Death Note (2006–2007) User Reviews

I'm glad Death Note was my first anime.

[loncarkristina · 9/10 · 6 September 2019]

The first time I heard of Death Note was from a youtube channel Hello Future Me and his storytelling analyses. Previously I had resented anime as childish and totally weird-looking, but after Timothy took Death Note as an example of a good story-beat management, I was wiling to give it a shot. And boy, was I hooked.

Never before have I seen any show try to copy that sherlock-ey way of thinking and incorporate it so cleverly with mystery and fantasy elements. Death Note has such an unique feel to it that no other anime has... every moment Light's and L's theme play, I get slight goosebumps while wondering who will outsmart whom next. It is a matter of simple beauty seeing the writers play with the contrast of Light's and L's personality, making them grow close while simultaneously growing further apart. Ant to top it off with so much symbolism and biblical references in the final episode of L's saga is a matter of pure perfection.

Yes, people will say that the second part sucks. Truth be told, even though it may not be equally as engaging as the first one, I wouldn't say it was unbearable either. The fact is that by this point Light is so cornered that he cannot operate on his own; therefore the tension is dissipated towards minor characters and Near that we don't get enough time to care about. Nonetheless, seeing Light maneuver through all the traps Near sets for him provides a proper build-up towards the eagerly expected end.

And about the end... I really felt for Light in those final moments. Part of me didn't want the series to end the way it did, simply because Light was the embodiment of my answer to the fundamental questions of justice that stem from Dostoyevski's Crime and Punishment. As much as I may be a follower of Kira in one part of my mind, I also cannot deny that Near is absolutely right - Light Yagami is just another serial killer; nothing more and nothing less.

Death note is the first of all the animated series that has introduced me with the fact that not all things animated have to have a happy ending. Think of it, how many western-animation movies do you know that do not end on a happy note? Very few would be my guess. And from this time on, my journey through japanese animation has started. I couldn't be more grateful for the way it began and therefore, Death Note will always be the No. 1 anime I will recommend to people new to anime. If you haven't seen it yet, I really do not know what you are waiting for...

... btw I hear the bells. Do you?

Brilliant first half, and the rest of it was just okay.

[premnigamkarpnk · 9/10 · 3 June 2019]

Seriously the first half of it was the one of the best things I've ever watched in my whole life. The psychological warfare was brilliant and the show had me on the edge of my seat at every single moment. And once L died, everything went downhill. Light turned into an absolute physcopath and it was almost unbelievably stupid of him to fall in Nears trap. Near was nowhere nearly as smart as L or Light, yet she had the last laugh. If the second half would've continued like the first half, this would be the best show ever made.

Masterpiece but latter half ruined the series slightly

[dj_vlado · 9/10 · 8 August 2019]

I will be short, the series is a gem: character buildup, screenwriting, tension, drama, art, cinematography, everything. Truly captivating story...

...until (without spoiling it) the main story arc ends quite anticlimactically and new subplot begins with new characters in the primal focus. The latter half takes away a hint of brilliance from rest of the story.

Still I would recommend it!

Clever, Slick, and Suspenseful

[eirenightshade · 10/10 · 6 January 2007]

This is anime at its best. I'm fairly new to the world of anime, but I have to say from what I've seen that Death Note goes above and beyond your typical run-of-the-mill action based anime. Whereas a lot of anime strategically relies on action packed battles and fights, Death Note is a refreshing change of pace. It's slick, clever, and witty with the eccentric "L" heading the investigation. It's a constant game of cat and mouse as the lead investigator and the suspected "Kira" or "Killer" always seem to be one step ahead of one another. The two brilliant minds constantly outwit each other. The plot is complex but easily laid out for you and the story is remarkably intelligent and inventive. All the while you're watching you think, "Wow, this can't possibly get any deeper," but each new episode proves you wrong. What I like the most is that this is very, very complex material but it's flawlessly and easily presented so each new development in the case comes as an excited shock.

This is great stuff and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who might be looking for a change of pace in anime. It's not for everyone, of course since it's more of an intellectual thriller and not so much an action fantasy, but anyone who can appreciate the mental challenge of following along with this suspenseful battle of wits will be in heaven with Death Note.

