Death Note
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manga, anime, film, video games |
| Founded | December 2003 |
| Founder | Tsugumi Ohba (writer), Takeshi Obata (artist) |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga, anime series, live-action films, video games, light novels |
| Owner | Shueisha (manga publisher) |
DEATH NOTE (presented in uppercase letters) is a Japanese manga series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from December 2003 through May 2006, with its chapters compiled into 12 volumes. The narrative centers on Light Yagami, an exceptionally intelligent high schooler who stumbles upon the "Death Note," a mystical notebook owned by the shinigami Ryuk that grants its possessor the ability to kill anyone simply by writing their name. Adopting the alias "Kira," Light employs the Death Note to eradicate individuals he judges as immoral, while a specialized police task force led by detective L endeavors to apprehend him.
The franchise broadened with a 37-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse and helmed by director Tetsurō Araki, which aired on Nippon Television from October 2006 until June 2007. In 2006, a light novel authored by Nisio Isin was published, followed by several video games developed by Konami for the Nintendo DS. The story was also transformed into three Japanese live-action films released between June 2006 and February 2008, a television drama in 2015, and a miniseries titled Death Note: New Generation along with a fourth film in 2016. An American adaptation debuted exclusively on Netflix in August 2017, with reports of an ongoing series development. Two one-shot manga sequels, C-Kira (2008) and a-Kira (2020), were later collected alongside other narratives in Death Note: Short Stories (2021). In 2024, Bandai Namco Entertainment introduced the online social deduction game Death Note: Killer Within for PlayStation and Windows platforms.
Aside from video games and soundtracks, licensing for Death Note media in North America is managed by Viz Media. The anime was initially available for digital download on IGN prior to Viz Media obtaining the rights. It subsequently aired on Canada's YTV within the Bionix programming block and on Adult Swim in the United States, followed by DVD releases. The live-action films saw limited theatrical screenings in North America during 2008 before being distributed on home video. By April 2015, over 30 million copies of the manga had been circulated worldwide, placing it among the highest-selling manga series.
Plot
In Tokyo, high schooler Light Yagami uncovers the "Death Note," a black notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is inscribed within it, provided the writer knows both the person's true name and face. Utilizing this power to eliminate criminals, Light is soon visited by Ryuk, a shinigami who dropped the notebook into the human world out of boredom.
The enigmatic killer earns the moniker . To investigate, Interpol enlists detective L, who manipulates Light into exposing his whereabouts and suspects Light possesses insider knowledge of the investigation led by his father, Soichiro Yagami. FBI agents surveil families connected to the case, with Light as their primary suspect. After graduating high school, Light joins the Kira Task Force, assembled under L's direction.
Actress and model Misa Amane acquires a second Death Note from another shinigami named Rem, trading half her remaining lifespan for eyes that reveal individuals’ names. Discovering Light’s identity as Kira, Misa uses her devotion to support him while seeking L’s true name. L suspects Misa as the second Kira and detains her. Rem threatens to kill Light if Misa is harmed. To protect her, Light and Misa erase all memories related to their Death Notes temporarily and hand Rem’s Death Note over to Kyosuke Higuchi of the Yotsuba Group.
With their memories wiped, Light assists L in identifying Higuchi, who is subsequently arrested. After regaining his memories, Light kills Higuchi and retrieves the Death Note. Upon restoring Misa’s memories, Light instructs her to resume killings as Kira, raising suspicion from L. In an effort to protect Misa, Rem kills L but then disintegrates; Light inherits Rem’s Death Note. The task force appoints Light as L’s successor. Crime rates decline yet progress in the investigation stagnates.
Four years later, cults venerating Kira emerge worldwide. Successors Near and Mello appear; Mello aligns with organized crime while Near collaborates with U.S. authorities. Mello kidnaps Director Takimura, who is killed by Light; he then abducts Light's sister as leverage for the Death Note and uses it to eliminate much of Near’s team. A shinigami named Sidoh arrives to reclaim his notebook and assists Mello. During an operation to locate Mello’s hideout, Soichiro dies. Near and Mello cooperate; Mello kidnaps Mogi and delivers him to Near. Despite attacks from Kira loyalists, Near’s group endures.
Task force member Shuichi Aizawa becomes suspicious of Light and contacts Near. Renewed doubts about Misa lead Light to entrust her Death Note to devoted follower Teru Mikami while appointing newscaster Kiyomi Takada as Kira’s spokesperson. Near surveils Mikami; Aizawa confirms his suspicions regarding Light. Mello kidnaps Takada; she kills Mello but is then killed by Light. Near arranges a final confrontation involving Light and task force members. Light commands Mikami to eliminate Near and his team; however, Mikami’s Death Note turns out to be counterfeit. Near reveals Light as Kira after discovering Mikami never wrote Light’s name.
