I had seen parts of this show on and off on Adult Swim and figured it probably had potential. Obviously I was confused as hell just watching clips of it since you really need to watch it from the beginning. And like usual I was not impressed with the dubbed version. So I took it upon myself to find it subbed online and watch it from the beginning (it's all on Hulu right now).
Overall, one of the best Japan animations I've seen in a long time. The plot is extremely convoluted with the details, but overall the show's concept is fairly simply. The character, Light, is a student prodigy with keen intelligence and deductive skills, likely on the genius level. He comes across a notebook called Death Note, which claims to have the power of killing people simply by writing that person's name in the notebook and thinking of their face while writing the name. Obviously skeptical at first, Light tests it out by writing the name of a criminal being broadcast on the television who has taken hostages. After successfully killing the criminal, as well as some additional subsequent tests, he now knows the Death Note is real. By this time he is also visited by a Shinigami, a sort of demon in a realm that is neither Heaven nor Hell, but kind of a desolate plain where lost souls idle around and have nothing interesting to do other than gamble. But one interesting thing a Shinigami may do in order to make their lives more interesting is to lose their Death Note in the human world and see what happens. And this is what Ryuk, the Shinigami does. Or at least he loses a Death Note because he still has his original one.
Once Light realizes his power with the Death Note, he begins to fantasize of a world that is free of corruption and criminality. It does not take him long to rationalize his actions as he begins to mass murder criminals. After it becomes clear to the police that the mass killings are likely the act of a single person, they begin to panic and enlist the help of a mysterious and anonymous detective known only as L. While the identity of L is unknown, it is clear that he is a pure genius and is likely to be the perfect nemesis for Kira (Light's alias). What ensues between L and Kira is a battle of wits and logic. Each one is trying to outdo the other by exposing their true identities. And the measures they are both willing to take to catch one another create chaotic externalities around them. Meanwhile as Kira continues to kill on unprecedented levels, the world is beginning to change. Some feel what Kira does is a good thing and that the world is heading toward a utopia. Others fear his power and feel his kind of evil is worse than that of any criminal.
You can sympathize both Kira and L. That's what's nice about a lot of Japan animations, is that the difference between heroism and villainly is never so black and white. It's easy to both hate Kira and understand his motivations. And with L, I found myself hating him for some of his methods as well as his utter lack of emotion and feeling. Both characters are likely misunderstood. But sometimes they are also completely obvious. The show isn't just focused around these two characters, but members of the police task force and their families, some Shinigame, and some wild variables that come and go as a result of the killings and investigation.
For the most part, I enjoyed the exchanges between the characters. Especially when there was heavy logic and deduction being applied. There are some typical Japan animation moments and some characters that are almost unbearable at times. But more often than not, the show manages to avoid a lot of the stereotypical characters and emotional reactions that the genre seems so plagued with. In other words, expect some parts to be like your typical Japan animation, but overall, it's very mild in comparison.
The story remains fairly straightforward, but the plot twists become very complicated at times and you really have to pay attention to what is being said or you could be very lost even before the next scene. Lots of times the show manages not to be predictable, yet the undpredictibility isn't contrived neither. You really do just feel at times there is a toss up and things could end either way.
The soundtrack to Death Note is amazing with the exception of the opening and closing credits. I don't know why, but the opening and closing songs of lots of Japan animations are godawful. Same with Death Note, but all the original music that is played during the show is incredible and adds and authentic ambiance to the story. Sometimes the themes are victorious, other times they are very bleak. Sometimes they are very intense and claustrophobic and the show demands it.
I've heard a few unfair criticisms of Death Note in the past. I won't get into them right now just in case anyone who hasn't seen the show is reading this. But to those of you who haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. As I said earlier it is all being shown on Hulu right now. http://www.hulu.com/death-note if you don't mind the subs. I personally prefer them to the dubbed version, but that's just me. I was very satisfied with the ending. Sometimes I never want shows like these to end. But I was happy when it did end.
What? The link? Hulu is a totally legit site and is ad supported. They either acquire the rights to show programs or simply direct the user to the appropriate site for
viewing.
edit: Oh wait, do you mean my review? No I wrote that whole thing by myself. Is this hard for you to believe?
