Death Note

Death Note is a somewhat complex manga, yet it boasts an incredible plot that could give nightmares to even 5-year-olds. The illustrations are elegant and highly detailed. You can't help but admire Light as an amazing genius, and not too bad on the eyes either. This manga will keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you begging for more. So why are you still reading this note? Go out and buy all the books, and share them with your friends, your dogs, your cats, and most importantly... ME!!!!!!!!

This was the first manga I ever read from start to finish, and it remains my all-time favorite. It fully deserves its popularity and acclaim, and you won't be disappointed if you dive into it! Honestly, I started reading it one day and found it incredibly hard to put down. Very, very hard. I think I finished the entire series in just one day the first time I read it.

First things first, the story is absolutely incredible. The characters work together seamlessly, and the narrative takes many risks that pay off beautifully. The time jumps are excellent and ensure that the story never lags or becomes dull. Light is a character you can both love and hate; while his use of the Death Note is clearly wrong, his initial motivations are somewhat pure. L is my all-time favorite character, and the dynamic between him and Light as both enemies and allies is one of the most complex and well-executed relationships I've ever seen.

The majority of the characters are enjoyable, though I must admit I didn't particularly like Misa—though this could just be my personal opinion. The story does take some turns that might upset some readers, but Death Note excels at introducing new, brilliant characters who often surpass the original cast in terms of intrigue and depth.

The artwork is fantastic, with each character given a distinct 'look' that suits their personality. I appreciated how Light's outfits always matched his character, despite the variety he wore, and this attention to detail applied to every other character as well. L's design, in particular, made him stand out visually, emphasizing how different he was from everyone else. The shinigami also have striking artwork, ranging from twisted human-like forms to monstrous appearances.

This manga is truly a classic. It's not easy to craft characters and a story that so deeply explores moral values and the concepts of good and evil. Each plot twist is masterfully executed, keeping the narrative fresh and engaging, especially with the introduction of new characters. If you haven't read this manga yet, do yourself a favor and start now. And if you have already read it, it's definitely worth revisiting. It is one of the best out there.

This is truly a great series. The story begins with a teenager who discovers a book called Death Note. Upon testing it, he learns that writing the full name of someone he has seen before results in their death. Young Light aims to bring justice to the world using this book but faces opposition from the government, which claims his actions are wrong. I absolutely loved the beginning of this series when it was Light versus L. However, towards the end, the pacing seemed to accelerate too quickly, and I felt somewhat disappointed with the conclusion because it wasn't as thrilling as I had anticipated. Overall, it's a fantastic read with some flaws, but hey, it's Death Note! :)

Ah, Death Note. This isn't your run-of-the-mill manga story. It feels like something that could happen in real life, if you ignore the shinigami and the eerie death notebook.

When I first came across Death Note, my initial reaction was "ew." But then a friend recommended it to me and even brought it to school. Seeing an opportunity to read some manga, I dove right in. By the end of the first volume, I was completely hooked. The first chapter doesn’t immediately scream, “OMG, I NEED TO KEEP READING,” but rather, it’s more like, “Hm, interesting. Turn the page…” A few chapters later, it becomes, “OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!!”

What I truly appreciate about Death Note is that it portrays a genuine battle. Not one fought with magical weapons or incredible powers, but a battle between right and wrong, ultimately deciding who reigns supreme. The two main characters, Light and L, are incredibly smart and formidable opponents. Their rivalry is so intense that you're always left wondering what will happen next. What's their next strategy? What move will they make now? It keeps me up all night thinking about it. XD

I rated the characters a 9 because I’m not fond of how Light is portrayed. I understand the reasoning behind it, but it just feels off. Additionally, sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a character is good or bad because they’re so ambiguous. Despite these minor issues, it’s an amazing story and definitely worth reading. You won’t be disappointed! :)

I started reading this series thanks to a friend when it was still being translated. As soon as I began, I couldn't stop! I spent an entire week going to the bookstore after college just to read the next volume!

Back then, I was pretty broke and couldn't afford to buy the series. But even after finishing it, I was surprised and excited when a 13th volume appeared! By then, I had bought the whole series and knew I had to have that one too (even though it's not a story volume). I was thrilled to discover L's true name! (Sorry, no spoilers here)

I've read and re-read this series countless times, and it's still one I wouldn't mind being caught reading!

