Anime likeDeath Notedo not come around often; if they did, Madhouse’s adaptation of Tsugumi Ohba’s manga might have faded out of the public consciousness a long time ago. Yet,Death Notehas persevered as a definitive gateway anime, one that is still as beloved today as it was in the mid-2000s.
While the anime is the most well-known version, Light and L have graced a few mediums, to mixed results. 2006’s two Japanese live-action movies are quite good and well worth a watch for fans of either the manga or anime. 2008’sL: Change the Worldis an unnecessary continuation that falls fairly flat but holds some appeal. The 2015 J-drama takes plenty of creative liberties, which helps justify its existence as an alternate reality version that takes Light and L in different directions. 2016’sDeath Note: Light Up the New Worldis a decent belated sequel to the original live-action duology. Meanwhile, 2017’s AmericanDeath Noteis a glorious mess that should inspire rage, confusion, and hilarity in equal measure.
Basically, there is plenty ofDeath Notemedia to check out, and that is without going into any supplementary manga or games. However, the franchise is far from limitless, and, eventually, fans will need to look elsewhere to get their fill of mind games and global terrorism. Let’s highlight a fewanime similar toDeath Note.
Updated on June 26, 2025 by Mark Sammut:TheWinter 2025 anime seasonis underway, and the lineup does not particularly contain any shows like Death Note. Still, anyone craving stories that might scratch a similar itch should check out the following anime:
A 2024 isekai anime has also been added as a recommendation.
Veteran watchers of anime will stand by the visual storytelling thatCode Geassoffers. Alternate timelines come into play as fans follow the exploits of Lelouch Lamperouge. A student of the Holy Britannian Empire, which has taken over Japan, Lelouch is handed Geass, also known as the “Power of Kings.” This power forces anyone who speaks to Lelouch to obey his command, no matter how problematic or silly it may be. This, of course, brings in the issue of life or death. A student who is given a power of this enormity may not have the maturity to wield it properly or wisely.
Similar toDeath Note,Code Geassis an all-time classic that touches upon themes of power and corruption, although the latter is far more political than the former.Code Geassis also a mecha animethat leans heavily into action, particularly during the second cour. While quite different in their execution, the two shows' core power will forever link them.
Another awesome animefor beginners,Death Paradebrings a lot to the table. It deals with the philosophical questions that follow the concept of death. In this show’s world, after people die, they do not go into heaven or hell. In fact, they go to a bar that is managed by Decim, a bartender.
The bar acts as a sort of purgatory as Decim plays against the person (or their soul?) in a random game. If the person manages to win, they will get reincarnated. However, if the person loses, their soul will head straight to a void of nothingness, and cease to exist. This is a fascinating concept, and it’s quite intriguing to watch the intricacies of the story play out.
With a rotating cast of participants and an episodic feel,Death Paradeis only loosely similar toDeath Note. However, nearly every episode consists of a life-and-death struggle between two people who are desperate for salvation, all framed through the guide of games.
Another Madhouse production,Kaijiis in some ways the inverse ofDeath Note. While the latter focuses on extraordinary people engaging in battles of wit, the former takes an average Joe and places him in high-stakes gambling situations.Kaijiis intense and unpredictable. The eponymous character finds himself in debt and accepts an invitation to take part in a series of gambles to try and wipe the slate. Freedom is not guaranteed.
While on a smaller scale,Kaijiis just as much about mind games asDeath Note. Both shows are psychological thrillers overflowing with suspense, memorable characters, and crowd-pleasing (or angering) moments.
Classroom of the Elitecenters around an academy filled with Japan’s finest students, all of whom are split up depending on their potential. Assigned to Class D with the other underperformers and misfits,the unassuming Ayanokoujilargely wants to be left alone, which is easier said than done considering the students are expected to take part in grueling physical and mental tests.
Classroom of the Eliteis all about characters trying to outwit each other, while the protagonist pulls the strings from behind the curtain. While the show’s mind games are nowhere near as deadly as Light’s battles inDeath Note,Classroom of the Elitecan get quite intense at times, even if sometimes it feels like the characters are making a big deal out of nothing.
