View source for Death Note

{{Short description|Japanese manga series}}
{{Other uses|Death Note (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image       = Death Note Vol 1.jpg
| caption     = First {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volume cover, featuring [[Light Yagami]] (front) and [[Ryuk (Death Note)|Ryuk]] (back)
| genre       = {{ubl|[[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]<ref name="VizOfficial">{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/death-note|title=The Official Website for Death Note|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027071700/https://www.viz.com/death-note|archive-date=October 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Psychological thriller]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Viz Media Announces Fall DVD Release of Death Note™ Anime Series|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-29/viz-media-announces-fall-dvd-release-of-death-note-anime-series|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|via=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 2, 2020|date=June 29, 2007|quote=it is as much a psychological thriller as it is a crime drama.|archive-date=July 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701094747/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-29/viz-media-announces-fall-dvd-release-of-death-note-anime-series|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ellingwood|first=Holly|title=Death Note Vol. 1 Original and Uncut (Advance Review)|url=http://activeanime.com/html/2007/11/09/death-note-vol-1-original-and-uncut-advance-review/|website=Active Anime|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325162820/http://activeanime.com/html/2007/11/09/death-note-vol-1-original-and-uncut-advance-review/|archive-date=March 25, 2016|date=November 9, 2007}}</ref>|[[Supernatural thriller]]<ref name="VizOfficial"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Luther|first=Katherine|title=Death Note: Series Profile|url=http://anime.about.com/od/deathnote/p/deathnoteprof.htm|website=[[About.com]]|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031234837/http://anime.about.com/od/deathnote/p/deathnoteprof.htm|archive-date=October 31, 2007|quote=''Death Note'' is a supernatural thriller series that zeros in on a very delicate question: is all life worth saving or are there some that we'd be better off without?}}</ref>}}<!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = [[Tsugumi Ohba]]
| illustrator  = [[Takeshi Obata]]
| publisher    = [[Shueisha]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| AUS         = [[Madman Entertainment]]
| NA          = [[Viz Media]]
}}
| demographic  = {{Transliteration|ja|[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]}}
| imprint      = [[Jump Comics]]
| magazine     = [[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]
| first        = December 1, 2003
| last         = May 15, 2006
| volumes      = 12
| volume_list  = List of Death Note chapters
}}
{{collapsed infobox section begin}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = novel
| title        = [[Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases]]
| author       = [[Nisio Isin]]
| publisher    = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA          = Viz Media
}}
| published    = August 1, 2006
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = TV series
| director     = [[Tetsurō Araki]]
| producer     = {{ubl|Toshio Nakatani|Manabu Tamura|[[Masao Maruyama (film producer)|Masao Maruyama]]}}
| writer       = [[Toshiki Inoue]]
| music        = {{ubl|[[Yoshihisa Hirano]]|[[Hideki Taniuchi]]}}
| studio       = [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]]
| licensee     = {{ubl|[[Crunchyroll LLC|Crunchyroll]]{{efn|name=Crunchyroll|In the United Kingdom through [[Crunchyroll UK and Ireland]] (formerly known as [[Manga Entertainment]]) and in Australia through [[Crunchyroll Store Australia]] (formerly known as [[Madman Entertainment|Madman Anime]]).}}|{{English anime licensee|NA = [[Viz Media]]}}}}
| network      = [[Nippon Television Network System|NNS]] ([[Nippon TV]])
| network_en   = {{English anime networks
| CA          = [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]]
| NA          = [[Neon Alley]]
| US          = [[Adult Swim]]
}}
| first        = October 4, 2006
| last         = June 27, 2007
| episodes     = 37
| episode_list = Death Note (2006 TV series)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = TV film
| title        = Death Note Relight 1: Visions of a God
| director     = Tetsurō Araki
| producer     = {{ubl|Toshio Nakatani|Manabu Tamura|Masao Maruyama}}
| writer       = Toshiki Inoue
| music        = {{ubl|Yoshihisa Hirano|Hideki Taniuchi}}
| licensee     = {{ubl|Crunchyroll{{efn|name=Crunchyroll}}|{{English anime licensee|NA = Viz Media}}}}
| studio       = Madhouse
| network      = Nippon TV
| released     = August 31, 2007
| runtime      = 130 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = novel
| title        = Death Note: L – Change the World
| author       = M
| publisher    = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA = Viz Media
}}
| published    = December 25, 2007
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| title        = Death Note: C-Kira
| author       = Tsugumi Ohba
| illustrator  = Takeshi Obata
| publisher    = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA = Viz Media
}}
| demographic  = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}
| magazine     = Weekly Shōnen Jump
| published    = February 9, 2008
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type         = TV film
| title        = Death Note: Relight 2 – L's Successors
| director     = Tetsurō Araki
| producer     = {{ubl|Toshio Nakatani|Manabu Tamura|Masao Maruyama}}
| writer       = Toshiki Inoue
| music        = {{ubl|Yoshihisa Hirano|Hideki Taniuchi}}
| licensee     = {{ubl|Crunchyroll{{efn|name=Crunchyroll}}|{{English anime licensee|NA=Viz Media}}}}
| studio       = Madhouse
| network      = NNS (Nippon TV)
| released     = August 22, 2008
| runtime      = 100 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| title        = Death Note: a-Kira
| author       = Tsugumi Ohba
| illustrator  = Takeshi Obata
| publisher    = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher
| NA          = Viz Media
}}
| demographic  = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}
| magazine     = [[Jump Square]]
| published    = February 4, 2020
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title        = Live-action
| content      =
* ''[[Death Note (2006 film)|Death Note]]'' (2006 film)
* ''[[Death Note 2: The Last Name]]'' (2006 film)
* ''[[L: Change the World]]'' (2008 film)
* ''[[Death Note (2015 TV series)|Death Note]]'' (2015 TV drama)
* ''[[Death Note: The Musical]]'' (2015 musical)
* ''[[Death Note: New Generation]]'' (2016 miniseries)
* ''[[Death Note: Light Up the New World]]'' (2016 film)
* ''[[Death Note (2017 film)|Death Note]]'' (2017 film)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title        = Video games
| content      =
* ''Death Note: Kira Game'' (2007)
* ''Death Note: Successors to L'' (2007)
* ''L the Prologue to Death Note: Spiraling Trap'' (2008)
* ''Death Note: Killer Within'' (2024)
}}
{{collapsed infobox section end}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
'''''Death Note''''' (stylized in [[all caps]]) is a Japanese [[manga]] series written by [[Tsugumi Ohba]] and illustrated by [[Takeshi Obata]]. It was serialized in [[Shueisha]]'s [[Shōnen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga magazine]] ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' from December 2003 to May 2006, with its chapters collected in 12 {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes. The story follows [[Light Yagami]], a genius high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook: the "Death Note", which belonged to the {{Transliteration|ja|[[shinigami]]}} [[Ryuk (Death Note)|Ryuk]], and grants the user the supernatural ability to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages. The series centers around Light's subsequent attempts to use the Death Note to carry out a worldwide massacre of individuals whom he deems immoral and to create a crime-free society, using the alias of a god-like vigilante named "Kira", and the subsequent efforts of [[List of Death Note characters#Kira Investigation Team|an elite Japanese police task force]], led by enigmatic detective [[L (Death Note)|L]], to apprehend him.

A 37-episode [[anime]] television series adaptation, produced by [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]] and directed by [[Tetsurō Araki]], was broadcast on [[Nippon Television]] from October 2006 to June 2007. A [[light novel]] based on the series, written by [[Nisio Isin]], was also released in 2006. Additionally, various video games have been published by [[Konami]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. The series was adapted into three [[live-action]] films released in Japan in [[Death Note (2006 film)|June]], [[Death Note 2: The Last Name|November 2006]], and [[L: Change the World|February 2008]], and [[Death Note (2015 TV series)|a television drama]] in 2015. A miniseries titled ''[[Death Note: New Generation]]'' and [[Death Note: Light Up the New World|a fourth film]] were released in 2016. An [[Death Note (2017 film)|American film adaptation]] was released [[List of Netflix original films|exclusively]] on [[Netflix]] in August 2017, and a series is reportedly in the works. Two [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] manga sequels, ''C-Kira'' and ''a-Kira'', were published in 2008 and 2020, respectively; they were later collected in a single volume titled ''Death Note: Short Stories'', alongside other standalone stories, in 2021. An online [[social deduction game]], ''Death Note: Killer Within'', was released by [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 5]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in 2024.

''Death Note'' media, except for video games and soundtracks, is licensed and released in North America by [[Viz Media]]. The episodes from the anime first appeared in North America as downloadable from [[IGN]] before Viz Media licensed it. The series was aired on [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]]'s [[Bionix (TV programming block)|Bionix]] programming block in Canada and on [[Adult Swim]] in the United States with a DVD release following. The live-action films briefly played in certain North American theaters, in 2008, before receiving home video releases. By April 2015, the ''Death Note'' manga had over 30 million copies in circulation, making it one of the [[List of best-selling manga|best-selling manga series]].

==Plot==
{{Further|List of Death Note characters{{!}}List of ''Death Note'' characters}}
In [[Tokyo]], a disaffected high school student named [[Light Yagami]] finds the "Death Note", a mysterious black notebook with rules that can end anyone's life in seconds as long as the writer knows both the target's true name and face. Light uses the notebook to kill high-profile criminals and is visited by [[Ryuk (Death Note)|Ryuk]], a {{Transliteration|ja|[[shinigami]]}} and the Death Note's original owner. Ryuk, invisible to anyone who has not touched the notebook, reveals that he dropped the notebook into the human world out of boredom and is amused by Light's actions.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Death Note Vol. 1 - Boredom|last=Oba|first=Tsugumi|date=2005|publisher=Viz Media|others=Obata, Takeshi, 1969-, Rolf, Pookie, trl.|isbn=1-4215-0168-6|edition=Shonen Jump advanced graphic novel|location=San Francisco|pages=18|oclc=62099999}}</ref>

Global media suggest that a single mastermind is responsible for the mysterious murders and name them {{Nihongo|"Kira"|キラ||the Japanese [[transliteration]] of the word "killer"}}. [[Interpol]] requests the assistance of the enigmatic detective [[L (Death Note)|L]] to assist in their investigation. L tricks Light into revealing that he is in the Kanto region of Japan by manipulating him to kill a decoy. Light vows to kill L, whom he views as obstructing his plans. L deduces that Kira has inside knowledge of the Japanese police investigation, led by Light's father, [[List of Death Note characters#Soichiro Yagami|Soichiro Yagami]]. L assigns a team of [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] agents to monitor the families of those connected with the investigation and designates Light as the prime suspect. Light graduates from high school to college. L recruits Light into the [[List of Death Note characters#Kira Investigation Team|Kira Task Force]].

Actress-model [[Misa Amane]] obtains a second Death Note from a {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} named [[List of Death Note characters#Rem|Rem]] and makes a deal for {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} eyes, which reveal the names of anyone whose face she sees, at the cost of half her remaining lifespan. Seeking to have Light become her boyfriend, Misa uncovers Light's identity as the original Kira. Light uses her love for him to his advantage, intending to use Misa's {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} eyes to discern L's true name. L deduces that Misa is likely the second Kira and detains her. Rem threatens to kill Light if he does not find a way to save Misa. Light arranges a scheme in which he and Misa temporarily lose their memories of the Death Note, and has Rem pass the Death Note to [[List of Death Note characters#Kyosuke Higuchi|Kyosuke Higuchi]] of the [[List of Death Note characters#Yotsuba Group|Yotsuba Group]]. 

