Death Note

Q: What happens when an unstoppable Mary Sue meets an immovable Mary Sue?
A: Death Note.

The protagonist and his adversary are both genius pretty boys (with the odd names of Light and L) who possess an incredible amount of achievements and skills for their young age. Light somehow predicts events he couldn't possibly foresee, thanks to probability being a thing. Don’t worry though, it’s not like you know he’ll always win because L has the same inexplicable and ludicrous ability to predict the future, albeit without Light's cheesy “Just as planned!” catchphrase that makes me cringe every time I hear it. Instead of being a dark and mysterious thriller, Death Note often becomes an overblown mental mudslinging contest between two impossibly perfect masters of bullshit, each describable in a single sentence. This is epitomized in an early scene where the two, both having tennis skills at a professional level, engage in a match and indulge in a ridiculously drawn-out internal logic about how the desire to not lose might relate to the true identity of the other.

Moreover, what kind of psychological mystery thriller relies entirely on coincidences, improbabilities, and impossibilities? Again, Death Note. Such plot devices were used whenever the manga found itself in a narrative corner, killing the built-up tension and disengaging the audience from the story.

The concept was intriguing and did entertain me at times, but its execution was far too flawed to be enjoyable or good overall. It seemed overdone with eye-roll-worthy developments and lines like “I take a potato chip and eat it!” delivered with utmost significance and conviction, devoid of any irony or self-awareness. Light’s ability to kill by writing a name in a notebook is initially well-established and limited, while being relatively creative. However, the way new rules of the note are introduced as the story progresses can get contrived.

The characterization quality varies but is generally poor. Light is too perfect, his only flaws being logical results of his perfection, such as narcissism and overconfidence. While it could be argued that this flawlessness was intentionally done to depict the deconstruction of a seemingly perfect human being, this concept ultimately falls flat. It would have been more interesting to see an average teenager find the note and watch his ambitions and arrogance develop over time. Light is arrogant, ambitious, and a staunch consequentialist from the outset, leaving little room for character development. As for the rest of the characters, L is more interesting and entertaining than Light, though even more unrealistic, evoking clichés like the child prodigy and boy detective. I mostly found myself rooting for him rather than the protagonist. Light's eventual “girlfriend” falls in love with him right away, as the plot commands, and her entire character revolves around her obsession with him, despite becoming one of the most significant characters in the series. The motivations for most characters, besides the protagonist and the Shinigami, are hazy at best, and none are particularly interesting, except for L.

Death Note incorporates religious symbolism and themes, which are well-done until a forced Christ allegory towards the middle. However, this all falls apart in the second half, and the symbolism vanishes. To make matters worse, the already limited development of the protagonist stagnates, and his adversary is quickly replaced by two identical, yet duller and less compelling, copies. While the developments and additional rules to Light’s ability in the first half were sometimes contrived, they were usually better than nothing; everything stops evolving in the second half, making it progressively worse. The manga loses everything it had going for it and remains in an inadequate stage until the anticlimactic conclusion that the audience knew was coming from the start. The manga would have lost nothing if that conclusion came 4 volumes earlier. Thus, as the plot progressed, it increasingly lost its higher significance and wore thin the initial appeal of its premise.

The art is arguably the strongest aspect of Death Note, with particularly astounding character designs, except for a couple of characters introduced in the second half whose designs were either silly-looking or recycled. The art is generally atmospheric and detailed, although not much detail is required in the first place. The design of the main antagonist is particularly impressive, managing to be aesthetically appealing despite the ridiculous heroin chic vibe. The art is stellar, though side characters aren't as detailed.

In the end, Death Note accomplished something hackneyed and not very original; it couldn't be called “deep” nor cutting-edge. The coincidences and general improbabilities driving the plot bar it from being called “realistic,” more so than the out-there premise. That said, it deserves some credit for featuring a true antihero admired by the audience and portraying him as pathetic. It also avoided using the character’s high school age as an excuse to throw light school-life hijinks into the plot. However, these positive qualities are outweighed by negatives within the manga universe. Code Geass, a blatant Death Note rip-off, took every good aspect of Death Note and flipped it on its head. I might recommend Death Note, if only for the first half, but with a warning that it falls apart, and even the first half isn’t as great as it’s often made out to be. You might be best off watching the first half and simply skimming the plot summary of the second, as it offers nothing of value beyond that point.

