Someone who has been following anime for years, I can tell you this: Death Note is one of those rare series that stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s a masterpiece of suspense, strategy, and psychological warfare. The way the story unfolds between Light Yagami and the brilliant detective L keeps you on edge from start to finish, making every episode feel intense and meaningful.
For new fans, however, figuring out the best way to watch Death Note can be confusing. Apart from the main anime, there are recap episodes, OVAs, and even live-action movies, each offering a slightly different take on the story. Watching them all at once can be overwhelming and may even spoil some surprises.
Having experienced everything myself, I can tell you that the best way to enjoy Death Note is to start with the original anime, which is 37 episodes long, and only explore the specials or movies after completing it. This ensures you get the full impact of the story, the clever mind games, and the emotional moments without losing the suspense.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the correct watch order and essential content, so you can enjoy Death Note the way it was meant to be experienced.
1. Start With the Original Anime (2006 – 37 Episodes)
No matter what anyone says, the anime is where you should begin. The story of Light Yagami, a high school prodigy who discovers the Death Note, and his intellectual battle against the legendary detective L, is told in its purest form here.
If you’re serious about experiencing Death Note, there’s no shortcut. Watch all 37 episodes. Every single one builds up to the payoff, and skipping anything would just ruin the experience.
2. Death Note: Relight 1 – Visions of a God (2007)
After you’ve finished the anime, you’ll come across this TV special. It’s basically a retelling of the first half of the anime from Ryuk’s perspective.
Do you need it? Not really. But as a fan, I enjoyed it because it gave me a different angle on the story. If you just want a quick refresher, this is where it shines.
3. Death Note: Relight 2 – L’s Successors (2008)
This one recaps the later part of the series, focusing on Near and Mello. Again, optional. I only recommend it for fans who want to revisit the second half without watching every single episode again.
4. Death Note Live-Action Movies & Drama (Optional Content)
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Japan produced multiple live-action adaptations of Death Note. As someone who’s seen them all, let me be clear: they’re fun, but they’re not essential.
The movies change certain plot points and characters, which makes them feel more like “alternate universe” versions of the story. If you’re a hardcore fan like me, you’ll enjoy seeing the different takes. If you’re new, stick to the anime first.
My Recommended Watch Order
Here’s the order I’d suggest, based on my own experience as an anime fan who has rewatched Death Note multiple times:
- Death Note (2006 Anime – 37 Episodes)
- Relight 1 – Visions of a God (optional)
- Relight 2 – L’s Successors (optional)
- Live-Action Movies & Drama (optional extras)
👉 “If you’re also a fan of time-travel and gang wars, check out our complete Tokyo Revengers Watch Order guide to watch the series in the right sequence.”
Final Thoughts
I still remember the first time I watched Death Note. The tension, the mind games, and the constant “what if” questions kept me hooked till the very end. Even after finishing it, I couldn’t stop thinking about the choices Light and L made.
That’s why I always recommend watching the full anime first. Specials and live-actions are fun side dishes, but the main course—the true experience—is the anime itself.
If you follow this order, you’ll understand why Death Note isn’t just an anime—it’s a cultural phenomenon that shaped the way many people, including myself, view the medium.
