Death Note

Death Note is an essential read that I would challenge even those who claim they don't enjoy manga to try. I firmly believe that anyone who picks up this series will be captivated by its plot, characters, and overarching themes.

The storyline of Death Note revolves around a murder mystery, but with a unique twist—it's told from the perspective of the murderer, Light Yagami. This distinctive narrative angle alone is enough to grab the reader's attention, but the author further enhances the experience with well-crafted characters and unexpected plot twists right up to the end.

The art, characters, and plot in Death Note are all top-notch, often more intricate than your typical shounen series. However, what truly sets Death Note apart for me is the thought-provoking questions about justice that the author raises throughout the series. Questions such as: Are the laws of justice determined by the ever-changing majority, by unchanging principles inherent to human nature, or by some form of divine authority? Who should enforce justice? Can criminals ever be forgiven? Is it morally justifiable to compromise one's integrity if it leads to a greater good? These timeless themes come alive once again in Death Note.

This series is not merely a brilliantly illustrated and creatively written manga; in my view, it also contributes to the ongoing quest to understand the meaning of justice. I highly recommend this series.

There are only a few manga series that have achieved global success. Surprisingly, despite the heavy dialogue and serious tone of the story, which even the author doubted would be accepted as a Shounen Jump title in Japan, Death Note became one of those hits. When a narrative about someone finding a deadly tool used by Death Gods and using it to eliminate evil for a better world becomes so successful, it's quite remarkable—especially when the weapons are words, not fists. Death Note's popularity has been so immense that American news outlets have reported on schoolchildren getting suspended for writing death scenarios in notebooks they found.

My first encounter with Death Note was through the anime. Discussions on a forum I frequented piqued my interest, especially since I love dark and depressing stories. After downloading the first episode, I was immediately captivated by the quality of the storytelling, seamlessly blending reality with fiction. Each episode thrilled me more than the last during the initial part of the series, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I watched all 37 episodes weekly and was rarely disappointed.

In recent years, I stumbled upon a Death Note manga box set. Each volume features differently colored spines with images of various Death Gods at the top. The covers share a common theme: a cross, one or two characters, and faint Death Note rules in the background, each with a different colored backdrop. The artwork inside is exceptional, benefiting from having separate individuals handling the story and art. Character expressions are particularly impressive, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting intense emotions. However, early drawings of the Kira investigation team members were somewhat poor, likely because the artist initially didn't know their importance.

After recently reading volumes 1-27 of Naruto and seeing how its author uses the pages between chapters to reveal personal insights, what disappointed me about Death Note wasn't the covers but the lack of extras. The author seems to have used a pen name, suggesting a desire for privacy, which explains the absence of personal information between chapters. While there are a few Death Note rules included, most aren't very interesting—personal anecdotes from the author would have been much more engaging.

Now, onto what truly matters: the story. As the name suggests, Death Note deals with death regularly. It begins with Light Yagami, a genius student bored with life, discovering a notebook dropped into the human world by a Death God out of boredom. Initially skeptical, Light soon realizes the notebook's power after testing it on a criminal holding hostages in a school. From then on, he overcomes his fear and starts contemplating how to use this power to improve the world, driven by his disgust with criminals escaping justice. He aims to become the God of a new world created with the Death Note's power, despite Ryuk's warning that he might ultimately have to write his own name in the notebook.

Frustratingly for Light but thrillingly for readers, an adversary quickly emerges to challenge him: L, the world's greatest detective. Their psychological battle begins when Light's arrogance leads to a shocking revelation from L. Both hide behind masks, and with Light able to kill anyone whose name and face he knows, the ensuing conflict is filled with twists and turns as both geniuses try to outwit each other.

Death Note is mostly well-written and thrilling to read. The first 34-36 chapters are brilliant, some of the best manga I've read. However, the quality dips during the Yotsuba arc, with unnecessary comedy and chatter slowing down the story. Fortunately, it picks up again before long, reaching its peak with a tear-jerking finale to the first half. The second half starts strong but deteriorates, with too much filler content. Eventually, it regains its momentum and remains thrilling until the end, recapturing the magic of the earlier sections.

While Death Note can be considered a mixed bag due to fluctuating quality, the best parts more than make up for the less engaging sections. These areas aren't necessarily bad; they just lack the wow factor present in the best segments.

What makes Death Note stand out is its realistic depiction of our world. The Death Note universe is bleak, depressing, and full of people who don't deserve to live, mirroring our reality. Reading it, I couldn't help but wonder how our world would react if a Death Note appeared here—would people still condemn killing, or would Kira become a deity in their eyes? It's an intriguing question for a Shonen Jump title to pose.

