asian knowledge or any other stereotype. But being consistent with complaints and outrage along with taking back those roles from white people would be a start, in addition to asking for more asian representation in all media, TV shows, movies, whatever. Don't just do it in some instances and ignore it in others. If you want to make a difference then keep making your voice heard everywhere there's an issue.
No one was even saying that...a key aspect of his character is that he's a privileged psychopath, but my point is that this Light doesn't strike me as a privileged kid. He looks like a weird loner. Obviously, I can't say this for sure and I'm going to watch the movie to find out, but from the trailer that's the impression I got.
Privilege and popularity don't need to go hand in hand, which comes back to the "white privilege" angle we've been discussing. And come on, the trailer is 55 seconds long. It's not like Light really had all that many friends in the anime either.