Death Note is a masterful manga that excels in suspense and thriller genres. Its storyline is rich and tasteful, with characters that truly stand out from other manga and anime due to their uniqueness. Reading Death Note keeps you guessing until the very end. The manga delves into dark themes, as the main character embarks on a six-year killing spree in an attempt to create a perfect world and outsmart his enemies.

The story centers around Light Yagami, a bored high school student who stumbles upon a Death Note. This supernatural notebook has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Upon discovering its power, Light encounters Ryuk, a Death god. Light decides to use the Death Note to create a utopian world where he reigns as God. He begins by eliminating criminals, quickly gaining notoriety under the alias "Kira." As the plot unfolds, we witness the intricate intelligence of the main characters and how they navigate through this complex web of deceit and strategy.

One thing to note: you will never guess what happens at the end.

Story: First off, I must mention that Death Note is incredibly verbose. Honestly, it might have been better suited as a light novel from the beginning. If the author could plot all the complexities in Death Note, he surely wouldn't have struggled with describing character emotions and setting the atmosphere. That said, this isn't a manga for younger or less experienced readers—not because of explicit content, but because the intricate plot twists might overwhelm them. Plus, there's the heavy theme of death throughout.

However, this is where the brilliance of Death Note's story shines through. The numerous twists and turns keep the reader engaged and guessing, making it hard to predict when the story will end. The first half was particularly inventive. Some of Light's strategies and their execution earned him respect in my book. I was always eager to see what he would do next given the situations he faced.

The second half didn't offer much in terms of plot development. While more lovable characters were introduced, some moves by Ohba seemed counterproductive, preventing these characters from reaching their full potential. Although significant events occurred, they weren't presented with enough climactic flair to make the second half as interesting.

Despite the second half being somewhat dull, I recommend sticking with it. The ending makes up for the monotony, offering a beautiful portrayal of human emotion and character growth. For those who couldn't or refused to see the other side of the story and thought Kira was invincible, the ending might surprise you. Even though I saw some aspects coming, the conclusion still took me by surprise and earned its due respect.

Art: I'm not sure how to describe the art—it was simply stunning. While it was a manga, it didn't have that typical manga feel. It appeared more realistic, which was refreshing compared to oversized eyes, limbs, and hair voluminous enough to float away with a breeze. Most character designs were straightforward, but Obata excelled with the shinigami and, at times, Misa. The volume covers and chapter pages showcased his talent, blending clothing creases, shading, expressions, and poses beautifully.

Characters: The characters in this manga were outstanding. Each character, even the supporting ones, had unique traits and distinct personalities. I loved how every character was dynamic, changing in some way by the end, even if the plot didn't explicitly show it. They were polarizing—you either liked or disliked them, no middle ground. There was also contrast—Light is mean and introverted, while Misa is extroverted; L never sleeps and has wide-open eyes, while Watari has closed eyes and serves as L's assistant. The characters in Death Note are unlike any others, each with a special twist.

Overall: The Death Note manga is definitely worth reading. Despite only being 12 volumes, the amount packed into them makes it feel longer. Additionally, there's an anime adaptation, live-action movies, video games, and a later light novel prequel. Death Note raises good moral questions and showcases human nature. This isn't for someone who doesn't want to think while reading. Instead, it's for those who enjoy a battle of wits rather than fists and swords. A supernatural spin without mindless fighting makes for a great manga. Enjoy it!

Story: 10/10. Death Note is a psychological crime thriller with a well-paced plot. The writing effectively covers all necessary aspects for a fully developed storyline. The inclusion of psychological elements and dark crime themes adds depth to the narrative. There was nothing in the plot's presentation that would have lowered my rating.

Art: 10/10. The art style is highly creative, making it easy to distinguish between characters. Each character is drawn distinctly, ensuring clarity and preventing any misunderstandings about the story's visuals.

Characters: 10/10. The dialogue clearly differentiates each character. After getting used to some unique names like Light, L, and Near, I found the main characters to be deeply psychologically portrayed, leading to interesting personalities. The character arcs are well-developed, which further enhanced my enjoyment.

