Series: Death Note: Complete Series
Release date: 28th September 2009
Certificate: 15
Running time: 840 mins
Director: TetsurÅ Araki
Starring: Mamoru Miyano, Shidou Nakamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Aya Hirano
Genre: Anime
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD
Country: Japan
Death Note is a genre defying anime series based on a hugely popular manga which was animated by Madhouse; the studio responsible for Vampire Hunter D and Ninja Scroll, which were both popular in the UK. The series essentially explores how power can corrupt with an intense story that will keep you glued to the screen and on the edge of your seat. Acclaimed by many as one of the greatest anime series of all time.
Ryuk is a Shinigami, a death god who becomes bored of life in his own plane of existence and decides to visit the human world for some excitement. He purposely drops his ‘Death Note’ – a supernatural book which causes death to any person whose name is written inside – and prepares to observe the consequences of it falling into human possession.
Light Yagami, a straight-A student and child prodigy happens upon the book. Light was bored with his life, and also rather disheartened about the human race, observing with frustration the strong preying on the weak. The Death Note contains a set of instructions and rules on the inside cover; a person’s face has to be visualised when their name is written in order for the Death Note to work is the first condition.
Light verifies it is not a prank when he witnesses a girl being attacked and eliminates her attacker. He then sets about trying to make the world a better place by eliminating criminals. Ryuk soon reveals himself to Light and acts as an impartial observer and unlikely companion.
Soon enough, when the police are baffled by a host of criminal deaths by heart attack, the mysterious L – the world’s greatest detective – is brought in to investigate. The series follows a cat and mouse game between Light and L as the former attempts to bring his new world order about whilst evading capture…
This series defies its predecessors in the Shounen genre. A genre which is aimed at teenage to young adult males, the word translates literally as “young man” and typically contains elaborate battle as a way of resolving conflict. Death Note has very little in the way of physical action spending its time detailing Light and L’s mental battles as they each try to get one up on each other. The animation is superb, featuring detailed characters which are all original and unique, far from the typical anime character whose personality is defined by the colour and style of their hair alone.
The psychological conflicts between Light and L are intense and often ingenious; for example, Light’s truly out of the box approach to the Death Note rules that accompany the book, testing the rules to a point where even the Shinigami Ryuk is intrigued to learn the outcome. At times, some of the plans do border on the absurd, and some of the decisions made by characters that allow them to fall prey to some of the more outlandish schemes do seem a little convenient. The artistic license is hardly abused, however, and such discrepancies are quickly forgotten and easily overlooked for the simply eye popping wonder that accompanies such moments when the scheme comes to completion. The outcomes are far from obvious, with some plans so involved that you simply gape with astonishment and applaud the genius when the penny drops and it becomes clear.
Death Note features younger characters as the main cast, which is typical of anime but refreshingly there are no school uniforms in sight, and there are a host of adult supporting characters that are just as fleshed out as the main cast of young adults.
Misa Amane, the wannabe love interest character can tend towards annoying, which far from detracting from the series provides a wicked sense of guilt upon viewing her tragic devotion to Light, and the misfortune it causes her. There is a rather frustrating lack of back story for the detective L during the first series, this is remedied somewhat during the last 13 episodes – which is the second series – but still leaves the viewer wondering as to his exact origins. Also the story arc containing Near and Mello seemed somewhat rushed in terms of their own involvement, and the resolution of that particular section of the story felt unimportant in places.
The soundtrack is composed by Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi. Yoshihisa was responsible for the emotive music of the PS3 game Final Fantasy 13. Equally The Death Note music is wonderfully engrossing and beautifully recorded and arranged, featuring reoccurring themes that range from ominous choir ensembles to electronic landscapes, all of which serve to back up the excitement and anticipation provided by the stunning visuals adding to the truly absorbing atmosphere. The heavy metal sounds of the first intro track by Nightmare contrast wonderfully with this more intellectual sound, thus making Death Note riveting viewing from the very first frame.
The voice acting is superb, featuring an all-star cast, including the likes of the lively Aya Hirano as Misa Amane (Haruhi Suzumiya from The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya and Konata Izumi from Lucky Star), Kappei Yamaguchi as L (Inuyasha from Inuyasha) and the distinctive and colourful Mamoru Miyano as Light Yagami (Masoumi Kida from Durarara!!). Along with a supporting cast of seasoned anime voice actors, this lends Death Note some classic anime styling in a very theatrical and filmic setting.
Death Note is wonderfully intense, packed full of clever plot twists and genuine surprises that will leave you gaping with astonishment. Each episode ends on a cliff hanger that makes it addictive viewing, and it’s hard not to simply watch the entire 37 episodes in one sitting. It is truly original and unique and the anime world is unlikely to see a series this good for a while. For hardcore anime fans this is not to be missed and for those who are dubious of anime or perhaps haven’t been impressed with other series then there isn’t a better representation than Death Note of what this art form can achieve. JR
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