Genius

[NicolasTheWolf · 9/10 · 14 September 2021]

The first 25 episodes of Death Note are simply insane. The mental fight between L and Yagame Light is something I've never seen before in that intensity. They are both such great characters so if either of them wins you will be sad for the other one. The last 12 episodes were still pretty good but just not at the same level as before. But the ending was really great again and a worthy one.

Rush!

[Jamex_ · 10/10 · 15 November 2006]

After watching the first six episodes, I find that the story line is very well though out. Unlike many series, Death Note has a way of keeping ahead of the watcher, and one can never predict what is about to happen.

The series is obviously dark. One of the things that I find interesting about Death Note that the protagonist isn't the good guy, like that of the stereotypical protagonist. The fact that this series goes morally were few others will go is definitely one of the reasons I find this series to be so enticing.

I'm definitely hooked!

The second half of the series ruined a masterpiece

[TheJaisenberg · 8/10 · 13 March 2020]

Don't get me wrong, this is an awesome series. From the first episode you can note the well characterized characters, incredible production and direction by MadHouse, the good tone and a story that can be interesting for casual viewers and for smarter people. The constant fight between Kira and L was the point where the series harnessed its potential, you know, THE SERIES STAYED ALIVE BECAUSE OF IT and it was damn awesome, you were always thinking what Kira would do next and what would L do to catch him, it was unpredictable in a good way and fascinating.

This was until episode 25 unfortunately, and everything just goes down. Without L, Light feels so distant from the viewer making the next events monotonous and boring to watch,he suddenly starts acting like an impulsive idiot that betrayes his previous character, and about Near, it seems like a plot device being just there for finishing what L started. There's no personality or characterization in him, so it's a nonsense. And then we get to the final episode, Light seems he's going to win but you know what? Let's make an stupid and forced situation where Mikami has the stupid idea to leave the note in a place like the bank. Are you serious? After we saw Light's elaborated plan to hide it in the first episodes, Why didn't he tell him to do that? What I hate from this is that they tell you that Mikami is a very intelligent and metodic guy, but he acts like a fool making decisions without Light's orders. Forced, convenient, inconsistent and rushed.

Death Note starts as an incredible and smart show, then they took the smart part and got rid of it. On it's defense, I have to say that the second half isn't too long to ruin the series, so it goes from being a masterpiece to just a very good show.

8/10

My goodness

[koorsen · 10/10 · 10 September 2018]

This is good. I don't watch anime. I watched all of this. It is very good.

This show is Wonderful!

[x-SaiLor-SeNshi-x · 10/10 · 29 January 2007]

This show just keeps getting better and better! Every episode has a new twist, and is never the same as the last! It will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you will watch it again and again! The story is centered around a young man, Yagami Raito/Light who finds a "Death Note". I won't tell you anymore about this "Death Note" (as that would spoil it). With this "Death Note" he sets about ridding the world of evil and creating a "Utopia", with himself as the new god. Filled with interesting characters, lots of intelligent dialouge and exiting plot twists, this show is definitely on my top 10! I would Highly recommend it to anyone, those who enjoy crime/psychological/dark themes.

let them eat cake!

[kojisuzuki · 10/10 · 30 October 2006]

From the pages of the manga to the silver screen and then to the small screen. Manga = breathtaking, Film = groundbreaking, Anime = phenomenal.

Death Note the anime is one of the best animes to come out for a very long time. The storyline is amazing but not complicated or cliché. Like the film and manga, it depicts the cat and mouse hunt between L and Light on who will uncover one another's identity.

Death Note is a cake; everything good about a cake; and therefore people should see this landmark. Overall, Death Note will remain a classic forever... if the Americans don't remake and ruin it!!!

10/10

Incredible until it Wasn't

[BadgerStorm4345 · 9/10 · 16 June 2020]

Death Note was a stellar TV Show and on its way to being one of my favorite animated TV Shows. With its incredible concept, interesting villainous protagonists and an antithesis to the protagonist that complimented his genius perfectly. The formula was great with the exception of episodes 18-22 which features our protagonists cunning on a boring way that leads to a lackluster payoff. After this however. Episodes 23, 24 and 25 are phenomenal works of art. This is where the series goes from Incredible to incredibly mediocre. With the exception of the last 3 episodes of the show, there is no right for any of the episodes after episode 25 to exist. The show went from having me completely invested to it feeling like a chore to finish, which is a shame because of how great the last 3 episodes actually were. They introduce new antagonists that are literally the exact same thing as the last one we had, except much worse and no fun at all to watch. I was frustrated with these new characters and their placement in the show. In my opinion Death Note should have ended at episode 25 then it would have been a nearly perfect anime.

