Over the past three weeks, I've been completely engrossed in one of the most thrilling reads I've encountered in quite some time.

Death Note is an edge-of-your-seat battle of wits that left me utterly exhausted by the end. In fact, I was already feeling drained by the halfway mark.

Let me begin again. Death Note is a Japanese comic that unfolds its story over the course of twelve volumes, which are currently on display at your local Borders. If what I'm about to say sounds appealing but you don't want to spend eight dollars per volume, head to your local library - they almost surely have the books in the Young Adults section. In any case, it's well worth your time. Here's why.

The story commences when Ryuk, a death god (referred to as shinigami in the story's mythology), drops a death note into the human world to relieve the boredom that plagues his eternal life. A death note is a special notebook possessed by shinigami that enables them to take the lives of humans whose names they write in the notebook. Ryuk's dropped notebook "happens" to land in the path of Japan's top high school student, the son of the police chief, and an all-around genius, Light Yagami.

After conducting a few tests to determine the authenticity of the book and the boundaries of some of its rules (for example, one must visualize the face of the person whose name they are writing for that person to die), Light decides that he will create a new world, a utopia in which all criminals (those who would take advantage of the weakness of others) simply perish. Rather quickly, the police around the world start to take notice of the staggering number of criminals who have suddenly dropped dead from heart attacks. Suspecting foul play, they strive to find the perpetrator because law and order and vigilantism have never been the best of bedfellows. And it doesn't help that Light has gained a significant following among the masses who dub him Kira (which sounds remarkably similar to the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "killer"). So the authorities enlist the help of the world's greatest detective (an anonymous man known only as L), and he quickly narrows down the range of suspects dramatically, initiating a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse between the two figures - L vs. Kira.

Initially, as exciting as the first couple of volumes were, I struggled to envision how the story could maintain its momentum across twelve volumes. The key to Death Note's resounding success is the absence of anything truly resembling a status quo. The story and its elements are constantly in a state of flux. If things remained simple, I could envision the book concluding in four or five volumes, but everything is constantly in motion, constantly changing. It was an absolutely fantastic read.

And it's intelligent. The fact that you're reading about these highly intelligent characters who think things through to incredible lengths only heightens the excitement. There were moments of revelation and counter-revelation that simply blew my mind. And then there are moments when you think the game is up for one or more of the characters, and then a flashback will reveal the would-be victim's plan from the start, and you get to witness the tables turn and turn again as these characters fight for their lives.

And even after all that, the moral question explored by the book's author and artist truly goes to great lengths to get the reader thinking about means and ends, and it's not at all clear who one should root for. It helps that Light, despite having an ego that won't quit, is entirely selfless in his motivation. Death Note is almost a distillation of an important moral question.

In short, I wholeheartedly recommend this series to just about anyone.

I can't decide which is better, the anime or the manga.

Death Note is the first Japanese anime I watched in my adult life. I watched a few growing up and I'm still a fan of animated series, but not Japanese anime. Then I watched the anime adaptation and I fell in love. Years later, after watching the adaptation, I decided to read the manga.

Death Note is such a great manga. It follows Light Yagami, a top high schooler who is extremely smart and intelligent. One day, he found a Death Note (belonging to a Shinigami, i.e. the Japanese god of death) lying on the floor with instructions on how to use it. Of course, he experimented on it and lo and behold, it works. Light decided to kill all the criminals in the world and create an utopia that he will rule as a god. A bunch of criminals dying won't go without notice.

I love the art, graphics, and characters in this manga so much. Light, the protagonist, is an anti-hero who is on a downward spiral. Someone who is okay with killing and using people won't remain the hero for long.

This manga poses a very moral question. What Light is doing is not exactly bad. He wants to create an utopia, a world without criminals and crime, but his way of doing that isn't morally correct. He isn't a god, even though he has the power of one, for now.

This is a comprehensive review of the entire series.

Light Yagami, an academic prodigy, enjoys a bright future. His family, friends, teachers, and classmates hold him in high regard due to his strong social presence and level-headed genius demeanor. However, despite his seemingly destined path to greatness, he is bored with daily life and disgusted by the crime and corruption in the world. No matter how hard he works, he can't escape the feeling that the world is rotten and in need of change.

One fateful day in class, as he gazes out the window in dissatisfaction, Light spies a black book falling from the sky. Out of curiosity, he takes it home and studies the strange rules within. It claims that writing someone's name in the notebook will cause their death. Light writes down the name of a wanted criminal as a joke, only to see the criminal die on live television. Realizing he now holds the power of a god of death, he vows to rid the world of evil with the Death Note at his disposal.