With memories of the Death Note erased, Light joins the investigation and, together with L, deduces Higuchi's identity and arrests him. Light regains his memories and uses the Death Note to kill Higuchi, regaining possession of the book. After restoring Misa's memories, Light instructs her to begin killing as Kira, causing L to cast suspicion on Misa. Rem realizes Light's plan to have Misa sacrifice herself to kill L. After Rem kills L, she disintegrates and Light obtains her Death Note. The task force agrees to have Light operate as the new L. The investigation stalls but crime rates continue to drop.

Four years later, cults worshiping Kira have risen. L's potential successors are introduced: [[Near (Death Note)|Near]] and [[Mello (Death Note)|Mello]]. Mello joins the mafia whilst Near joins forces with the US government. Mello kidnaps Director Takimura, who is killed by Light. Mello kidnaps Light's sister and exchanges her for the Death Note, using it to kill almost all of Near's team. A Shinigami named Sidoh goes to Earth to reclaim his notebook and ends up meeting and helping Mello. Light uses the notebook to find Mello's hideout, but Soichiro is killed in the mission. Mello and Near exchange information and Mello kidnaps Mogi and gives him to Near. Kira's supporters attack Near's group, but they escape. [[Shuichi Aizawa]], one of the task force members, becomes suspicious of Light and meets with Near. As suspicion falls again on Misa, Light passes Misa's Death Note to [[List of Death Note characters#Teru Mikami|Teru Mikami]], a fervent Kira supporter, and appoints newscaster [[Kiyomi Takada]] as Kira's public spokesperson. Near has Mikami followed whilst Aizawa's suspicions are confirmed. Realizing that Takada is connected to Kira, Mello kidnaps her. Takada kills Mello but is killed by Light. Near arranges a meeting between Light and the current Kira Task Force members. Light tries to have Mikami kill Near as well as all the task force members, but Mikami's Death Note fails to work, having been replaced with a decoy. Near proves Light is Kira discovering Mikami had not written down Light's name. Light is wounded in a scuffle and begs Ryuk to write the names of everyone present. Ryuk instead writes down Light's name in his Death Note, as he had promised to do the day they met, and Light dies.

One year later, the world has returned to normal and the Kira Taskforce Members are conflicted over whether they made the right decision. Meanwhile, cults continue to worship Kira.

=== ''C-Kira'' (one-shot sequel) ===
Three years later, Near, now functioning as the new L, receives word that a new Kira has appeared. Hearing that the new Kira is randomly killing people, Near concludes that the new Kira is an attention-seeker and denounces the new Kira as "boring" and not worth catching. A {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} named Midora approaches Ryuk and gives him an apple from the human realm, in a bet to see if a random human could become the new Kira, but Midora loses the bet when the human writes his own name in the Death Note after hearing Near's announcement. Ryuk tells Midora that no human would ever surpass Light as the new Kira.

=== ''a-Kira'' (one-shot sequel) ===
Another ten years later, Ryuk returns to Earth and gives the Death Note to Minoru Tanaka, the top-scoring student in Japan, hoping that he will follow in Light Yagami's footsteps. On explaining the rules to Minoru, Ryuk is surprised when he returns the notebook and tells him to return it and his memory of their encounter to him in two years' time. Two years later, on receiving the notebook back from Ryuk, Minoru reveals he has no plans to use it himself but rather he plans to auction it off to the governments of the world, with Ryuk's help sending his offer out as "a-Kira", having waited two years until he was old enough to have a bank account to allow his plan to work. Elsewhere, Near (as L) is revealed to be developing technology meant to track Shinigami, although it is not yet advanced enough to be useful. After selling the Death Note to [[U.S. president]] [[Donald Trump]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Elfring|first=Mat|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/death-note-short-stories-brings-one-shots-to-print-including-that-infamous-trump-story/1100-6502665/|title=Death Note: Short Stories Brings One-Shots To Print, Including That Infamous Trump Story|magazine=[[Gamespot]]|date=April 20, 2022|access-date=February 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514091818/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/death-note-short-stories-brings-one-shots-to-print-including-that-infamous-trump-story/1100-6502665/|archive-date=May 14, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Colbert|first=Isaiah|url=https://gizmodo.com/donald-trump-death-note-manga-election-2024-2000520605|title=That Time Donald Trump Got the ''Death Note''|magazine=[[Gizmodo]]|date=November 5, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110130033/https://gizmodo.com/donald-trump-death-note-manga-election-2024-2000520605|archive-date=January 10, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Hannah|url=https://www.cbr.com/what-death-note-says-donald-trump/|title=What Death Note's New One-Shot Has to Say About Donald Trump|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2025|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901072742/https://www.cbr.com/what-death-note-says-donald-trump/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Efn|The text does not call him Trump, though Hannah Collins of [[Comic Book Resources]] stated "the uncanny likeness to the divisive political figure is hard to miss."<ref>{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Hannah|url=https://www.cbr.com/death-note-every-cameo-in-the-new-one-shot/|title=Death Note: Every Cameo in the New One Shot|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=February 7, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2025|archive-date=October 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001232402/https://www.cbr.com/death-note-every-cameo-in-the-new-one-shot/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} for a sum that would ensure every Japanese citizen under the age of 60 would be financially set for life, Minoru relinquishes his ownership and memory of his plan to Ryuk, assuring his own anonymity, while Trump is left unable to use the Death Note after the King of Death creates a new rule disallowing the Death Note to be sold, and he secretly returns it to Ryuk. Minoru collapses to the ground in the bank after withdrawing his savings. It is revealed that Ryuk wrote his name in the Death Note next to Light's. He longs for a human who will use the notebook for a longer period of time.

==Production==
===Development===
The ''Death Note'' concept derived from a rather general concept involving {{Transliteration|ja|[[shinigami]]}} and "specific rules".<ref name="HowtoRead59">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/59 59]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/59}}</ref> Author [[Tsugumi Ohba]] felt that they would not be able to create a conventional fight-style manga for ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'', so they preferred to develop a suspense-type fighting manga instead.<ref name="HowtoRead59"/> After the publication of the pilot chapter, the series was not expected to receive approval as a serialized comic. Learning that ''Death Note'' had received approval and that [[Takeshi Obata]] would create the artwork, Ohba said, they "couldn't even believe it".<ref name="HowtoRead174">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/173 173]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/173}}</ref> Due to positive reactions, ''Death Note'' became a serialized manga series.<ref name="HowtoRead58">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/58 58]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/58}}</ref>

"Thumbnails" incorporating dialogue, panel layout and basic drawings were created, reviewed by an editor and sent to [[Takeshi Obata]], the illustrator, with the script finalized and the panel layout "mostly done". Obata then determined the expressions and "camera angles" and created the final artwork. Ohba concentrated on the tempo and the amount of dialogue, making the text as concise as possible. Ohba commented that "reading too much exposition" would be tiring and would negatively affect the atmosphere and "air of suspense". The illustrator had significant artistic licence to interpret basic descriptions, such as "abandoned building",<ref name="HowtoRead180">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/180 180]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/180}}</ref> as well as the design of the Death Notes themselves. When Ohba was deciding on the plot, they visualized the panels while relaxing on their bed, drinking tea, or walking around their house. Often the original draft was too long and needed to be refined to finalize the desired "tempo" and "flow". The writer remarked on their preference for reading the previous "two or four" chapters carefully to ensure consistency in the story.<ref name="HowtoRead59"/>

The typical weekly production schedule consisted of five days of creating and thinking and one day using a pencil to insert dialogue into rough drafts; after this point, the writer faxed any initial drafts to the editor. The illustrator's weekly production schedule involved one day with the thumbnails, layout, and pencils and one day with additional penciling and inking. Obata's assistants usually worked for four days and Obata spent one day to finish the artwork. Obata said that when he took a few extra days to color the pages, this "messed with the schedule". In contrast, the writer took three or four days to create a chapter on some occasions, while on others they took a month. Obata said that his schedule remained consistent except when he had to create color pages.<ref name="HowtoRead192">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/192 192]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/192}}</ref>

Ohba and Obata rarely met in person during the creation of the serialized manga; instead, the two met with the editor. The first time they met in person was at an editorial party in January 2004. Obata said that, despite the intrigue, he did not ask his editor about Ohba's plot developments as he anticipated the new thumbnails every week.<ref name=" HowtoRead174"/> The two did not discuss the final chapters with one another and continued talking only with the editor. Ohba said that when they asked the editor if Obata had "said anything" about the story and plot, the editor responded: "No, nothing".<ref name=" HowtoRead180"/>

Ohba claims that the series ended more or less in the manner that they intended for it to end; they considered the idea of [[L (Death Note)|L]] defeating Light Yagami with Light dying but instead chose to use the "Yellow Box Warehouse" ending. According to Ohba, the details had been set "from the beginning".<ref name="HowtoRead58"/> The writer wanted an ongoing plot line instead of an episodic series because ''Death Note'' was serialized and its focus was intended to be on a cast with a series of events triggered by the Death Note.<ref name="HowtoRead60">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/60 60–61]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/60}}</ref> ''13: How to Read'' states that the humorous aspects of ''Death Note'' originated from Ohba's "enjoyment of humorous stories".<ref name="HowtoRead194">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/194 194]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/194}}</ref>

When Ohba was asked, during an interview, whether the series was meant to be about enjoying the plot twists and psychological warfare, Ohba responded by saying that this concept was the reason why they were "very happy" to place the story in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.<ref name="HowtoRead192"/>

===Concepts===
====The notebooks====
The core [[plot device]] of the story is the "Death Note" itself, a black notebook with instructions written on the inside. When used correctly, it allows anyone, anywhere to instantly commit a murder, knowing only the victim's name and face. According to the director of the live-action films, [[Shusuke Kaneko]], "The idea of spirits [[Kotodama|living in words]] is an ancient Japanese concept... in a way, it's a very Japanese story".<ref name="wired.com">{{cite magazine|title=Death Note Manga Spawns Movie, Crime Wave|url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2008/05/death_note|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=May 19, 2008|access-date=August 24, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809001934/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/news/2008/05/death_note|archive-date=August 9, 2013 }}</ref>

Artist Takeshi Obata originally thought of the books as "something you would automatically think was a Death Note". Deciding that this design would be cumbersome, he instead opted for a more accessible college notebook. Death Notes were originally conceived as changing based on time and location, resembling scrolls in ancient Japan, or the [[Old Testament]] in medieval Europe. However, this idea was never used.<ref name="HowtoRead140">{{cite book|last1=Ohba|first1=Tsugumi|last2=Obata|first2=Takeshi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/149 149]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/149}}</ref>

====Themes====
Writer Tsugumi Ohba had no particular themes in mind for ''Death Note''. When pushed, he suggested: "Humans will all eventually die, so let's give it our all while we're alive".<ref name="HowtoRead69">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/69 69]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/69}}</ref> In a 2012 paper, author Jolyon Baraka Thomas characterised ''Death Note'' as a psychological thriller released in the wake of the 1995 [[Tokyo subway sarin attack]], saying that it examines the human tendency to express itself through "horrific" cults.<ref name="JJRS_Thomas_2012">{{cite journal|last=Thomas|first=Jolyon Baraka|title=Horrific "Cults" and Comic Religion|journal=[[Japanese Journal of Religious Studies]]|volume=39|issue=1|pages=127–151}}</ref>