The author made surprising statements in interviews, such as having only planned up to chapter 3 initially and not intending to send any message with the story. It's fascinating that someone could create such an intelligent narrative with minimal planning and spark deep discussions about good and evil without intending to. Personally, I believe Death Note conveys a clear message: no human can ascend to the realm of God, no matter how perfect they may seem.

Regarding the characters, Death Note introduces fully formed ones, which is unusual. Everything you need to know about Light is revealed in the first chapter—he's intelligent, selfish, and harbors a God complex. L is an eccentric genius with no social skills, Misa is obsessed with Kira due to her past, and the important members of the Kira investigation team have clear personalities. While flashbacks could have added depth, they weren't necessary for the plot or character development. However, one significant negative is a character introduced in the second half who acts out of character near the end, compromising the integrity of the story for the sake of the conclusion.

Lastly, the anime adaptation is, in my opinion, the best manga adaptation ever. Madhouse Studio excelled with perfect color choices, dynamic 'camera angles,' and dramatic additions that enhanced certain scenes. They significantly improved the pacing of the second half by removing unnecessary dialogue. The only flaw was slightly altering the ending. Additionally, Death Note boasts the best soundtrack I've ever heard and the best Japanese voice acting performance.

In summary, Death Note is brilliant and shouldn't be missed. If ratings are your thing, I'd give it an 8/10. The manga, while excellent, receives a slightly lower rating compared to the anime. Despite wanting to delve deeper, this review has already run long, so I'll conclude here. I hope this provides some useful insight!

[SPOILER WARNING]

Death Note is a story about Light, a genius student who finds the Death Note on the ground and decides to test it out. Upon discovering that it indeed works, he begins his eradication of all criminals and falls headfirst into a downward spiral of insanity.

STORY

The story is extremely good and gripping, as all detective novels should be. I enjoyed it so much that I skipped many hours of sleep to finish it in two days. However, the second part after L's death is weaker, but Light's death scene is very well done (I cried).

9

ART

Personally, I liked the art as it had a nice feel, though it wasn't amazing. There were no noticeable errors, and it was very clean.

8

CHARACTERS

In the first half, the characters were very good and had clear motivations, which remained consistent throughout the manga. However, something changes after L's death. The new detective characters, Mello and Near, are not as likeable, leading you to root for Light. This isn't necessarily bad as it makes his death more impactful, but they could still use more development.

7

ENJOYMENT

The quirkiness of the characters and the gripping story make for a very enjoyable manga.

9

CONCLUSION

I recommend the manga over the anime as the art style is much cleaner. I definitely recommend this classic, which remains relevant today and delves deep into questions like: Is it right to kill a criminal? How far should one go to catch one? And is Mello a boy or a girl?

OVERALL

9/10

The first thing that strikes you when starting DEATH NOTE is the ambiguity surrounding the protagonist's moral alignment. As you delve deeper, it becomes clear that this uncertainty is meant to persist until the very end.

DEATH NOTE was my first manga series that I read from cover to cover, and it remains a story I revisit time and again, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

The narrative of DEATH NOTE is a detective thriller spanning roughly seven years. Despite its length, it maintains an intense pace and sense of danger that is irresistibly captivating. Tsugumi Ohba masterfully crafts a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns that catch you off guard as they unfold on the page.

Takeshi Obata’s artwork starts strong and only gets better. His illustrations are perfectly dark and unsettling, with Shinigami (Death Gods) depicted in such a way that they seem almost real. The imagery reaches its peak at the end, becoming both powerful and astonishing.

The true strength of DEATH NOTE lies in its characters. Each one is well-developed from their introduction, even those who appear in just a few frames. It’s evident that every character, no matter how minor, has been crafted with the same care and attention as the main protagonists.

DEATH NOTE appeals to a broad audience, from teenagers through adults. It has been enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, races, religions, and political leanings, and will continue to be cherished by many.

In summary, the excellence of this series speaks for itself and has paved the way for anime and film adaptations, as well as a prequel novel. No one can truly convey how good this series is; the reader must judge for themselves.

And more often than not, they find it to be wonderfully crafted.

