How to watch Death Note
Death Note is a tight, 37-episode psychological thriller with absolutely zero filler. Every episode pushes the cat-and-mouse game between Light Yagami and L forward. Watch from episode 1 straight through to 37 without skipping anything. The story is divided into two major halves — the L arc (episodes 1-25) and the Near/Mello arc (episodes 26-37). While some fans feel the second half is less compelling than the first, all episodes are canon and essential to the story. At approximately 12 hours total, Death Note is one of the most efficient watches in anime and serves as a perfect entry point for new viewers. The live-action movies and Netflix adaptation are separate from the anime and not required viewing.