===Pilot chapter===
The ''Death Note'' process began when Ohba brought thumbnails for two concept ideas to [[Shueisha]]; Ohba said that the ''Death Note'' pilot, one of the concepts, was "received well" by editors and attained positive reactions from readers.<ref name=" HowtoRead58"/> Ohba described keeping the story of the pilot to one chapter as "very difficult", declaring that it took over a month to begin writing the chapter. He added that the story had to revive the killed characters with the Death Eraser and that he "didn't really care" for that plot device.<ref name="HowtoRead215"/>

Obata said that he wanted to draw the story after he heard of a "horror story featuring {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}}".<ref name=" HowtoRead174"/> According to Obata, when he first received the rough draft created by Ohba, he "didn't really get it" at first, and he wanted to work on the project due to the presence of {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} and because the work "was dark".<ref name="HowtoRead215"/> He also said he wondered about the progression of the plot as he read the thumbnails, and if ''Jump'' readers would enjoy reading the comic. Obata said that while there is little action and the main character "doesn't really drive the plot", he enjoyed the atmosphere of the story. He stated that he drew the pilot chapter so that it would appeal to himself.<ref name="HowtoRead215">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/215 215]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/215}}</ref>

Ohba brought the rough draft of the pilot chapter to the editorial department. Obata came into the picture at a later point to create the artwork. They did not meet in person while creating the pilot chapter. Ohba said that the editor told him he did not need to meet with Obata to discuss the pilot; Ohba said "I think it worked out all right".<ref name="HowtoRead174"/>

===Anime adaptation===
[[Tetsurō Araki]], the director, said that he wished to convey aspects that "made the series interesting" instead of simply "focusing on morals or the concept of justice". Toshiki Inoue, the series organizer, agreed with Araki and added that, in anime adaptations, there is a lot of importance in highlighting the aspects that are "interesting in the original". He concluded that Light's presence was "the most compelling" aspect; therefore the adaptation chronicles Light's "thoughts and actions as much as possible". Inoue noted that to best incorporate the manga's plot into the anime, he "tweak[ed] the chronology a bit" and incorporated flashbacks that appear after the openings of the episodes; he said this revealed the desired tensions. Araki said that, because in an anime the viewer cannot "turn back pages" in the manner that a manga reader can, the anime staff ensured that the show clarified details. Inoue added that the staff did not want to get involved with every single detail, so the staff selected elements to emphasize. Due to the complexity of the original manga, he described the process as "definitely delicate and a great challenge". Inoue admitted that he placed more instructions and notes in the script than usual. Araki added that because of the importance of otherwise trivial details, this commentary became crucial to the development of the series.<ref name="Passionsdreams">{{cite journal|last=Kimlinger|first=Carl|date=November 2007|title=Passion and dreams|journal=[[Newtype USA]]|volume=6|issue=11|pages=50–51}}</ref>

Araki said that when he discovered the ''Death Note'' anime project, he "literally begged" to join the production team; when he joined he insisted that Inoue should write the scripts. Inoue added that, because he enjoyed reading the manga, he wished to use his effort.<ref name="Passionsdreams"/>

==Media==
===Manga===
{{See also|List of Death Note chapters{{!}}List of ''Death Note'' chapters}}
''Death Note'', written by [[Tsugumi Ohba]] and illustrated by [[Takeshi Obata]], was serialized in [[Shueisha]]'s [[Shōnen manga|{{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga]] magazine ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'' from December 1, 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2004/01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031221101808/http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2004/01.html|archive-date=December 21, 2003|script-title=ja:週刊少年ジャンプ 2004年Vol.1|website=Pop Web Jump|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=July 14, 2018|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="Famitsu"/> to May 15, 2006.{{efn|It finished in the magazine's 24th issue of 2006 ([[cover date]] May 29),<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:週刊少年ジャンプ 2006年24|url=https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M543009|website=Media Arts Database|publisher=[[Agency for Cultural Affairs]]|access-date=June 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622094417/https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/M543009|archive-date=June 22, 2023|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref> released on May 15 of that same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2006/24.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623201303/http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2006/24.html|archive-date=June 23, 2006|script-title=ja:週刊少年ジャンプ 2006年Vol.24|website=Pop Web Jump|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja}}</ref>}}<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:『DEATH NOTE』12年ぶりの完全新作読切が掲載決定！ 表紙用描き下ろしイラストが公開|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/202001/24191242.html|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123151335/https://www.famitsu.com/news/202001/24191242.html|archive-date=January 23, 2020|language=ja|date=January 24, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The series' 108 chapters were collected into twelve {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes by Shueisha, released from April 2, 2004,<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE 1|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=4-08-873621-4|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106010450/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=4-08-873621-4|url-status=live}}</ref> to July 4, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE 12|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=4-08-874131-5|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210174421/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=4-08-874131-5|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] chapter, titled {{Nihongo|"C-Kira"|Cキラ編|C-Kira-hen}} ("Death Note: Special One-Shot"), was published in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' on February 9, 2008. Set two years after the manga's epilogue, it sees the introduction of a new Kira and the reactions of the main characters in response to the copycat's appearance.<ref name="OneShot">{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-03/death-note-manga-returns-with-one-shot-manga-in-japan|title=Death Note Manga to Return with One-Shot Story in Japan|date=February 3, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611143622/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-03/death-note-manga-returns-with-one-shot-manga-in-japan|archive-date=June 11, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:週刊少年ジャンプ 2008年 Vol. 11|url=http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2008/11.html|website=Pop Web Jump|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=August 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211231920/http://jump.shueisha.co.jp/henshu/backnumber/2008/11.html|archive-date=February 11, 2008|language=ja}}</ref> Several ''Death Note'' {{Transliteration|ja|[[yonkoma]]}} (four-panel comics) appeared in ''Akamaru Jump''. The {{Transliteration|ja|yonkoma}} was written to be humorous. The ''Akamaru Jump'' issues that printed the comics include 2004 Spring, 2004 Summer, 2005 Winter, and 2005 Spring. In addition ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' Gag Special 2005 included some ''Death Note'' {{Transliteration|ja|yonkoma}} in a ''Jump'' Heroes Super 4-Panel Competition.<ref name="HowtoRead215"/> Shueisha re-released the series in seven {{Transliteration|ja|[[bunkoban]]}} volumes from March 18 to August 19, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE 1 (集英社文庫)|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-619486-0|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419210023/https://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-619486-0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE 7 (集英社文庫)|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-619492-1|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208204206/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-619492-1|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 4, 2016, all 12 original manga volumes and the February 2008 one-shot were released in a single ''All-in-One Edition'', consisting of 2,400 pages in a single book.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stimson|first=Eric|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-10-02/all-2400-pages-of-death-note-manga-compiled-in-one-really-big-volume/.107129|title=All 2,400 Pages of Death Note Manga Compiled in One Really Big Volume|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=October 2, 2016|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181004/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-10-02/all-2400-pages-of-death-note-manga-compiled-in-one-really-big-volume/.107129|archive-date=September 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE 完全収録版|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-792511-1|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517101137/https://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-792511-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2005, [[Viz Media]] announced that they had licensed the series for English release in North America.<ref name="VizLicense">{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Death Note Licensed by Viz|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=6525|date=April 20, 2005|access-date=November 19, 2006|work=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050527100744/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=6525|archive-date=May 27, 2005|url-status=live}}</ref> The twelve volumes were released from October 10, 2005, to July 3, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note, Vol. 1|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-volume-1/product/513|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217062748/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-volume-1/product/513|archive-date=December 17, 2018|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note, Vol. 12|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-volume-12/product/1093|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030040045/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-volume-12/product/1093|archive-date=October 30, 2020|url-status=live }}</ref> The manga was re-released in a six-volume omnibus edition, dubbed "Black Edition".<ref name="ANN 7-24-10">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-24/viz-to-print-death-note-black-edition-omnibus|title=Viz Hosts Ultimo/Shaman King's Takei at Comic-Con Int'l (Updated)|access-date=November 22, 2011|date=July 24, 2010|work=[[Anime News Network]]|quote=Publisher to reprint Death Note in Black Edition omnibus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924124911/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-24/viz-to-print-death-note-black-edition-omnibus|archive-date=September 24, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/death-note-black-tap_article_124308.html|title=Death Note Black On Tap|access-date=November 22, 2011|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|date=July 27, 2010|quote=Starting in February of 2011, the new Black Edition versions of the series will contain two volumes of the series in on volume with slightly oversized trade paperback sizes that will have black trim|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130220452/http://www.mania.com/death-note-black-tap_article_124308.html|archive-date=November 30, 2012 }}</ref> The volumes were released from December 28, 2010, to November 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note Black Edition, Vol. 1|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-black-edition-volume-1/product/2622|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227104503/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-black-edition-volume-1/product/2622|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note Black Edition, Vol. 6|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-black-edition-volume-6/product/2626|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123210658/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-black-edition-volume-6/product/2626|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''All-in-One Edition'' was released in English on September 6, 2017, resulting in the February 2008 one-shot being released in English for the first time.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/v/1006493|title=Viz Media Announces Release of the Definitive Death Note All-in-one Edition|publisher=Viz Media|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926191028/https://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/v/1006493|archive-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition, a guidebook for the manga was also released on October 13, 2006. It was named ''Death Note 13: How to Read'' and contained data relating to the series, including character profiles of almost every character that is named, creator interviews, behind the scenes info for the series and the pilot chapter that preceded ''Death Note''. It also reprinted all of the {{Transliteration|ja|yonkoma}} published in ''Akamaru Jump'' and the ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' Gag Special 2005.<ref name="HowtoRead216to223">{{cite book|last=Ohba|first=Tsugumi|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|year=2008|pages=[https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/215 215–223]|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|isbn=978-1-4215-1888-6|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnote00ohba_0/page/215}}</ref><ref name="Shueisha 13">{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874095-5|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=June 13, 2008|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205034738/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874095-5|archive-date=December 5, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, ''13: How to Read'' was released on February 19, 2008.<ref name="Viz 13">{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=7228|title=Death Note 13: How to Read|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=June 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071226030951/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=7228|archive-date=December 26, 2007}}</ref>