I pretty much completely agree with you on everything there. It really is such an interesting story that I was instantly drawn into. I too prefer the subtitled version, I can't stand the english voices. And yes, the score is amazing, I downloaded it once I was finished watching every episode. My favourite song is the theme they use for Light, but more specifically the one called Kuroi Light. They use it at the start of episode 6 or 7, when they are on the bus with Ray Penbar. I also like the song called Himitsu, its very suspenseful.
Though I didn't like the second part of the story as much as I did the first. (The story is kind of divided into two, but I won't say what the difference between them is - and neither should anyone else).
Light's theme is pretty awesome. L's theme was great too.
The second part of the story, I'm sure I know what point you're referring to, things definitely do shift. And I noticed in some reviews written on the show that many people did not like Near. But I thought it was necessary for there to be a great loss and remind viewers that the circumstances would not remain static.
Yea I was sayin thats a pretty decent and commited review. Iv'e been getting into anime such as Naruto and Prince of Tennis, but haven't seen Death Note yet considering it's on at like 3:00 am. I should try it I guess.
Best anime ive ever watched, sub titles of course.
I think it lost alot of suspense when the story progressed though, it was definitely more suspenseful when he was just a schoolboy living with his parents - Ray Penber, his detective fiance, when he first met L and the cameras and all that
The girlfriend character was annoying... I think she should of been killed off or something early
The ending was alright, but I think I was sympathizing with the Kira/Light character more than the director intended
We shouldn't have to worry about spoilers in a review thread, if you havent seen it and dont want too spoil it for yourself then why would you be reading reviews. I never understood it when people do that
Ratings are for before you watch something, reviews are for after :confused:
There are far more mental battles than physical in Death Note. So many so that you begin to forget that the physical realm can still affect the characters. That's what makes it so refreshing. Good review, 9/10.
The girlfriend character was annoying... I think she should of been killed off or something early
She was the one of the annoying typical Japan animation characters I was talking about. Especially after her ordeal of being detained by L, bound and blindfolded for that long, she should've been more traumatized by the whole experience. I could only conclude that she was actually crazy and that's why she wasn't too bothered by it or she just didn't develop her character very well.
Quote from "Genesis" »
The ending was alright, but I think I was sympathizing with the Kira/Light character more than the director intended
I sympathized with him a lot too. But I might have even more if he showed a little more emotion from time to time. Like when his father dies, I expected his to be genuinely upset and not just faking it for the benefit of others.
I'd say a lot of its message borders between misguided idealism and insanity. And the message is prodded on both sides with logic and morality. There are no clear villains in the story. You can sympathize with just about any character. And there aren't any Kamehameha blasts in it either.
at first when i was little, the whole cutesy friendship and honor thing was...cool. but after about 10 animes with the same damn underlying tones, it got so damn retarded. then again i havent watched anime in like 5 years or so.
i'll give it a try, i have a friend into anime and she says its good.
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"to the worm in horseradish, the world is horseradish."
It was just an amazing story that I don't think could've been done in any other medium other than Japanese animation. And I really can't stress how much I loved the music in each episode (not talking about the opening and closing credits though).
Yeah Berserk is good too if you are into that crazy slaying kinda show..I've seen over thirty different shows and I think Death Note and Code Geass are two of my favorites
Have you ever considered a game review job, you definitely have the intelligence and writing skills needed, as well as the unbiased viewpoint that many reviewers lack.
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Overall, one of the best Japan animations I've seen in a long time. The plot is extremely convoluted with the details, but overall the show's concept is fairly simply. The character, Light, is a student prodigy with keen intelligence and deductive skills, likely on the genius level. He comes across a notebook called Death Note, which claims to have the power of killing people simply by writing that person's name in the notebook and thinking of their face while writing the name. Obviously skeptical at first, Light tests it out by writing the name of a criminal being broadcast on the television who has taken hostages. After successfully killing the criminal, as well as some additional subsequent tests, he now knows the Death Note is real. By this time he is also visited by a Shinigami, a sort of demon in a realm that is neither Heaven nor Hell, but kind of a desolate plain where lost souls idle around and have nothing interesting to do other than gamble. But one interesting thing a Shinigami may do in order to make their lives more interesting is to lose their Death Note in the human world and see what happens. And this is what Ryuk, the Shinigami does. Or at least he loses a Death Note because he still has his original one.