I've begun to notice a troubling trend in many manga series. Regardless of how brilliant and imaginative the initial premise might be, authors often fail to follow through or do justice to their ideas. They either resolve the plot with a cheap ending or drag it out in the most generic, tedious, and clichéd way possible.

Death Note is one of the worst examples of this issue. It starts with a fantastic concept: a high school student named Light Yagami finds a book used by shinigamis (reapers) to end people's lives. Believing himself righteous and superior, he decides to play "God" and eliminate evil individuals. A "super detective" known as "L" then pursues him.

So far, so good, right? The problem arises after Light and L meet. Death Note becomes an endless, repetitive, and boring drumbeat of characters constantly pondering what the others are thinking—a practice I call "brain picking." I'm not exaggerating; 95% of the book consists of characters spending pages contemplating, "He thinks I'm about to do Y. But if I do X, he'll figure out that I'm onto him. So I'll do A. But then he will figure out that if I do A, he'll know that I know B, and then he'll try C."

This "brain picking" reaches absurdity during the Yotsuba story arc. In one chapter, almost every line of dialogue contains the word "if" multiple times. For instance: "If Kira does A, that must mean A is true. But if Kira doesn't do A, then B is true. However, if Kira does C, then neither A nor B would be true. But if C is true, doesn't that mean D is also true? No, if D is true, then F is true. But that's if Kira does A first. Otherwise, G is a possibility."

It sounds like I'm exaggerating, but this is the bulk of the dialogue. It feels like the author just learned "Logic" in math class and was eager to show off their newfound knowledge.

Things get even more confusing later on when Light stops acting as Kira for a while and makes others act as Kira under his direction. When he joins his father's investigative team, he contemplates scenarios by giving false information about what Kira might do to cover his tracks. This makes it a chore to make sense of what he's saying because, although he doesn't have the book at that point, he is still technically Kira since he manipulates the fake Kiras.

This isn't the only issue with the manga. Light is a despicable character, yet we're forced to experience most of the story from his perspective. Takada and Mikami were equally disgusting, making reading the manga even more unbearable when they joined as protagonists.

Most side characters were useless and contributed nothing to the story. Misa and Matsuda, both annoying, stupid, clumsy comic relief characters, wasted ink. The European male and female crooks L hires came out of nowhere and didn't fit the story at all. Aizawa was completely wasted as a character.

The story arc involving Mello and his motivations was convoluted. There was no explanation for why all the genius kids had an obsession with eating and stacking stuff (90% of the time, Near, L, and Mello would be eating something or building things with their food).

Lastly, the idea that teenagers and children would be central to such a dark story is far-fetched, even for a manga. I don't care how "ingenious" a child is; there's no way they'd become internationally famous crime fighters or be entrusted with such a difficult case.

Due to all these issues, I disliked Death Note so much that I nearly quit halfway through. I forced my way through it because I hated the Light character so much that I wanted to see if he'd get his comeuppance in the end. The ending wasn't as bad as I expected, but slogging through so much "if...if...if..." wasn't worth it.

All in all, a 5/10 for me, with the 5 being for the great artwork and character designs of the shinigamis.

Death Note is a remarkably unique manga that stands out from others I've encountered. The story kicks off with 17-year-old Light Yagami discovering the Death Note, a supernatural notebook belonging to a Shinigami (a god of death). If you write someone's name in it while picturing their face, they die. At first glance, it might sound like a twisted joke, but the power of this notebook is frighteningly real, and Light can't resist the temptation to use it.

Welcome to the world of Death Note, where deception and constant vigilance are paramount. What truly captivated me was the complexity of the characters, especially the dynamic between Light and L. Their interactions are so intriguing that once I started reading, I couldn't put the manga down! Every event in this series happens for a specific reason, leaving no room for plot holes or loose ends. First-time readers may need to revisit certain volumes multiple times to catch all the subtle details. Pay close attention to the dialogue, and when you move on to the next volume, go back and make connections—it's as if you're part of this twisted, macabre tale.