I don't even know where to begin with this masterpiece... I guess I'll start by proclaiming Death Note as my favorite story ever. Almost everything about Death Note is perfect. The plot is enjoyable, creative, and deep. The characters are well-developveloped, interesting, and symbolic. The art is fantastic, fitting, and realistic. My enjoyment and fascination with this manga is beyond description. If you haven't read this manga or watched the anime (which, by the way, is a great adaptation of the manga), then I suggest you drop whatever you're doing right now and go read/watch Death Note as soon as possible. I can promise you that you will not regret it. But remember, when you read or watch Death Note, turn your thinking caps on and pay attention to the details in the art; you'll realize all the symbolism going on, references to the Bible, and other religious aspects.

Now, in Death Note, there are lots of philosophical questions about our reality that readers must consider before reading, while reading, and after reading. (I'm going to write a whole load of questions since I thought about so many things while reading Death Note.) Are all human lives equal? What truly is life? What are people's roles in life? To what extent can people shape their own destiny, and how much is down to fate? What truly is death, and where do we go after death? Is the world we're living in pure, or rotten? What's making the world pure/rotten? What's human nature, and how can people overcome the disgusting side/temptations inside them? How can we tell apart "right" from "wrong," "good" from "evil"? Human beings created the ambiguous terms "right, wrong, good, evil," and everyone interprets these terms according to their own philosophies, so there's no "correct" definition. Then how can people truly consider themselves more "right" and "good" over others? What makes a crime, a crime? What is justice, and what is "fair" justice? Who should be able to decide the fate of criminals? Is the death penalty truly a humane and fair punishment method? Is murder always wrong? Religion— which belief is truly correct in reality? Lots of philosophical questions, right? That's just scratching the surface of all the psychological concepts the anime delves into.

Death Note is actually (sort of) told from the viewpoint of a Shinigami (Death God), named Ryuk. Ryuk's world, the Shinigami realm, is just a rotting world with the repetition of everyday life. Seeking an adventure, a way out of boredom, Ryuk purposely drops his Death Notebook into the human realm, Earth. What is the Death Note? The Death Note is the deadliest mass-murder weapon in human history; any person's name that's written in the notebook (the writer has to have the face of the person they're writing down) shall die within 40 seconds of their name being written in the Death Note. Our main character, Light Yagami, a genius high school student, happens to stumble upon the Death Note one day after school. At first, he didn't believe that the Death Note's power was real, but out of boredom, he tested it out by writing the name of a criminal who was being shown on TV in the notebook. Forty seconds later, the criminal is announced to have died. Knowing of this ultimate power that he's obtained, Light Yagami vows to use the Notebook for justice. Light Yagami's dream is to kill all the criminals in the world and create a utopia in which mankind will be able to live in peace and harmony, while Light himself rules as "God" of the new world. But the question arises: "Is what Light Yagami is doing righteous, or evil?" Certainly, Light believes that his dream is righteous because he's ridding the world of "evil" and making the world a safer place for the "good." In public, people begin to take notice of all these mysterious criminal murders, and they give this unknown murderer the name "Kira" (this would be Light) derived from the English word, Killer. But the world's greatest detective, L Lawliet, doesn't seem to be very fond of Light Yagami's ideals. L Lawliet believes that murdering any other human being (even criminals are people) is an act of evil and that Kira is nothing more than a psychopathic murderer. And so, the entire premise of Death Note is an ingenious cat-and-mouse game between Light Yagami and L Lawliet, with Ryuk spectating our human world. Who will win, "Justice"? Or "Justice"?

Is the plot original? Yup. Is the plot enjoyable? Yup. Is the plot well-written with little to almost no plot holes? Yup. Is the plot tragic? Yes. Is there a deeper meaning behind the story, with lots of symbolism? Yup. Is the story ambiguous in order to let the reader decide for themselves what they believe the answers to those philosophical questions are? Yup. Does the end of the manga end in a cliffhanger? Yes and No. Is it honestly all that great? Yup, Greatest manga ever. The plot holes were kept to a minimum and never affected the overall plot; I can't really think of any plot holes actually, everything was important and well-developed/explained. The pacing of the manga was perfect, the attention-grabbing beginning, to the subtle deeper theme/developing plot alongside great plot twists, eventually help create the ideal climax of the story, and then the very tragic downfall and ending that made me cry. What made the manga so enjoyable was not only the well-written, suspenseful, exciting criminal-detective chasing thriller aspect but also the addition of lots of genius literature symbols and narrations to help solidify the deeper symbols/meanings of the entire plot.

The biggest question in the anime really is: "Is what Light is doing good/righteous/moralistic?"

