Death Note (Japanese: デスノート, Hepburn: Desu Nōto) is a world-renowned Psychological Thriller and Supernatural Suspense masterpiece written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 2003 to 2006, it is widely considered one of the most intellectually stimulating manga ever written, trading physical battles for a high-stakes "battle of wits."

The story follows Light Yagami, an incredibly intelligent high school student who is bored with the world's injustice. He discovers a mysterious black notebook—the Death Note—dropped by a Shinigami (God of Death) named Ryuk. The notebook has a simple rule: the human whose name is written in this note shall die. Light decides to use the notebook to "cleanse" the world of criminals and become the god of a new, peaceful world under the alias Kira. However, his actions catch the attention of the world's greatest detective, the enigmatic L, sparking a lethal game of cat-and-mouse.

Alternative Names by Language

デスノート / Death Note / Тетрадь смерти / مفكرة الموت / เดธโน้ต / 死亡笔记 / 死亡筆記 / 데스노트 / డెత్ నోట్ / டெத் நோட்