As thousands of criminals start dying within days, the FBI contacts the world's greatest detective, known as L. L, who claims to have the mind of a criminal himself, is adept at understanding and catching those who never admit defeat. He employs various methods to catch Light, setting up intellectual traps and putting pressure on him. When pushed to the limit, Light begins to reveal his true nature.

This series is clever, dark, and full of suspense, making great use of metaphorical religious themes and imagery. It shows what happens when dangerous power falls into the hands of a gifted young man who believes he can change the world through excessive force. Light is a complex character, both a collected, highly skilled ace student with a desire to make the world a better place and a selfish narcissist willing to do anything to achieve his morally flawed goal, even if it means killing innocent people.

Light becomes corrupted by the power to choose when people die, and we watch as an idealistic young hero slowly reveals himself to be a narcissistic sociopath with a god complex. He is cunning and charismatic, yet also petty and capable of causing mass destruction. L, on the other hand, is also petty and spiteful, making them perfect intellectual opponents engaged in intense mind games. The first half of the series is a fantastic psychological thriller as the two super geniuses constantly try to outwit each other.

The second half of the series, while still good, loses some of the psychological thriller elements and takes on a more dark, action movie vibe. The stakes escalate until things spiral out of control, and it loses some of its magic. I preferred the more self-contained psychological narrative of Light vs L over the explosive and chaotic nature of the Light vs the world arc.

Nevertheless, Death Note is one of the first manga series I read, and it still mostly holds up to my modern standards. The first half alone feels like a complete story, and the second half, despite not being as good, still has a few surprises. In terms of crime/thriller manga, I would recommend Monster and 20th Century Boys by Naoki Urasawa as more up to par.

***

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3.25 stars

This is my very first manga experience. I decided to give it a try as I was intrigued by the story and all the huge hype that surrounded it. When it comes to reviews of this kind, I typically focus on three aspects: art, story, and writing. However, for this particular series, I am choosing to eliminate the art aspect for now.

\\n  Story\\n: ★★★.5
The story had a great start. The quick establishment of the conflict between Light and L not only built up the tension and intrigue but also made it extremely easy to follow and read. I really like how the author uses storytelling to展示 Light's intelligence through his plans to verify how the Death Note works, rather than simply telling us that he is smart. The mythology of the Shinigami, although it is sort of spoonfed to us, is super interesting. For example, the concept of the eyeballs really caught my attention, and I'm looking forward to learning more about them. Even though there wasn't a whole lot of action yet, I still enjoyed it. A lot of people claim that they become completely obsessed with the series after just this first installment, but I'm not quite there yet.

\\n  Writing\\n: ★★★
The writing was okay, but at times it felt a bit stiff. I do acknowledge that this could potentially be due to the translation. I just had the feeling that sometimes the characters' emotions would jump from 0 to 100 way too quickly. Maybe the nuances and subtexts that are present in the Japanese language don't translate well into English. I know that this is similar to what happened with the Polish version of the Witcher series. I also felt like the world-building was a bit too in-your-face and on the nose, especially with Ryuk's dialogue. But again, this was somewhat expected since this is the first installment in the series.

*manga completed as part of the July art-month challenge

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Volumes in manga:
#1 Boredom: ★★★.25
#2 Confluence: ★★★.75
#3 Hard Run: ★★★
#4 Love: ★★★★
#5 Whiteout: ★★.75

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (Death Note, #1), Tsugumi Ohba

This manga centers around a high school student named Light Yagami. One day, he discovers a supernatural notebook. This notebook has a remarkable power - if Light writes the victim's name in it and visualizes their face in his mind, the person will die of a heart attack after 40 seconds.

Light decides to use this notebook to create and lead a world "cleansed of evil" that he will rule as "God". However, his actions bring him into conflict with many people. Law enforcement agencies, the mafia, and even the greatest detective in the world all see him as an obstacle.

The story of Death Note was first published in the Japanese weekly magazine "Shonen Jump" from December 2003 to May 2006. It was created by Tsugumi Ohba (the writer) and Takeshi Obata (the illustrator). Based on the manga, an animated TV series was also made.

The main character, Light Yagami, is a young man who is disgusted by crime and corruption. When he finds the Death Note, he believes that he has been given a chance to make the world a better place. But as he continues to use the notebook, he becomes more and more obsessed with power and control.

The first reading date of this manga was April 7, 2016. It was written by Tsugumi Ohba. The Persian translation was published on April 23, 2020, by A. Sharbiani.

While to most, this anime might seem boring and slow, it is in fact a true masterpiece. The concept of the main character being the villain is not only fascinating but also adds a unique twist to the story. The plot that unfolds behind this idea is truly amazing, keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats. The deductive analysis carried out by both Kira and L is what makes this anime truly interesting. It showcases how justice works in a complex and thought-provoking manner. I highly recommend this anime to anyone who is looking for a unique and engaging viewing experience. It will surely leave you with a lot to think about and discuss.

