Death Note

Genre:  Anime, Drama, Live action, Mystery, Shounen, Supernatural, Tragedy

Were you awed by the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeffrey Archer, Agatha Christie, Perry Mason by Erle Stanley Gardener, etc at any point of your lives by the way they write mystery novels? Have you liked shows like Criminal minds, CSI, Castle, White Collar, etc? If yes, then you need to watch this. The first anime column introduces you to the most amazing anime of all times, Death Note!!

Death Note, originally a manga written by Ohba Tsugumi was made into an anime in the year 2006 with 37 episodes. It is based on Light Yagami, an ace student whose life changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a Shinigami death god  in the real world. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to render justice and create an ideal world free of evil. When criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. Light represents himself as Kira (not revealing his true identity) when L instigates him to appear. The anime revolves around how L confronts kira and the Tom and Jerry chase between Kira and L.  Will L be successful in catching Kira? Will Light be able to create his ideal world or end up losing his life? Whose notion of justice will prevail, L or Light’s?

The series is completely gripping and is a treat to all suspense lovers. Unlike most of the animes, this one raises certain questions of morality. Will you commit murder if you had the power to kill someone anytime, anywhere without anyone knowing it’s you? Is the life of a criminal nothing? Do all wrong doer’s need to die? Can WE decide whose life is worth and whose isn’t? It is therefore, a very deep and thought provoking anime.

One of the finest animes to date, the psychological mind games between L and Light keep you on the edge of your seat. The author of Death Note definitely deserves a bow for all the unfathomable twists and turns. Overall, it is a must watch. 

- Anusha Moturi