In the June 2019 issue of Shueisha's ''[[Jump Square]]'' it was announced that a new one-shot chapter of ''Death Note'' would be published. Part of the complete manuscript debuted at the "30th Work Anniversary Takeshi Obata Exhibition: Never Complete" event which ran in Tokyo from July 13 to August 12, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|title=Takeshi Obata Draws New ''Death Note'' 1-Shot Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-01/takeshi-obata-draws-new-death-note-1-shot-manga/.146310|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 1, 2019|date=May 1, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501233809/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-01/takeshi-obata-draws-new-death-note-1-shot-manga/.146310|url-status=live}}</ref> Titled "Death Note: Special One-Shot", the entire 87-page chapter was published in ''Jump Square'' on February 4, 2020, and on Viz Media's website.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Jump SQ. Magazine Publishes Death Note Manga's New 1-Shot Chapter in February|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-01-03/jump-sq-magazine-publishes-death-note-manga-new-1-shot-chapter-in-february/.154860|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 4, 2020|date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104032444/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-01-03/jump-sq-magazine-publishes-death-note-manga-new-1-shot-chapter-in-february/.154860|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/3/21120535/death-note-special-one-shot-manga-ryuk|title=Death Note's Ryuk is back to assist a new Kira in a surprising new one-shot|first=Julia|last=Lee|date=February 3, 2020|access-date=February 3, 2020|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|archive-date=February 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203195841/https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/3/21120535/death-note-special-one-shot-manga-ryuk|url-status=live}}</ref> A collected volume titled {{Nihongo|''Death Note: Short Stories''|DEATH NOTE短編集|Desu Nōto Tanpenshū}}, which includes the "C-Kira" one-shot chapter, the "Special One-Shot" (re-titled {{Nihongo|"a-Kira"|aキラ編|a-Kira-hen}}, the series' pilot chapter, the "L: The Wammy's House" and "L: One Day" one-shot chapters and the {{Transliteration|ja|yonkoma}}, was released on February 4, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Danica|title=New Death Note Book Coming Out in Japan|url=https://otakuusamagazine.com/new-death-note-book-coming-out-in-japan/|website=[[Otaku USA]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208132835/https://otakuusamagazine.com/new-death-note-book-coming-out-in-japan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:「DEATH NOTE」の読切集めた短編集、「プラチナエンド」最終巻と同時発売|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/415023|website=[[Comic Natalie]]|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204071916/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/415023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE短編集|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882573-1|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=February 4, 2021|language=ja|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204132633/https://books.shueisha.co.jp/items/contents.html?isbn=978-4-08-882573-1|url-status=live}}</ref> The volume was published in English by Viz Media on May 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note Short Stories|url=https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-short-stories/product/7069|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=November 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922091449/https://www.viz.com/read/manga/death-note-short-stories/product/7069|archive-date=September 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Light novels===
A [[light novel]] adaptation of the series has been written by [[Nisio Isin]], called ''[[Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases]]''. The novel was released by Shueisha on August 1, 2006.<ref name="novel">{{cite news|last=Mays|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=8835|title=Death Note, XXXHOLiC Novels in the Works|date=May 9, 2006|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113222628/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=8835|archive-date=November 13, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://j-books.shueisha.co.jp/nisioisin/|title=西尾維新 × Death Note|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=December 21, 2006|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205213511/http://j-books.shueisha.co.jp/nisioisin/|archive-date=December 5, 2006 }}</ref> It serves as a prequel to the manga series, with Mello narrating the story of L's first encounter with Naomi Misora during the Los Angeles "BB Serial Murder Case" mentioned in volume 2 of the manga. Besides Naomi's character, the novel focuses on how L works and one of the criminals L has to chase down. Insight was given into Watari's orphanage and how the whole system of geniuses such as L, Mello, Beyond Birthday, Matt and Near were put to work. Viz released the novel in English on February 19, 2008.<ref name="VizAnotherNote">{{cite web|url=http://viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=7222|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226030941/http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?product_id=7222|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2007|title=Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases (Novel)|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|access-date=June 8, 2009 }}</ref> The film ''[[L: Change the World]]'' was also adapted into a light novel with the same name on December 25, 2007, by "M",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-771210-0&mode=1|title=L change the world|publisher=[[Shūeisha]]|access-date=September 4, 2009|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223083112/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-771210-0&mode=1|archive-date=December 23, 2008 }}</ref> While the novel is similar to the film, there are many significant changes to the plot (for example, Near is not a Thai boy, but the same Near that appears in the manga). It also reveals more information about L and his past. Viz released it on October 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite book|title=L change the world|isbn=978-1421532257|author1=M|date =October 20, 2009|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/deathnotelchange00m}}</ref>

===Anime===
{{Main|Death Note (2006 TV series){{!}}''Death Note'' (2006 TV series)}}

The ''Death Note'' anime, directed by [[Tetsurō Araki]] and animated by [[Madhouse (company)|Madhouse]], began airing on [[Nippon TV]] on October 4, 2006, and finished its run on June 27, 2007, totaling 37 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106003655/http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/ntv-animation.pdf|url=http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/ntv-animation.pdf|archive-date=November 6, 2006|title=Nippon Television Network Program Catalogue: Animation|page=17|publisher=[[Nippon Television]]|access-date=November 12, 2014}}</ref> The series aired on the network "every Tuesday at 0:56", which is effectively Wednesday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/infor/index.html|title=Official Death Note Anime Website|publisher=[[Nippon Television]]|access-date=November 6, 2006|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109132319/http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/infor/index.html|archive-date=November 9, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The series was co-produced by Madhouse, Nippon Television, [[Shueisha]], D.N. Dream Partners and [[VAP (company)|VAP]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/staff/index.html|title=Official Death Note staff listing|publisher=[[Nippon Television]]|access-date=March 28, 2007|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321033906/http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/staff/index.html|archive-date=March 21, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, the series was licensed by Viz for residents in the United States to use "Download-to-Own" and "Download-to-Rent" services while it was still airing in Japan. This move was seen as "significant because it marked the first time a well known Japanese anime property was made legally available in the 
United States for domestic audiences to download while the title was still airing on Japanese television".<ref name="licensed">{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/viz-media-secures-landmark-agreement-to-make-death-note-anime-series-available-for-download_article_85192.html|title=Viz Media Secures Landmark Agreement To Make Death Note Anime Series Available For Download|date=January 10, 2007|publisher=Mania Entertainment|access-date=January 11, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205040346/http://www.mania.com/viz-media-secures-landmark-agreement-to-make-death-note-anime-series-available-for-download_article_85192.html|archive-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref> The downloadable episodes contained the original Japanese audio track and English subtitles,<ref name="DVD">{{cite news|last=Mays|first=Jonathan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-13/death-note-release-won't-be-limited-to-downloads|title=Death Note Release Won't be Limited to Downloads|date=January 13, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070115065029/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-13/death-note-release-won't-be-limited-to-downloads|archive-date=January 15, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and were made available through [[IGN]]'s [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]-only Direct2Drive service.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-03/viz-to-offer-death-note-downloads-via-direct2drive|title=Viz to Offer ''Death Note'' Downloads via Direct2Drive|date=May 3, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 4, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070509095334/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-03/viz-to-offer-death-note-downloads-via-direct2drive|archive-date=May 9, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> DVDs of the series have also been released,<ref name="DVD"/> containing both an English dubbed audio track, produced by [[Ocean Productions]], and the original Japanese audio track with optional English subtitles.<ref name="comiccon">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/new-york-comiccon/4|title=New York ComicCon 2007 – Viz Media – Anime|last=Dong|first=Bamboo|date=February 24, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 24, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227125309/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/new-york-comiccon/4|archive-date=February 27, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Viz announced at [[Anime Expo|Anime Expo 2007]] that the first DVD was officially released on November 20, 2007, in both regular and special editions,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-29/viz-media-announces-fall-dvd-release-of-death-note-anime-series|title=Viz Media Announces Fall DVD Release of Death Note Anime Series|date=June 29, 2007|publisher=[[Viz Media]]|via=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701094747/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-29/viz-media-announces-fall-dvd-release-of-death-note-anime-series|archive-date=July 1, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and also confirmed at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2007 that the first 15,000 copies of each DVD contain collectible figures.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/comic-con-international/viz-media|title=Viz Media – Comic-Con International 2007|last=Santos|first=Carlo|date=July 26, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824163139/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2007/comic-con-international/viz-media|archive-date=August 24, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Death Note'' was slated to make its North American television premiere in Canada, as part of [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV's]] [[Bionix (TV programming block)|Bionix]] programming block, on September 7, 2007.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=1348|title=YTV, Discovery Kids and Treehouse Ring in September with Exciting New Series and Returning Favourites|date=July 23, 2007|publisher=[[Corus Entertainment]]|access-date=July 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411153525/http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=1348|archive-date=April 11, 2008}}</ref> However, the show was removed from the schedule at the last minute<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-04/death-note-removed-from-canada's-ytv-schedule|title=Death Note Removed from Canada's YTV Schedule|date=September 4, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=September 6, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016064106/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-04/death-note-removed-from-canada's-ytv-schedule|archive-date=October 16, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Canadian premiere was pushed back to October 26, 2007, at 10:00&nbsp;p.m. The series premiered in the U.S. on October 20, 2007, at 12:00&nbsp;a.m. on [[Adult Swim]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-20/death-note-confirmed-to-air-on-adult-swim-october-20|title=Death Note Confirmed to Air on Adult Swim October 20|date=September 20, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123185730/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-09-20/death-note-confirmed-to-air-on-adult-swim-october-20|archive-date=January 23, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> and ran until January 10, 2010, when its contract expired.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-11/adult-swim-loses-blood-and-death-note-hints-at-3-new-anime|title=Adult Swim Loses Blood+ & Death Note, Hints at 3 New Anime|date=January 11, 2010|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123100135/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-11/adult-swim-loses-blood-and-death-note-hints-at-3-new-anime|archive-date=January 23, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The last episode aired on YTV, July 4, 2008, and would later air on Adult Swim two days later. The show was removed from YTV's schedule on July 5, 2008, with its last airing being a rerun of the final episode at 1:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|ET]]. Soon after, Bionix became a 2-hour block on Saturday nights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/press_kids_tv/highlightsDetail.asp?id=1348|title=Press room – Press kids|publisher=Corus Entertainment – Press_Corporate|access-date=June 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312190404/http://corusent.com/corporate/press_room/press_kids_tv/highlightsDetail.asp?id=1348|archive-date=March 12, 2008}}</ref> The show also streamed online free on Adult Swim Video, with a new episode available every Saturday afternoon, on the day of its broadcast premiere.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-10-19/death-note's-english-dub-premieres-on-web-television|title=''Death Note's'' English Dub Premieres on Web, Television|date=October 19, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929145156/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-10-19/death-note's-english-dub-premieres-on-web-television|archive-date=September 29, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 26, 2017, [[Starz]] announced that they would be offering episodes of the series for their [[video on demand]] service starting on August 1 of that same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/874095-starz-app-august-2017-movies-and-tv-titles-announced|title=Starz app August 2017 Movies and TV Titles Announced|date=July 26, 2017|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234602/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/874095-starz-app-august-2017-movies-and-tv-titles-announced|archive-date=July 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

A two-hour animated {{Nihongo|''Death Note Relight: Visions of a God''|DEATH NOTE リライト·幻視する神|Desu Nōto Riraito: Genshisuru kami}} TV special aired on Nippon Television in Japan on August 31, 2007, at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. It is a recap which takes place after the series end, where a {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} approaches Ryuk in the {{Transliteration|ja|shinigami}} realm in order to learn more about the human world. Instead, Ryuk tells him of all the events leading up to the last story arc, about Light Yagami and his rival L. Originally, this special was advertised as a retelling told from Ryuk's point of view, but it does not give a different point of view from what was originally told. However, it contains updated dialog, as well as a few new scenes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-12/death-note-tv-special-to-be-three-hour-director's-cut|title=''Death Note'' TV Special to be Three-Hour Director's Cut|date=July 12, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714225920/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-12/death-note-tv-special-to-be-three-hour-director's-cut|archive-date=July 14, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Nippon TV]] aired the {{Nihongo|''Death Note: Relight: L's Successors''|DEATH NOTE リライト2 Lを継ぐ者|Desu Nōto Riraito 2: L o Tsugu Mono}} special on August 22, 2008. Like the first special, this new compilation summarized a part of the 2006–2007 anime television series. Specifically, it recounted the final half of the suspenseful supernatural story, including the investigators Near and Mello's confrontations with the vigilante Kira.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-25/second-death-note-special-to-air-on-august-22-in-japan|title=Second ''Death Note'' Special to Air on August 22 in Japan|date=July 25, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611092038/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-25/second-death-note-special-to-air-on-august-22-in-japan|archive-date=June 11, 2009|url-status=live|access-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> This version features more updates than the previous one, most notably omission of the mafia plot.