Enjoyment: 10/10. Reading the entire manga was an extremely enjoyable experience. I found both halves equally engaging, as the unpredictable nature kept me hooked from start to finish.

Overall: 10/10. Death Note is an entertaining story with a meticulously crafted plot, dialogue, characters, and relevant themes. It stands out as a remarkable piece of work in every aspect.

Some spoilers ahead:

A perfect ending to a flawless series. I adore the anime, and the manga is equally impressive. The show followed the source material almost exactly, except for the last chapter, which offered an intriguing look into Near's thought process. The theory at the end could have continued, and I would have loved to hear more of it. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I initially thought the series would lose its momentum without L, but Light's character is so dominant and evil that it kept the story compelling. I also enjoyed Mello and Mikami's roles. While Near wasn't my favorite character, I appreciated the concept that two heirs together could equal one L.

The overall satisfaction came from the detailed explanation of not only the ending but also every major twist in the story. I didn't anticipate any of them, which was refreshing, and all were interesting and smart. The artwork was beautiful as well. This anime is among my top five favorites, and now the series has earned a place among my favorite manga too. A solid 10/10, flawless.

I truly admire Light Yagami as a character. It's invigorating to follow a protagonist who is confident, self-assured, and unapologetically selfish, rather than the typical beta male main character we often see nowadays. Light doesn't act for his friends, family, to save the world, or to become a warrior. His motivations are purely driven by his ego, aiming to outsmart his opponents and wield the power to eliminate anyone he deems necessary (the peaceful world justification is merely a pretext for using the Death Note).

Most of the other characters were also well-developed, though the main antagonists felt somewhat young to be entirely believable, and the mangaka seemed to overemphasize their eccentricities. The primary female character, however, was perhaps the weakest link. Her infatuation with Light, even when it's clear he's exploiting her, becomes glaringly obvious in several scenes, yet no other characters call her out on it despite having ample reason. She often felt more like a plot device than a fully realized character.

Many people criticize the second half of Death Note, but I personally found it just as engaging. It marked an interesting shift in tone and led to a very satisfying and fitting conclusion for the series.

Death Note stands out as one of the finest psychological thrillers not only in manga but across all media. The plot twists and turns so frequently that you can never predict how things will unfold. It's dark and brutal without resorting to cheap shock value, and the lore surrounding Death Notes is both intriguing and enjoyable. Be prepared for a lot of reading, as the series delves deeply into the characters' internal monologues, showing their thoughts and counter-thoughts about what actions to take next. I would recommend this series to anyone, even those who aren't typically fans of comics or manga.

Story: [10/10]
The story is incredible. Both Light and Ryuk believe their worlds are corrupt, so they attempt to improve them. Ryuk escapes his world and seeks entertainment on Earth by dropping a notebook. The best entertainment he could hope for arrives when Yagami Light picks up the book. This is when one of the smartest individuals on Earth begins transforming the world into something fit for a god to live in—by eliminating criminals! Naturally, this makes him a criminal in the eyes of the law, the police, and the detective L. Light searches for L, and L searches for Light, both aiming to stop the other. As neither knows anything about the other, desperate measures lead to desperate acts.
I did find some major plot holes, but I attribute those to characters not being smart enough rather than flaws in the story. Finding these holes was almost as challenging as L's search for Light and vice versa.

Art: [10/10]
Simply the best art I've ever seen in manga, particularly in the shonen genre.

Characters: [9/10]
Light and L both have my utmost respect. L is incredibly cool despite his lack of social skills, and Light behaves exactly how I imagine an exceptionally intelligent person with such a notebook would. His actions often mirrored what I would do in similar situations.
The -1 point is due to the portrayal of women in the series: they are depicted as relatively unintelligent and are frequently used or fall for Light like autumn leaves, showing no independent thought. Additionally, the heroine is quite annoying.

Enjoyment: [10/10]
This is the part of the review I wanted to write most:
This manga challenged me mentally and logically. It made me question morality and death and taught me to look at things differently, more considerately. Only a few other manga/anime, such as Liar Game and Akumetsu, have achieved this, but none were as impactful as Death Note.

Overall: [10/10]
Why are you still reading this review instead of starting Death Note?

