one of the newest, most popular and up-and-coming animes I've ever seen. it's not like most traditional animes that focus on fighting, evolving, building up power, or involving some kind of giant
mech machine. No, Death Note is a story of a brilliant boy named Light who finds a supernatural note book dropped deliberately by a bored
Death god (
Ryuk). The note has the ability to kill anybody whose name is written in it. Furthermore, the time of death,
cause of death, and events leading up to the death can all be manipulated simply by writing it down. Light chooses to use this amazing
notebook to "judge" the world. He begins executing criminals and believes justice is on his side. He figures soon all crime will cease altogether and he will rule this world as its "God". Unfortunately for Light, the police are trying to solve
the mystery of the strange deaths that are killing off all convicted criminals. Having no major leads, they
call in "L", a super detective whom rarely anyone has met. He has never failed a case, and is incredibly smart. By this time, the world has branded the person believed responsible for criminal deaths as "
Kira" meaning "killer". Soon enough, a battle of
wits ensues between Kira and L. L is trying to find out who Kira is. Light is trying to find out who L is,
and what's his name. Whoever obtains their goal first wins, and the loser faces the penalty of death.
I strongly recommend this anime. It's different, suspenseful, dark, and more suited for teens not children. It's already been made into two movies. and a third is on the way, based on the character "L".
Example:
Jeff:"Hey man, have you watched Death Note?"
Craig:"No , what the heck is it?"
Jeff:"It's a show about a friggin' notebook that KILLS people!"
Craig:"
Sweeeet."
"L": "Light come out of the bathroom. You've been in there for over an hour."
Light: "Not now. busy. writing in
my death note."
"L": "What was that? Death
whaat?"
Light: "I mean--oh shit."