====Soundtracks====
{{Main|Death Note original soundtracks{{!}}''Death Note'' original soundtracks}}
Several soundtracks for the series have been released. The music from the anime was composed by [[Yoshihisa Hirano]] and [[Hideki Taniuchi]], while the CDs were also published by VAP. The first one was ''Death Note Original Soundtrack'', which was released in Japan on December 21, 2006. It contains music from the series with the first opening and ending themes are sung by the Japanese band [[Nightmare (Japanese band)|Nightmare]] in the TV size format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000K0YFIS/|title=Death Note オリジナル・サウンドトラック|access-date=June 13, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134919/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000K0YFIS/|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Death Note Original Soundtrack II'' was first released in Japan on March 21, 2007. It features the new opening and closing themes by [[Maximum the Hormone]] in the TV size format.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000MX7VO8/|title=Death Note オリジナル・サウンドトラックII|access-date=June 6, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203040330/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000MX7VO8|archive-date=December 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The third CD, ''Death Note Original Soundtrack III'' was released on June 27, 2007. Tracks 1–21 were composed and arranged by Taniuchi, while tracks 22–28 were composed and arranged by Hirano. The album features one track sung by [[Aya Hirano]], who was also the Japanese voice actress of [[Misa Amane]] in the anime series. Also appearing on this soundtrack is the ending theme ''Coda〜Death Note'', which can be heard at the end of the final episode of the anime as the credits are shown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000PMGT0I/|title=Death Note オリジナル・サウンドトラックIII|access-date=June 13, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134927/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000PMGT0I/|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several soundtracks have also been released for the live action films. ''Sound of Death Note'' is a soundtrack featuring music from the first ''Death Note'' film composed and arranged by [[Kenji Kawai]]. It was released on June 17, 2006, by [[VAP (company)|VAP]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FI8UFY/|title=Sound of Death Note|access-date=June 13, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134713/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FI8UFY/|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Sound of Death Note the Last name'' is the soundtrack from the second ''Death Note'' film, ''Death Note the Last name''. It was released on November 2, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000I0SA68/|title=Sound of Death Note the Last Name|access-date=June 6, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134834/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000I0SA68|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Death Note Tribute'' is a tribute album dedicated to the [[live action]] film ''Death Note''. Published by [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG Japan]] on June 21, 2006, Japan, it contains 15 tracks performed by various artists, such as [[Shikao Suga]], [[M-Flo]], [[Buck-Tick]], and [[Aya Matsuura]]. The soundtrack came with a [[cosplay]] Death Note notebook.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FP2MYM/|title=Death Note Tribute|access-date=June 13, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134840/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000FP2MYM/|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Another tribute album is ''The Songs for Death Note the movie〜the Last name Tribute'' dedicated to the second film. Published by [[Sony Music Entertainment Japan]] on December 20, 2006, it contains 14 tracks performed by various artists, such as [[Orange Range]], [[Abingdon Boys School]], [[High and Mighty Color]], [[Doping Panda]], and [[Galneryus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000K2UDIW/|title=The Songs for Death Note the movie〜the Last name Tribute|access-date=June 13, 2009|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409134915/http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000K2UDIW/|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Live-action films===
{{Main|Death Note (2006 film){{!}}''Death Note'' (2006 film)|Death Note 2: The Last Name{{!}}''Death Note 2: The Last Name''|L: Change the World{{!}}''L: Change the World''|Death Note: New Generation{{!}}''Death Note: New Generation''|Death Note: Light Up the New World{{!}}''Death Note: Light Up the New World''|Death Note (2017 film){{!}}''Death Note'' (2017 film)}}
''Death Note'' was adapted into a series of [[live-action]] films in 2006. The first two films were directed by [[Shusuke Kaneko]] and the third was directed by [[Hideo Nakata]] and produced by [[Nippon TV|Nippon Television]], CG production of all three films were done by [[Digital Frontier]] and distributed by [[Warner Bros.]] Pictures Japan. The first film, simply titled ''[[Death Note (2006 film)|Death Note]]'', premiered in Japan on June 17, 2006, and topped the Japanese [[box office]] for two weeks, pushing ''[[The Da Vinci Code (film)|The Da Vinci Code]]'' into second place.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Death Note Tops Box Office Again|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-27/death-note-tops-box-office-again|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 27, 2006|access-date=December 18, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231191930/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-06-27/death-note-tops-box-office-again|archive-date=December 31, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The first film briefly played in certain North American theaters on May 20–21, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=1st Death Note Film to Run in 300+ U.S. Theaters in May|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/1st-death-note-film-to-run-in-300+u.s-theaters-in-may|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 14, 2008|access-date=April 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415151900/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/1st-death-note-film-to-run-in-300+u.s-theaters-in-may|archive-date=April 15, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was broadcast in Canadian theaters for one night only on September 15, 2008. The DVD was released on September 16, 2008, one day after the Canadian showing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Death Note Live-Action!! Trailer|url=http://deathnotefilms.com/trailers.php|work=[[Viz Media]]|date=April 14, 2007|access-date=April 17, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420032644/http://deathnotefilms.com/trailers.php|archive-date=April 20, 2008}}</ref> The sequel, ''[[Death Note 2: The Last Name]]'', premiered in Japan on November 3, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mays|first=Jonathan|title=Death Note 2 Trailer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-28/death-note-2-trailer|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=September 28, 2006|access-date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814214731/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-09-28/death-note-2-trailer|archive-date=August 14, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> It was featured in U.S. theaters in October 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=2nd Death Note Film to Run in U.S. Theaters in October|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-25/2nd-death-note-film-to-run-in-u.s-theaters-in-october|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=August 25, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502044732/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-25/2nd-death-note-film-to-run-in-u.s-theaters-in-october|archive-date=May 2, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

A spin-off from the films named ''[[L: Change the World]]'' was released in Japan on February 9, 2008. It is focused on the final 23 days of L's life, as he solves one final case involving a bio-terrorist group.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Death Note's L Spinoff to Open on February 9 in Japan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-30/death-note's-l-spinoff-to-open-on-february-9-in-japan|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 30, 2007|access-date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318064210/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-30/death-note's-l-spinoff-to-open-on-february-9-in-japan|archive-date=March 18, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Two dubbed versions of the film were shown in the United States on April 29 and 30, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Death Note's L Spinoff Film in U.S. Theaters in April|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-06/death-note-l-spinoff-film-in-u.s-theaters-in-april|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 6, 2009|access-date=June 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609234530/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-06/death-note-l-spinoff-film-in-u.s-theaters-in-april|archive-date=June 9, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2016, a three-part miniseries entitled ''[[Death Note: New Generation]]'' was announced as a part of the ''Death Note'' live-action film series and aired in September. It bridges the 10-year gap between the previous films and the then-upcoming 2016 film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|title=2016 Death Note Film Gets 3-Episode Prequel on Hulu Japan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-09/2016-death-note-film-gets-3-episode-prequel-on-hulu-japan/.105209|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001072352/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-08-09/2016-death-note-film-gets-3-episode-prequel-on-hulu-japan/.105209|archive-date=October 1, 2024|date=August 9, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:映画『デスノート』 続編が10年ぶりに作られた理由|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO08306560T11C16A0000000/|publisher=[[The Nikkei]]|access-date=November 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225013654/https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO08306560T11C16A0000000/|archive-date=December 25, 2022|language=ja|date=October 31, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Death Note: Light Up the New World|fourth Japanese ''Death Note'' film]] was released in 2016<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-13/live-action-death-note-films-get-2016-sequel-by-gantz-helmer-sato/.92885|title=Live-Action Death Note Films Get 2016 Sequel by Gantz Helmer Sato|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914225311/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-13/live-action-death-note-films-get-2016-sequel-by-gantz-helmer-sato/.92885|archive-date=September 14, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and featured a cyber-terrorism setting with the inclusion of six Death Notes brought into the human world.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-02-04/new-live-action-death-note-film-stars-sosuke-ikematsu-masahiro-higashide-masaki-suda/.98322|title=New Live-Action Death Note Film Stars Sōsuke Ikematsu, Masahiro Higashide, Masaki Suda|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305210157/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-02-04/new-live-action-death-note-film-stars-sosuke-ikematsu-masahiro-higashide-masaki-suda/.98322|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[Death Note (2017 film)|American adaptation]] was released on [[Netflix]] on August 25, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watch the first trailer for Netflix's live-action Death Note movie|first=Kwame|last=Opam|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15021872/death-note-netflix-teaser-trailer-release-date|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=March 22, 2017|access-date= August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518103523/https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/22/15021872/death-note-netflix-teaser-trailer-release-date|archive-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was directed by [[Adam Wingard]] and was written by Charles Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides, and [[Jeremy Slater]]. It starred [[Nat Wolff]], [[Lakeith Stanfield]], [[Margaret Qualley]], [[Shea Whigham]], [[Paul Nakauchi]], Jason Liles, and [[Willem Dafoe]]. A sequel film is reportedly in the works.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ressler|first=Karen|title=THR: Sequel to Netflix's Death Note Film in the Works|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-22/thr-sequel-to-netflix-death-note-film-in-the-works/.135780|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 24, 2020|date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127224239/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-08-22/thr-sequel-to-netflix-death-note-film-in-the-works/.135780|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Live-action series===
{{Main|Death Note (2015 TV series){{!}}''Death Note'' (2015 TV series)}}
In April 2015, it was announced that a live-action television series based on ''Death Note'' manga would begin airing from July 2015 on [[Nippon TV]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2051767/full/|script-title=ja:『デスノート』初の連ドラ化 日テレ7月期より放送開始|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=June 17, 2015|publisher=[[Oricon]]|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623125914/http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2051767/full/|archive-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Masataka Kubota]] stars as Light Yagami and [[Kento Yamazaki]] as L in the series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/05/24/character-visuals-for-death-note-tv-drama-adaptation-revealed|title=Character Visuals for "Death Note" TV Drama Adaptation Revealed|date=May 25, 2015|access-date=June 17, 2015|publisher=[[Crunchyroll]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528001809/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/05/24/character-visuals-for-death-note-tv-drama-adaptation-revealed|archive-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2022, it was announced that [[Duffer brothers|the Duffer Brothers]] recently founded Upside Down Pictures production company would be producing a new live-action series adaptation for Netflix.<ref>{{cite web|title=Death Note Gets New Netflix Live-Action Series by Stranger Things Creators|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-06/death-note-gets-new-netflix-live-action-series-by-stranger-things-creators/.187448|website=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=July 6, 2022|access-date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706195423/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-06/death-note-gets-new-netflix-live-action-series-by-stranger-things-creators/.187448|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|title=Duffer Brothers Launch Netflix Shingle Upside Down Pictures; 'Stranger Things' Spinoff & Stephen Daldry-Helmed Stage Play Coming Along With Manga 'Death Note' & Stephen King/Peter Straub 'The Talisman' Series|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/stranger-things-duffer-brothers-netflix-upside-down-pictures-deal-spinoff-series-stephen-daldry-stage-play-manga-death-note-the-talisman-1235058665/|website=Deadline|access-date=June 25, 2023|date=July 6, 2022|archive-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708003640/https://deadline.com/2022/07/stranger-things-duffer-brothers-netflix-upside-down-pictures-deal-spinoff-series-stephen-daldry-stage-play-manga-death-note-the-talisman-1235058665/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2022, it was announced that Halia Abdel-Meguid was brought on to write and executive produce the series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Netflix's 'Death Note' Adaptation from Duffer Brothers Taps Halia Abdel-Meguid to Write and Executive Produce|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/death-note-duffer-halia-abdel-meguid-netflix-1235410415/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=Hailu|first=Selome|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022|archive-date=October 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020223643/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/death-note-duffer-halia-abdel-meguid-netflix-1235410415/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Death Note': Halia Abdel-Meguid To Write & EP Series Adaptation Of Manga For Netflix & Duffer Bros' Upside Down Pictures|url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/death-note-halia-abdel-meguid-series-adaptation-manga-netflix-duffer-bros-1235151144/|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=October 20, 2022|access-date=October 20, 2022|archive-date=October 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020222413/https://deadline.com/2022/10/death-note-halia-abdel-meguid-series-adaptation-manga-netflix-duffer-bros-1235151144/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video games===
A ''Death Note'' [[video game]] developed and published by [[Konami]] for the [[Nintendo DS]], titled {{Nihongo|''Death Note: Kira Game''|デスノート キラゲーム|Desu Nōto Kira Gēmu}}, was released on February 15, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/deathnote/index.html|website=[[GameSpot]]|title=Death Note: Kira Game for DS|access-date=December 17, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029000354/http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/deathnote/index.html|archive-date=October 29, 2007}}</ref> ''Kira Game'' is a [[Strategy video game|strategy game]] where the player takes on the role of Kira or L. These are just titles, as any character can be Kira or L. The player will attempt to deduce who their enemy is (Kira will try to uncover L's identity and vice versa). This will play out in three phases: investigation, where the player will discuss the case and clues with other characters; voting, where each member of the investigation team casts a vote on who they suspect is L or Kira based on the player's performance in the previous phase; L/Kira, where the player can either focus their investigation on one member to see if they are Kira (L part), or force a member off of the team (Kira part).<ref name="game">{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/deathnote/|title=Official Konami Website for Death Note|publisher=[[Konami]]|access-date=February 3, 2007|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202233715/http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/deathnote/|archive-date=February 2, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> A sequel to the game, {{Nihongo|''Death Note: Successors to L''|デスノート Lを継ぐ者|Desu Nōto Eru o Tsugu Mono}}, was released in Japan on July 12, 2007. The storyline is based on the second part of the manga, featuring characters such as Mello and Near.<ref name=" game"/>