Once Light realizes his power with the Death Note, he begins to fantasize of a world that is free of corruption and criminality. It does not take him long to rationalize his actions as he begins to mass murder criminals. After it becomes clear to the police that the mass killings are likely the act of a single person, they begin to panic and enlist the help of a mysterious and anonymous detective known only as L. While the identity of L is unknown, it is clear that he is a pure genius and is likely to be the perfect nemesis for Kira (Light's alias). What ensues between L and Kira is a battle of wits and logic. Each one is trying to outdo the other by exposing their true identities. And the measures they are both willing to take to catch one another create chaotic externalities around them. Meanwhile as Kira continues to kill on unprecedented levels, the world is beginning to change. Some feel what Kira does is a good thing and that the world is heading toward a utopia. Others fear his power and feel his kind of evil is worse than that of any criminal.
You can sympathize both Kira and L. That's what's nice about a lot of Japan animations, is that the difference between heroism and villainly is never so black and white. It's easy to both hate Kira and understand his motivations. And with L, I found myself hating him for some of his methods as well as his utter lack of emotion and feeling. Both characters are likely misunderstood. But sometimes they are also completely obvious. The show isn't just focused around these two characters, but members of the police task force and their families, some Shinigame, and some wild variables that come and go as a result of the killings and investigation.
For the most part, I enjoyed the exchanges between the characters. Especially when there was heavy logic and deduction being applied. There are some typical Japan animation moments and some characters that are almost unbearable at times. But more often than not, the show manages to avoid a lot of the stereotypical characters and emotional reactions that the genre seems so plagued with. In other words, expect some parts to be like your typical Japan animation, but overall, it's very mild in comparison.
The story remains fairly straightforward, but the plot twists become very complicated at times and you really have to pay attention to what is being said or you could be very lost even before the next scene. Lots of times the show manages not to be predictable, yet the undpredictibility isn't contrived neither. You really do just feel at times there is a toss up and things could end either way.
The soundtrack to Death Note is amazing with the exception of the opening and closing credits. I don't know why, but the opening and closing songs of lots of Japan animations are godawful. Same with Death Note, but all the original music that is played during the show is incredible and adds and authentic ambiance to the story. Sometimes the themes are victorious, other times they are very bleak. Sometimes they are very intense and claustrophobic and the show demands it.
I've heard a few unfair criticisms of Death Note in the past. I won't get into them right now just in case anyone who hasn't seen the show is reading this. But to those of you who haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. As I said earlier it is all being shown on Hulu right now. http://www.hulu.com/death-note if you don't mind the subs. I personally prefer them to the dubbed version, but that's just me. I was very satisfied with the ending. Sometimes I never want shows like these to end. But I was happy when it did end.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
viewing.
edit: Oh wait, do you mean my review? No I wrote that whole thing by myself. Is this hard for you to believe?
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
Though I didn't like the second part of the story as much as I did the first. (The story is kind of divided into two, but I won't say what the difference between them is - and neither should anyone else).
The second part of the story, I'm sure I know what point you're referring to, things definitely do shift. And I noticed in some reviews written on the show that many people did not like Near. But I thought it was necessary for there to be a great loss and remind viewers that the circumstances would not remain static.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
I think it lost alot of suspense when the story progressed though, it was definitely more suspenseful when he was just a schoolboy living with his parents - Ray Penber, his detective fiance, when he first met L and the cameras and all that
The girlfriend character was annoying... I think she should of been killed off or something early
The ending was alright, but I think I was sympathizing with the Kira/Light character more than the director intended
We shouldn't have to worry about spoilers in a review thread, if you havent seen it and dont want too spoil it for yourself then why would you be reading reviews. I never understood it when people do that
Ratings are for before you watch something, reviews are for after :confused:
Vote:
http://www.diablofans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17929
Fuck you, I'm a dragon.
I sympathized with him a lot too. But I might have even more if he showed a little more emotion from time to time. Like when his father dies, I expected his to be genuinely upset and not just faking it for the benefit of others.
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
"to the worm in horseradish, the world is horseradish."
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
i'll give it a try, i have a friend into anime and she says its good.
"to the worm in horseradish, the world is horseradish."
Siaynoq's Playthroughs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0