Death Note Watch Order
The Death Note series consists of two major parts: the anime and the live-action films. The anime series comprises 37 episodes that cover the entire manga storyline. The live-action films, however, are an independent adaptation of the manga that follows a different plot.
If you want to understand the entire story, it is recommended that you go through the Death Note anime series first before watching the live-action films. This is because the series follows the original storyline in greater detail and gives a more full and enjoyable experience.
You can begin by watching the anime from the beginning and follow up to the conclusion. After you’ve finished the series, you can proceed to live-action films if you want to. The live-action trilogy includes three films: Death Note, Death Note: The Last Name, and L: Change the World. While each movie offers an alternative perspective on the tale, they’re not integral to the whole Death Note experience.
The Original Death Note Watch Order
The original Death Note anime series is the first adaptation of the Death Note manga, and watching it before you watch the other versions is suggested. Here’s the complete Death Note watch order for the anime series:
- Death Note Season 1: The initial season of Death Note consists of 19 episodes. They cover the original plot of the show, in which Light Yagami discovers the Death Note and uses it to cleanse the streets of criminals. The first season introduces most of the major characters, including L, Misa Amane, and the task team.
- Death Note Season 2: Season 2 of Death Note consists of 18 episodes. It continues the storyline first introduced in the season, in which Light and L play the mouse and cat game as they attempt to beat each other. This season has several of the most famous episodes of the series and is the precursor to the epic conclusion.
- Death Note: Relight is an episode in two parts that retells the series’ episodes through the perspectives of Light Yagami and Ryuk. The special features additional scenes and information not previously seen in the original show and can be watched separately or after the main series.
- Death Note: Relight 2: Relight 2 is a sequel to the two-part special, which retells the series’ story through the point of view of L. The special also features new scenes and information not present in the original series. It is available in its own right or after watching the main series and Death Note: Relight. Death Note: Relight.
The first Death Note watch order consists of watching two seasons of the animated series, followed by Death Note: Relight and Death Note: Relight 2. This will give you a full experience of the storyline as well as the perspectives of the main characters.
The Chronological Death Note Watch Order
Death Note is an anime series, and its adaptations follow a chronological storyline. However, there are flashbacks as well as time jumps that can confuse the timeline. This is the complete timeline of the Death Note watch order:
- Death Note: L Change the World: L Change the World is a live-action film that follows the events of the first Death Note anime series. The film is the story of L as he attempts to resolve a mystery and stop an infectious virus from being released.
- Death Note: The Death Note live-action movie is an alternative adaptation of the Death Note manga and anime series. It has a distinct storyline and a few changes in the main characters; however, it is still centered around The Death Note and its powers.
- Death Note: The Last Name: The Last Name is the second live-action film in the series that extends the first film’s storyline. It also introduces some new characters as well as plot twists.
- The Death Note (anime series): The Death Note anime series is the first adaptation of the manga that is the primary storyline of the show. The series follows Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note and uses it to get rid of criminals, and the pursuit of L and the Task Force to find the criminal.
- Death Note: Relight: Relight is an episode in two parts that tells the anime story from the perspectives of Light Yagami and Ryuk. It also features some brand-new scenes and features that weren’t previously seen in the original series.
- Death Note: Relight 2: Relight 2 is a second two-part special that tells the anime story from L’s perspective. L. The special also features certain new scenes and other details not present in the original show.
The chronological Death Note watch order starts with the live-action film Death Note: L Change the World and moves into the live-action films Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name. Then, you can look at Death Note: The Last Name. The Death Note anime series is followed by two sequels, Death Note: Relight and Death Note: Relight 2. This sequence will give you a chronological understanding of the Death Note storyline.
The Alternative Death Note Watch Order
The Death Note anime series and its adaptations offer different ways to get the story. Here’s a different Death Note watch order for those looking for a new view:
- The Death Note (anime series): Begin with the first episode of the Death Note anime series, which tells the primary storyline of the show. The story unfolds the adventures of Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note and uses it to eliminate the world of criminals,along with the search with the team to find the criminal.
- Death Note: Relight: After you’ve watched the anime, you can go on to look at Death Note: Relight, the second part of a special that retells the show’s events from the viewpoint of Light Yagami and Ryuk. The show features some brand-new scenes and reveals that aren’t found in the original show.
- Death Note: Relight 2: Relight 2 is a second two-part special that tells the story of the series through the point of view of L. The show also features several new scenes and information not present in the original series.
- Death Note (live-action film): The Death Note live-action movie is an alternative adaptation of the Death Note manga and anime series. The story is different and has a few modifications to the characters; however, it is still centered around The Death Note and its powers.
- Death Note: The Last Name: The Last Name is the second live-action film in the series and extends the first film’s storyline. It also introduces some new characters as well as plot twists.
- Death Note: New Generation: New Generation is a three-episode miniseries that begins ten years after the events of the original series. The show introduces a brand novel, Death Note, and a new group of characters involved in a new game of mouse and cat.
- Death Note: Light Up the New World: Light Up the New World is a live-action film set 10 years after the events of the original series. It introduces a brand new novel, Death Note, and new characters involved in a global conspiracy involving several Death Notes.
The other Death Note watch order starts with the anime’s original series, then the two-part series, Death Note: Relight and Death Note: Relight 2. Then, you can view the live-action film and its sequel, Death Note: The Last Name.
You can also watch an episode of the series Death Note: New Generation and the live-action films Death Note: Light Up the New World and Light Up the New World, both of which begin ten years after the events of the original series. This series offers a new viewpoint on this Death Note story and introduces new characters and plot twists.