A third game, {{Nihongo|''L the Prologue to Death Note: Spiraling Trap''|L the proLogue to DEATH NOTE -螺旋の罠-|L the proLogue to DEATH NOTE -Rasen no Wana-}}, was released for the Nintendo DS in Japan on February 7, 2008.<ref name="game"/><ref name="prequel">{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-17/promo-video-l-prequel-game-streamed|title=Promo Video for ''Death Note's L'' Prequel Game Streamed (Updated)|date=December 17, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219112838/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-12-17/promo-video-l-prequel-game-streamed|archive-date=December 19, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The player assumes the role of a rookie FBI agent who awakens in a strange hotel and attempts to escape with the help of L, who provides assistance via an in-game PDA. The story is set before the Kira investigation in the original series.<ref name="prequel"/> Several characters from ''Death Note'' appear in ''[[Jump Super Stars]]'' and ''[[Jump Ultimate Stars]]'', a [[fighting game]] featuring multiple characters from ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' titles. Light, Ryuk, and L appear in ''Jump Super Stars'' as support characters. Misa, Near, and Mello are added as support characters in ''Jump Ultimate Stars'' as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajsj/char08.html|title=Death Note - キャラクター紹介|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=March 15, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817103910/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajsj/char08.html|archive-date=August 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajuj/character/chara_19.html|title=Jump Ultimate Star – Death Note|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=March 15, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705122442/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajuj/character/chara_19.html|archive-date=July 5, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2019 video game ''[[Jump Force]]'' features Light and Ryuk as non-playable characters, playing a key role in the game's story mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-jump-forces-death-note-characters-arent-pl/1100-6459838/|title=E3 2018: Jump Force's Death Note Characters Aren't Playable, But Involved For Story|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025549/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-jump-forces-death-note-characters-arent-pl/1100-6459838/|archive-date=June 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

An online [[social deduction game]], titled ''Death Note: Killer Within'', was released by [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 5]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on November 5, 2024. In the game, up to ten players are split into two teams—Kira and his followers and L and the police investigation team. Kira's team aims to kill all its target with the Death Note and L's team must seize and dispose of the Death Note. Both teams try to uncover the identities of the opposing players. The players are represented by pawns, akin to those used by Near in the original series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=Death Note Series Gets New Online Social Deduction Game for PS5, PS4, PC on November 5|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-10-30/death-note-series-gets-new-online-social-deduction-game-for-ps5-ps4-pc-on-november-5/.217340|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 1, 2024|date=October 30, 2024}}</ref>

===Musical===
{{Main|Death Note: The Musical{{!}}''Death Note: The Musical''}}
In 2015, a [[Musical theatre|musical]] adaptation of the manga called ''Death Note: The Musical'' ran in both Japan and South Korea. It was originally composed in English by Broadway composer [[Frank Wildhorn]], with lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/frank-wildhorn-musical-death-note-has-nyc-reading-with-andy-kelso-robert-cu-217333|title=Frank Wildhorn Musical Death Note Has NYC Reading With Andy Kelso, Robert Cuccioli and Adrienne Warren Prior to Japanese Premiere|date=April 17, 2014|access-date=April 16, 2015|magazine=[[Playbill]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818042705/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/frank-wildhorn-musical-death-note-has-nyc-reading-with-andy-kelso-robert-cu-217333|archive-date=August 18, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> An English production was announced in May 2023 to play at the London Palladium for two nights on August 21–22, 2023,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title="Frank Wildhorn's Death Note: The Musical to Play 2 Concerts at London Palladium"|work=Playbill|url=https://playbill.com/article/frank-wildhorns-death-note-the-musical-to-play-2-concerts-at-london-palladium|access-date=July 14, 2023|date=May 24, 2023|archive-date=July 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717015934/https://playbill.com/article/frank-wildhorns-death-note-the-musical-to-play-2-concerts-at-london-palladium|url-status=live}}</ref> directed by Nick Winston starring Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Light, [[Dean John-Wilson]] as L and [[Frances Mayli McCann]] as Misa.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Alex|title=Death Note musical announces lead casting for the West End|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-musical-announces-lead-casting-for-european-premiere_1205671/|website=WhatsOnStage|access-date=July 14, 2023|date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=July 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714085607/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-musical-announces-lead-casting-for-european-premiere_1205671/|url-status=live}}</ref> The original Japanese production, produced by Japanese talent agency {{Interlanguage link|ホリプロ|lt=HoriPro|ja}}, ran from 6 to April 29, 2015, and stars [[Kenji Urai]] and {{Interlanguage link|柿澤勇人|lt=Hayato Kakizawa|ja}} double-cast as Light Yagami, and [[Teppei Koike]] as L.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deathnotethemusical.com/eng/|title=Death Note: The Musical Official English Website|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2015|publisher=HoriPro Inc.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417030033/http://deathnotethemusical.com/eng/|archive-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> A Korean production of the same musical ran from June 11 to August 11, 2015, in South Korea, starring musical actor [[Hong Kwang-ho]] and [[JYJ]] member and musical actor [[Kim Junsu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soompi.com/2015/04/05/jyjs-junsu-cast-in-musical-adaptation-of-death-note/|title=JYJ's Junsu Cast in Musical Adaptation of "Death Note"|date=April 5, 2015|access-date=April 6, 2015|publisher=[[Soompi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409001526/http://www.soompi.com/2015/04/05/jyjs-junsu-cast-in-musical-adaptation-of-death-note/|archive-date=April 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/90714/death-note-the-musical-unveils-jyjs-kim-junsu-and-more-in-korean-cast|title=′Death Note′ The Musical Unveils JYJ′s Kim Junsu and More in Korean Cast|publisher=Mwave|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409023422/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/90714/death-note-the-musical-unveils-jyjs-kim-junsu-and-more-in-korean-cast|archive-date=April 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Manga===
By April 2015, the ''Death Note'' manga had over 30 million copies in circulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mantan-web.jp/2015/04/20/20150419dog00m200024000c.html|script-title=ja:DEATH NOTE ： 日テレで今夏連ドラ化決定 ニアも登場|work=Mainichi Shimbun Digital|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422031147/http://mantan-web.jp/2015/04/20/20150419dog00m200024000c.html|archive-date=April 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On [[ICv2]]'s "Top 10 Shonen Properties Q2 2009", ''Death Note'' was the third best-selling manga property in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15498.html|title='ICv2 Insider's Guide' #67: Top 10 Shonen|date=July 30, 2009|publisher=[[ICv2]]|access-date=August 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803102702/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/15498.html|archive-date=August 3, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The series ranked second on [[Takarajimasha]]'s ''[[Kono Manga ga Sugoi!]]'' list of best manga of 2006 and 2007 for male readers.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:【公式発表!!】『このマンガがすごい！』歴代ランキング作品を一挙大公開!!|url=http://konomanga.jp/special/86773-2/|website=[[Kono Manga ga Sugoi!]]|publisher=[[Takarajimasha]]|access-date=March 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207194341/http://konomanga.jp/special/86773-2|archive-date=December 7, 2016|language=ja|date=December 1, 2016}}</ref> It was nominated for the 38th [[Seiun Award]]s in the Best Comic category in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2007.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070406182617/http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2007.html|archive-date=April 6, 2007|script-title=ja:2007年星雲賞|publisher=[[Nihon SF Taikai]]|language=ja|access-date=March 21, 2022}}</ref> The manga received the Grand Prize of Best Manga and Best Screenplay at the [[Japan Expo|Japan Expo Awards 2007]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 10, 2007|title=Japan Expo - Manga Awards - Les résultats.|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2007/07/10/Japan-Expo-Awards-les-resultats|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930155809/https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2007/07/10/Japan-Expo-Awards-les-resultats|archive-date=September 30, 2015|access-date=May 30, 2022|website=Manga-News|language=fr}}</ref> The series won the 2008 [[Eagle Award (comics)|Eagle Award]] for Favourite Manga as voted by UK fans.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-14/uk-fans-give-eagle-award-to-death-note-manga|title=UK Fans Give Eagle Award to Death Note Manga|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 14, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060242/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-14/uk-fans-give-eagle-award-to-death-note-manga|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a survey conducted in 2007 by the [[Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology|Ministry of culture of Japan]], occupies the tenth place among the best manga of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/06/08/the-top-50-manga-series/|title=The Top 50 Manga Series|publisher=Japan Probe|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120702232859/http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/06/08/the-top-50-manga-series/|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> It also received several nominations such as Best Manga at the 2006 [[American Anime Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10043.html|title=Finalists for the American Anime Awards|date=February 8, 2007|publisher=[[ICv2]]|access-date=May 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707033210/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10043.html|archive-date=July 7, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10138.html|title=American Anime Award Winners|date=February 26, 2007|publisher=[[ICv2]]|access-date=February 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402055544/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10138.html|archive-date=April 2, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> the 2007 [[Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-10/11th-annual-tezuka-cultural-prize-winners-announced|title=11th Annual Tezuka Cultural Prize Winners Announced|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=December 27, 2007|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725084957/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-05-10/11th-annual-tezuka-cultural-prize-winners-announced|archive-date=July 25, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> an Official Selection at [[Angoulême International Comics Festival]] 2008,<ref>{{cite news|last=Koulikov|first=Mikhail|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-22/manga-nominated-for-awards-at-angouleme-festival|title=Manga Nominated for Awards at Angouleme Festival|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 22, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703135121/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-22/manga-nominated-for-awards-at-angouleme-festival|archive-date=July 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and Obata was nominated for Best Penciller/Inker at the 2008 [[Eisner Award]]s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|title=Manga Listed Among Eisner Award Nominees for 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 14, 2008|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823123905/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-14/manga-listed-among-eisner-award-nominees-for-2008|archive-date=August 23, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, the first three volumes of ''Death Note'' were on the [[American Library Association]]'s 2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten list.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten|publisher=American Library Association|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/annotations/07toptengn.cfm|access-date=June 28, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415082431/http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/greatgraphicnovelsforteens/annotations/07toptengn.cfm|archive-date=April 15, 2009}}</ref>