In their final encounter, Light is wounded and pleads with Ryuk to kill everyone present. Instead of complying, Ryuk writes Light’s name in his own Death Note as promised earlier; consequently, Light dies.
One year afterward, peace returns amid ongoing debate within the task force about their actions. Nonetheless, Kira cults continue to exist worldwide.
C-Kira (one-shot sequel)
Three years onward, Near, now fulfilling the role of L, becomes aware of a new Kira who is killing victims at random. Near regards this new Kira as merely seeking attention and finds them "uninteresting," thus not worth pursuing. A shinigami named Midora wagers with Ryuk over an apple, challenging whether an ordinary human could rise as the new Kira. Midora loses the bet when the human writes his own name in the Death Note following Near’s public announcement. Ryuk maintains that no mortal will ever outdo Light as Kira.
a-Kira (one-shot sequel)
A decade later, Ryuk reappears and entrusts the Death Note to Minoru Tanaka, Japan’s top scholar, hoping he will follow in Light Yagami’s footsteps. After explaining the notebook’s rules, Minoru surprises Ryuk by returning it and requesting it back with his memory restored after two years. Upon reclaiming it, Minoru reveals his plan to globally auction the Death Note under the pseudonym "a-Kira," intending to use the profits to secure financial stability for every Japanese citizen under 60. Meanwhile, Near (acting as L) is developing nascent technology capable of tracking Shinigami. Minoru sells the Death Note to the U.S. president—implied to be Donald Trump—for an amount sufficient to guarantee national financial security but surrenders ownership and memory back to Ryuk for secrecy. However, a new rule prohibits selling the Death Note; unable to wield it, the president covertly returns it to Ryuk. After withdrawing his savings, Minoru collapses, while Ryuk inscribes Minoru’s name alongside Light’s, longing for a human who will possess the notebook for a longer duration.
Development
The concept behind Death Note originated from a broad idea involving specific rules governing its use. Author Tsugumi Ohba opted to create a suspense-driven manga instead of a traditional battle-focused story for Weekly Shōnen Jump. Following the pilot chapter, the series was unexpectedly greenlit for serialization with illustrator Takeshi Obata joining, resulting in favorable reception and full serialization.
Ohba produced "thumbnails" featuring dialogue, panel arrangements, and rough sketches that were reviewed before being passed on to Obata. Obata finalized character expressions, camera angles, and artwork details, often interpreting simple descriptions such as "abandoned building" and designing the Death Notes themselves. Ohba emphasized concise dialogue to preserve suspense and pacing, refining drafts to maintain optimal rhythm. The writer also meticulously reviewed earlier chapters to ensure narrative consistency.
The standard weekly routine involved five days dedicated to writing and one day reserved for inserting dialogue into rough drafts prior to submission to the editor. Obata spent one day creating thumbnails and pencils, another day on penciling and inking; his assistants contributed four days of work, with Obata completing final artwork in a single day. While Obata maintained a steady schedule, occasional color pages caused some disruption. Ohba's time spent writing varied widely from three days up to a month per chapter.
Throughout serialization, Ohba and Obata rarely met face-to-face, communicating primarily through their editor. Their first direct encounter occurred at an editorial party in January 2004. They did not discuss concluding chapters together; all plot communications were handled via their editor.
Ohba revealed that the series concluded largely as originally planned, choosing the "Yellow Box Warehouse" ending rather than having L defeat Light Yagami with Light dying. The storyline was outlined from the start. The writer aimed for a continuous narrative centered on characters and events triggered by the Death Note rather than episodic stories. The series’ humor stemmed from Ohba’s fondness for comedic storytelling.
When questioned about whether psychological conflict and plot twists were central themes, Ohba confirmed this was why they were pleased to serialize it in Weekly Shōnen Jump.
The notebooks
At the heart of the narrative lies the "Death Note," a black notebook containing instructions that enable anyone who knows a person's name and face to kill them instantly. Director Shusuke Kaneko highlighted its inspiration from an ancient Japanese belief that spirits inhabit words, grounding the story firmly in Japanese culture.
Initially, artist Takeshi Obata imagined the notebooks as classic Death Notes but ultimately chose a design resembling a standard college notebook for greater relatability. Although there was consideration of having Death Notes transform into forms such as ancient scrolls or medieval manuscripts depending on era and setting, this concept was never implemented.
