Death Note Review | Genius vs. Genius — Why the First Half Is Perfect and the Second Half Falls Short

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"I am... justice!"

Write a name, and that person dies. A genius high school student named Light Yagami obtains this supernatural notebook and sets out to judge criminals and become "the god of a new world." Released in 2006, Death Note created the most unusual protagonist in Weekly Shōnen Jump history and sparked a global phenomenon. The battle of wits between Light and the world's greatest detective, L, stands as a monument to intellectual combat in anime history. But this series has clear flaws too. The overwhelming brilliance of the L arc versus the decline of the second half. In this article, we honestly review what makes Death Note great — and where it stumbles.

🎬 Trailer

📌 This Series in 3 Lines

📖 Story (No Spoilers)

Light Yagami is a brilliant high school student bored with everyday life. One day, he picks up a black notebook that fell in the schoolyard. On the cover: "DEATH NOTE." The rule written inside: "The human whose name is written in this note shall die." Half-skeptical, Light writes a criminal's name — and confirms the notebook's power is real.

Light begins executing criminals one after another, becoming known as "Kira." His goal: to create a crime-free "new world" and become its god. But a world-renowned detective known only as "L" begins hunting Kira's true identity. The battle of wits between two geniuses begins.

✨ What Makes Death Note Captivating

Mind Games That Stay One Step Ahead

Death Note's greatest strength is its intellectual battles that constantly subvert viewer expectations. "He'll think this if I do that. But deliberately..." — the back-and-forth between Light and L delivers an almost addictive thrill.

The tension in the L arc (episodes 1–25) is extraordinary. How Light uses the notebook to kill criminals. How L uses deduction to corner him. Every episode delivers a "wait, they went THAT far?" moment. The scene where Light hides a mini TV inside a potato chip bag to evade surveillance? That's the perfect blend of wild creativity and meticulous planning.

Tetsuro Araki's "Majestic and Beautiful" Direction

Director Tetsuro Araki, who later helmed Attack on Titan, shines here. The climactic episodes are rendered with an almost religious solemnity, like Renaissance paintings. The downfall of a man who tried to become god, depicted with sacred stillness — masterful work.

At the same time, amid the serious mind games, we get scenes like "eating potato chips with intense dramatic flair" — so over-the-top they become unintentionally hilarious. This balance of tension and release keeps all 37 episodes engaging.

Compare Episode 1 to the Finale — A Chronicle of Transformation

In episode 1, Light is a pure-hearted honor student. Bored with daily life, yes, but his eyes are clear. By the finale, he has the face of a demon.

This series meticulously documents how one genius becomes possessed by the illusion of "absolute justice," how means and ends become inverted, and how he transforms into a mass murderer under a twisted ideology. The most unusual protagonist downfall in Shōnen Jump history. That's Death Note.

🎭 Memorable Scenes and Lines

"I am... justice!"

Light screams this when cornered. In that moment, it's exposed that "god of a new world" was nothing but self-justification. The beginning of the collapse. A spine-chilling scene.

The rain-soaked confrontation between Light and L is also unforgettable. Both know the other's identity, yet neither can speak the truth. They were each other's one-of-a-kind existence — yet enemies. That bittersweet tension stays with you.

And L's final moment. We won't spoil it, but it marks the series' turning point — a shocking scene etched into every viewer's memory.

💭 Feelings After Viewing

After watching, a strange emptiness lingers. "What would I have done if I'd found that notebook?" — a forbidden question that won't leave your mind. Many viewers empathize with Light and are horrified to realize they did. That's both the terror and the appeal of this series.

Even 20 years later, you'll hear "I love Death Note" and "I thought I could be Light" from fans everywhere. A work that lets you process emotions you might have had. That's Death Note.

😅 Points to Consider

The Decline After L's Exit

Let's be honest. There's a clear quality gap between the L arc (episodes 1–25) and the Near/Mello arc that follows. Compared to the electric tension with L, the battles with his successors feel underwhelming. Near and Mello aren't differentiated enough from L to stand on their own.

There are also "plans" with glaring holes and developments that strain credibility. Having experienced the L arc's precision, the second half's rough edges become painfully obvious.

Shallow Exploration of "What Is Justice?"

"A notebook that lets you kill anyone you choose" is a fascinating foundation for philosophical inquiry. "If killing criminals is wrong, what about the death penalty?" "What does it mean for humans to judge humans?" — the series had potential to explore these themes.

But ultimately, the story lands on "whoever wins is justice." The consequences of the world Light created, the pros and cons of his actions, remain underexplored. A rich premise that stayed within shōnen manga boundaries.

No Character Growth

From start to finish, Light believes "I am justice." From start to finish, L believes "Kira is evil." There's almost no depiction of their values clashing and evolving. This works as a battle of wits, but as human drama, it feels lacking.

The endless layers of "he'll think this, so I'll do that, but actually..." can also feel tedious to some viewers.

🎬 3 Must-Watch Series If You Loved Death Note

Monster

A psychological thriller based on Naoki Urasawa's manga. A surgeon saves a boy's life, only to watch him grow into a "monster" — then hunts him down. An intellectual pursuit constantly asking "What is evil?" is essential viewing for Death Note fans. At 74 episodes it's a commitment, but once you start, you can't stop.

Streaming: Netflix

Joker (2019)

A kind man is crushed by society and descends into "evil." A "dark hero origin story" approaching from the opposite direction of Light. Joaquin Phoenix's possessed performance radiates madness on par with Mamoru Miyano's Light. Academy Award winner for Best Actor.

Streaming: Netflix | Amazon Prime Video (Purchase/Rental) | Max (HBO Max)

Breaking Bad

A terminally ill chemistry teacher starts cooking meth to provide for his family — and transforms into drug lord "Heisenberg." A good man's descent into becoming an "emperor of evil" mirrors Light's transformation most closely among dark hero narratives. Widely considered one of the greatest TV series ever made.

Streaming: Netflix

📺 Where to Watch Death Note

📊 Streaming Service Comparison

Service	Availability	Audio
Netflix	Streaming	Sub & Dub
Crunchyroll	Streaming	Sub & Dub
Hulu	Streaming	Sub & Dub
Amazon Prime Video	Streaming	Sub & Dub
Peacock	Streaming	Sub

⚠️ Availability as of January 2026. Please verify before subscribing.

📝 Summary

Death Note is an extraordinary work depicting the most unusual protagonist downfall in Shōnen Jump history. The Light vs. L battle of wits stands as a monument to intellectual combat in anime. Director Tetsuro Araki's majestic visuals and Mamoru Miyano's possessed vocal performance make this series one of a kind.

That said, the decline after L's exit, the shallow exploration of justice, and the lack of character growth are undeniable weaknesses. A series where brilliance and flaws coexist — genuinely difficult to evaluate. But the forbidden question — "What would I do if I found the notebook?" — hasn't faded in 20 years. It leaves quiet claw marks on every viewer's heart.

⭐ Title Highlights

Category	Rating
Story (L Arc)	★★★★★
Story (Near/Mello Arc)	★★★☆☆
Characters	★★★★☆
Direction & Visuals	★★★★★
Music	★★★★☆
Thematic Depth	★★★☆☆

Thank you for reading to the end. Usagi-Tei will continue to share honest reviews — celebrating what works and acknowledging what doesn't.