Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark psychological anime mixes sci-fi, drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Death Note
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 72 parent reviews
Based on 509 kid reviews
Kids say that this anime is compelling and thought-provoking, featuring a unique plot that revolves around moral dilemmas and psychological themes, making it best suited for mature viewers aged 12 and up due to its complexity and dark content. Despite the numerous deaths, reviewers highlight that most are non-violent, primarily resulting from heart attacks, although parents should be aware of mild sexual content, mild language, and discussions surrounding crime and justice.
- mature themes
- unique plot
- psychological depth
- non-violent deaths
- parental guidance advised
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Light Yagami, the protagonist of DEATH NOTE voiced by Mamoru Miyano in the original version and Brad Swaile in the English dub, is a smart high school student who has become frustrated with the endless criminal activity taking place all over the world. He 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" (Kappei Yamaguchi/Alessandro Juliani) joins the police investigation. L (who communicates with the world only via computer) knows that Kira is in Japan, and is committed to finding him and bringing him to justice. As each character 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?
This brainy series explores the mind of a young man whose simplistic vision of a new world allows him to detach himself from the immorality of his acts. Death Note looks at some of the ethical questions surrounding the execution of criminals 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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about adaptations. What is lost and/or gained when a beloved manga, comic book, or graphic novel is turned into a TV series or film the way Death Note has been adapted?
Talk about Light's actions. Is murder ever justified? Is doing something illegal ever OK? Where do you draw the line between justice and following the law?
If you found a magical notebook, what would you do with it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 21, 2007
- Cast : Alessandro Juliani , Brad Swaile , Brian Drummond
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Anime
- TV rating :
- Last updated : August 2, 2023
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