Themes
Author Tsugumi Ohba mentioned that he did not set out with explicit themes, simply expressing that "everyone will eventually die, so we should live life to the fullest." A 2012 critique characterized Death Note as a psychological thriller echoing the societal anxieties following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, delving into human proclivities toward terrifying cult-like conduct.
Pilot chapter
The pilot for Death Note originated from Ohba pitching two ideas to Shueisha; it received positive feedback from both editors and readers. Ohba found it difficult to condense the story into a single chapter, spending over a month on it and reluctantly incorporating the Death Eraser element.
Obata was attracted to the project due to its dark atmosphere and inclusion of shinigami (death gods). Although initially puzzled by the rough draft, he valued the mood of the story despite its limited action and a protagonist who does not actively drive events. His goal was to produce artwork that resonated with his own tastes.
Ohba completed the pilot script before Obata began illustrating; they never met during this stage. Editors recommended no direct collaboration between writer and artist at this point, which Ohba felt proved effective.
Anime adaptation
Tetsurō Araki, who directed the Death Note anime, focused on capturing what made the series engaging rather than concentrating solely on moral or justice themes. Series coordinator Toshiki Inoue aimed to emphasize Light's compelling presence by portraying his "thoughts and actions as thoroughly as possible." To adapt the manga’s intricate storyline, Inoue rearranged events chronologically and introduced flashbacks at episode openings to heighten suspense. Araki noted that unlike manga readers who can reread pages, anime viewers need clearer visual explanations. The production team selectively highlighted crucial elements, describing the adaptation process as a "delicate and significant challenge," with detailed script notes playing an essential role.
Araki enthusiastically joined the project and specifically requested Inoue to write the scripts, motivated by his enjoyment of the original manga.
Manga
The manga Death Note, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 1, 2003, through May 15, 2006. The story's 108 chapters were compiled into twelve volumes by Shueisha between April 2, 2004, and July 4, 2006. A one-shot chapter released on February 9, 2008, set two years after the manga’s conclusion, introduced a new Kira and examined how main characters responded. Several comedic four-panel Death Note strips appeared in Akamaru Jump issues from 2004 to 2005 and in the Weekly Shōnen Jump Gag Special 2005. Shueisha reissued the series in seven volumes from March to August 2014. On October 4, 2016, all twelve volumes plus the one-shot were consolidated into a single All-in-One Edition spanning approximately 2,400 pages.
In April 2005, Viz Media acquired North American English rights for Death Note. The twelve volumes were published between October 10, 2005, and July 3, 2007. Later, Viz released a six-volume omnibus "Black Edition" from December 2010 through November 2011. The English All-in-One Edition, including for the first time in English the February 2008 one-shot chapter, was published on September 6, 2017.
A detailed guidebook titled Death Note 13: How to Read, featuring character profiles, interviews with creators, behind-the-scenes insights, and all published , was issued by Shueisha on October 13, 2006, and by Viz Media in North America on February 19, 2008.
In June 2019, Shueisha announced another one-shot chapter that appeared in Jump Square on February 4, 2020. Named "Death Note: Special One-Shot," it was also made available via Viz Media's website. A collected volume entitled , which includes multiple one-shots and , was published on February 4, 2021. Viz Media released this compilation in English on May 10, 2022.
Light novels
A light novel titled Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, authored by Nisio Isin and published by Shueisha on August 1, 2006, acts as a prequel to the original manga. The story, told from Mello's perspective, recounts L's initial meeting with Naomi Misora during the Los Angeles "BB Serial Murder Case," which is referenced in the manga’s second volume. This novel delves into L's investigative techniques and introduces pivotal figures such as Watari, along with other prodigies including Mello, Beyond Birthday, Matt, and Near. Viz Media released the English translation on February 19, 2008. Moreover, the movie L: Change the World was transformed into a light novel by "M" on December 25, 2007. While closely mirroring the film’s storyline, this adaptation incorporates notable plot alterations and provides a more in-depth look at L’s background. Viz published the English edition on October 20, 2009.
Anime
The Death Note anime series, helmed by director Tetsurō Araki and produced by Madhouse, debuted on Nippon TV on October 4, 2006. It spanned 37 episodes, concluding on June 27, 2007. The production was a collaboration among Madhouse, Nippon Television, Shueisha, D.N. Dream Partners, and VAP, airing weekly during a late-night timeslot.
