It's one of those animes where there is no set bad guy amungst the main characters - it's one where it all depends on your own personal views...I do side with L & the police, but then again, I personally do think that some criminals that are truely bad, in jail, & are scentenced to life in prison deserve to die...I mean, when very bad criminals get away or the cases get dropped, or when you see something on TV where they can't catch the criminal, it just bugs me... I have to admit, Light is a bit crazy, but I still just can't pick a side...Also, if anyone pays attention, you'll see that Light's different in the little bit of time before he first uses the Death Note...After he uses it, he thinks its a coincidence, so tries again..Then his eyes seem to change, & almost his whole sense of right & wrong... I don't want to give any wrong impressions, but I have to admit, I was kind of okay when he was killing the criminals..*(spoiler}But when he killed those FBI agents without even a second thought, that was my turning point... Another part that really decided which side I was on (*SPOILER) was when Matt {Mello's friend} goes against the new Kira {Miss Takada} & gets chased down & SHOT TO DEATH!! "Anyone who apposes Kira's spokesperson deserves to die!" I cried, as I did when L died...It wasn't Light who killed Matt, but because of Miss Takada, Kira's "spokesperson"{who also becomes Kira} that he was killed {*SPOILER again} Also, she kills Mello too :( OKAY, no more spoilers - all in all, it was a pretty good show, definatly viewer discretion advised, watch at your own risk or whatever...It just depends, I definatly [parents] would recamend watching it before you decide if your kids can watch it. They need to know the difference between right & wrong & not take the show to heart. [if you have kids under 14, definatly watch with them, so they don't get the wrong messages & take them to heart] I started watching the show about a year or so ago, & I went through the entire series twice {& i'm still watching it on Cartoon Network} ^_^ There are some good jokes that really made me laugh - especially (possible Spoiler!!) when L has Matsuda turn his cell-phone back on, it rings & L grabs it from him, Matsuda makes THE most hilarious face ever!! ^_^ {my friend who started watching it a couple weeks ago-loved that part-she thinks Light's a phsyco & sides completely with L} I think it's up to you parents to decide what age your kids can watch it...Unless you trust them completely, then i guess its up to them?...
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Death Note
(Rated TV-14, Science fiction , Starring Brian Drummond, Brad Swaile, Alessandro Juliani, Where to watch: Cartoon Network, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Dark psychological anime mixes sci-fi, drama.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Death Note
Parents need to know that this mature Adult Swim anime series isn't intended for kids. It revolves around a high school student who becomes a serial killer. Since his victims are all criminals, he justifies the murders as a way of creating a crime-free world. Most of the deaths aren't too graphic, but they're frequent. The frightening appearance of a Japanese death god adds to the show's dark psychological nature.
Read our full review by Melissa Camacho
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the cultural differences between TV shows in the United States and in other countries. What are the distinguishing characteristics of Japanese anime series? Why do you think there aren't many U.S. shows that tackle the same topics in a similar way? Families can also discuss Light's actions. Is there ever such a thing as justifiable murder? Is doing anything that you know is illegal ever OK if the target is a bad seed? Is there a point when your actions become just as reprehensible as the people and bad deeds you're targeting?
Our Members Say
See all 52 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
It all depends on how you look at it...
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Though I will admit this series isn't for the younger audience, I will say if my younger sister who is of the age of ten(started watching it at nine) and can understand the plot perfectly, I suppose any child can watch it under the age of fourteen, whilst being mature, of course. I must say, as usual, you guys arn't entirely giving this series credit. Though yes, Light doesn't think him using the death note wrong, they're is still the characters L (Spoiler: And in later episodes; Mello, Matt, and Near) and lets not forget the task force and SPK, that want to stop him. They're for, its not like this series is saying murder is right. Sex; of course, with takada and Misa, they'res mild romance. Nothing bad, though. Language: You guys covered that, oh, but lets not forget the horrid "Freakin'" and "crap" -scoff- ;D Drinking, Drugs and smokeing: They'res some brief scenes through the series of smokeing, as well with alchohol. But yes, I'mma pull a immature action and say that this is a..VERY good anime, probably the best. The plot is complex, the characters are perfectly devoloped, the dialoge and plot is well timed, whilst the author of the manga/anime didn't plan any of it. Props to that guy.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Best anime ever
Death Note is probably the best anime out there. I strongly recommend it. For age appropriateness,I would recommend it for older kids.If you are 11 or under, then you probably shouldn’t watch it. It’s kind of iffy if you are around 12, 13, or 14. Otherwise it’s fine. I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars. The messages are good too. Its not like its telling you to go out and kill bad people. In fact, I think the theme is that under no circumstances is killing the right thing to do. And no matter how smart you are, you will get caught.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
Exellent anime!
Death Note, is one of the more interesting animes out there. It is a psychological battle between teenage geniuses Light Yagami, and the mysterious detective L. The series is revolved around the murders of Light by using the "Death Notebook", I notebook which, if you know a person's face and name, can be killed by merely writing down their name. There are numerous deaths in this anime, involving heart attacks (mostly). Light, I feel is a very negative role model for younger kids, thinking he is doing good by "getting rid of the rotten people in this world". He sounds like a superhero, but he's nothing but a murderer. My sister, who is 13, has a very odd affectionate for Light…almost obsessive. She admires him (for whatever reason) and frowns upon L, who tries to stop him. I don't know if this is what everyone who watches this does, but I like this anime despite the overwhelming Bella and Edward relationship with my sister. There is a very good message though--which I think if you watch it, you can decipher yourself. This anime is smart and creative, and I highly recommend it.
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
Don't Watch It? You're Missing out!
I have to say, despite it's obvious lack of good role models, I find this series to be beautiful in it's own special way. It takes a deep look into the human condition, such as the way humans keep appearances in public and only reveal true thoughts anonymously, etc. It has a dark, noir vibe but manages to be lighthearted and thought- provoking at other times. The storyline revolves around three protagonists, Light, L (also known as Ryuzaki) and Misa. *SPOILER* all of whom die tragically at different points in the series. L was killed by Light, Light was killed by Ryuk the Death God, and Misa, after realizing that the two people she cared about most had died, comitted sucide. The story had a very tragic end that left me crying for days, but it truly is a beautiful piece. The motto seems to be "Death is eternal, life is only once" a message that is delivered clearly and coldly with the deaths of all three protagonists. Despite all the death and suffering, this story manages to be philosophical as well, asking the reader weather or not the evils of murder are conditional, and letting the viewers choose what is good and what is evil (there is a strong "Team Light" and "Team L" vibe among certain fans. I happen to be part of the latter team. lol) ...Now, this wouldn't be much of a review if I didn't state the negatives of the series... Firstly, the series is quite violent, showing dramatized heart attacks and other, bloodier deaths on a constant. Secondly, though the english version seems to have had it's mouth washed out with soap, the Japanese version boasts quite a lot more swearing, including infamously dropping the "F bomb" during the show's opening song several times. The role models are obviously rather negative, but not overly so. As for sex...well, there's no actual "doing of the deed" so to speak, but there is a significant amount of sexual references. These references include an implied (note IMPLIED being the keyword) almost-rape scene near the beginning of the series, L's sometimes voyeuristic tendencies, and Misa's generally inapproriate behavior (including telling Light that he "can use her any way he wants") and revealing outfits. ..And yes, I know this is an extremely long review, but I had a point to drive accross. WATCH THE SERIES, THE MESSAGES OF GOOD AND EVIL ARE PRICELESS!! LOL
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
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