Death Note - Tv Review

Death Note is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook from a shinigami named Ryuk that grants its user the ability to kill anyone whose name and face they know. The series centers around Light’s subsequent attempts to create and rule a world “cleansed of evil” as a “God” using the notebook, and the efforts of a detective known as L to stop him.

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 as 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.

If you’re going to compare Death Note to the manga it’s based on then you will notice it is a very short TV series for such a detailed and lengthy manga series. The manga has 108 chapters which have been turned into an anime series that only lasts 37 episodes, with each episode running only 20 minutes. The TV series was so addictive but yet had such a disappointingly sudden ending. There is crucial detail missing that you will pick up on after reading the manga, but without reading it, the anime seems flawless and flows perfectly, until you get to that sudden ending.

Death Note will have you hooked from the very first episode. The animation is flawless and is dubbed beautifully. The opening theme song changes mid-way through the series, going from good to great, and the suspense keeps you wanting more. Sure, there may be a small flaw here and there as a lot of anime series based off manga have, but if you’re not into reading the manga and just want something interesting, clever, and suspenseful to watch, then Death Note is the right pick for you.

3.5/5