The story of Death Note is divided into two sagas. The first saga, comprising the initial seven volumes, is undoubtedly the best. It showcases the intense battle of wits between L. Lawliet and Kira (Light Yagami), filled with one plot twist after another.

The second saga falls short compared to the first. Key characters disappear, and some scenarios start to feel repetitive.

Takeshi Obata's illustrations are fantastic, and I particularly enjoy his dark style.

This is a very good manga with numerous plot twists, an incredible ending, and more emphasis on reasoning than action. For the most part, the characters are well-developed, with Lawliet being the standout.

While it may not appeal to everyone, it is highly recommended.

At first, I was hesitant to read Death Note because people told me it wasn't worth my time. They said it was boring and that the main character only killed people by writing their names in a notebook. If you encounter such opinions, don't let them deter you. I borrowed volumes one through three from my school library, read them, and decided to continue. Now, I'm a fan of the series.

The story is engaging but not the best ever written. It involves a lot of thought-provoking content, so if that's not your cup of tea, you might want to skip it. Essentially, the narrative revolves around the ongoing battle between Light and L, which keeps you hooked as you wonder what will happen next. There are a few intense moments, but that’s about it.

The art style isn't outstanding either, but it's better than many other works out there. The backgrounds aren't overly detailed, but the characters are given plenty of attention. In certain frames, their emotions really stand out due to this detail.

The characters are arguably the most interesting aspect of Death Note. Light and L steal the show for different reasons. Light's evolving personality and his mission to rid the world of criminals using the Death Note make him compelling. He becomes known as "Kira." L, on the other hand, stands out because of his unique mannerisms, from how he sits to how he plays with his food. You'll have to discover these quirks for yourself. Reading from start to finish, you’ll see how much the characters evolve and change.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Death Note up to volume seven. A significant event in that volume often turns readers away, but I kept going due to my curiosity. The second half of Death Note was decent, lacking the original spark but still intriguing enough to keep me wondering what would happen next. I found the final volume rewarding, even after going through four somewhat mediocre volumes.

In summary, Death Note is something you either love or hate. You can't make a fair judgment until you've tried reading it. I believe Death Note could have been considered amazing if it had ended at volume seven. Although it continued to volume twelve, it introduced some new elements that didn’t quite hit the mark, like the character Mello, who some found annoying. Despite this, it was a good read, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological manga.

Summary of the story: Morality. Every character has a radically different conception of justice, but who is the good guy? And is there one? Who's right? Who's wrong? These questions have multiple answers, so let's find out.

What defines good and evil? How should evil be dealt with? Who decides which is which? Death Note doesn't necessarily answer these questions, but it doesn't intend to; the point is that such questions have been asked for centuries and will never be answered because humans simply can't find definitive answers as living beings in this world. This anime pits formidable personalities with wildly different worldviews against each other, and none of them are afraid to say "I am justice!" The question of who is right haunts every character and ultimately goes unsolved, so let's see if we can't get to the bottom of it, using the three characters at the center of the show's moral conflict.

As Yagami Light, a protagonist is not necessarily a hero, and Light proves it in the first episode. It's not enough for him to take a stand against violent crime; after only five days with the Death Note, he's written hundreds of names and declared himself the "god of the new world," vowing to strike down any who stand in his way. It's a noble cause, but easily corruptible; it's basically the communist ideal. It's worth noting that in the five years of Light's reign as Kira, the crime rate plummets and all wars are put on hold. From Light's perspective, it's one step closer to an ideal world. But a world governed by altruism is a far cry from one governed by fear. By this time, Light and his subordinates have started killing pickpockets and other petty criminals, judging mankind on acts rather than reasons. The rule of law rests entirely in the hands of three flawed individuals.

Perhaps only fear can motivate humanity to coexist so completely and so quickly, but the second half of the plot makes clear that Kira has addressed symptoms and not causes. Fear, ignorance, and anger still exist, and Light is perfectly willing to manipulate these flaws in his favor, as when he organizes a bloodthirsty mob to storm the Kira task force's headquarters. And lest we forget greed, this same mob is distracted and neutralized when Near showers them with the remains of L's fortune to cover his team's escape. Remember that Light's original motive is boredom. "Day in and day out, the same news on permanent repeat," he laments, shortly before picking up the Death Note and changing the world forever. Though he vows to strike down the wicked, he makes no distinction between hardened criminals and those "who are less guilty but who still make trouble for others." The troublemakers are culled through disease and accidents, while the truly terrible serve as examples. One could argue that Light's power gives him the responsibility to reshape the world for the better, but the world he seeks to create is unquestionably in his self-centered image.