In North America, Viz secured licensing rights to offer simultaneous "Download-to-Own" and "Download-to-Rent" options alongside the Japanese broadcast—marking an innovative approach for anime distribution in the U.S. These episodes retained the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and were accessible through IGN's Direct2Drive platform. DVD versions included English dubbed tracks produced by Ocean Productions, as well as the original audio with subtitles. The initial DVD release was announced for November 20, 2007, featuring both standard and special editions; early copies of the latter came with collectible figurines.
The Canadian premiere occurred on YTV’s Bionix block on October 26, 2007, following a brief postponement. In the United States, Adult Swim began airing the series on October 20, 2007, continuing until January 10, 2010. YTV broadcasted the final episode on July 4, 2008; shortly thereafter, Bionix was scaled back to a two-hour slot on Saturdays. Episodes were also available for free streaming on Adult Swim Video concurrent with their TV premieres. In August 2017, Starz incorporated the series into its video-on-demand library.
Two television compilation specials were broadcast on Nippon Television: Death Note Relight: Visions of a God aired August 31, 2007—a recap featuring updated dialogue and additional scenes—and Death Note: Relight: L's Successors aired August 22, 2008, summarizing the latter portion of the series with significant modifications such as removing the mafia storyline.
Soundtracks
Multiple soundtrack albums have been released for the anime. The score was composed by Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi, with CDs distributed by VAP. The inaugural album, Death Note Original Soundtrack, was issued in Japan on December 21, 2006; it includes background music from the series alongside TV-sized opening and ending themes performed by the band Nightmare. The second album, Death Note Original Soundtrack II, appeared on March 21, 2007 and features new TV-sized themes by Maximum the Hormone. Released June 27, 2007, Death Note Original Soundtrack III contains compositions numbered one through twenty-one by Taniuchi and twenty-two through twenty-eight by Hirano; it also includes a song performed by Aya Hirano, who voices Misa Amane, as well as the ending theme Coda〜Death Note from the final episode.
Soundtracks were also created for the live-action adaptations. The first film's score, Sound of Death Note, composed by Kenji Kawai, was released June 17, 2006 via VAP. Its sequel’s soundtrack titled Sound of Death Note the Last name followed on November 2, 2006. Tribute compilations include Death Note Tribute (BMG Japan, June 21, 2006), containing fifteen tracks from artists like Shikao Suga, M-Flo, Buck-Tick, and Aya Matsuura; this release also featured a cosplay Death Note notebook. Another tribute album called The Songs for Death Note the movie〜the Last name Tribute was issued December 20, 2006 by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, showcasing fourteen songs from bands such as Orange Range, Abingdon Boys School, High and Mighty Color, Doping Panda, and Galneryus.
Live-action films
The Death Note franchise was brought to the big screen through a series of live-action movies beginning in 2006. Shusuke Kaneko directed the first two installments, while Hideo Nakata helmed the third. These films were produced by Nippon Television, with Digital Frontier providing CGI effects, and Warner Bros. Pictures Japan handling distribution. The debut movie, titled Death Note, premiered in Japan on June 17, 2006, where it dominated the box office for two consecutive weeks. It saw a limited theatrical release in North America in May 2008 and had a special one-night screening in Canada in September 2008 before being made available on DVD.
Following this, Death Note 2: The Last Name was released in Japan on November 3, 2006, and later reached U.S. cinemas in October 2008. Additionally, a spin-off film called L: Change the World, which explores the concluding period of the character L’s life, debuted in Japan in February 2008 and was subsequently shown in the United States in April 2009.
In August 2016, a three-episode miniseries titled Death Note: New Generation aired, serving as a narrative bridge leading up to the 2016 sequel film. That same year saw the release of the fourth Japanese live-action Death Note movie, which introduced a plot centered around cyber-terrorism involving six Death Notes entering the human realm.
An American adaptation directed by Adam Wingard premiered on Netflix on August 25, 2017. The screenplay was crafted by Charles Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides, and Jeremy Slater. The cast included Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Shea Whigham, Paul Nakauchi, Jason Liles, and Willem Dafoe. Reports indicate that a sequel is currently underway.
Live-action series
A live-action television adaptation of the Death Note manga began broadcasting on Nippon TV starting July 2015. The series starred Masataka Kubota as Light Yagami and Kento Yamazaki portraying L.
In July 2022, Upside Down Pictures—the production company led by the Duffer Brothers—announced plans for a new live-action series adaptation for Netflix. By October of that year, Halia Abdel-Meguid had been brought on board as both writer and executive producer for the project.