The artwork in Death Note is exceptional. The characters exude a sense of realism that adds to the eerie atmosphere. This realistic portrayal makes the story even more unsettling at times. The cast is diverse, with many distinct personalities. One character that stood out to me, aside from the main protagonists, was Touta Matsuda. He comes across as a genuine goofball, providing some light-hearted moments amidst the darkness. His undeniable humanity was refreshing and made him stand out.

If you're looking for a manga that will keep you hooked and leave you thinking, give Death Note a try. I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

This manga came out of nowhere and completely blew me away. I can't recommend it highly enough—everything about it was incredible! The deep character development and the twists make you feel like you're riding the wildest roller coaster from start to finish! However, if you're looking for intense, bloody action scenes, you might want to look elsewhere. This manga will definitely challenge your mind and make you think deeply, almost forcing you to step into the shoes of some of the characters. There's quite a bit of reading involved, but it is absolutely worth it. The ending will leave you craving more and more. This is a must-read for everyone!

Death Note is indeed one of the greatest and most intense series in the detective genre, standing as a pinnacle of storytelling. From the introduction of Yagami Light to the final confrontation with Near and the police, the suspense and excitement never wane throughout the plot. The events are meticulously crafted, maintaining a constant tension and anticipation for what's to come.

The main characters—Yagami Light, L Lawliet, Misa Amane, Near, and Mello—are designed with an edgy and gothic flair, each possessing unique personalities and development that stand out. Their respective shinigami companions further enrich their character arcs. The first half of the story, centered around Yagami and L, is particularly iconic, but the second half, focusing on Yagami and Near, also deserves significant praise for its twists and character growth, which even led to Near getting his own special publication later.

In general, Death Note excels in every aspect, creating an overall atmosphere that is nothing short of excellent.

(There are no spoilers in this review)

I stumbled upon Death Note by chance. Having never watched any anime (except for a few episodes on local TV) or read manga, I found the first volume of the black edition at a bookstore. My mom remarked that I resembled the character on the cover (Light). The shopkeeper informed us it was manga and explained how to read it since it still read from right to left despite being translated. He also assured us it was excellent. Skeptical but intrigued, I began reading and quickly connected with the main character (yes, I’m one of those fans XD). After just a few pages, I knew I had to finish the series. I’ll always be grateful to that shopkeeper.

Death Note marked the beginning of my "journey into the otaku community" and opened my eyes to this type of media. I can’t imagine a better introduction:

The ARTWORK captivated me from the very first page. Sometimes, I’d spend minutes admiring the illustrations even when I was eager to know what happened next. It’s fantastic, realistic, and features a truly original and unique style.

The CHARACTERS are remarkable, and there's no need for me to elaborate. The two main characters rank at the top of any list I’ve seen. They’re so distinctive and charming, yet not exaggerated.

Finally, THE STORY. Oh, the story! Rarely have I encountered something like it. I usually predict plot twists in media, except for those that come out of nowhere. But in Death Note, all the information and rules (the rules of the book are crucial to the plot) are laid out for the reader. And that’s where the magic lies: THEY STILL GET YOU!!! It’s fascinating how logical yet unpredictable things remain.

My only reservation is that I didn’t particularly like the ending. However, it’s a minor issue. If it weren’t for that, I think it would be perfect (though I don’t often use that word, it fits here). I’ve heard they changed the ending in the anime, so I’ll have to check out that alternate conclusion!

In summary, Death Note came into my life at the perfect time. It introduced me to a new form of media and made me fall in love with its artwork, characters, and story. I genuinely thank the authors for their work and always recommend it, even if you aren’t a manga or anime fan.