Starts out very strong, but....

[parkermil · 7/10 · 18 July 2019]

I thoroughly enjoyed the game of cat and mouse between Light and L, but after L kicks it the show loses its luster. The game could only go on for so long, and in my opinion the show should have ended with L's demise.

Best Anime 100 %

[shadmanshahriardhruba · 5/10 · 8 January 2024]

I think this is the world best anime series. No other anime can't take this place . I always supported Light .Light is the immortal character of this Death note.

This in best and No.1 Anime."Death Note," a psychological thriller anime, is a masterful exploration of morality, power, and the consequences of playing god. The series, based on Tsugumi Ohba's manga, unfolds a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

At its core, "Death Note" centers around Light Yagami, a high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious notebook that grants him the ability to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. This premise sets the stage for a cat-and-mouse game between Light, who adopts the alias Kira, and the brilliant but enigmatic detective L.

The brilliance of "Death Note" lies in its intricate plot and character development. Light's descent into megalomania and moral ambiguity is captivating to witness. The moral dilemmas he faces, questioning the value of justice and the morality of his actions, add depth to his character. The intricate chess match between Light and L is a battle of wits that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

The animation, directed by Tetsuro Araki, is sleek and visually striking. The use of dark tones and sharp contrasts complements the intense atmosphere of the series. The iconic Shinigami, Ryuk, is a visually stunning and eerie presence, adding a supernatural element to the narrative.

The soundtrack, composed by Yoshihisa Hirano, enhances the tension and drama of the series. The haunting melodies and intense orchestrations contribute to the overall immersive experience. The opening theme, "The World" by Nightmare, sets the tone for each episode, creating an immediate sense of anticipation.

Characterization is a standout aspect of "Death Note." Light Yagami's transformation from a seemingly ordinary student to a megalomaniacal figure is depicted with nuance. L, the eccentric detective, is equally intriguing with his unique mannerisms and deductive prowess. The supporting cast, including Misa Amane and Near, play pivotal roles in the narrative, each contributing to the complexity of the story.

The series also delves into philosophical themes, questioning the ethical implications of absolute power. It prompts viewers to reflect on justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. The narrative's exploration of these themes adds a layer of intellectual engagement beyond the typical crime thriller.

Despite its numerous strengths, "Death Note" does face criticism for a perceived decline in quality in its later episodes. Some argue that the introduction of new characters alters the dynamic established in the early episodes. Additionally, the ending has been a point of contention among fans, with opinions varying on its satisfaction.

In conclusion, "Death Note" stands as a landmark in the anime genre. Its gripping narrative, complex characters, and philosophical depth make it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. While the series may not be flawless, its impact on the anime landscape is undeniable. "Death Note" is a thought-provoking journey that transcends its medium, leaving a lasting impression on those who dare to explore its twisted morality.

Brilliant start, weak finish, but still great show

[dewo96 · 9/10 · 28 January 2020]

No spoilers... This show has a great starting foothold. The mixing between mythical fantasy world of god of death and police detective story line is brilliant, just works brilliantly. But as the story grows the details on how things work out gets blurry and un logical character decision making happens more and more often But overall very enjoyable despite the weak finish, and oddly i am hoping there is a death note 2

A Captivating and Unique Anime

[cyber_phantasm · 10/10 · 24 April 2007]

I have seen many anime but few compare to Death Note. It provides it's viewers with incredible characters, a deep storyline, and view of how power can corrupt. The focus of the story is on Yagami Light, a college student who is feed-up with what he considers a rotting world. He soon finds a notebook named "Death Note." The instructions state that any human whose name is written in the Death Note will die as long as the person who writes the victim's name has the victim's face in mind at that time. While Light considers it to be a foolish prank, his curiosity gets the best of him. Upon learning that the Death Note is real, Light realizes he has the chance to rid the world of crime and create a new world over which he reigns supreme. The story of Death Note follows Light as he tries to create his new world, and the forces that try to stop him. Perhaps one of the most interesting elements of the series is that the main character is neither a hero or an anti-hero but instead an anti-villain. This an excellent series that is guaranteed to leave viewers in awe.

