A World Against Light | Death Note Retrospective
I'm honestly not sure where to start with Death Note, because the series caught me completely off-guard when I started watching it a month or so ago. As chronicled in my Fullmetal Alchemist retrospective back in October, I had re-discovered my love for anime, and was on a quest to start watching more series' that were available on Netflix. I started off with Sword Art Online which held my attention for the first season (a retrospective of that will be written when I finally get round to watch season two), but none of the other shows on Netflix particularly appealed to me.
Chris, a colleague at work, had suggested that I started watching Death Note, as it was the series that sparked his interest in anime. Figuring I had nothing to lose, and seeing the universal praise it'd received on the internet, I decided to buy the boxset of 37 episodes.
I popped the first disc in just before Christmas, and... something didn't click. I'm still not 100% sure what it was, but if I had to have a guess, I'd say the art style may have thrown me off a little. I was used to Fullmetal Alchemist/Sword Art Online style art, very clean, big eyes, vibrant colours. Death Note's style is more of a hardcore, gritty style, which suits the series down to a tee, but coming in blind, I don't think I was in favour of it. I decided my love for the other two shows may have been clouding my judgement, and decided to take a break before jumping back into anime. I knew that when the time came, I could jump back in and get through the series fairly quickly, with there only being 37 episodes and them being only 20 minutes a-piece.
In the first week of January I started watching, and from the first two episodes in, the series has you hook, line and sinker. There's no easing you in, no wasted time or opportunity - the 20 minute time-frame per episode is used to its fullest, and is absolutely masterful storytelling. The pacing never, ever feels rushed, and even though there is a lot to usually take in per episode, Death Note gives itself time to explain everything fully so you never find yourself lost or out of the shuffle. I cannot praise the direction enough, the dark, brooding style is just excellent, and each episode leaves you feeling satisfied, yet wanting to see more.
The story sees our main character, Light Yagami, find himself in possession of a Death Note; if he sees the face of a person and knows their name, he can write the name in the book and the person will die. The Death Note originally belongs to a Ryuk, a Shinigami (a "death God") who then proceeds to follow Light everywhere he goes observing the tale that unfolds, with the catch being that Ryuk can only be seen by a person who touches the Death Note. Light originally decides to start killing off known or suspected criminals in hopes of creating a new world in which he is God. Whether you agree or disagree with his methods is a matter of opinion somewhat, but the series soon encourages you to side with a character name L, a detective who is hot on Light's tail in bringing him to justice.
It's an electric and absorbing tale of cat and mouse, with plenty of plot twists (not just for the sake of it either; each twist makes sense and enhances the story) and curves to throw you off, Death Note soon becomes essential viewing. At one point, I was thrown so off-guard by a turn that the series took that I wondered if it had jumped the shark. My doubts were soon dispelled, as the series only went from strength to strength in its final act. As I mentioned earlier, the story-telling is second to none, and this also includes characterisation. Each character goes on a personal journey that we follow and our opinions change and differ as do theirs. Whilst Fullmetal Alchemist was grand storytelling in its own way, I feel Death Note may have slightly surpassed it, as there seemed to be a real changing of the guard and progression from the first episode to the last.
I'd be remiss to not mention the soundtrack of the series, especially considering how complimentary of the Fullmetal Alchemist soundtrack that I was. It continued the tradition of most anime's in that it recycled most of its tracks, but there appeared to more variety amongst the tracks. Even still, the composer had cleared worked their socks off; each track was utilized tremendously, and you knew what each song signified based on how it had been presented throughout the series. I can't praise the soundtrack enough - it was fundamental in helping the the story grow and added depths to many key scenes as Death Note progressed.
Speaking of the soundtrack, I have to talk about the opening and credit songs used. I've always said opening themes are essential to a shows success - if you have a naff opening song to your show that isn't engaging or catchy, you're doomed. Death Note's opening song is decent, not as good as Fullmetal Alchemist's but okay enough. The credits song however is pretty awesome; it's reflective, but at the same time, in your face. I've included it below to share:
It's dark, it's ominous, it's badass - I wished it would've been used as the opening song, but I suppose the pace is perhaps a tad too slow. Even still, the soundtrack to the series is second to none. Kudos to the creators and whoever was in charge of the OST - very impressive work.
It's difficult for me to go into any more depth without spoiling what is to come, but like Fullmetal Alchemist, I urge people to check this out. It's masterful storytelling, and there have been three live-action adaptations that I will be tackling in the future for sure. Death Note surpassed all my expectations, and then some. Watch it. You won't regret it.
I'm continuing on my anime kick in the next month or so - I've already begun watching a series called Psycho Pass, and come March/April time I hope to have almost finished Attack on Titan. Be sure to tune in in the weeks ahead for more thoughts and reviews on my new favourite medium in storytelling.
As always, thanks for reading.
Will
I'd be remiss to not mention the soundtrack of the series, especially considering how complimentary of the Fullmetal Alchemist soundtrack that I was. It continued the tradition of most anime's in that it recycled most of its tracks, but there appeared to more variety amongst the tracks. Even still, the composer had cleared worked their socks off; each track was utilized tremendously, and you knew what each song signified based on how it had been presented throughout the series. I can't praise the soundtrack enough - it was fundamental in helping the the story grow and added depths to many key scenes as Death Note progressed.
Speaking of the soundtrack, I have to talk about the opening and credit songs used. I've always said opening themes are essential to a shows success - if you have a naff opening song to your show that isn't engaging or catchy, you're doomed. Death Note's opening song is decent, not as good as Fullmetal Alchemist's but okay enough. The credits song however is pretty awesome; it's reflective, but at the same time, in your face. I've included it below to share:
It's dark, it's ominous, it's badass - I wished it would've been used as the opening song, but I suppose the pace is perhaps a tad too slow. Even still, the soundtrack to the series is second to none. Kudos to the creators and whoever was in charge of the OST - very impressive work.
It's difficult for me to go into any more depth without spoiling what is to come, but like Fullmetal Alchemist, I urge people to check this out. It's masterful storytelling, and there have been three live-action adaptations that I will be tackling in the future for sure. Death Note surpassed all my expectations, and then some. Watch it. You won't regret it.
I'm continuing on my anime kick in the next month or so - I've already begun watching a series called Psycho Pass, and come March/April time I hope to have almost finished Attack on Titan. Be sure to tune in in the weeks ahead for more thoughts and reviews on my new favourite medium in storytelling.
As always, thanks for reading.
Will
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