I truly wish that I could possess the same level of intelligence as L, or perhaps even have the kind of lightness and ease that comes with being as bright as a light.

But alas, life often feels like a series of hard knocks. There are times when I struggle to understand complex concepts, and I find myself feeling frustrated and inadequate.

I look at those who seem to effortlessly shine and wonder what it would be like to have that kind of natural ability.

Maybe one day, with hard work and determination, I will be able to achieve a fraction of what they have. But for now, I will continue to face the challenges that come my way and do my best to learn and grow from them.

After all, it is through these difficulties that we are shaped and molded into the people we are meant to be.

Rating: 5/5

It has been an incredibly long time since I last watched half of the anime episodes of Death Note. Ever since that time, I have been fully aware that there would come a moment when I would pick up the manga and finally complete the story. I am truly overjoyed to be able to re-enter the captivating world of Death Note. Here is a concise introduction to the story.

A Shinigami, or death god, out of sheer boredom, drops his Death Note into the human realm. A Japanese teenager named Light happens to pick it up. Light is far from an ordinary kid. On the surface, he is an extremely intelligent student, excelling in everything he undertakes. However, on the inside, he harbors a dark personality. Light discovers that by writing people's names in the Death Note, they will die. Consequently, he embarks on a mission to eliminate all kinds of bad people from the face of the earth. Essentially, he suffers from a God syndrome, and with the power of the Death Note, he might actually achieve his desires. People are even referring to him as Kira, the god who comes to slay the criminals.

Nevertheless, Light's actions do not go unnoticed. L, who frequently collaborates with the police to solve mysteries that pique his interest, becomes involved in the Kira mystery. L is not a typical investigator. He never reveals his face, and no one knows his real name. Sometimes, he works on cases from a distance, yet he always obtains the results he desires.

Both Light and L are astonishingly intelligent. Witnessing their attempts to outwit each other creates one of the most fascinating stories ever told.

Aclaro que es mi primera experiencia con manga. Desde hace mucho tiempo, he estado deseando probar este medio de expresión artística. Y cuando Death Note fue elegido en un grupo de lectura, sin dudar, decidí sumarme. Ya que había escuchado muchos comentarios excelentes sobre esta historia. Y la verdad, tengo que admitir que concuerdo. La historia es realmente muy original y bien elaborada. La trama es intrigante y llena de giros inesperados que mantienen al lector en vilo. Pero, a pesar de todo, no es mi tipo de lectura. Definitivamente, soy más de las descripciones escritas que de las gráficas. Aunque las imágenes en el manga son muy atractivas, siento que no logran transmitirme la misma intensidad que las palabras escritas. No creo que lo continúe leyendo, ya que no me gusta este formato de lectura.

Sin embargo, no puedo negar que Death Note es una obra maestra del manga y que ha tenido una gran influencia en la cultura popular. Y aunque no sea para mí, creo que merece ser reconocida y valorada por su originalidad y calidad.

Not Stopping Until I Hit The Finale.


My wife was on a mission to make me read this manga, and until I did, she wasn't about to let me catch my breath. It was quite the situation!


Well, well! I have to admit, I'm really glad that she has such tremendously fantastic choices in everything. And this time was no exception. She truly proved it in this case too.


Let me tell you, Death Note is an absolute thrilling ride! From the very beginning, it hooks you and doesn't let go. The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.


If you haven't still encountered with it yet, I seriously urge that you should! You're in for a treat that you won't forget. So, don't hesitate any longer and give this amazing manga a try.

COOL, COOL, SO COOL!!!!

This simple expression of "COOL" holds a certain charm. It can describe a person's style, an object's appearance, or a situation that makes us feel excited and impressed. When we say something is cool, it often means it has an element of uniqueness, trendiness, or awesomeness. Maybe it's a cool new haircut, a cool gadget, or a cool event. The word "cool" can also convey a sense of calm and confidence. A cool person is someone who can stay composed in any situation and handle things with ease. They have a certain charisma that attracts others. In short, "COOL" is a word that represents something that is both exciting and admirable. It makes us feel good and adds a touch of fun to our lives.

My first experience in reading manga was an incredibly amazing one.

I still remember the day when I picked up my very first manga volume. The moment I opened it, I was immediately drawn into a world full of vivid characters and exciting storylines.

The unique art style and the way the panels were arranged added an extra layer of charm to the whole reading experience.

As I flipped through the pages, I found myself completely immersed in the adventures and emotions of the characters.

It was like I was a part of their world, sharing their joys and sorrows.

Since then, I have become a huge fan of manga and have explored many different series.

Each one has its own unique charm and has taught me something new.

My first experience in reading manga will always hold a special place in my heart and will continue to inspire my love for this wonderful form of art.