Video games
Konami developed and published a Death Note video game for the Nintendo DS titled , which launched on February 15, 2007. This strategy-based game allows players to take on the roles of either Kira or L, engaging in phases of investigation, voting, and targeting to uncover their opponent’s identity. A follow-up game named , released in Japan on July 12, 2007, covers the second part of the manga’s storyline and introduces characters such as Mello and Near.
A third entry called , released on February 7, 2008 for Nintendo DS exclusively in Japan, features a rookie FBI agent who receives assistance from L via an in-game PDA device within a prequel narrative set before the original Kira case.
Characters from Death Note also appear in crossover fighting titles like Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars, where Light, Ryuk, L, Misa, Near, and Mello serve as support fighters. In addition, Light and Ryuk are included as non-playable characters integral to the storyline of the 2019 game Jump Force.
On November 5, 2024, Bandai Namco Entertainment launched an online social deduction game titled Death Note: Killer Within for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Windows via Steam. This multiplayer experience accommodates up to ten participants divided between Kira’s followers and L’s investigative team. Players strive either to eliminate their targets or capture the Death Note while deducing other players’ identities. Each participant is represented by pawn pieces reminiscent of those used by Near in the original series.
Musical
In 2015, the manga was transformed into a stage musical titled Death Note: The Musical, which debuted in both Japan and South Korea. The score, written in English by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, featured lyrics by Jack Murphy and a script by Ivan Menchell, representing a notable international collaboration. An English-language concert version was scheduled for August 2023 at the London Palladium, under the direction of Nick Winston, with Joaquin Pedro Valdes portraying Light, Dean John-Wilson as L, and Frances Mayli McCann as Misa.
The initial Japanese staging, produced by the talent agency HoriPro, took place from April 6 to 29, 2015. It starred Kenji Urai and Hayato Kakizawa alternating in the role of Light Yagami, alongside Teppei Koike as L. The Korean production ran between June 11 and August 11, 2015, featuring prominent musical performers Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Junsu from JYJ. This theatrical adaptation broadened the franchise’s presence in live theater across both Asian and Western markets, boosting its brand visibility and generating additional revenue channels.
Manga
By April 2015, over 30 million copies of the Death Note manga had been circulated worldwide. According to ICv2's "Top 10 Shonen Properties Q2 2009," it ranked as the third highest-selling manga title in North America. The series secured second place on Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! lists for best manga aimed at male readers in both 2006 and 2007. It earned a nomination for Best Comic at the 38th Seiun Awards in 2007 and won both Best Manga Grand Prize and Best Screenplay at the Japan Expo Awards that same year. In 2008, UK fans voted it the Favourite Manga at the Eagle Awards. A 2007 survey by Japan’s Ministry of Culture ranked Death Note tenth among all-time greatest manga titles. Additional nominations included Best Manga at the 2006 American Anime Awards, consideration for the 2007 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, an Official Selection status at the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2008, while Obata received a nomination for Best Penciller/Inker at the 2008 Eisner Awards. Furthermore, volumes one through three appeared on the American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten list in 2007.
Douglas Wolk of Salon mentioned rumors suggesting that creators Ohba and Obata initially planned a shorter run but extended it due to its growing popularity, noting a natural midpoint conclusion within the story. He also pointed out the extensive fan fiction inspired by the series online. In 2006, fans in Japan observed resemblances between Death Note and Shigeru Mizuki’s one-shot manga from 1973 titled The Miraculous Notebook, with the primary distinction being that Mizuki’s work lacked supernatural beings known as shinigamis.
Zac Bertschy from Anime News Network lauded Death Note as an unexpectedly captivating and original suspense narrative distinguished by its dark thematic elements and well-developed characters, setting it apart from typical shonen manga. Briana Lawrence highlighted its distinctive exploration of justice through conflicting perspectives rather than straightforward antagonists, noting that later chapters return focus to central figures and popular storylines. Julie Rosato of Mania Entertainment praised the narrative’s pacing and character arcs, especially emphasizing Light’s transformation and L’s investigative role. Jolyon Baraka Thomas described the manga as possessing a "somber storyline" with a "dark ensemble," complemented by Obata’s artwork noted for its intricate use of light and shadow effects.
Anime
Death Note is a highly regarded anime recognized for its intense examination of justice and homicide through a strategic confrontation between a detective and a murderer. Tom S. Pepirium from IGN emphasized its "deeply serialized format" as a major factor in maintaining viewer interest, commending the English dub's excellence under the direction of Karl Willems and Stephen Hedley, who brought together an experienced voice cast with a consistent tone. On NPR's Fresh Air, John Powers likened its addictive quality to popular series such as Lost.
