Just a few things to clarify: 1. Light DOES NOT limit himself to killing only criminals. Within ten episodes, he goes on to kill FBI agents and other innocent people without so much as batting an eyelash. It's not just evildoers; anyone who gets in his way is a target. 2. To cite his love for his family as a "positive social message" is really stretching it. I mean, the kid has no qualms about manipulation, hacking into police files, deception, and murder…yet it's OK because he loves his sister? They're picking one good twig out of a veritable forest of corruption. If anything, his ability to act like a loving person just accentuates how incredibly conniving he is. 3. Some of the deaths in the series are extremely bloody or otherwise frightening. The scene where the man on the motorcycle is smashed by a large tractor-trailer bothered me a little bit. With all of this and some harsher language, this is definitely a 14+ series. Oh, and this is nothing like Bleach. The person who said that obviously has never seen the series. There are Shinigami in both, but that's where the similarities end.

Desu Noto (Death Note) is my absolute favorite manga and anime of all time, and in a way it's being translated for mass viewing on cartoon network is bittersweet: it is honestly the most intelligent and intricately written show/manga I have ever seen/read and deserves to be seen or read. But I also cringe at the idea of people turning the show into a mob mentality, mainstream sort of thing like with what happened with Bleach and Naruto. I honestly can't say that I'll probably watch the televised version, since the manga first came out four years ago in 2003, so the books first storyline is long over, and even the Japanese television show has been over for some time (now whether or not Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata will choose to make more I have no idea yet). But given the standards of American TV, and the fact that this show will probably be on Adult Swim, I expect that the show won't be too bad in terms of content. In the original show, there were f-bombs, bloody deaths, and some mild sexuality (which will probably still remain given that Misa is such a big character in the show). But what I expect WON'T be edited out, would be some of the more mild cussing, the tame deaths like the heart attacks and getting run over by cars, and probably the scenes when Mello blows up his base to try to kill the Tokyo police force will still remain. That, and the main concern of the manga and show is just the premise itself, and the overall very dark tone of it all. The main character Light (also Kira) finds a Death Note in the first episode, and discovers that by writing in a person's name while visualizing their face, that person will die from a heart attack unless otherwise specified. Light learns more and more as the series progresses just how much he can control the person before they die, as well as their cause of death and who they can affect in the process. It is literally brilliant, all the different situations Light uses, especially when he enters a cat and mouse type of psychological battle with the renowned detective L (who he actually comes to work with, though both of them suspect the other of being Kira and L). And L, being that he never shows his face (at first) and never reveals his real name, is safe from Kira's Death Note. The ensuing psychological battle and chases that follow are the most intriguing, gripping, and (need I say it again) brilliant scenes in television and manga I have ever witnessed. I really cannot emphasize how much more intelligent and far above other anime/manga Death Note is. And even when **spoiler** L dies when Light finally finds a way to kill him **end** they introduce two of L's heirs to his title (Near and Mello) and the psychological battles continue even more so. And despite the premise of the show, there is relatively little violence: the deaths are usually shown, but most of them are far from graphic (except a few, but those as I said will probably be edited from American broadcast), and up until the climax with Mello, there are literally almost no weapons or physical violence between two people. So honestly, the reason I can't stop writing about this show is because it is truly that much better than everything else being offered. I was elated when I found the manga in 2003, and hopefully it'll retain its exact format for the American show so that others can see how much they were missing out. If ever you thought anime was for kids, nerds, or was just a dumed down version of entertainment-- watch Death Note. It will blow you away if you stick with it each episode (I seriously cannot emphasize how great and air-tight the writing is-- the authors leave absolutely no plot holes and every action by the finely nuanced characters are brilliant very few people will not be in awe of the events that play out). And for those interested, two live-action movies have been made out of the series, the first chronicling the first third of the series, and the second following the other two-thirds. (There's also a prequel in the works for L's origins and how he grew up to become such a brilliant and stoic person.) The films are pretty good, but they move along too quickly (which ruins the carefully mounted pace of the show) and some scenes can be a bit cheesy for American viewers. I can't really say anything more, given that I've already repeated myself so many times. I just hope you take the time to watch a few episodes-- it seriously tops everything else out there if you invest in the evolving plot.

This is my all-time favourite anime and I highly recoomend that any anime fan 12+ watch it. That being said, there is some violence. Light kills hundreds of people, however most of them simply die of heart attacks, so it's not at all gruesome. There is one man who is hit by a car, and *SPOILER ALERT* Light is shot in the last episode and bleeds quite a bit *END OF SPOILER* but the blood is not really too graphic. It's implied that two people commit suicide (one because of Light) but it's not shown. There are a few swear words throughout the series like "h0ll" and "d0mn", but nothing too bad. There are some innuendos and Misa wears some skimpy outfits, but sex isn't really an issue in this series. Although Light and Misa live together without getting married, so this might be an issue for some people, depending on your personal beliefs. There are a few characters that may be frightening to some viewers, namely the Shinigamis, Rem and Ryuk, but they're not violent or malicious, just a bit scary-looking. I don't think anyone over 12 is going to have much of a problem with them. Although Light is obviously a psychopath, there are several characters in the series who are good role models, for example, L. He is incredibly smart and resourceful and has a strong sense of justice. He risks everything in order to catch Kira (Light) and is honestly one of the best characters I've seen in an anime. Virtually any of the characters fighting on the good side can be considered a good role model and in the end, evil characters get what they deserve.

As the "What parents need to know" says, this anime series is NOT for younger audiences. It's very dark, lots of killing and violence. For adults only! I have no idea who these people are saying it's for 10-14 year olds, but that is definitely not the case.

I absolutly love this anime! Its very deep in thought. Watch it if you think you can handle it. It often touches on the subject on if you have the right to determine if a person lives or dies.

The last episode is rated TV-MA because of when (Spoiler Warning) Light is shot several times by Matsuda because Light didn't care about his dad's death and when Mikami stabs himself with a pen and blood starts spurting out like a fountain. So in the end, Light,L,Mikami,Takada,Soichiro,Mello,and Misa end up dying. It's kind of sad but I wasn't really suprised that Near won.

Even though this anime is rated TV 14,it pushes the limit of violence.A teenager becomes a serial killer,but kills only criminals that hurt people. Some people might not understand this and may get bored,but if you're a hardcore anime fan,this is for you!!

Okay, this is my first review so I'll do my best not to blow it. I l love Death Note, it's a really awesome show in my opinion. It has some iffy content but I think it'll be all right for everyone 13 and up. It's not extremely violent or scary, there's not any explicit sex either. The message is kind of neutral, I don't think anyone who knows the difference between right and wrong would take it seriously. It's a really good show, I find it really enjoyable, and I think you will too ^-^

I think this is a great show, And what the last person said made no sense at all if u have watched the show then u would see he only wants to protect the world from evil doers and also he can't just look in a phone book and write down the names because he has to be able to see who he kills, he can't write down a name and not know who that person looks like otherwise it will not work. But i do think this is a show for 14 and over like common sense put it.