Story: 9/10 What is the whole premise of Death Note? Essentially, it’s about a high school student who found a book that can kill people and decides to play God since he has the power to “judge” people now. This student, Light Yagami, starts off only killing criminals that he deemed were too evil for this world, but eventually decides to kill anyone that is a threat to his ideal world. One of these threats is a detective that goes under the alias of L. The first half of the series mainly dealt with Light’s rise to godhood while having a mind duel with L, the one person Light thought could figure out he was the culprit for killing all these criminals. If I can make an analogy, this battle between L and Light could be compared (albeit on a much serious scale since whoever loses between those two loses everything) to Yugi Muto and Seto Kaiba from the original series. Much like Kaiba, Light is hell-bent on defeating his rival and then rising to the greatest in their series (Dueling world for Kaiba and the world in general for Light). On the reverse side, L and Yugi are more focused on just doing what they do best, and take all challenges, including the challenges of their rivals. I can also say that the battle between L and Light was the greatest part of Death Note, and I can maybe even say one of the greatest in manga period. The plot twists are also so amazing. The most controversial one of them all is still in my Top 5 moments in all of manga, even after all the other series I have read. I’m not saying what it is, but you can probably figure it out if I told you it involves L’s and Light's final confrontation. All in all, I say an amazing plot. The only reason why it’s not a perfect score is because near the end, they were making a lot of characters almost nonexistent (Misa being the prime example).

Art: 8/10 If I can say anything, it’s that the characters are drawn pretty well. With one exception, I don’t think there is one character that looks bad and even then, the one character I think looks bad is probably just me. The scenery looked nice, and when something evil from an “evil” character was about to happen, I could definitely tell that most of these characters were enjoying themselves with their facial expressions (hello Light!). I’m not good at describing art, so I’m keeping this part short.

Characters: 15/10 (10/10) Oh. My. God. These characters are some of the greatest characters I have ever had the privilege to read about. With one exception, I really love every single character in Death Note. I think every single one of them are written in a beautiful way that makes them extremely interesting and diverse that you can’t possibly mix up any character. I’m going to put it this way for all you video game enthusiasts and especially Portal fans; I would say most of these characters have the same charm and likeability as the ones in Portal and the sequel. I’ll go a little in depth about the two main characters so you can see where I’m coming from.

Light Yagami, the main character of the story and probably the most well-written character, isn’t your typical hero where he’s good and he can never do evil. No no no, he’s far from good. If I can give him one title to describe it would be Satan, and that’s why I love him. He is so distant from what I was accustomed to for a main character of a manga, that I was actually upset whenever he was losing against L. I think the biggest reason why I love the guy though is probably because of the way he had fallen from grace. Based on what I said previously, you would assume Light was evil from day one right? He actually started out with good intentions, only killing criminals that he saw doing crimes himself. Eventually though, he started becoming more and more power-hungry, and killed anyone he felt didn’t fit in his ideal world. That is actually a believable reason to descend into becoming the very evil you set out to destroy, not because you felt like being a dick (like most hero-turned villains in media sadly). Other than having the power to kill all, Light is actually a realistic character. Anyone would become corrupt if they had that much power. I could go on with this, but I got one other character to do plus a whole other section, so moving on.

L, the second main character and my second favorite character (you probably wouldn’t ever guess my favorite), is probably one of the strangest characters if he isn’t the strangest character in the series. My first impression of the guy was that he was going to be a guy that looked interesting but would only have one good moment in the entire series, not counting when he beat Light. Boy was I wrong and I was so glad about that too. While Light got the most development as a character, L was the more entertaining of the two in my opinion. He’s a real pleasant surprise since, like Light, is almost nothing like the standard hero of a manga. He isn’t afraid to do cruel and demented things like torture Light and Misa to get answers, and even considers writing people’s names in the Death Note to see if it really does kill people. He’s also not afraid to be out there, with his strange sitting position or how he admits that sleeping would make him stupider. He’s still a genius though, despite his weird habits. Only someone like L could pull off having not one, but three different aliases and not get discovered, all of it with no one but his butler knowing his real name. That is pretty impressive, no matter how high your standards are.

Again, most of these characters are written so well, that I think there is only one character that I think could have been improved on. The characters are definitely the reason why you read the series.

Enjoyment/Overall Rating: 10/10 Overall, Death Note was a blast to read/watch. If you are just getting into manga/anime, go and give this series a read, you’ll probably love manga in general after doing so. If you are already a long-time fan of manga, why haven’t you checked this out? You are missing out on an amazing series and should check it out. From the characters to the amazing plot twists, there wasn’t a single dull moment where I just wanted to give up on this series. I’m not afraid to give Death Note a 10/10, as it really deserves it. Thank you for getting me into non-manga Light and L, hope you can do the same with other new people to the world of manga.