Summary:

After a year and a half since I was drawn into the Death Note storyline, I finally have a review on why this controversial series is a favorite among fans. This review refers to the manga version, but the anime is just as great, if not better!

Warning: This post contains spoilers! Read at your own risk!

Review:

“The Death Note is the worst murder weapon in the world” It is a terrible way to rid of someone you don’t like. To Light Yagami, it was the best weapon he could get his hands on. When the notebook fell into the human world, Light was reluctant to try it out. After testing it out on a few subjects, he is now being followed by an odd companion: a Shinigami (Death God), by the name of Ryuk. Ryuk explains to Light how to use the notebook. After using the notebook again, he decided to use it for an act of good–ridding the world of cold-hearted criminals.

The killings spawn online shrines dedicated to “Kira”, the nickname of Light’s alter-ego. There are those who don’t agree with this method of execution. Enter L, who we don’t see in the flesh until later when the investigation heats up. Upon showing his face, he instructs the remaining members of the NPA (National Police Agency–an organization similar to the FBI in Japan) to use false identities while working under his orders. L takes the investigation further by installing cameras in the Yagami household–including Light’s room. Light realizes that he is being watched, so he comes up with a plan to carry out the judgments without attracting attention.

The game of Cat-and-Mouse gets intense as L shows up at Light’s Tokyo University Entrance Ceremony. Light keeps his cool and cooperates with Ryuuzaki–L’s alias. Ryuuzaki follows Light around to see if he is Kira. The story continues as new killings occur that differ from Light’s usual method…

My analysis of Death Note:

When I first heard of Death Note, I had no idea what it was about. I was expecting a very different story, other than killing people with a notebook. Even the characters were different to me. After reading the second chapter of Death Note, I had an idea of what L would look like: Wears simple clothing, has an odd way of sitting, has black rings around his eyes, and an odd eating habit. I wonder if everyone else who was curious about Death Note had this in mind? Light and L’s actions are predictable. The characters’ personality could be seen a mile away, even if they weren’t interested in checking out the manga (or anime).

The first chapter of the manga is what drove me to buy every single volume that was released. The story lagged a bit from the get go, but when Light used the notebook on a member of a biker gang, that was the cue to spending $50~ on volumes 1-7 all at once. It was well worth it. Getting sucked into the story from the first chapter is very rare for me. Usually it takes me at least one volume of the manga, or 3-5 episodes of the anime to really get into it.

Not only there is an anime of Death Note (which currently airs on Adult Swim), there are also two live-action movies, including one spin-off featuring L. The first two movies were licensed by Viz, which means that it will be available at local U.S. video store shelves. I hope the movies will get a decent review by movie critics and not treated as fodder for the media to blast because of its subject. It’s all fiction: as long as the Death Note stays within a fantasy, it’s all cool. Death Note has already been looked down on in other countries as a threat than a typical suspense story.

All in all, Death Note is the best manga–and anime–I’ve read (and watched). I highly recommend it!

Rating:

Details

• Studio: Mad House
• Year: 2006-2007
• Type: Series
• Episodes: 37

Popularity: 5% [?]

Written by: Sanjo-chan (507 Posts)

Posted on: March 19, 2008 7:39 (Anime & Manga)
Tag(s): adult swim, death note, reviews
Website: http://centakume.info/