Wow

[jasminn_tan · 10/10 · 6 June 2020]

I know I'm really late but this was amazing. Light is probably one of the best villains that also happens to be the protagonist. He was despicable and a psychopath that thought himself a God. It was chilling to watch him transform into Kira because he was willing to kill anyone that stood in his way. I enjoyed every second of it. If I could make a comparison, the dynamic between Light and L is similar to that between Hannibal and Will in the tv show Hannibal. This anime kept me on my toes in every episode as Light outsmarted the people who were against Kira, until he was eventually outsmarted. I kind of wished that Light would've won in the end but honestly the ending meant that nobody but Ryuk won. Ryuk had the most fun being around Light and it was only right that Ryuk was the one who took Light's life. It had come full circle and it was a little bittersweet to see this end.

Well Written, Masterful Anime

[Ore-Sama · 9/10 · 10 December 2007]

I have to say two things turned me off. First is the idiot reviewer on the front page who feels the need to use 70% of his review(even titled it "Eat Your Heart Out Naruto"-really subtle) to bash Naruto like some insecure 12 year old spoiled brat fan boy. Pathetic. The second was that it sounded like some Gothic action anime from others. However when I finally saw it I thought, meh, okay. However as it went on I got more and more drawn in.

The plot is simple enough to start:successful and brilliant student Light stumbles upon the Death Note, which will kill anyone who's name he writes down provided it's their real name and he knows his face. He experiments with it and sees that it's real. He plays with the other rules all the while killing other criminals and meeting up with the shinigami who wrote the death note. The deaths of these criminals does not go unnoticed as the renound and mysterious detective El is trying to discover who Light, under the name Kira, is. Whoever finds the other's identity first will win in this power struggle.

Like I said, the first episode is interesting enough. The story however develops and becomes better and more complex as it goes on. The moral ambiguity of the anime gives it a unique feel among others of it's kind. I was shocked to see a show like this under Shounen jump which usually host anime that combine strong actions scenes with a complex plot and character development. What we have here instead is an anime that dosen't have adrenaline pumping action scenes advancing the plot(not that there's anything wrong with that, in fact I enjoy that as well) but the proverbial chess game between Light and the police as Light becomes well aware the police are after him as he does everything possible to hide himself all the while continuing to do away with criminals at his whim.

Ryuk, the shinigami who follows Light, actually provies some of the comic relief of the show believe it or not. He's not over the top goofy by any means however if there's any laughs to be derived, it's usually from him.

Even if you're not a fan of Shounen Jump anime, you should give Death Note a try. It easily rivals the majority of thriller films. It is well worth your time.

A must see for anyone, don't even need too like anime to love this!!!

[lennoxxx · 10/10 · 13 March 2007]

I watched one episode and thought the first episode wasn't pretty good, but when i started too watch(watching episode 11 now) i started too love it, its genius and the guy who made this movie got too be one of the smartest filmmaker ever, The animation is one of the best, the story is smart, deep and exemplary written , the characters are interesting, i can gladly say i haven't found one error in this series, so even if you don't watch much anime i just recommend you too watch this and i can swear that you will like it, i think this is as good as elfen lied(or even better). The story is about a guy named light who is top-student and smartest guy in school(without being a geek), one day some kind of diary named ''death note'' falls down from the sky and he picks it up, and then the story begins.. a must see for everyone!!!

10/10

The L saga is superb, the ending half weak

[noitidart · 9/10 · 6 February 2017]

This review does not contain any spoilers. It is OK to read this. I only mention "L".

The first half is absolutely absolutely superb. I call this the "L saga". When you watch it, you will clearly know when it ends. I recommend you stop there. I wish I did. It's the halfway point of the series. The main characters story really does end there. But to show some moral lessons they put in another half to show that "good through evil isn't good". All world governments and empires disagree with this, so why did this show have to forcefully fabricate new stories in the second half. It totally ruined it. It takes away from the characters that had been established.

Due to the first half being the best thing I have ever ever seen, I give this 9 stars. Even though the second half was so bad I should reduce it to 5 stars.

Simply Phenomenal!

[jared-25331 · 10/10 · 28 August 2020]

Despite the fact that I haven't read the manga, I can say that Death Note is one of the best anime I've ever seen. The story & characters amazing and complex. It's a classic cat & mouse game between the hero and the villain on who try to find out about the others' identity. The animation is amazing, which is that you can always expect from japan. Overall, Death Note is a classic anime that is beloved by many and will continue to remain beloved for many years to come.

