Death Note does have several shocking and amazing episodes, they are a few episodes that made us all go WTF! How is this possible?
It can be difficult or perhaps impossible to rank an entire TV series based on individual episodes alone. Most anime tracking websites, however, offer some form of rating or voting service, from which aggregate rankings can be derived.
Best Death Note Show Episodes Ranked
15. Renewal: Episode 26
A full recap of the series up to this point. While Mello and Near mourn the loss of their successor the real L, Light is promoted to the letter L.
While the Kira murder montage has gotten stale by this time in the series, it is still beautifully animated and expertly handled, making it the best compilation of the series.
In sum, it’s just a clip show dressed up to look like an episode. This episode stands out like a sore thumb in this age of instantaneous series rewatching thanks to the Internet.
If you want you can skip the 10-15min of the episode, if you are binge-watching.
14. Unraveling: Episode 6
L makes his first in-person introduction to the Japanese police. To tell L about Kira, Naomi Misora, who is hunting for Light, happens to cross paths with him. Light Yagami, being Light, had already made up his mind to murder her by writing her name down in the notebook.
The most enjoyable part was, well, observing L’s interactions with other individuals and how he played the fox game to get her real name out.
13. Friend: Episode 14
To prevent Light from killing Misa, Rem threatens to end Light Yagami’s life if he so much as touches the girl. L continues his inquiry, but he may be running out of time because Rem has offered to kill him.
The best part is when Light realizes that L is going to die and he feels both pleased and slightly relaxed.
Both Light and the viewers find Misa Amane annoying. But the last cliffhanger is pure gold, as is Light’s manipulation of her. This episode drives home the point that Light is the world’s worst jerk and will resort to whatever means necessary to achieve his goals.
12. Confession: Episode 13
The police and Light investigate the identity of the second Kira. Unfortunately, Misa’s shinigami eyes allow her to figure out that Light is actually Kira, which is a handy development for the plot. She eventually locates him and approaches him with an invitation to tag along.
“Confession” is the best of the three episodes in this Misa trilogy. Limiting Misa’s on-screen presence is a smart move that helps maintain a healthy balance between Light and L moments.
The relationship between Light and Misa is important to the story, and their chat does a fantastic job of setting the stage for their future interactions.
11. Selection: Episode 32
The newest Kira, Mikami, is introduced in detail. This man worships Kira because he has never outgrown his childish conception of justice. When Light spotted him on TV, he immediately knew he was the one.
Takada is selected by Mikami to be Kira’s new spokesperson. Light talks to Takada, and by extension, Mikami. Mello appears to remind everyone he is real.
In a nutshell, Mikami is one of my favorite people. He joins the cast late but is a great addition. He’s like Light, but without all the cold calculation. His tragic history provides the episode’s emotional anchor, while his maniacal enthusiasm propels the plot forward.
Takada, as usual, drains the episode of its energy, yet she can’t derail the show entirely.
10. Ally: Episode 18
L and Light are cuffed together. Kira commands the respect of politicians, and the group is left to fend for itself. Since this happens, Aizawa decides to quit and ends up crying in the park.
The best part is the fistfight between L and Light, which, like the tennis match, is a ridiculous indulgence that gives the episode a much-needed shot at life.
In addition, L’s spinning kick is incredible.
This episode inaugurates the second act of the series. According to that metric, it was a successful adventure. The new plot is introduced, the characters adapt to their new circumstances, and the show’s forward motion is (largely) maintained.
9. Encounter: Episode 9
A first encounter between L and Light. There’s a spinoff show right there: L takes the college entrance exams and ends up sharing valedictorian honors with Light.
The revelation that he is, in fact, L sets off an intense internal dialogue within Light. In order to really sink the knife into L’s back, Light chooses to get up close and personal.
8. Matsuda: Episode 19
Matsuda, realizing how helpless he is, makes a conscious decision to change things. He tries to sneak through the Yotsuba Group headquarters but is quickly detected. He plays dumb and fakes his own death with L’s assistance so that the Group won’t have to kill him.
Matsuda’s drunken antics, which culminate in him tumbling onto a mattress from a balcony, are hilariously over the top and the highlight of the film.
The series never quite managed to make him charmingly worthless. This episode comes close, though. This episode is unexpectedly entertaining because to Matsuda, who is never more focused and competent than he is here (until in the finale).