The Manga Death Note Watch Order
The Death Note manga is the primary source material for the series and provides an immersive and complete immersion into the tale. Here’s the full Death Note manga watch order:
- Death Note (Manga): Start by reading the principal Death Note manga series, written by Tsugumi Ohba and drawn by Takeshi Obata. The manga is comprised of 12 volumes, and it covers the whole story from the beginning to the very end. The story follows Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note and uses it to kill criminals. It also follows the quest for justice carried out by L and other characters.
- Death Note: How to Read It: After you’ve read the manga, you can explore Death Note: How to Read It, a companion book. It offers additional information on the characters, the world, and the guidelines that make up Death Note. Death Note universe. The book includes profiles of the characters as well as interviews, artwork, and behind-the-scenes information that will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the series.
- Death Note: Another Note – The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases: Death Note: Another Note – The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases is a spin-off book by Nisio Isin based on the Death Note series. The novel is set within the Death Note universe and focuses on the past of L and an intriguing murder investigation in Los Angeles. The novel provides a fresh viewpoint and expands the story of the series.
- Death Note: L, Change the World (Novel): L, Change the World is a spin-off story composed by M. The novel focuses on L’s last 23 days before his death. It also includes an entirely original tale. Although it’s not a direct sequel to the manga series, it gives additional insight into the character and his role in the Death Note world.
The manga Death Note watch order begins by reading the primary Death Note manga series, then examining Death Note: How to Read to gain additional insight.
If you’re interested in more spin-off material, explore Death Note: Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases and Death Note: L Make the World a World. This series lets you go through the Death Note story and explore additional stories and details of the Death Note universe through the manga and the companion novels.
The Essential Death Note Watch Order
If you are strapped for time and want to get the most important parts of Death Note, here is a condensed order of the essential parts. Death Note series, here is a simplified Death Note watch order:
- The Death Note (anime series): Start with the initial Death Note anime series that tells the show’s story. The story is about Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note and uses it to eliminate criminals. It also follows the search conducted by L and the team to find the criminal.
- Death Note: Relight: After you’ve watched the anime, you can look at Death Note: Relight, the second part of a special that retells the events from the series through the eyes of Light Yagami and Ryuk. The special features new scenes and details not present in the original show.
- Death Note (live-action film): The Death Note live-action movie is an alternative adaptation to the Death Note manga and anime series. It has a distinct storyline as well as some changes to the characters. However, it is still centered on the Death Note and its powers.
- Death Note: The Last Name: The Last Name is the second live-action installment in the series that extends the first film’s storyline. It also introduces some new characters as well as plot twists.
The essential Death Note watch order consists of watching the first Death Note anime series, then Death Note: Relight, the live-action film, and its sequel, Death Note: The Last Name. This order is a complete overview of the main story and offers a condensed but enjoyable experience of the Death Note series.
The Light Yagami Arc Watch Order
The Light Yagami Arc is the main arc of the Death Note series, focusing on the character of Light Yagami and his use of the Death Note to rid the world of criminals. Here’s the complete Light Yagami Arc watch order.
- The Death Note (anime series): Begin by watching the original Death Note anime series, which tells the show’s primary story. The story takes place in the world of Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note and uses it to eliminate the world of criminals, and the search is conducted by L and the Task Force to capture the culprit. The arc runs through the first 25 seasons of the animated series.
- Death Note: Relight: After you’ve watched the Light Yagami arc in the anime series, you can go on to Death Note: Relight, an episode that tells the show’s events from the perspectives of Light Yagami and Ryuk. The special features new scenes and information not present in the original series but focuses on events from the Light Yagami arc.
- Death Note (live-action film): The Death Note live-action movie is an alternate version of the Death Note manga and anime series. The storyline is different, as are some modifications to the characters; however, it is still centered around Death Note and the Death Note and its powers. The film follows the same storyline as the Light Yagami storyline in the animated series.
- Death Note: The Last Name: The Final Name This is the sequel to the live-action film in the series, extending the first film’s storyline. It also introduces some brand new characters, plot twists, and more; however, it is primarily a continuation of what happened in the light Yagami storyline.
The Light Yagami Arc watch order includes taking a look at the Light Yagami arc of the Death Note anime series, then Death Note: Relight, the live-action film, as well as its sequel, Death Note: The Last Name. This order concentrates on the series’ first storyline, which tells the story of Light Yagami and his use of the Death Note to eliminate criminals.
FAQ’s
Is there any other content related to Death Note besides the anime series?
Yes, there are several manga spin-offs, light novels, and live-action adaptations of Death Note. Additionally, there are video games, a TV drama series, and even a musical adaptation.
What is the recommended order for reading/watching the additional Death Note content?
It’s generally recommended to watch the anime series first, as it serves as the core story. After that, you can explore the other media in any order you choose.
How many manga spin-offs are there, and what are they about?
There are three spin-off manga series: Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, Death Note: L Change the World, and Death Note: Light Up the New World. Each focuses on different characters and storylines related to the main series.
Are the live-action adaptations worth watching?
Opinions on the live-action adaptations vary, but many fans enjoy them for their unique interpretations of the Death Note story. There are two Japanese live-action films and one American adaptation.
Are the video games related to the anime series?
Yes, there are several video games based on the Death Note anime, most of which were released exclusively in Japan. They typically follow the same storyline as the anime and allow players to interact with the characters and solve puzzles.
Is it necessary to watch the movies, manga spin-offs, and other media to fully understand Death Note?
No, the anime series provides a complete and satisfying story on its own. However, exploring the additional content can enhance your understanding of the characters and world of Death Note.