Across its 12 volumes, the Death Note manga spans 108 chapters. The manga’s prologue is included in the “13th” book, titled “How to Read,” which also includes character profiles, story summaries, interviews, and concept art.
Complete Volume Order List of Death Note Manga
From December 2003 until May 2006, Shueisha’s Death Note ran in the 108-chapter Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. A total of twelve volumes covering the complete series have been released in Japan.
Volume 1- Boredom (Taikutsu)
There are seven sections in this book. Those around you may exhibit their worst traits due to boredom. After discovering the mysterious Death Note, Light Yagami vows to put his newfound abilities to the test on the “scum of the earth.”
His father is the chief of the national police, therefore he gains access to his files and finds out who the most wanted and horrible offenders are. Light chooses to put the Death Note to the test, and as he does so, his skill with it grows.
With this newfound information at his disposal, he can stay one step ahead of the law enforcement at all times. The problem is that he quickly discovers that someone is secretly following him. Now he has to put up with opponents he rarely sees.
Volume 2- Confluence (Gouryuu)
Having eliminated the majority of the FBI agents who had been following him, Light is hopeful that he will soon be released from the case’s bloodhounds. A complication arose, however, because one of the agents had a fiancé who had formerly served in the FBI. They may be able to use the knowledge she has to bring Light to justice. L also makes his debut, pledging his allegiance to the task group led by his own father that has been tasked with tracking him down. What if Light were to get caught anyway?
Volume 3- Hard Run (Gekisou)
Light manages to keep working while being the target of dozens of bugs and covert cameras. In fact, he ramps up his efforts, but a family crisis puts a halt to the war of wits. However, the Death Note isn’t being used by Light; someone else is. Can we guess who the newest Kira might be?
Volume 4- Love (Koigokoro)
L, still sceptical, approaches Light about joining the task group to help track down the other Kira. L, who is intended to masquerade as Kira in order to draw out the imposter, is secretly hoping to catch Light off guard in this operation. However, Light accepts the assignment so that he may have greater access to law enforcement resources. When he finally meets up with the other Kira, he learns that they aren’t who they seemed.
Volume 5- Whiteout (Hakushi)
Light is forced to spend a week in close quarters with Ryuk, and the experience brings him to the brink of abandoning the Death Note and the memories it holds. Light truly believes he is innocent and is being kept for no good cause. While L acknowledges that there have been no further examples of unexplained deaths since he was imprisoned, he remains suspicious of the man. However, Kira’s criminal activities will soon resume across Japan.
However, the new Kira isn’t concerned with bettering the world; they only worry about making money. A new phase of the conflict begins as the new Kira pursues wealth and corporate dominance.
Volume 6- Give And Take (Koukan)
Despite the abundance of evidence suggesting that one of the seven Yotsuba Group members is the new Kira, Light, L, and the rest of the task force have yet to determine which one. L enlists Misa’s assistance in going undercover and feeding the new Kira false information in an effort to force them to reveal themselves.
In any case, Misa learns the new Kira’s true identity from The Shinigami, Rem, and is more than eager to do whatever it takes to defend Light. Whereas, what about the letter L?
Volume 7- Zero
The new Kira has been captured by Light and the task force, and Light has therefore reclaimed the Death Note and his memories. This also exposes the meticulous and well-thought-out preparations he made before going to jail. After skillfully manipulating both humans and Shinigamis, he is now in a very favourable position. But a new enemy has sprung from the ashes of his defeat, forcing him to wage war on two fronts at once.
Volume 8- Target (Mato)
Now that Light is part of the NPA intelligence department, he is very close to realising the utopian vision he has been nurturing for so long. But after years of uninterrupted success, he’s grown comfortable and unprepared for the surprise onslaught that’s coming—and it’s coming against his family.
Due to the kidnapping of his sister, Sayu, Light is compelled to go halfway around the world to battle two villains with vastly different goals. Light must make what could be the most difficult choice of his life in order to save Sayu and the Death Note from the NPA.
Volume 9- Contact (Sesshoku)
After always feeling secure in his own intelligence, Light is disappointed to see that L’s proteges are far more capable than he had anticipated. Both Near and Mello are currently working to expose Kira within the task force. Keeping three identities straight while fighting off fresh foes without making a mistake that might expose him is like being ground between three wheels at once.
Volume 10- Deletion (Sakujo)
For Light to escape, he must hand over the Death Note, which Near is using openly to turn the whole task force against him. This time, though, he picks a follower from among his most devoted fans to be his pupil.
Since he cannot get in touch with them, he must trust that the replacement will continue Kira’s work ethic. Will this change bring him closer to the perfect world for which he has been striving?
Volume 11- Kindred Spirits (Doushin)
Since Near flew all the way to Japan to surprise Kira at his own house, Light has been under a lot of pressure. Even though Near knows that Light is Kira, he doesn’t want his uncertainty to prevent him from inheriting L’s throne. Over time, his mission shifts from simply stopping Kira to identifying and eliminating Light as the true mastermind behind the Death Note killings.
Light is prepared for the last battle, but he may not make it due to the stress of his obligations to his fiancee and his disciple.
Volume 12- Finis (Kan)
The last manhunt has begun, and one by one, Light is eliminating everyone involved in the catastrophe. When Near finds him, he desperately begs Ryuk to save him, but Ryuk betrays him to retrieve his note, and Light dies.