It’s a nice change of pace from the series’ more serious episodes, and it’s breezy and light (for this series).
7. Decision: Episode 16
Light “confesses” that he could be Kira in his subconscious and agrees to be locked up and watched. Because his father is the most devoted dad in all of anime, he follows him. As a result of giving up his death note, Light has forgotten who he was before—Kira. When the Kira killings resume, L is even more confused.
The best part is that seeing Light go from cold-blooded sociopath to bewildered animal is actually unexpected and raises the stakes.
Light’s metamorphosis is a fascinating plot point. How the suicide note may have corrupted him, his morality, and other fascinating philosophical concerns arise as a result of his altered manner. The show is continually interesting because of these questions.
6. Pursuit: Episode 4
In the episode “Dealings,” Light turns down Ryuk’s gift of shinigami eyes. To get the real identity out of the FBI agent tailing him, he manipulates a criminal into hijacking the bus he rides. Fast and easy.
The best part is the thief’s priceless response upon first sighting Ryuk. The fact that he eventually dies is a fantastic finishing touch.
Light comes up with an idea, puts it into action, and then celebrates with a smug grin as the credits roll. Its effectiveness lies in its seeming ease of use. One of Light’s finest moments is showcased, solidifying his status as an equal to L.
5. Revival: Episode 24
Higuchi is taken into custody by the police, who, upon touching his death note, are granted a glimpse of Rem. When the notebook is exposed to light, all of his evil recollections flood back to him.
Light uses the murder note to kill Higuchi, and then he and Misa meet up again to devise a plan to eventually eliminate L.
Light’s eyes light up as a montage of old clips plays when he touches the notebook. Exciting prospects for reviving the original source of illumination.
After the high-octane “Frenzy,” this episode slows down, if marginally. The risen Light is beautiful to behold, yet his renewed viciousness makes it plain that L’s time is running out.
4. Wager: Episode 15
If L dies within the next few days, he explains, it proves that Light is Kira.
On college, L and Light cross paths with Misa. Light is overjoyed since L’s true name has been revealed to Misa’s shinigami eyes. L prevents her from killing him by having her jailed and tortured on the suspicion that she is the second Kira. As L gloats, Light sulks.
The best part is how the visual of Light and L fighting on the roofs amplifies the tension without becoming too farcical.
As a result, it’s possible that this episode represents L’s greatest triumph over Light to date. Until L comes along, Light’s life is going swimmingly. The episode is electrifying because of the ongoing debate.
3. Silence: Episode 25
Light’s memory has returned, and he’s prepared to get back to his murderous side project. But first, he must get rid of L. He manages to persuade Rem that L would put Misa in jail. As a result of her feelings for Misa, Rem ends up killing L, which also kills her. In the darkest finale yet, Light celebrates over L’s body.
The final exchange between L and Light is surprisingly moving for such a bleak show. Light’s grin as L bleeds to death, on the other hand, is just damn.
Again, he continues forward despite knowing his time is limited, and this episode is no different. Beautiful animation is paired with a shocking narrative for L that only adds to the tragedy of his demise. The episode was sad and introspective, and it almost reached the level of poetry. If we’re being completely objective, this is easily the best episode of the whole thing.
2. Execution: Episode 17
L has decided to release Light and Misa to…Hell, after keeping them captive for so long. He blackmails Light’s father into a gang like-style execution of Light and Misa.
Because Kira would kill Light’s father if he tried to shoot them, L was conducting a test to determine if Light or Misa was Kira. L is still skeptical, so he invites Light to join the inquiry at their cutting-edge headquarters. Yotsuba Group, meanwhile, figures out that one of their own is indeed Kira.
The most exciting part is the chillingly suspenseful execution scene. A standout in the series.
Ultimately, this is a fantastic episode. This episode was easily the best thriller of the series. The rising tension climaxes in a stunningly animated release.
Light and L’s rearranged connection and the introduction of the Yotsuba Group as the series’ new antagonists are the cherry on top.
1. Rebirth: Episode 1
This is where the whole series began. High schooler Light Yagami discovers the Death Note, a book that grants the reader the power to kill anybody they choose. As Light travels through the afterlife, he encounters Ryuk, a shinigami destined to be at his side till the end. After reading the book, Light has a moment of uncertainty but ultimately decides to become the new world’s god by murdering criminals (as you do).
The best part is when Light first introduces himself and gives a terrifying speech on his vision for the future of the world.