Often in great literature, the main character is some sort of ambiguous character (hero more often than not) that has an unachievable dream and gets lost along the way of achieving the dream due to multiple problems: harshness of reality, greed, temptation (usually a woman, but can be anything else: serpent) and ends up becoming a tragic figure meant to send the readers a deep message. Such was the case of Death Note's main character, Light Yagami. Light Yagami was a teenage boy who had everything. His family was financially stable, he had a loving family, he had the good looks, he had popularity, he had brains, and he had a bright future ahead of him (#1 student in all of Japan). But there was something missing from Light Yagami's life, and that was a sense of personal happiness and acceptance of reality. Light Yagami viewed our reality as repetitive, rotten, and repulsive. Everyday life of going to school, going home, hanging out with friends on permanent repeat, but not only that, on TV, the same news on permanent repeat: War tensions between countries, crimes happening all over the place, disgusting people always joking about disgusting things. What does the justice system do? Nothing, there's no stop to these violent, inhumane acts. Light Yagami wanted to change our reality into a better place and be "justice" itself. But obviously, he didn't have the power to achieve his dreams until he found the Death Note. The Death Note is the forbidden apple, the temptation in Light's case. It's human nature to not be able to overcome temptation/desires, and so Light uses the Death Note to kill the "vermin" (people that he judges to be "evil") from the world. But what makes a person truly evil isn't that different per everyone's belief? Light taking the bite out of the forbidden apple (use of Death Note) opened Light's eyes, deceiving him into thinking that he could become a God that could determine good apart from evil (Ryuk is the temptation serpent). And just as Ryuk warned, Light would not live a happy life for making that mistake (of giving into temptation), thus, the fall of man due to sin (Book of Genesis). Light's once-pure dream of making the world a better place became corrupt along the way due to the overwhelming power of the Death Note, the magnitude of his dreams, and his greed for survival — becoming a God. Light Yagami is not merely an ambiguous figure, but he's a religious and even deeper character than most people realize. Light's name is "Light" for a reason. He is that one "light" that Ryuk is waiting for, to die out. Ryuk's body is that of a crow, with crow feathers flying all over the place; this symbolizes what crows do before eating their prey—they wait until the prey dies out. "Light" on Earth becoming corrupt and eventually dying out is one important theme to look out for. Light represents a Godlike-Angel, The Devil, and a mere human being. Light wanted to protect innocent people, create a utopia, and become a father figure for the world (Jesus), but unfortunately, in his attempt to achieve his naive dream, he became the Devil (Masqueraded Angel of Light, Father of Lies) and killed innocents, contradicting his original pure goal. But Light, in the end, is still a human. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." This was the very case for Light. It's in human nature to want to seek adventure, to survive, be tempted to try something, be greedy for more, and achieve your dreams no matter what it takes. That's all I'll say about Light. (SO MUCH MORE TO SAY!)

L Lawliet, the other main character, has the word "Law" in his name because he believes that following the "law" that human beings created is the righteous way to approach criminal acts in the world. But is that truly effective? L and Light are the ultimate foils for each other; while Light had everything he could have wanted in life, L had absolutely nothing. L had no family (therefore, obviously a financially unstable, and harsh childhood), L had no good looks, L had no friends, and L had no trust/love from anyone. L wanted to protect the people of the world by following the laws set by the people, even the people that didn't trust/like L. He came, served, cared, protected, and _____ (Jesus). The plot may have been focused on the cat-and-mouse chase, but due to some astonishing plot twists, L and Light end up teaming up together to catch Kira (^o^ confused?). Despite their complete opposite philosophies and distrust for one another, there's always a sense of growing bondship/friendship/brotherhood between these two, which really adds a lot to the overall plot.

Ryuk and Misa Amane are two characters whose importance to the entire manga is often overlooked. Misa Amane in Death Note was quite the interesting character because, unlike almost all, if not all great literature, she (the female) was subject to temptation of love (of Light, the male). Misa Amane lost everything in her life, her happiness, and in the end, ____ because of her unrequited love for Light Yagami, who really was also the serpent in a way. Ryuk giving Misa Amane a rotten apple telling Misa that it would grant her a wish (and her taking a bite out of it) was very symbolic. It symbolized the poisonous apple from Sleeping Beauty; the apple does not actually grant any happiness/wishes, it's in reality poison. Ryuk is the crow-like devil waiting for "light" to die out in the human world and for corruption and darkness to take over.

Mello and Near, L's students receive a lot of hate from readers because of their inability to be as great as L and because of what they do to Light Yagami. I will not get into detail about these two because of what they did to Light Yagami, my hero.