I have never, and never will, watch anything like this, ever again

[yohanbb · 10/10 · 30 May 2022]

Let me begin by saying I don't watch anime. I decided to give this ago because I was bored and saw that the plot was interesting, but I was delivered a full blow in the face when I watched this.

The characters, niche and all, have some significance in the outcome of this story.

The music is unbelievablely addicting! I listen to it even when I'm not watching it. I feel like it's a vital part of a show to entrap the watcher.

Everything is weaved together in a huge web of lies where it eventually falls into a climax. Even I couldn't decide if I wanted to side with L or Light.

Lastly, this is the only piece of media that has made me cry- it played with my emotions the entire time.

I just want to say, give this a go. Don't let your ego get you.

The first half was good... What happened?

[kalavic · 6/10 · 24 August 2013]

The series starts off great. There are around 5 excellently developed characters; there's a great premise; the plot develops logically and compellingly; the pacing of building tension then action is spot on. You've got a unique feel, and some moral dilemma action thought-provoking action. Everything has a balanced and cohesive feel - pretty much everything you'd expect when you see a series rated 8.9.

*I have to warn a very slight plot spoil, but I won't give anything remotely specific.*

Then about halfway through the series, to solve some stagnation they throw in a good dose of anticlimax. Now the majority of the interesting characters stop getting any screen time for various reasons and follow up by introducing and then disposing of characters you never have any reason to care about. The very ending was well done. (Pity it wouldn't make sense if you just skipped the 15 episodes preceding it!)

Maybe the manga developed all of the lame characters in the second half and had I first read all of them I would have enjoyed it all, but still... I just can't justify how sloppy everything got. Compare with either of the Fullmetal Alchemist adaptations, or Code Geass if you can tolerate mecha action, and you'll see where I'm coming from.

It either needed to be around 20-25 episodes and finish off strong without all of the later stuff, of have been extended to at least 50 so that they could have developed the last half into something workable.

Entertaining until a certain point

[zanzara19 · 5/10 · 7 May 2016]

I just watched all the 37 episodes after some friends recommended the series. I am not sure why I watched them all, to be honest. Really unlikable characters, same things happening over and over again, with some rare twists that are not even that brilliant. I am completely ignorant of the anime world, and this might be considered good. But it never happened to me to be so utterly indifferent about the main characters (especially after the time jump). So watch it if you really don't have anything better to do, or if you really like egocentric and self-loving, arrogant, overbearing, presumptuous characters who try to defeat "mistrerious" and brooding ones by "manipulating" an army of weak and stupid (by the main character's own definition) ones.

I am Justice.

[elisaescapa · 8/10 · 2 February 2007]

In the first episode, you can already see the amazing animation, the well-chosen voices, the immediate gripping of fear over the future in your chest. Death Note is a must-see for those who love to have a good 5 minutes of thinking because Death Note beautifully weaves suspense and unexpected turn of events that leaves the audience stunned and fascinated.

You'll notice the good production, but to truly decide whether it's worth watching you will have to watch to the 2nd (and for those who are stubborn, the 3rd) episode. If you are planning to watch this for a limited of time, you're in luck because the series is only 37 episodes long since the manga already ended.

While the IQ of the two main characters is straight-out impossible, you still cannot feel but admire just how logical their reasons for making possibilities and theories are (what makes it even scarier is that most of the theories that L or Light, the two protagonists, are true). If you are one who watches things from a personal view, you would have a hard time deciding whether the things they are doing are right and if they are, in reality, insane.

There is slight humor that adds faint scratches on the anime, but it is soon covered up in the next minute with what a character has done or said. There was not a moment where I wasn't sitting at the edge of my seat, my eyes literally sticking to the screen. Every minute is worth watching, even the sinister theme songs played by Nightmare.

What makes this anime/manga unique is that it's a mystery thriller where you hardly question the origins of something. You rarely ask yourself unanswerable questions (not even in the back of your mind) and without realizing, you're only focused on the present events.

I promise, no matter what kind of audience you are, you will be gripped by this chilling life and death chain of events of a bored genius who kills criminals mercilessly with the mysterious Death Note.