Finally! After watching this series for almost a year now, (by putting it off for several months at a time,) I've finally finished watching the last episode and all I can say is - WOW. Now I know what most of you are thinking - it must be THAT boring that he put it off for so long, but this past year's been insanely crazy. In all honesty it's anything but boring.
Deathnote is an intriguing psychological suspense-thriller; the first of its kind that I've ever seen (in anime,) and possibly the best of the bunch (if there is a sub-genre in fact.) Right from the beginning, the suspense keeps the anime rolling FAST until about 1/3 to mid-way, then it slows down for a bit, and picks right back up where it left off and goes out with a bang. Yes that is cliche, but its the way I like to describe this series and since it's my review I can say whatever I want!
The plot is what makes the series so interesting. One day a bored shinagami (death-god/angel) drops this notebook called "Deathnote" into the human world just for fun; shortly after, all hell (or heaven according to the wielder of the notebook) breaks loose. The notebook, "Deathnote" gives the holder of the book the power to kill anyone whose name is written down, provided they know the victim's face and full, real name. Enter Yagami Light, a high school student and genius whose fate it was to come across the book. After having learned of the powers of the book, through the instruction and assistance from the shinagami, Light-kun decides that the world, full of corrupt criminals and evil-doers, must be cleansed and purified and that he was chosen to fulfill this task. Using his genius to fulfill his purpose, Light starts eliminating the world's criminals one-by-one. The world comes to fear the iron-justice that is hidden behind the notebook. He will soon be known simply as "Kira." However, there is a party of people out to stop Kira and solve the mystery behind his identity. Just when it seems like Kira is unstoppable there appears one formidable enough to capture Kira and reveal his true identity - the Detective "L." What follows is an intense exchange of genius between the two as both rivals read and predict each others moves. Who will win? Kira or L? Has Kira truly met his match? Will he succeed in creating the new world he seeks? Will Kira ever be caught? Nearly every episode will leave you hanging with these questions until the very end!
This is an intelligent anime that gives the impression of a psychological clash between two super-human thinkers, just like two godly chess players going at it. The exchanges between Kira and L are very engaging and makes the viewer eager to see what happens next. Just how Kira escapes L, and how L responds keeps the pace going pretty well. Without revealing too much however, there is some use of supporting characters that is debatable and even questionable at times, yet somehow their importance plays out eventually so the anime does a decent job of tying up the loose ends. The music is good, a bit repetitive, but suites the mood of the anime pretty well. The characters are likeable, I especially admired Kira and L (how cool would it be if you could think as quickly and sharply as them?)
Despite many months of hiatus from this series, it was very interesting to watch and apparently its got quite a following, seeing as how it spawned at least 2 (maybe 3) live action films! The only criticism I would have of this anime is that it does drag-out a bit at times, and makes you wonder if some things were even necessary, but I guess that can't be helped. All-in-all it was an entertaining watch and I do recommend it for those who are curious to see this type of genre exhibited in an anime.
Story: 9/10
Presentation: 8.5/10
Characters: 8/10
Music: 6.5/10
Value: 8.5/10
Quirks: 5.5/10 (+4.5)
Review: 7.5/10
THE GOOD: Wow. Great story-telling! Psychologically thrilling and suspenseful
THE BAD: The slow moments make it seem all the more so from the otherwise fast pace
THE UGLY: Near, Mellow. Nuff said.
Deathnote is an intriguing psychological suspense-thriller; the first of its kind that I've ever seen (in anime,) and possibly the best of the bunch (if there is a sub-genre in fact.) Right from the beginning, the suspense keeps the anime rolling FAST until about 1/3 to mid-way, then it slows down for a bit, and picks right back up where it left off and goes out with a bang. Yes that is cliche, but its the way I like to describe this series and since it's my review I can say whatever I want!
The plot is what makes the series so interesting. One day a bored shinagami (death-god/angel) drops this notebook called "Deathnote" into the human world just for fun; shortly after, all hell (or heaven according to the wielder of the notebook) breaks loose. The notebook, "Deathnote" gives the holder of the book the power to kill anyone whose name is written down, provided they know the victim's face and full, real name. Enter Yagami Light, a high school student and genius whose fate it was to come across the book. After having learned of the powers of the book, through the instruction and assistance from the shinagami, Light-kun decides that the world, full of corrupt criminals and evil-doers, must be cleansed and purified and that he was chosen to fulfill this task. Using his genius to fulfill his purpose, Light starts eliminating the world's criminals one-by-one. The world comes to fear the iron-justice that is hidden behind the notebook. He will soon be known simply as "Kira." However, there is a party of people out to stop Kira and solve the mystery behind his identity. Just when it seems like Kira is unstoppable there appears one formidable enough to capture Kira and reveal his true identity - the Detective "L." What follows is an intense exchange of genius between the two as both rivals read and predict each others moves. Who will win? Kira or L? Has Kira truly met his match? Will he succeed in creating the new world he seeks? Will Kira ever be caught? Nearly every episode will leave you hanging with these questions until the very end!
This is an intelligent anime that gives the impression of a psychological clash between two super-human thinkers, just like two godly chess players going at it. The exchanges between Kira and L are very engaging and makes the viewer eager to see what happens next. Just how Kira escapes L, and how L responds keeps the pace going pretty well. Without revealing too much however, there is some use of supporting characters that is debatable and even questionable at times, yet somehow their importance plays out eventually so the anime does a decent job of tying up the loose ends. The music is good, a bit repetitive, but suites the mood of the anime pretty well. The characters are likeable, I especially admired Kira and L (how cool would it be if you could think as quickly and sharply as them?)
Despite many months of hiatus from this series, it was very interesting to watch and apparently its got quite a following, seeing as how it spawned at least 2 (maybe 3) live action films! The only criticism I would have of this anime is that it does drag-out a bit at times, and makes you wonder if some things were even necessary, but I guess that can't be helped. All-in-all it was an entertaining watch and I do recommend it for those who are curious to see this type of genre exhibited in an anime.
Story: 9/10
Presentation: 8.5/10
Characters: 8/10
Music: 6.5/10
Value: 8.5/10
Quirks: 5.5/10 (+4.5)
Review: 7.5/10
THE GOOD: Wow. Great story-telling! Psychologically thrilling and suspenseful
THE BAD: The slow moments make it seem all the more so from the otherwise fast pace
THE UGLY: Near, Mellow. Nuff said.
2 comments:
Ooooooh, I LOVE DeathNote. You don't know how long I was walking around calling myself the 2nd Kira online lol
lol yea DN was pretty cool but at the same time a bit slow occassionally. Kira's cool but L was my dude. too bad he... --- (spoiler) ---
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