The magazine Hyper highlighted the anime’s faithful manga adaptation, which allowed for more profound character exploration, particularly for Light and his adversary L. Jacob Hope Chapman of Anime News Network singled out Teru Mikami’s role as more significant compared to characters like Near and Mello. Despite some inconsistent voice performances, The Daily Telegraph remarked on the show’s evolution from a moral parable into a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game. Vulture lauded its thoughtful portrayal of themes like morality, justice, and capital punishment, alongside high-caliber animation and storytelling, ranking it among the best in animated entertainment.
Achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim, Death Note earned Best TV Anime at the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Fair and secured the 51st spot on IGN’s 2009 "Top 100 Animated Series" list.
Light novels
A.E. Sparrow from IGN awarded the novel Another Note a score of 9.5 out of 10, praising the author’s deep insight into the characters and how it adds depth to the overall Death Note universe. Enthusiasts of the series consider Another Note an engaging addition that enhances the narrative layers. The novel adaptation of L: Change the World was ranked as Japan’s second best-selling light novel in 2008.
Legacy and controversies
The global distribution of the series led to related creations and inspired fans to produce imitation "Death Notes," one of which was connected to an actual homicide case. Wired observed that Death Note propelled Japan's popular print culture into international debate, stirring concerns among parents about manga content. Director Shusuke Kaneko commented that restricting access to such media might not effectively protect children.
Rosie Knight of The Hollywood Reporter noted considerable influence from Death Note on the 2019 episode "The Comedian" of The Twilight Zone. Furthermore, The Simpsons has referenced Death Note in both its comic books and animated episodes, notably in the 2008 comic "Murder, He Wrote," where Bart Simpson receives a Death Note from a Ryuk-like Krusty the Clown ghost, as well as in the 2022 "Treehouse of Horror XXXIII" segment titled "Death Tome," featuring Lisa Simpson wielding the notebook.
Bans and attempted bans
In early 2005, authorities in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China prohibited Death Note after students modified notebooks to imitate Death Notes by inscribing names of peers and teachers. The ban aimed to safeguard students’ "physical and mental well-being" from horror-themed content deemed misleading and harmful. Analyst Jonathan Clements pointed out that the ban addressed both superstitious beliefs and illegal piracy issues. Similar prohibitions were extended to Beijing, Shanghai, and Lanzhou. Officially licensed Chinese editions remain accessible in Hong Kong. On June 12, 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture added Death Note to a list of 38 anime and manga titles banned nationwide.
In 2007, Taiwan’s Pingtung County education department advised educators to supervise elementary students’ exposure to the manga. Albuquerque Public Schools in New Mexico voted against banning Death Note in May 2010. Following the discovery of volumes after a 2013 suicide of a 15-year-old in Yekaterinburg, Russia, concerned parents called for media regulation citing harmful influence; however, investigations concluded that the manga was not responsible for the incident.
Replications of the series
Numerous incidents worldwide have involved replicas inspired by Death Note, some of which were connected to unlawful acts. A prominent example occurred in Belgium in 2007, where two notebooks mentioning "Kira" were discovered near human remains, an event locally referred to as the "Mangamoord." This led to four arrests in 2010. In the United States, several school-related cases emerged: a senior at Franklin Military Academy in Virginia was suspended in 2007 for possessing a counterfeit "Death Note" containing fellow students' names; in 2008, a Hartsville Middle School student in South Carolina was disciplined after authorities confiscated a "Death Note" listing seven individuals; and that same year, two sixth-grade students in Gadsden, Alabama, were apprehended for having a similar notebook with names of staff and students.
Other notable events include a 2008 situation in Gig Harbor, Washington, where one student faced expulsion and three others received suspensions due to maintaining a "Death Note" featuring 50 names, including that of a sitting U.S. president. In 2009, an eighth-grade student in Sydney crafted a "Death Note" outlining a detailed bomb threat. Later that year, elementary students in Oklahoma were disciplined for creating a "Death Note" targeting classmates. In 2010, a middle school student from Michigan was suspended indefinitely for possessing such a notebook. Suspensions also took place in Pennsylvania’s Avonworth School District (2010) and near Pittsburgh (2015), involving students with "Death Notes" that named peers and public figures such as Justin Bieber.
These occurrences underscore the significant cultural influence and contentious reactions elicited by the Death Note concept within educational environments around the globe.