Summary
For countless anime fans, their love of the medium has lasted an entire lifetime. These are the people who grew up watching anime from a very young age, creating many fond childhood memories with characters from beloved anime series likeNaruto, Attack on Titan,andDragon Ball Z. However, although many anime fans discovered their interest in their youth, not everyone had this experience.
Apart from a few episodes scattered here and there throughout my middle and high school years,I was largely unfamiliar with anime until my twenties.I always appreciated the artistic merit of the genre and had friends who watched it frequently, but it never piqued my interest enough to fully explore the world of anime.
However, it wasn’t until the summer after my freshman year of college when my best friend recommended I watchDeath Note,that I finally gave anime a proper chance. From the very first episode of the series, I was hooked,drawn in by the compelling plot.
Death NoteIntroduced Me to Anime, Hooking Me from the Start
With Only 37 episodes, I Finished the Entire series in Just a Few Days
By the time I had finished the show, I was eager to dive right into my next series.
I had intended to watch only the first episode ofDeath Noteto satisfy my best friend, but I did not think I would enjoy it as much as I did.Instantly, the series drew me in, from the moment Light discovered the Death Note outside his school. Armed with the deadly notebook, he began to sneakily kill criminals, while devising a plan to hide his murderous scheme. I was immediately interested in seeing what would happen next and found myself pressing play on episode after episode, entranced by the gripping mystery and bold personalities the show had to offer.
I finished the series in no time at all, due to its quick pacing andlack of filler episodes. Each new episode advanced the plot and revealed more insight into the characters and their motives. By the time I had finished the show, I was eager to dive right into my next series and immediately startedAttack on Titan,which I also fell in love with. Thanks toDeath Note,I discovered my interest in a brand-new genre that was previously unknown to me, and I believe that this series isthe perfect anime for beginnerswho are looking to get into the genre.
I Am Justice: Death Note’s Most Iconic Quotes, Ranked
Death Note is one of the most iconic Japanese animes ever produced. Here are some of the best, most powerful lines from the series.
Death Note’sIncredible English Dub and Short Length Make it an Easy Watch
The Acclaimed Series Boasts a Phenomenal English Dub
While many anime fans are used to watching with subtitles and even prefer it to dubs, this can seem daunting for those who have never encountered this kind of viewing experience. AsDeath Notehad both a Japanese subtitled version and an English dub, I chose the latter, and I found the same drama and emotion of the original language. With talented voice actors like Brad Swaile as Light and Alessandro Juliani as L,the dub perfectly captured the personalities of these characters. I now watch almost exclusively subtitled anime, but having such a high-quality dub option felt accessible to me in the beginning as someone who had never watched subtitled media.
Another aspect ofDeath Notethat drew me in was the relatively short length. With only 37 short episodes, the anime captured my attention anddid not feel like too large of a time commitment if I did not enjoy it. The prospect of watching an anime likeOne Piecewith thousands of episodes and counting overwhelmed me, as I felt I’d never get caught up, butDeath Notewas easy for me to become engrossed in over a weekend. Filler episodes can also be a turn-off for new anime fans, proving to be a controversial topic among viewers.
A Fast-Paced Plot and Well-Written Characters Keep the Series Entertaining
The Mystery Aspect Was Particularly Absorbing, as I Never Knew What Would Happen Next
Some people hate filler episodes and some (admittedly not many) love them, but I personally enjoyed howDeath Notehad no filler content. Since filler can be an acquired taste that more seasoned fans enjoy,Death Note’slack of this type of content makes it more engaging and perfect for a new fan. The story itself is very fast-paced and filled with mystery and drama, making it impossible to stop watching. Hearing the characters' inner monologs, especially Light’s and L’s, gives a lot of insight into the character’s motives and plans, making viewers feel like they know them wellafter only a few episodes.
AsDeath Note’smain character and an anti-hero, Light captured my attention. Watching him develop a god-complex in pursuit of creating the perfect world was equal parts entertaining and horrifying to envision. To see such an intelligent character with unlimited potential for his future go to such dark lengths as he chased an unobtainable goal was something I’d never witnessed before in any other show, and itkept me eagerly watching to see what Light’s fate would be. L’s character particularly resonated with me too. I found his relentless pursuit of justice inspiring, and his quirky habits and affinity for sweets endearing.
10 Best Death Note Episodes of All Time, Ranked
Death Note has become a truly iconic series, and these ten episodes contain the most shocking twists, interesting interactions, and amazing scenes.
Death NoteExplores Moral Issues and Character Motivations Uniquely
Constant Inner Monologs Give Us a Peek into the Characters' Minds
Death Note’scharactersare one of its strongest points.Light, the series' villain and anti-hero, is very well-written. His increasingly inhumane actions are horrific, and the series does a phenomenal job of revealing his corrupted motivations through his inner monologue. Moral issues are explored, as the show reveals how power can corrupt someone without them noticing until it is too late.Death Note’sanimation is also beautiful and vivid, produced by talented studio, Madhouse.The music also steals the show, adding tension and sorrow in all the right moments with gorgeously composed scores, some of which have become popular internet memes.
Although I unfortunately did not get to explore the wonders of anime until adulthood, I haveDeath Noteto thank for unlocking this new world for me.
