Every Version of Death Note Ranked: Which One Is the Best?

Death Note is one of the most iconic and influential anime and manga series of all time. Written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, this psychological thriller has captivated fans worldwide with its intense storytelling, complex characters, and moral dilemmas. Over the years, the story of Light Yagami and his deadly notebook has been adapted into multiple formats, including an anime series, live-action films, TV dramas, and even a Hollywood adaptation.

Each version brings something unique to the table, but not all of them have been well-received. While some adaptations have been praised for their faithfulness to the original manga, others have been criticized for drastic changes that altered the essence of the story. But which version of Death Note is truly the best?

In this article, we will rank every major adaptation of Death Note, considering factors like faithfulness to the source material, production quality, and fan reception. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer looking for the best way to experience the story, this ranking will help you decide which version is worth watching—and which ones are better left forgotten.

The Original Manga

The Death Note manga, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, is where everything began. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2006, the story follows Light Yagami, a highly intelligent high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone by simply writing their name in it. With a strong sense of justice and a desire to create a perfect world, Light takes on the identity of Kira, eliminating criminals while being pursued by the world’s greatest detective, L.

This manga laid the foundation for all Death Note adaptations. It introduced the series' dark themes, psychological battles, and ethical dilemmas, which set it apart from typical shonen stories. The art style by Takeshi Obata further enhanced the narrative, using detailed character expressions and dramatic panel layouts to heighten the tension in every confrontation.

One of the manga’s greatest strengths is its intricate storytelling. The plot is full of mind games, strategic battles, and unexpected twists, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The character development is another highlight—both Light and L are complex, morally ambiguous figures whose intense rivalry is the heart of the series.

Even years after its conclusion, the Death Note manga remains a must-read for fans of thrillers and psychological dramas. Its influence on the anime industry and pop culture is undeniable, inspiring multiple adaptations and even real-world debates on justice, power, and morality.

The Anime Series

The Death Note anime, produced by Madhouse and directed by Tetsurō Araki, is widely regarded as one of the best anime adaptations of a manga. Airing from 2006 to 2007, the series brought the intense psychological battles of Light and L to life with stunning animation, an unforgettable soundtrack, and top-tier voice acting.

One of the anime’s biggest strengths is its faithfulness to the manga. Most of the original story remains intact, preserving the mind games, suspense, and ethical dilemmas that made the manga so compelling. The animation quality is excellent, with Madhouse using dynamic camera angles, dramatic lighting, and intense facial expressions to heighten the tension in key moments. Light’s infamous “Just as planned” scene and L’s unique mannerisms are just a few examples of how well the anime captures the essence of the characters.

The soundtrack, composed by Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi, plays a huge role in elevating the anime’s atmosphere. Tracks like L’s Theme and Low of Solipsism perfectly capture the tension and psychological warfare between Light and L. The opening and ending themes, especially The World by Nightmare, became instantly iconic among anime fans.

Despite its faithfulness, the anime does make some notable changes. The pacing is slightly faster, some monologues and inner thoughts from the manga are removed, and a few minor plot points are altered for a smoother adaptation. The biggest controversy among fans is how the anime visually presents the second half of the story, with some believing that it lacks the same intensity as the first half.

Regardless of these differences, the anime played a massive role in making Death Note an international phenomenon. It introduced a new generation of anime fans to darker, more mature storytelling and remains a gateway anime for many newcomers. The English dub, featuring performances by Brad Swaile (Light) and Alessandro Juliani (L), was also highly praised, making the series accessible to a global audience.

Even today, the Death Note anime is considered a must-watch for both anime veterans and newcomers alike. Its tight storytelling, incredible soundtrack, and unforgettable characters cemented its place as one of the greatest anime of all time.

Japanese Live-Action Films (2006-2008)

The Japanese live-action films were the first attempts to bring Death Note into a live-action format, starting with Death Note (2006), followed by Death Note: The Last Name (2006), and the spin-off film L: Change the World (2008). These movies offered a different take on the original story while maintaining the core conflict between Light Yagami and L.

One of the most notable aspects of these films is their strong performances, particularly Ken’ichi Matsuyama as L. His portrayal of the eccentric detective was widely praised for capturing L’s mannerisms, intelligence, and quirky behavior. Tatsuya Fujiwara, who played Light, delivered a solid performance, though some fans felt his portrayal was more intense and less subtle compared to the anime and manga versions.

While the first two movies closely follow the manga’s main storyline, they introduce some major changes, especially in how the story ends. The films condense a complex, multi-layered plot into a shorter runtime, which means some characters and subplots are either removed or altered. Despite these changes, the movies still manage to capture the core themes of power, justice, and morality that define Death Note.

The spin-off film, L: Change the World, takes a completely different approach, focusing on L solving a bioterrorism case rather than dealing with the Death Note itself. While Ken’ichi Matsuyama’s performance remained a highlight, the movie was criticized for straying too far from the original story and lacking the intellectual duels that made Death Note famous.

Overall, the Japanese live-action films received mixed to positive reviews. Fans appreciated their faithful atmosphere and strong performances, but some felt that the condensed storytelling weakened the impact. Regardless, these films remain a significant part of Death Note’s legacy, especially for those curious to see a different take on the story.

Death Note (2015) – Japanese TV Drama

The 2015 Japanese TV drama adaptation of Death Note took a very different approach compared to the anime, manga, and previous live-action films. While it still follows the core battle of wits between Light Yagami and L, it makes several significant changes to the storyline and character portrayals.