Douglas Wolk of ''[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]'' said that a rumor circulated stating that the creators intended to create ''Death Note'' to last half as long as its actual run and Ohba and Obata had been persuaded to lengthen the storyline when ''Death Note''{{'}}s popularity increased, noting that the rumor "makes sense, since about halfway through the series, there's a point that seems like a natural ending". In addition, he said that fans wrote "thousands" of ''Death Note'' [[fan fiction]] stories and posted them on the internet.<ref>{{cite web|title=Death strip|url=http://www.salon.com/2007/07/26/death_note/|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|date=July 26, 2007|website=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924184827/http://www.salon.com/2007/07/26/death_note/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Japanese fans pointed out the similarities between ''Death Note'' and the 1973 [[one-shot manga]] {{Nihongo|''The Miraculous Notebook''|不思議な手帖}} by [[Shigeru Mizuki]]. Comipress reported that the only difference between the story and ''Death Note'' is that there are no ''shinigamis''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Origin of Death Note?|url=http://comipress.com/article/2007/01/08/1287|publisher=Comipress.com|date=January 8, 2007|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605001232/http://comipress.com/article/2007/01/08/1287|archive-date=June 5, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Anime News Network]]'' writer Zac Bertschy called ''Death Note'' a "surprisingly gripping and original suspense tale that raises a handful of interesting questions about morality". He noted that the difference between the series and other manga from the same demographic was very big due to the murders the main character commits as well as how he hides his identity of Kira. Although Bertschy mentioned some manga readers will be surprised with the dark themes of ''Death Note'', he praised the series for its "great art, great story, [and] compelling characters".<ref>{{cite news|last=Bertschy|first=Zac|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note-gn-1|title=Death Note GN 1|date=September 29, 2005|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607111516/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note-gn-1|archive-date=June 7, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Briana Lawrence from the same website stated that what makes ''Death Note'' so interesting is that there is no villain, "instead it had two opposing sides that both believe in the same thing: justice". She felt that once vital characters fading into the background, the ending brings back what the fans loved about the first volume and the supporting cast are "given a chance to shine". She also mentioned that the epilogue made no mention of what happens with [[Misa Amane]] and how Near and Mello were still treated like parts of L.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lawrence|first=Briana|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note/gn-12|title=Death Note GN 12|date=August 5, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919110645/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note/gn-12|archive-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Julie Rosato from ''Mania Entertainment'' found the story to be very entertaining, having liked Light's development in the story and L's introduction as well as how the latter starts suspecting the former's identity. Additionally, she praised the story as it is "building a climax" with each detail introduced in the first chapter, making the reader look forward to upcoming chapters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rosato|first=Julie|url=http://www.mania.com/death-note-vol-02_article_82348.html|title=Death Note Vol. #02|date=November 3, 2005|publisher=Mania Entertainment|access-date=June 8, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130074517/http://www.mania.com/death-note-vol-02_article_82348.html|archive-date=November 30, 2012}}</ref> Jolyon Baraka Thomas, in a ''[[Japanese Journal of Religious Studies]]'' article, describes the manga as having a "somber narrative" with a "dark cast". Obata's art is "[rendered] in stark strokes characterized---fittingly---by a complex interplay of light and shadow".<ref name="JJRS_Thomas_2012"/>

===Anime===
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|100|8.5|14|''Death Note'' is an exceptional anime that poses profound questions about justice and murder, all while delivering a supremely satisfying tale of tactical one-upmanship between a detective and killer.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}<ref>{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=death_note|type=tv|title=Death Note|season=1<!--required parameter-->|access-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025165407/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/death_note/s01|archive-date=October 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

The anime was commended with Tom S. Pepirium of [[IGN]] saying that ''Death Note''{{'}}s "heavy serialized nature" is what "makes the show so engaging and discussion worthy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/836/836387p1.html|title=Death Note: "Tactics" Review|last=Pepirium|first=Tom S.|date=November 19, 2007|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121162826/http://tv.ign.com/articles/836/836387p1.html|archive-date=November 21, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Pepirium, saying that translating ''Death Note'' is "no small task", stated that Stephen Hedley created an English dub with "nothing clunky". He added that Karl Willems, director of the dub, assembled a "stunning voice cast of professionals" with a "solid tone minus some of the cheesy yelling and screaming of other dubs".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/855/855426p1.html|title=Death Note: "Ally" Review|last=Pepirium|first=Tom S.|date=February 27, 2008|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302082715/http://tv.ign.com/articles/855/855426p1.html|archive-date=March 2, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> On the [[NPR]] show ''[[Fresh Air]]'', John Powers said that ''Death Note'' is "at least as addictive as a show like ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89999028|title=Killer Penmanship in 'Death Note'|last=Powers|first=John|date=April 28, 2008|publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526133004/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89999028|archive-date=May 26, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' wrote: {{Blockquote|text=Running over thirty-seven 20 minutes episodes, the anime sticks much closer to the manga so takes a far more languid approach to storytelling, better fleshing out the fantastic characters of Light and his nemesis, L. Light in particular is one of the most layered characters to appear in anime in a long time.<ref>{{cite journal|date=March 2008|title=Death Note: Volume 1|journal=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]|publisher=[[Next Media]]|issue=173|page=79|issn=1320-7458}}</ref>}} Jacob Hope Chapman from ''[[Anime News Network]]'' praised Teru Mikami's role as bloody and flashy and even better than that of Near, Mello, and Misa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note-relight/dvd-2|title=Death Note Relight 2|last=Chapman|first=Jacob Hope|date=January 30, 2010|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919102127/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/death-note-relight/dvd-2|archive-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Daily Telegraph|''The Daily Telegraph'']]'s Henry St. Leger wrote, "What starts as a moral fable about the corruption of power becomes a slow-burning game of cat-and-mouse as Light is chased down by the world's greatest detective. Some droning voice acting leadens what is otherwise a brilliantly terse noir."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Leger|first=Henry St|date=May 10, 2016|title=The 5 best anime series to stream online|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2016/05/10/the-5-best-anime-series-to-stream-online/|access-date=February 12, 2025|work=The Telegraph|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=August 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824201029/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2016/05/10/the-5-best-anime-series-to-stream-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Vulture (website)|''Vulture'']]'s Maya Phillips wrote, "Beyond its deft twists and turns, ''Death Note'' also addresses questions about morality, justice, and capital punishment. All this, plus beautiful animation and well-written dialogue and plot, makes ''Death Note'' the cream of the animated crop."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Maya|date=October 10, 2017|title=The 10 Best Anime Shows to Watch on Netflix|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/best-anime-to-watch-on-netflix.html|access-date=February 12, 2025|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203162714/https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/best-anime-to-watch-on-netflix.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ''Death Note'' anime was one of the series to win Best TV Anime at the 2007 [[Tokyo International Anime Fair]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Evan|date=March 19, 2007|title=Results of 6th Annual Tokyo Anime Awards Announced|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-19/results-anime-awards|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430233421/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-03-19/results-anime-awards|archive-date=April 30, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2016|work=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> In 2009, ''Death Note'' was listed as the 51st best animated show in IGN's Top 100 Animated Series.<ref name="ign100">{{cite web|date=January 23, 2009|title=51. Death Note|url=http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/51.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316190924/http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/51.html|archive-date=March 16, 2010|access-date=September 5, 2009|website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>

===Light novels===
A.E. Sparrow of ''[[IGN]]'' reviewed the novel ''Another Note'' and gave it a 9.5 out of 10. Sparrow said that the author understood "what made these characters click so well" and "captures everything that made the manga the compelling read that it is". Sparrow said that fans of ''Death Note'' who read ''Another Note'' will "find a welcome home" in [[Nisio Isin]]'s work which "adds a few more fun layers" to the ''Death Note'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/865/865077p1.html|title=Death Note – Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases Review|last=Sparrow|first=A.E.|date=April 8, 2008|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211195725/http://comics.ign.com/articles/865/865077p1.html|archive-date=February 11, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The novelization of ''L: Change the World'' became the second top-selling light novel in Japan during 2008.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-04/2008-top-selling-light-novels-in-japan|title=2008's Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan (Updated)|date=January 4, 2009|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929021100/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-01-04/2008-top-selling-light-novels-in-japan|archive-date=September 29, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy and controversies==
The series release outside Japan has inspired other works, as well as individuals making their own mock "Death Notes", including one that was associated with a real-life murder. According to ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' magazine, ''Death Note'' "[turned] Japan's most-popular print medium into an internationally controversial topic that has parents wondering whether they should prohibit their kids from reading manga entirely". Live-action director [[Shusuke Kaneko]] commented in response, "If preventing them from seeing this movie is going to make kids better, then why not prevent them from watching all bad news?".<ref name="wired.com"/>

