 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Death Note
- Cartoon Network
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Dark psychological anime mixes sci-fi, drama.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Light Yagami (voiced by Brad Swaile), an intelligent high school student who's become frustrated with the endless criminal activity taking place all over the world, finds a notebook that enables its owner to kill people by writing their names in it. Realizing that he possesses the means of creating a crime-free world, he becomes a serial killer who targets criminals. Light, known to the public as "Kira," meets his match when the mysterious, cunning detective known only as "L" (Alessandro Juliani) joins the police investigation. L (who only communicates with the world via computer) knows that Kira is in Japan and is committed to finding him and bringing him to justice. As each man tries to outsmart the other, they find themselves developing a better understanding of the internal struggles that drive them to do what they do.
Is it any good?
DEATH NOTE is a somewhat brainy series that explores the mind of a young man whose almost childlike vision of a new world allows him to detach himself from the immorality of his acts. It also looks at some of the ethical questions surrounding the execution of criminals (both legally or otherwise) in the name of justice. But while it lacks a lot of the blood and gore noted in other anime series, this dark psychological drama isn't intended for young anime fans.
What 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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
July 20, 2010
AGE
L is the best character.
L is so cool i love him!!!!
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AGE
Amazing show, lets you decide what's right and wrong.
Death note is simply fantastic. Although the story follows Light, the high school senior who finds the death note, it never exactly promotes his behavior as "good". Also, L (the other main character who many fans find more lovable although stranger) highly opposes Light's ideals and strives to catch him before there's any more killings. So, it's not as if everyone's supporting the serial killer. Death Note is not exactly a classic battle of good vs. evil, but that's why it's so wonderfully unique and interesting. The plot is extremely intelligent (like the characters), so it's never boring. And Ryuk, the apple-loving shinigami, also keeps it entertaining. But perhaps the best part of the whole show is that it never tells you who’s right and who’s wrong. People get to decide for themselves, which always sparks engaging conversations. And it’s NOT just for hardcore anime fans. I had never watched anything anime before I watched DN, and I absolutely loved it. I also forced my anime-hater friends to watch it, and they are now completely obsessed. Everyone that I’ve made watch it loves it (and they’re all 14, like I am). Perhaps the only problem with the show is that the characters are a little too lovable, no matter how bad they are. As an example, one of my favorite characters (who makes his entrance later in the series) is the teenage mafia leader with anger issues, who kidnaps at least three people and probably kills much more than that. Another one is a teenage chain smoker (although he’s only in the anime for a good 30 seconds). Anyway, although kind of violent (most of the deaths are heart attacks; I don’t believe that there’s a whole lot of blood until the end, where there’s a shooting) and cruel, it’s also clever and thought-provoking. I recommend it for any teen or highly mature tween.
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AGE
It was fun reading/watching Death Note. Death Note is the first manga that actually made me think and say what's going to happen next? It's like a 37 episode long 'The Mentalist.' The only bad thing is Death Note makes the female cast look stupid. Light uses them to help create his utopia and then when he almost gets caught, he usually kills them. At the final episode, everything's all dramatic and there's a lot of bloodshed. I would defiantly recommend this to a very mature 12 year old. That 12 year old should be able to ignore or withstand the killing, drama, and the clothing that Misa wears.The good part of this anime is that L,N,M, and the rest of the good guys are doing their best with catching Light. It's fun watching them find out who's Kira by focusing on the details, and how Light will handle the situation.
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AGE
exactly what america needed.
i'm in love, but it's scary. it toys with your mind. i've watched all 3 live-action movies and i'm just now starting the anime, but it's just so stinking amazing. Light is freaking insane, as much as he desperately tried to be the good guy in the beginning. L...well, he's L. He's the #1 reason i ever started watching/reading this. Horrible attractive man addicted to sweets, not to mention he's a kickbutt detective. i don't recommend this to anyone under 13 (sometimes i have to turn it off for myself) simply because it's intense, there's pretty frequent language, occasional innuendo, and it's crazy. but it's still the best anime ever.
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AGE
Love it!
I've been watching this for four years now, and it never gets old. The show really makes you think and is very entertaining. The topic of killing and death may throw the show off for some parents, but over all there's nothing really wrong with the show.
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AGE
A great book/anime, not as violent as it sounds
I love this, I love the story and everything about it. It's really interesting, I'm addicted to it xD
For really young kids, it might be kinda intense but I'd say if your 11 or 12 and in the 6th grade you can go ahead and watch it. It has slight language like "hell" but that's no big deal, definitely no reason not to watch it. Death note is really not that bad. People who haven't seen it don't let their kids watch/read it because it SOUNDS violent, but it really isn't that bad! My nine year old brother watches it with me sometimes.
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AGE
May sound scary, it's really not
I've been reading the manga and I've watched the movie, haven't started the anime.
Death Note has barely any violence or inappropriate things. The movie and manga both have the f-word.
Ryuk does look a bit intimidating but he's not scary.
The story is very complicated and may bore some kids which is why I recommend it for older kids.
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AGE
It's a show for adolescents, i don't think adults would find it very interesting,and young kids might not understand it.
It's ok but nowhere near as awesome as Naruto Shippuden!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
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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AGE
Great Moral Questions But No Answers; Watch with Less Mature Teens
Death Note, the story of a brilliant teenager who finds a notebook that can kill and decides to rid the world of evil, is pure genius but misses the mark with its "shounen" or young male audience. Because Light is the main character, it's easy to assume he's the "good guy." If you do that, you miss the message entirely... which is what many kids who watch this show do.
I'm a big Death Note fan, but I was 21 when I first found it. I was able to look at Light go from innocent but bitter teenager to delusional world conqueror and go, "OK, power corrupts." I was able to look away from him as a role model and identify moral, upstanding, kind-hearted Soichiro, Light's Father and the only good character in the piece according to its author, as someone I'd like to be more like. Many teenagers and even tweens can pick up on this, but some can't. Watch a little with your kid before you let them at it themselves, just in case they're one of the naive youngsters who feel that "Light Was Right."
If you're worried about specific content, there's a lot of violence. Most of the deaths are bloodless heart attacks, but there is at least one particularly bloody shooting and some lesser ones. Also, Misa's clothing is downright scandalous and Light treats women like excrement. And the language! Even the second opening has the F-word in it! Still, all this is in the service of creating a gritty, realistic world that shows the best and worst that humanity has to offer.
Death Note is wonderfully complex and poses great moral questions... but it refuses to answers them. If you don't know for sure that your child can find their own answers, you need to watch it with them. Even if not, it can't hurt--they'll appreciate having someone to try out their interpretation with and you can probably provide that better than their friends.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Cartoon Network |
| Cast: | Alessandro Juliani, Brad Swaile, Brian Drummond |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
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