One of the biggest differences is Light’s personality. Unlike his cold and calculating manga counterpart, this version of Light is more timid and hesitant, making his transformation into Kira feel less natural. Some fans found this change less compelling, as it removes much of the intellectual intensity that defines Light’s character. On the other hand, L’s portrayal (played by Kento Yamazaki) stays closer to the original, keeping his quirky mannerisms and sharp intellect intact.

The drama also introduces new story elements, including a modified version of Near, who appears earlier in the plot. The pacing is slower, allowing for more focus on character development, but some viewers felt this made the show less thrilling compared to the anime or films.

Overall, the fan reception was mixed. While some appreciated the fresh take on the story, others felt that the changes made the adaptation less engaging. It remains an interesting watch, but it doesn’t reach the same level of impact as other versions of Death Note.

Death Note: Light Up the New World (2016)

Released in 2016, Death Note: Light Up the New World is a direct sequel to the Japanese live-action films (2006-2008). Set 10 years after the events of the original movies, the film introduces a new conflict centered around the arrival of six Death Notes in the human world, leading to a global crisis.

Unlike previous adaptations, this movie does not feature Light Yagami or L as main characters. Instead, it introduces Ryuzaki, a supposed successor to L, and new antagonists who aim to revive Kira’s ideology. While the concept of multiple Death Notes could have added an interesting layer to the story, some fans felt that the new characters lacked depth, making the plot less compelling compared to the original films.

Visually, the movie delivers decent cinematography and special effects, particularly in the Shinigami designs. However, the storyline received mixed reviews, with some praising its attempt to expand the Death Note universe, while others criticized it for failing to capture the intensity and depth of the original.

Overall, Light Up the New World is an interesting but divisive sequel. It offers a new perspective on the Death Note universe but struggles to match the brilliance of its predecessors.

Death Note (2017) – Netflix Adaptation

The 2017 Netflix adaptation of Death Note, directed by Adam Wingard, is arguably the most controversial version of the franchise. Unlike previous adaptations, this film takes significant creative liberties, completely reimagining the story and characters to fit a Western setting. While the attempt to bring Death Note to a new audience was ambitious, it ultimately failed to capture the essence of the original.

One of the biggest criticisms of the film is Light Turner (played by Nat Wolff). Unlike the calculating and manipulative Light Yagami from the manga and anime, this version of Light is emotionally driven, reckless, and lacks the intelligence that defines his character. His relationship with Mia Sutton (a reimagined version of Misa Amane) also shifts the focus of the story, making it feel more like a teen drama rather than a psychological thriller.

Another major change was L (played by Lakeith Stanfield). While his performance was praised, some fans felt that this version of L lacked the same level of strategic genius seen in the original. The movie also introduces several new plot points, such as L losing control emotionally, which felt out of character for many fans.

In terms of visuals and pacing, the film had a rushed storyline, attempting to condense a complex and psychological narrative into just 100 minutes. This led to underdeveloped characters, lack of tension, and an unsatisfying climax. Even the iconic cat-and-mouse game between Light and L was oversimplified, removing the intellectual battle that made Death Note so compelling.

One of the few highlights of the film was Willem Dafoe’s performance as Ryuk. His voice acting captured the sinister and playful nature of the Shinigami perfectly. However, his limited screen time and the CGI-heavy design left fans wanting more.

Due to these major changes and questionable creative decisions, the Netflix adaptation received overwhelmingly negative reviews from both fans and critics. Many consider it the worst version of Death Note, as it stripped away the original’s philosophical depth and intellectual battles in favor of a generic Hollywood thriller.

Ultimately, this adaptation serves as a cautionary tale about how not to handle beloved anime properties. While it may work as a standalone film, it fails to represent what made Death Note a masterpiece in the first place.

Final Ranking: The Best and Worst Versions of Death Note

After analyzing every major adaptation of Death Note, it's time to rank them from best to worst based on faithfulness to the original manga, storytelling, and overall impact.

1. The Anime (2006-2007) – The most faithful and widely praised adaptation, featuring high-quality animation, an intense psychological battle, and an unforgettable soundtrack.

2. The Original Manga – The foundation of the franchise, delivering the most complete and detailed version of the story.

3. Japanese Live-Action Films (2006-2008) – A solid adaptation with some story changes, but still retains the core themes and tension of Death Note.

4. Death Note: Light Up the New World (2016) – An ambitious sequel that expands the Death Note universe but lacks strong characters and an engaging plot.

5. Death Note (2015) – Japanese TV Drama – A unique take with major character changes, making it a divisive adaptation among fans.

6. Death Note (2017) – Netflix Adaptation – The worst version, heavily criticized for weak character development, unnecessary changes, and a lack of psychological depth.

For newcomers, the anime and manga are the best ways to experience Death Note. If you’re curious about live-action adaptations, the Japanese films are worth watching. However, if you value faithfulness to the source material, it’s best to avoid the Netflix adaptation altogether.

Conclusion

Death Note has seen multiple adaptations, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. While the anime remains the most faithful and critically acclaimed version, the original manga is the definitive way to experience the story. The Japanese live-action films offer a decent take, but later adaptations, especially the Netflix version, failed to capture the essence of the series.

For those new to Death Note, the anime or manga are the best starting points. While some adaptations may appeal to different audiences, only a few truly honor the brilliance of the original story.

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