Monsteris another anime thatplays around with multiple heavy themes. It’s based on a manga by Naoki Urasawa and follows the life of Dr. Kenzo Tenma. Tenma is a neurosurgeon – a genius in his field, and quite successful.
After saving the life of a young boy, Tenma finds out nine years later that the serial killer that has been rampaging the city is actually the boy that he had saved all those years ago. What follows are the ups and downs of Tenma as he tries to make amends for what he considers to be a mistake. It brings in questions of ethics, morality, life, death, and consequences.
Can you put a price on friendship?Tomodachi Gameseeks to answer this question when five school friends are brought together to compete in an array of games to clear a shared debt. In the open, they agree to work together; however, if someone is willing to betray their companions, they could clear their slate and leave everyone else to the wolves.
Yuuichi Katagiri just wants to do right by his friends, but the teenager might not be as innocent as he pretends to be. The same could be said for everyone else forced to take part in this game.
Death Notesecured Tsugumi Ohba’s legacy as an all-time great mangaka, but it is hardly his only project. While his resume is not huge, the author also worked onBakumanandPlatinum End, two series that lasted for years and produced 30+ volumes combined. Although not as popular asDeath Note, they were success stories in their own right.
Now, in terms of pure content,Platinum Endis a better pick forDeath Notefans, with the story revolving around a battle royale to determine the next god. Candidates have special powers, and there is even a character (Kanade Uryu) who seems inspired by Light. However, both the manga and anime are divisive, to the point of being seen as a low point in Ohba’s career. Still,Platinum Endcan be fun in a “turn off your brain and just don’t think at all” kind of way – just do not go in expecting something on the level ofDeath Note.
Conversely,Bakumanis fantastic. Focusing on two guys who are striving to become mangaka, the story takes a realistic look at this career path, showing its challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Even more than a decade following the show’s conclusion,Bakumanis still the definitive series about manga, and the later seasons even dive into the anime adaptation process. This series is completely different fromDeath Note, but they both showcase Ohba’s talent for fun characters, tension, and even comedy. Honestly, an argument could be made thatBakumanis Ohba’s most consistent manga/anime.
Death Notefocuses on extraordinary people, crafting a battle of wits between two geniuses; conversely,My Home Heroputs an ordinary family in an extraordinary situation, challenging them to rise to the occasion. Tetsuo is a fairly typical father who has a strained relationship with his daughter. While he is somewhat seen as spineless, he proves to be anything but when he accidentally hears his daughter’s boyfriend talk about abusing her. Tetsuo kills him, and the murder becomes even more complicated when it is revealed that the deceased is the son of a made man.
My Home Herofollows Tetsuo and his wife as they try to get out of a sticky situation. If they want to survive, they will need to outwit a few different characters who all have blood on their hands. Moving at a blistering pace and prioritizing cliffhangers and twists above everything else,My Home Herois a fun one-cour show.
Another anime about a teenager who is granted an extremely powerful book,The Future Diaryfollows Yukiteru Amano as he enters a battle royale to determine a new god. Also taking part in this contest are various other intelligent and dangerous individuals, including a girl who has a rather unsettling fixation on Yuki.
The Future Diaryis a thrill ride from beginning to end, all centered around a twisted relationship that is not as one-sided as Light and Misa’s dynamic inDeath Note. Yuki’s personality is far removed from Light’s, with the former teenager being far more insecure and hesitant to indulge in morally gray acts.
InSteins; Gate,Rintaro Okabe is a college student whose favorite task is to discuss conspiracy theories. He’s a college student who also considers himself to be a genius. Okabe shares his main interest with a few others from his college, who love talking and discussing scientific theories such as time traveling and multiverses.
This anime is alsoquite psychologicaland philosophical, as it delves deep into the curious nature of human beings, and the mysterious state of the universe itself. Watch this one for complex scientific theories and masterful writing.
