A notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. A genius student who decides to become a god. A detective who is just as brilliant. Death Note is one of the best “first anime” ever made.
Quick Info
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 37 (2006–07)
- Manga: Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata
- Our rating: 9.0 / 10
Death Note — Official Trailer
Story (No Spoilers)
Light Yagami finds a notebook dropped by the death god Ryuk. He begins killing criminals to create a “perfect world”. The world’s greatest detective, known only as L, starts hunting him — and their mind games become legendary.
What We Loved
- Light vs L — one of anime’s greatest rivalries
- Tension — every episode ends with a hook
- Ryuk — funny, creepy and obsessed with apples
- Music — dramatic choir and rock soundtrack
What Could Be Better
The second half introduces new characters and some fans feel it’s weaker than the first. It’s still very good — just not perfect.
A smart, addictive thriller. If you’ve never watched anime, start here.
Where to Watch
Death Note streams on Netflix in many regions and on other platforms such as Crunchyroll or Hulu depending on country.
Looking for more? See our 15 best anime for beginners.
