Death Note

[Scott]

This is probably a longshot, but I thought it'd be worth a try since it finally started airing outside of Japan. This has been on Adult Swim in the US and YTV in Canada for a few weeks now and I was wondering if anyone has been watching it.

It is an anime about a student named Light who stumbles across a notebook called the Death Note. When he writes someone's name in the Death Note, they die 40 seconds later of a heart attack. He learns that there are numerous tricks he can do to change the death and the cause, etc. Eventually the police bring in a professional investigator known only as L to stop Light on his killing spree as he attempts to make the world full of only good people.

This is pretty huge in Japan and has spawned a lot of merch, two movies and a few videogames already.

So, anyone watched the anime either in Japanese or the dub?

[Cranky]

Not really into anime, and I've never heard of this...but it actually sounds interesting.

[Dagolu]

darn, I've gotta watch more tv. I've heard of it, but I only really watch lost, mythbusters and simpsons.

[ILoveEko]

I saw this on a few nights ago and thought of you, Scott. :D

[Scott]

:D

I wonder if this'll get any activity now we have the anime forum. I was discussing Death Note with a friend today and it seems that the general consensus is that it gets a bit...boring. After a while, there's only so much that can happen and then something happens which just gives the show a major push over the edge. After 25ish episodes, it just gets dull.

Still, I'm sure many will beg to differ, but I still recommend watching up until *that* point because it is a really good story until it drags on a bit.

[TheBigCat]

Someone, I thought it was genesis at first, but she says it wasn't her, was telling me about this show. Was it you, Scott.

BTW, I hope you don't mind that I continue to refer to you by your given name rather than your new SN?

[Scott]

That's no problem at all ^_^

And I may have been discussing it in chat with you at one point. I know Deus Ex Machina mentioned it in the Bleach thread too.

[Kenji III]

Death Note is by far one of the greatest animes. It's intelligent, funny, and action packed. I would recommend this series to anyone.

[Houkou]

I've seen it, and liked it quite a lot-though they didn't show enough of Ryuk, imo. XD I love the second theme song as well, 'What's up people?!' by Maximum the Hormone. Good stuff.

[everlost]

I really like anime but am to lazy to go hunting for good shows, thanks for bringing this to my attention, I will check it out!

[awesome_cupcake]

I watched both movies, but havent seen the anime. Does it follow the same plot line or is it a different story arc?

[Scott]

I'll put it in spoiler tags for those who haven't seen it.

Both L and Light die at the end of the movie. This doesn't happen in the anime. L does die, but Light continues his reign as the Death Note owner until two more detectives appear (Mello and Near, if I remember correctly). I won't spoil what happens next, but the story arc in the anime is longer than that of the movies.

[awesome_cupcake]

interesting..does the manga follow the anime plot?

[Scott]

Quite closely, as far as I'm aware although I haven't finished the manga. What I have read, there are some parts which are scene for scene, so it's fairly devoted.

[2fingers]

The anime follows the manga pretty much scene for scene. I did like what they did in Episode 25 of the anime much better than they handled it in the manga. Almost seemed rushed in the manga IMHO. The later anime isn't as good as the manga I thought also but I think I rushed through the end of the series to quickly both the manga and the anime.

[merry slug]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d16/merryslug/Weird%20Stuff%20for%20WBB/2890650320103319808S600x600Q85.jpg?t=1219347194

[Brian]

Nice. :)

[Cranky]

I think I still might want to see this.

[Houkou]

*recommends it*

[Jinjur]

My brother has been telling me to watch this for a month now! I might have to bump it up on the list now though :)

[Deus Ex Machina]

I've watched the anime, seen the live action films, read the manga (including the fanbook style volume 13, "How to Read") and the "Another Note" novel (in that order). I still have to see the two animated 'Rewrite/Re-Light' movies though. Haven't read the novel adaptation of L: Change the World, either.

I would always recommend watching the anime first, just because that was such an experience for me going in with no prior knowledge of the story. The mood comes through better in the anime than the manga, and the voices and BGM add a lot to the enjoyment of it (IMO). The manga has a few parts that aren't in the anime, so following up by reading that is good, but I wouldn't say it's essential to understand anything. I really liked seeing more of Sidoh, though.

#13 How to Read is a really good read, has a lot of interesting info and answers many questions you might have floating around in your head. The novel "Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases" is really enjoyable too (thanks for the recommend, 2fingers :D). I expected it to read sort of clunky like many (mainly fan-translated) manga do, but it reads fantastically.

I love the second theme song as well, 'What's up people?!' by Maximum the Hormone.
I hated it when I first heard it, but that sure changed over time. I freakin' looooove it now.

[Jinjur]

Okay so I just watched the first epi and was a little underwhelmed comparably to the other anime I watch. I think this is partly because everything is so dull color-wise. I am however invested enough to finish at least 20 before giving further judgment.

[Houkou]

Do, you won't regret it. It's one of those shows that is massively overhyped/has a terrible fanbase, but is actually good anyway.

[Jinjur]

Okay so I've watched all of the current episodes and I am thoroughly impressed with the writing. It reminds me of a shifty chess game. I like the original L more than N and I hate that it left off at such a cliffhanger!! Does anybody know whether this is a weekly thing or when the next ones will be aired?