The art in Death Note was nothing short of amazing. The minor details that went into each scene mood-fitting wise and symbolically were amazing. The portrayal of each character, Light = handsome, seems like a perfect boy, L = irregular, ostracized boy, Misa = beautiful girl whose dumb enough to give into temptation of Light's Love, Ryuk = a crow-like devil, and Mello-Near = Each have a resemblance to L in both looks and behavior; they both take after their sensei. The hints of religious symbolism with the cross glowing behind him, the heavenly light shining upon him, and the stairs (that usually represent ascent and descent, often times from one to another) that symbolize descent from innocence romanticized dreams to knowing the horrors of reality/realistic dreams, when ____ dies was a marvelous artistic touch that added all sorts of deep concepts/hidden messages to the manga.

The ending of each chapter will definitely have you wanting to write your name in a Death Note for more. The conceptual questions I mentioned in the earlier part of this review are definitely some questions you have to keep in mind and watch for what the writer/creator, Tsugumi Ohba, has to say about each. This may be a bit far-fetched, but do you think that Shinigami and Shinigami world really existed? I felt like the Shinigami's boredom, thirst for adventure, and change was a reflection of Light Yagami's thoughts (no one that doesn't know Light's thoughts sees Ryuk), and the Shinigami realm was a reflection of the human world; repetition of everyday and slowly rotting away. Ultimately, the naivety of Light's romanticized dreams is not possible in reality, and while showing the concept of romanticized vs realistic, the anime delves into Life/Justice/Evil/Right/Wrong/Death/Religious concepts; truly a genius piece of writing that EVERYONE should read. A perfect 10/10, and still, this rating doesn't do this manga justice. I also recommend watching the anime adaptation of Death Note, very well-done.

Death Note is often hailed as one of the most original stories to emerge from Japan, and I agree wholeheartedly. The widespread acclaim it has received only underscores its brilliance and originality. What stands out most is its powerful theme of justice, portrayed in such a way that it challenges your own sense of right and wrong, making you question whether Kira's extreme methods or L's righteousness align more with true justice.

The central question posed is: Is killing criminals justice...or murder?

Story [10/10]

The concept of playing god has been explored countless times, but never with the same intellectual depth and execution as in Death Note. The tale of a teenage prodigy who discovers a power that allows him to control life itself, and those who oppose him as he attempts to rid the world of hate and crime, may seem straightforward, but the true intrigue lies elsewhere.

Two factors make this manga particularly captivating:

First, the intellectual drama is exceptional. Every move is meticulously planned, akin to a chess match between two of the greatest minds. Yet, despite its intellectual nature, it never becomes dull. Instead of mindless slaughter, which could still be entertaining, the detailed explanations and strategic thinking elevate the narrative, giving murder a deeper, almost redemptive quality.

Second, the theme of redemption is central. Is it truly murder if you're eliminating those who have committed far worse crimes? Is it justifiable if their deaths prevent further suffering? These questions force readers to confront their own beliefs and choose sides between Kira and L. Even now, I find myself torn between the two, and this internal conflict is what makes the story unforgettable.

Art [10/10]

I feel somewhat foolish giving so many perfect scores, but Death Note truly deserves them. The art perfectly complements the themes and story. It avoids the typical exaggerated anime style, opting for a more realistic approach. This choice enhances the believability of the narrative, making it easier to imagine the events unfolding in real life. The artwork is designed to evoke fear, emphasizing the severity and realism of the situation.

Character (9/10)

Why not a perfect score? While the male characters are portrayed as nearly invincible geniuses, the female characters are often depicted as weak or unintelligent, quickly killed off if they show any signs of intelligence. However, this doesn't detract much from the overall character development, which is remarkable. Light's transformation from the first chapter to the last is so seamlessly executed that it’s barely noticeable, showcasing the meticulous planning behind his character arc.

Enjoyment (10/10)

I was never bored or disinterested while reading Death Note. Had I read it while it was still being published, I would have been driven mad by the suspense and curiosity. Overall, it's hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this manga.

Created in 2004 by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata, Death Note began as a manga that garnered critical acclaim shortly after its release. The anime adaptation, which debuted in 2006, received immediate praise following its television broadcast. Intrigued by its fan base and popularity, I decided to buy several volumes of the manga and rent a few episodes of the anime, making sure not to set my expectations too high.

What I encountered was nothing short of a riveting masterpiece, one that I have no hesitation in calling the greatest manga/anime series in existence. Whether you're a fan of comics or animated TV shows, Death Note is a series that should be savored by anyone who appreciates thought-provoking concepts, endless twists and turns, and deeply complex characters that could inspire entire books.

