Death Note

This work features the wonderful drawing style of Takeshi Obata, making it visually very appealing. Additionally, the script is well thought out, with the action in this manga relying on the intelligent actions of the characters, which can surprise many readers.

This piece is not suitable for those who find it tedious to read a lot of text on the pages. In my opinion, one of the best things about this gem is that you, the reader, get to choose who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist. The best aspects of this manga, in my view, are the main characters, the drawing, and the action based on planning.

Death Note has its share of plot holes, but that's not my main issue. I can overlook those. What really bothers me about Death Note is the characterization. The primary characters—Light, L, and N—are all utterly unlikable. Light isn't an anti-hero; he's outright evil. Strangely, even the supposed "good guys," L and N, come off as extremely irritating, ranking among the most annoying characters I've encountered in manga. By the end, I found myself rooting for no one. It would have been far more engaging if the author had portrayed Light as an anti-hero who only targeted bad people. That twist would have made the story much more compelling.

Solid material. If you've watched the anime, you know what to expect. This cool book allows you to kill someone by writing their name with some optional details; all you need is a name and a face, and they're as good as gone. Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student, stumbles upon the notebook, and his world changes forever, aiming to reshape the entire world according to his ideals.

Light is awesome but also a jerk. His character is well-written and portrayed. His arch-nemesis, L, is equally compelling, though perhaps less of a jerk. Their cat-and-mouse game makes for the best part of the manga, providing Light with a genuine challenge. Without L, Light would have practically achieved world domination, so he needs an adversary to contend with.

They could have chosen to show Light struggling with his morality initially, only facing L once he fully turns evil. However, this transformation happens in the first chapter. While I would have liked to see a gradual change like in Breaking Bad, I understand the direction they took with his character.

A drawback for me is the sheer amount of text at times, especially in the latter half. It sometimes feels like reading a novel with extensive dialogue, lacking artistic flair. I get that intricate plots require detailed explanations of motivations and plans, but it can be a bit tedious. This issue is present in the early chapters too, but it was so engaging that I barely noticed it then.

The second "half" (after the major event) of the manga works better than its anime counterpart. More time is spent fleshing out new characters and storylines here. While it doesn't pack the same punch as the first half, it feels less disappointing. Because of this, I think the manga is technically superior to the anime, though seeing these scenes on screen is still incredibly enjoyable.

This is a classic story that you need to read. The anime is a good substitute, but experiencing the original manga is worth your time. To me, the Death Note manga is a 9/10.

Since this series is written by the same author who penned "Hikaru no Go," I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a wide range of compelling characters who both captivate and repulse you. Raiko, a boy who encounters a shinigami and gains the power to kill simply by writing down a name in a notebook, seems cool at first glance. However, you can't help but ponder the terrifying extent of this boy's abilities.

Throughout the series, you follow one boy's journey as he attempts to eradicate crime by eliminating criminals, all while evading the police hot on his trail. This series truly makes you think while simultaneously delivering the action-packed scenes you've been craving. Enjoy reading this series. Sorry for any poor writing; my apologies.

In my view, Death Note stands out as one of the most remarkable manga series of its era. The artwork is exceptionally lifelike, with facial expressions so vivid that you feel as though you're experiencing the characters' emotions firsthand. The storyline kept me gripped, constantly surprising me with unpredictable twists and turns. It was packed with suspense, making it impossible to guess what would happen next. The characters were brilliantly crafted, reacting to situations in a believable manner despite the supernatural elements woven into the plot. Their appearances were designed to match their personalities perfectly. I highly recommend this manga to others because it masterfully blends thriller and action into an unforgettable experience.