Certainly! Here’s a detailed overview of the anime series Death Note (2006–2007), structured with key details at the top, followed by information on voice actors and additional specifics.
🗝️ Key Details
- Title: Death Note
- Original Japanese Title: デスノート (Desu Nōto)
- Release Year: 2006–2007
- Format: Anime Television Series
- Based On: Manga by Tsugumi Ohba (writer) and Takeshi Obata (illustrator)
- Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural
- Production Studio: Madhouse
- Director: Tetsurō Araki
- Series Composition & Scriptwriter: Toshiki Inoue
- Character Design: Masaru Kitao
- Music Composers: Yoshihisa Hirano, Hideki Taniuchi
- Original Network: Nippon TV (Japan)
- International Streaming: Available on various platforms (availability may vary by region)
- Number of Episodes: 37
- Episode Runtime: Approximately 23 minutes
- Original Run: October 3, 2006 – June 26, 2007
🎙️ Voice Cast
Japanese Voice Actors
- Light Yagami: Mamoru Miyano
- L: Kappei Yamaguchi
- Ryuk: Shidō Nakamura
- Misa Amane: Aya Hirano
- Near: Noriko Hidaka
- Mello: Nozomu Sasaki
- Teru Mikami: Masaya Matsukaze
- Soichiro Yagami: Naoya Uchida
- Touta Matsuda: Ryō Naitō
- Shuichi Aizawa: Keiji Fujiwara
- Kanzo Mogi: Kazuya Nakai
- Hideki Ide: Hideo Ishikawa
- Hirokazu Ukita: Hidenobu Kiuchi
- Watari: Kiyoshi Kobayashi
- Kiyomi Takada: Maaya Sakamoto
- Raye Penber: Hideo Ishikawa
- Naomi Misora: Naoko Matsui
- Kyosuke Higuchi: Issei Futamata
- Rem: Kimiko Saitō
- Sachiko Yagami: Ai Satō
- Sayu Yagami: Haruka Kudō
English Voice Actors
- Light Yagami: Brad Swaile
- L: Alessandro Juliani
- Ryuk: Brian Drummond
- Misa Amane: Shannon Chan-Kent
- Near: Cathy Weseluck
- Mello: David Robert Moore
- Teru Mikami: Kirby Morrow
- Soichiro Yagami: Chris Britton
- Touta Matsuda: Vincent Tong
- Shuichi Aizawa: Trevor Devall
- Kanzo Mogi: John Murphy
- Hideki Ide: Brian Dobson
- Hirokazu Ukita: Jeremy From
- Watari: French Tickner, Ron Halder
- Kiyomi Takada: Heather Doerksen
- Raye Penber: Michael Adamthwaite
- Naomi Misora: Tabitha St. Germain
- Kyosuke Higuchi: Andrew Kavadas
- Rem: Colleen Wheeler
- Sachiko Yagami: Saffron Henderson
- Sayu Yagami: Kelly Metzger, Kristie Marsde
📖 Synopsis
Death Note follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious notebook known as the “Death Note.” This supernatural book grants its user the ability to kill anyone whose name is written within its pages, provided the writer has the person’s face in mind. Disillusioned by the state of the world, Light adopts the alias “Kira” and embarks on a mission to eliminate criminals and establish a utopian society under his rule.
As Kira’s actions garner global attention, a reclusive and enigmatic detective known only as “L” is tasked with uncovering Kira’s identity and bringing him to justice. What ensues is a high-stakes psychological battle between two geniuses, each determined to outwit the other.
🎵 Music
- Opening Themes:
- “The World” by Nightmare (Episodes 1–19)
- “What’s Up, People?!” by Maximum the Hormone (Episodes 20–37)
- Ending Themes:
- “Alumina” by Nightmare (Episodes 1–19)
- “Zetsubō Billy” by Maximum the Hormone (Episodes 20–36)
- Final Episode Ending Theme:
- “Coda ~ Death Note” by Yoshihisa Hirano
- Insert Songs:
- “Misa’s Song” performed by Aya Hirano (Episode 25)
The music complements the series’ dark and suspenseful atmosphere, enhancing the psychological tension and emotional depth of the narrative.
🏆 Reception and Impact
Death Note has been acclaimed for its intricate plot, moral ambiguity, and complex character dynamics. The series delves into themes of justice, power, and the consequences of absolute authority. Its exploration of ethical dilemmas and the psychological cat-and-mouse game between Light and L have captivated audiences worldwide.
The anime’s success led to various adaptations, including live-action films, novels, and a musical. It remains a seminal work in the anime genre, influencing numerous subsequent series and discussions on morality and justice.
📺 Additional Information
- IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
- Available On: Various streaming platforms (availability may vary by region)
- Home Video Releases: The series has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, featuring both English dubbed and Japanese audio with subtitles.
- Specials:
- Death Note: Relight 1 – Visions of a God (2007): A condensed retelling of the series from Ryuk’s perspective.
- Death Note: Relight 2 – L’s Successors (2008): A summary of the latter part of the series, focusing on Near and Mello’s pursuit of Kira.
Death Note stands as a masterclass in storytelling, blending supernatural elements with profound psychological and ethical questions. Its enduring popularity and critical acclaim underscore its significance in the world of anime and beyond.