The story revolves around a teenager named Light Yagami, an intelligent student who stumbles upon a notebook titled "Death Note." Upon discovering that he can kill people by writing their names in the book, Light decides to use it to eliminate criminals, believing them to be the root of all suffering. After countless executions, half the world worships Light as a god, while the other half labels him a mass murderer, dubbing him "Kira," Japanese for killer. The escalating death toll soon catches the attention of the International Police Organization, which enlists the help of a brilliant private detective known simply as "L" to apprehend "Kira." A psychological cat-and-mouse game quickly unfolds between the two.

What makes Death Note so captivating is the meticulous detail woven into the story. Every character, event, and subplot seems to come alive through superb writing and stunning artwork. Throughout the series, Light appears to be on a self-destructive path, potentially leading to his downfall as he begins to see himself as a god with the right to judge the world. Another compelling aspect is how the story unfolds: each episode delivers a wealth of information while raising just as many questions and mysteries, ensuring an addictive experience.

If you think Death Note might be a children's show, think again. This is the most serious anime/manga I've ever seen, featuring substantial adult content. It tells the story of an anti-hero, a troubled individual who tries to play god but ultimately loses his humanity and everything dear to him in the process. Due to its complexity and mature themes, the tragic narrative may not appeal to viewers under the age of 14.

Death Note is not only one of the finest Japanese creations I've ever witnessed, but it also tackles a controversial global issue: capital punishment. It skillfully addresses this topic without alienating the audience, leaving plenty of room for post-episode discussions. Whether you're interested in comics or animated series, Death Note offers a captivating experience filled with intriguing concepts, making it enjoyable for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story.

If it hadn't been for the last three pages, I would've hated the ending (and I still kinda did, but I'm gonna write my review ignoring that).

Story: 10/10

The story was gripping throughout, and needless to say, I was absolutely HOOKED. I don't think I had ever experienced this level of ongoing suspense, especially in the buildup to the last chapter.

In terms of pet peeves with the story, I'll go further into it in the "characters" section, but overall, the story itself was pure gold.

Art: 10/10

The art was beautiful; the settings and character designs were amazing. You can tell the author is really into fashion, especially with Mello's and Misa's character designs. If you're looking for a manga with great art, you're in the right place.

Characters: 8/10 [A LOT OF SPOILERS AHEAD]

I found myself rooting for Kira to win from the very beginning, and while it might seem twisted, I genuinely believed in Light's cause, which is important when your protagonist is an anti-hero. My only issue with this section, and the only aspect of the manga I can't give a 10, is mainly because of Near, who I found to be an obnoxious antagonist. I hate that he got a happy ending instead of the clearly superior Mello. All of the other characters are likable—I was happy Ryuk remained neutral till the end and satisfied with him being the one to kill Light. But oh man, I really hated Near. L and Mello were interesting and likable and had their own convictions, while Near just acted out of weird fanaticism towards L. What a loser.

Anyway, all the other characters were really good, so I can't give this part a bad rating just because of one character.

Enjoyment: 10/10

The most important thing out of any piece of media is enjoyment, and I think Death Note was extremely enjoyable, so I'll give it a 10.

Overall: 10/10

I get the hype—it was really good, and I think "masterpiece" is a suitable title for it. Good job, @author.

Death Note narrates the tale of two brilliant minds clashing in an intellectual showdown. One character, with ambiguous morals, embarks on a mission to cleanse the world of evil, while another strives to uncover his identity and put an end to his plans.

The narrative unfolds masterfully. The artwork complements the story beautifully. The characters are intricately developed, captivating the reader's interest as they eagerly anticipate the next twist in the plot. It's highly likely you'll finish the series in one sitting. Remarkable in numerous ways, there's hardly anything significant to critique, making it an enjoyable read.

Highly recommended.

I can't help but adore this manga. I first encountered it in Shonen Jump magazine many years ago, and I still have that issue somewhere around here. From the very first chapter, I was hooked and had to know what would happen next.

The story grabs you quickly with its numerous twists and the incredible minds and strategies of the two main characters as they face off against each other. It feels like a literal battle of the gods or an epic clash between good and evil.

The manga is also profoundly deep. You get to know the characters on a deeper level, and unexpected events unfold that you won’t see coming.

I can’t reveal too much without spoiling it. But if you enjoyed the anime, definitely check out the manga. Personally, I enjoyed the manga a lot more than the anime because it delves much deeper into the story.