In regards to the [[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV series)|2019 ''The Twilight Zone'']] episode "[[The Comedian (episode)|The Comedian]]", Rosie Knight of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' stated that Samir's story appears to take a large influence from ''Death Note''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Knight, Rosie|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/twilight-zone-comedian-nightmare-at-30000-feet-explained-1198347|title='The Twilight Zone' Takes on Classic Episode, Lust for Fame in CBS All Access Debut|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 1, 2019|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-date=January 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109070654/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/twilight-zone-comedian-nightmare-at-30000-feet-explained-1198347|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Simpsons]]'' has parodied ''Death Note'' in both comic books and animation with the 2008 comic book story "Murder, He Wrote" in ''The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror'' #14,<ref>{{cite press release|title=Chat Live with Eisner Award Winner Nina Matsumoto Tomorrow on Suvudu.com|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2009-11-23/chat-live-with-eisner-award-winner-nina-matsumoto-tomorrow-on-suvudu.com|publisher=[[Suvudu]]|via=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=October 30, 2022|date=November 23, 2009|archive-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031095722/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2009-11-23/chat-live-with-eisner-award-winner-nina-matsumoto-tomorrow-on-suvudu.com|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Manga Nominated for 2009 Eisner Awards|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|date=April 7, 2009|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511090132/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-04-07/manga-nominated-for-2009-eisner-awards|url-status=live}}</ref> where [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] receives the notebook from the Ryuk-ified ghost of [[Krusty the Clown]], and the "Death Tome" segment of the 2022 television episode "[[Treehouse of Horror XXXIII]]", with [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] receiving the titular book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/the-simpsons-death-note-parody-was-animated-by-the-original-anime-studio-ign-the-fix-entertainment|title=The Simpsons' Death Note Parody Was Animated By the Original Anime Studio|date=October 26, 2022|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=October 27, 2022|archive-date=October 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027002802/https://www.ign.com/videos/the-simpsons-death-note-parody-was-animated-by-the-original-anime-studio-ign-the-fix-entertainment|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Bans and attempted bans===
Early in 2005, school officials in [[Shenyang]], the capital of [[Liaoning]] (People's Republic of China), banned ''Death Note''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/school/2005-01/11/content_2446984.htm|title=Chinese city bans Death Note|date=January 11, 2005|publisher=Xihuanet|access-date=September 4, 2008|language=zh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225062441/http://news.xinhuanet.com/school/2005-01/11/content_2446984.htm|archive-date=December 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The immediate cause was that students had been altering notebooks to resemble Death Notes and then writing the names of acquaintances, enemies, and teachers in the books.<ref>{{cite news|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-06/death-note-stirs-controversy-in-china|title=Death Note Stirs Controversy in China|date=February 6, 2005|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915215555/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-02-06/death-note-stirs-controversy-in-china|archive-date=September 15, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://comipress.com/article/2007/03/26/1711|title=Death Note in China – Success or Disaster?|date=March 26, 2007|publisher=ComiPress|access-date=August 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121073011/http://comipress.com/article/2007/03/26/1711|archive-date=November 21, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The ban was designed to protect the "physical and mental health"<ref name="BeijingBan1">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSPEK30969020070515|title=Beijing bans scary stories to protect young|date=May 15, 2007|work=Reuters|access-date=May 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517044716/http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSPEK30969020070515|archive-date=May 17, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> of students from horror material that "misleads innocent children and distorts their mind and spirit".<ref name="China Daily">{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/26/content_880773.htm|title='Death Note' days numbered|last=Weifeng|first=Liu|date=May 26, 2007|newspaper=[[China Daily]]|access-date=May 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528072653/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-05/26/content_880773.htm|archive-date=May 28, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jonathan Clements]] has suggested that the Chinese authorities acted partly against "superstition", but also against illegal, pirate publishers of ''Death Note''.<ref name="ClementsNeo">{{cite magazine|last=Clements|first=Jonathan|date=August 2007|title=Manga Pulse|magazine=[[Neo (magazine)|NEO Magazine]]|issue=35|page=19}}</ref> The ban has been extended to other Chinese cities including Beijing,<ref name="BeijingBan2">{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-05/15/content_6103672.htm|title=Beijing publisher to ignore Beijing's ban of its horror story|last=Jie|first=Xiao|date=May 15, 2007|publisher=Xinhuanet|access-date=August 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707025308/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-05/15/content_6103672.htm|archive-date=July 7, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MacDonald">{{cite magazine|url=http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/05/15/death-note-banned-in-beijing-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617125537/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2007/05/15/death-note-banned-in-beijing-2/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2007|title=Death Note banned in Beijing|last=MacDonald|first=Heidi|date=May 15, 2007|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=August 28, 2008}}</ref> Shanghai and [[Lanzhou]] in [[Gansu]] Province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comipress.com/news/2007/06/05/2067|title=Chinese Students Fight Back at Death Note Ban|date=June 5, 2007|publisher=ComiPress|access-date=June 15, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214171837/http://comipress.com/news/2007/06/05/2067|archive-date=December 14, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Legally published Chinese-language versions of ''Death Note'' are published in Hong Kong.<ref name="ClementsNeo"/> On June 12, 2015, the [[Chinese Ministry of Culture]] listed ''Death Note'' among 38 anime and manga titles banned in China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2015/06/12/china-bans-38-japanese-anime-manga-titles-including-attack-titan|title=China bans 38 anime & manga titles including ''Attack on Titan''|publisher=[[Special Broadcasting Service]]|date=June 12, 2015|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174910/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2015/06/12/china-bans-38-japanese-anime-manga-titles-including-attack-titan|archive-date=August 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, the education bureau in [[Pingtung County]], Taiwan asked teachers to pay attention to any negative influence on elementary school students reading the manga.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/12/2003382758|title=Officials ask teachers to monitor 'Death Note' fans|website=Taipei Times|date=October 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029030829/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/12/2003382758|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2010, the [[Albuquerque Public Schools]] in [[New Mexico]] held a hearing to ban the ''Death Note'' manga from their district's schools; it was unanimously voted down.<ref name="New Mexico">{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-10/death-note-ban-in-albuquerque-high-schools-fails-vote|title=Death Note Ban in Albuquerque High Schools Fails Vote|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 10, 2010|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060354/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-05-10/death-note-ban-in-albuquerque-high-schools-fails-vote|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> After volumes of ''Death Note'' were found at the February 2013 suicide of a 15-year-old girl in [[Yekaterinburg]], Russia, a local parents' group began campaigning to regulate all media based on the series, saying that it had an adverse effect on the minds of children.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/parents-in-russia-request-ban-on-death-note|title=Parents in Russia request ban on 'Death Note'|newspaper=[[Japan Today]]|date=April 29, 2013|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810043323/http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/parents-in-russia-request-ban-on-death-note|archive-date=August 10, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2014, investigators concluded that the manga did not cause the girl to commit suicide.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ural.kp.ru/daily/26202.2/3088389/|title=Следователи решили, что "Тетради смерти" не доводили уральскую школьницу до самоубийства|last=ГОРБУНОВ|first=Андрей|date=March 3, 2014|newspaper=Ural.kp.ru -|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918064834/http://www.ural.kp.ru/daily/26202.2/3088389|archive-date=September 18, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Imitations of the series===
[[File:Death Note, Book.svg|thumb|150px|Typical design of a Death Note]]
There have been various imitations around the world of the premise of ''Death Note''. At least one instance was linked to a crime - on September 28, 2007, two notes written with [[Latin alphabet|Latin characters]] stating <!-- DO NOT "correct" the following – the misspelling is sourced. --> {{Nihongo|"Watashi wa Kira dess"{{sic}}, a mis-[[transliteration]] of "I am Kira"|私はキラです|Watashi wa Kira desu}},<ref name="La Dernière Heure">{{cite news|url=http://www.dhnet.be/infos/faits-divers/article/185914/forest-le-tueur-aux-mangas.html|title=Forest: le tueur aux mangas|date=October 1, 2007|newspaper=[[La Dernière Heure]]|access-date=January 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106080847/http://www.dhnet.be/infos/faits-divers/article/185914/forest-le-tueur-aux-mangas.html|archive-date=January 6, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> were found near the partial remains of a [[Caucasian race|Caucasian]] male in Belgium. The case has been called the "[[Manga Murder|Mangamoord]]" (Dutch for ''Manga Murder'') in Belgian media.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-27/police-reach-dead-end-in-belgian-manga-murder-case|title=Police Reaches Dead End in Belgian 'Manga Murder' Case|date=November 27, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808063504/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-27/police-reach-dead-end-in-belgian-manga-murder-case|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It was not until 2010 that four people were arrested in connection to the murder.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-09-20/4-arrested-for-2007-belgian-manga-murder-case|title=4 Arrested for 2007 Belgian 'Manga Murder' Case|date=September 20, 2010|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202065932/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-09-20/4-arrested-for-2007-belgian-manga-murder-case|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A senior at the Franklin Military Academy in [[Richmond, Virginia]], United States was suspended in 2007 after being caught possessing a replica "Death Note" notebook with the names of fellow students. The school's principal wrote a letter to the student's parents linking to an unofficial website where visitors can write names and circumstances of death for people they want to die.<ref name="Franklin Military Academy">{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-22/virginian-teen-suspended-over-names-in-death-note|title=Virginian Teen Suspended over Names in ''{{'}}Death Note{{'}}''|date=November 22, 2007|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607102016/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-22/virginian-teen-suspended-over-names-in-death-note|archive-date=June 7, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[South Carolina]] in March 2008, school officials seized a "Death Note" notebook from a Hartsville Middle School student. District officials linked the notebook to the anime/manga. The notebook listed seven students' names. The school planned a disciplinary hearing and contacted the seven students' parents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-02/south-carolina-student-removed-over-death-note-list|title=South Carolina Student Removed over "''Death Note''" List|date=March 2, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608002832/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-02/south-carolina-student-removed-over-death-note-list|archive-date=June 8, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Gadsden, Alabama]] in April 2008, two sixth-grade boys were arrested for possession of a "Death Note" that listed names of several staff members and fellow students. According to Etowah County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Lanny Handy, the notebook was discovered the previous afternoon by a staffer. The students were suspended from the county's schools, pending a [[juvenile court]] hearing. The students, their parents, and school officials had met with Handy and a junior probation officer.<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-04/2-alabama-6th-grade-boys-arrested-for-death-note-book|title=2 Alabama 6th-Grade Boys Arrested for ''Death Note'' Book|date=April 4, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516093624/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-04-04/2-alabama-6th-grade-boys-arrested-for-death-note-book|archive-date=May 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Gig Harbor, Washington]], one middle school student was expelled and three were suspended on May 14, 2008, for having 50 names in their own "Death Note" book, including President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-24/4-washington-middle-schoolers-disciplined-over-death-note|title=4 Washington Middle Schoolers Disciplined over "Death Note"|date=May 24, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 24, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526203751/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-05-24/4-washington-middle-schoolers-disciplined-over-death-note|archive-date=May 26, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was reported in September 2009, that a [[Year Eight]] boy in [[Sydney]], Australia, created a "Death Note" that along with names contained a "battle plan" detailing where bombs could be placed inside his school.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dark-clouds-of-merntal-illness-trouble-young-children/story-e6freuy9-1225780607314|title=Dark clouds of mental illness trouble young children|date=September 29, 2009|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928200115/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/dark-clouds-of-merntal-illness-trouble-young-children/story-e6freuy9-1225780607314|archive-date=September 28, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2009, two students at an elementary school in [[Oklahoma]] were disciplined for a "Death Note" with the names and descriptions of deaths of two girls that had angered them.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://okcfriday.com/thief-rips-front-door-off-station-p4632-132.htm|title=Thief rips front door off station|date=December 2009|publisher=Oklahoma City Friday|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052530/http://okcfriday.com/thief-rips-front-door-off-station-p4632-132.htm|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[Michigan]] middle school student was suspended indefinitely in March 2010 for a "Death Note".<ref>{{cite news|last=Loo|first=Egan|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-26/michigan-middle-school-boy-suspended-over-death-note|title=Michigan Middle School Boy Suspended Over 'Death Note'|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 26, 2010|access-date=August 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808061903/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-26/michigan-middle-school-boy-suspended-over-death-note|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2010, a middle school student in [[Avonworth School District]] in Pennsylvania was suspended for a "Death Note" with names of fellow students and pop singer [[Justin Bieber]].<ref name="New Mexico"/> In February 2015, a fifth-grade student of an elementary school near [[Pittsburgh]] was suspended for owning a "Death Note" and writing other students' names in it.<ref name="ann-student-susp2015">{{cite web|title=Police Investigate Pennsylvania Boy Over 'Death Note'|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-07/police-investigate-pennsylvania-boy-over-death-note/.84188|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=February 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219232038/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-07/police-investigate-pennsylvania-boy-over-death-note/.84188|date=February 7, 2015|archive-date=February 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Now: Zero]]'', a short story by [[J. G. Ballard]] with a similar premise to ''Death Note''
* "[[Obits (short story)|Obits]]", a short story by [[Stephen King]] with a similar premise to ''Death Note''

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
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{{Sister project links|d=Q1834|display=''Death Note''|wikt=no|commons=Category:Death Note|b=no|n=no|q=Death Note|s=no|v=no|species=no }}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Official website|https://www.viz.com/death-note|''Death Note'' official website}} at [[Viz Media]]
* {{Official website|https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/titles/100008|''Death Note'' official manga website}} at ''[[Manga Plus]]''
* {{Official website|http://deathnote.com.au|Madman Entertainment's ''Death Note'' website}}
* {{Anime News Network|manga|4354}}

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