L is described by Tsugumi Ohba as "slightly evil," and it isn't difficult to see why. As the undisputed king of detectives, L has essentially limitless jurisdiction and resources. In a world that turns on the interpretation and manipulation of data, he is as close to superhuman as one can get. It's the perfect recipe for a villain: wholly without rivals, with every eccentricity tolerated, and he even is a star athlete. With the ability to succeed at seemingly anything he does, why does L devote himself to the law?

In a way, L is just as vain as he proves Light to be in the second episode. He admits that he's "childish and hates losing," which indicates a certain amount of pride at stake in his work. He also will not take a case unless at least ten lives or a million dollars are on the line. If his detective work is indeed just a game to him, it makes sense that he would seek out challenges. He may also believe that his intellect is wasted on any but the most dangerous and impossible cases. But both he and Light declare "I am justice!" at the end of the second episode. The parallel is no mere dramatic flair. As Misa’s extrajudicial kidnapping and torture prove, both men are willing to go to extreme lengths in the name of their principles. But while they both work from the shadows, L has an existing legal framework on his side—one that he is more or less free to dictate. While he insists that extraordinary foes require extraordinary actions, he's also not above outright lying—everything from using convicts as expendable decoys to insisting that his trademark crouch increases his reasoning abilities by 40%.

Humans are inquisitive by nature. We want answers, and Light’s tenure as God proves that many of us look up to powerful figures who claim to have them. Light appeals to an innate desire for justice in all people and uses that to rule the world from the shadows. But his arrogance consumes him throughout the second season because he has no equal to keep him humble. It's possible that L is the same way: he gravitates toward law, detective work, and justice simply because he has to succeed. Where Light represents individual, retributive justice, L represents law at its most perfect and least merciful.

While we're on the subject of L, why does the discovery of shinigami shock him so deeply? Because the supernatural upsets the balance of the hierarchy he has crowned himself king of. Gods of death operate by completely different rules than humans, physically and psychologically speaking. Once he's acknowledged that he's dealing with forces beyond his understanding, of course, the shinigami are just one more challenge for him to fit into his worldview. So what is there to understand about Ryuk? Of all the characters in Death Note, Light’s companion shinigami is the most honest. Ryuk may be deliberately evasive or obtuse, but unlike the humans he meets, he never tells an outright lie. His reason for dropping the Death Note into the human world is clear from the beginning: "I did it because I was bored."

Is it evil to allow a deadly weapon to potentially fall into evil hands? Perhaps, but would you call gun shop owners evil? All they do is respond to the demands of an existing market. The difference is that Ryuk knowingly attempts to stir up trouble—the most "interesting" humans are the ones who make extensive and creative use of the Death Note, and those who rise to challenge them. Ryuk sets in motion the deaths of thousands—perhaps hundreds of thousands. But he does not hide behind ideals or principles. There will be other lives, and as long as they do interesting things—and give him apples—he is content to watch them destroy each other. He'll be the first to tell you. It may sound like a paradox, but there's an undeniable integrity to that sort of morality.

The answer to the question of right and wrong is that there is no answer. Good and evil are mutable concepts that change with perspective and context, and defining them is a constant undertaking that stretches back as far as recorded history. Both Light and L believe that humanity is fundamentally unchanging, both use that belief for their own gain, and both have different definitions of justice to back it up. Ryuk, as one of a stagnant race, is wholly amoral, but he is under no obligation to be otherwise. Nor does he feel it necessary to disguise his motives—why should he answer to alien laws? Trying to decide who is on the side of justice—whether they take a side or not—misses the point of this show. The idea that there are sides drives human history and achievement. But in the world of Death Note, those who see beyond the abstractions have the power to manipulate them, for better or for worse.

Personal Note - This manga came out in Portugal and it took 3 years to be completed. The manga does a better job of conveying the message.