The basic plot is as follows:
Light Yagami, an academically outstanding High School student, is bored with life and finds faults in society while going about his daily life. By chance, he discovers a notebook that was dropped in the schoolyard titled Death Note. According to the included instructions inside the notebook, the notebook gives those who use it the power to kill people by writing their name inside while picturing their face.
After some preliminary testing, Light decides that not only does the notebook work, but it could be the solution to the broken world he lives in. By ridding the world of crime, Light intends to create a new world in which people coexist peacefully and productively.
Quality - 9
With amazing art (8/10), sound (9/10), and story (9/10); Death Note is a quality show. Notably, both the Japanese and English voice actors/actresses are amazing fits for their roles, and the depth of the story will leave even the most dedicated viewers surprised at times. The story itself deals with morals about right versus wrong, brings to question the societal norms we have grown accustomed to, and shows human nature at its best and worst. This is likely why Death Note is considered the Most Popular Anime.
Likability - 10
This anime is hard to hate. Many people criticize the second half as being repetitive, boring, or a ripoff of the beginning, and while I agree the quality was noticeably lower in terms of plot, by that time I was already hooked, and found myself thankful for further resolution, quality aside. Light's character is designed to be easy to connect with, since the feelings he experiences are meant to represent the majority opinions, and the main characters are honestly unforgettable. The fantasy themes were blended effectively in the modern setting, the actions and reactions always seemed justified, and when all was said and done, I was left without confusion.
Recommendability - 10
Okay, so I've mentioned that I think Death Note is agreeable, and this is a good place to touch on why that is. Most anime that people like need to have an appropriate balance of plot, humor, action, mystery, and character development (be it Naruto, One Punch Man, or Fullmetal Alchemist). Death Note keeps what should honestly be a dark, depressing anime light through the use of side characters and subplots. The fact that so many scenes and quotes are well known makes it a must-see for those newer to anime, but the freshness of the characters and unique layered plot make it a good choice for anyone interested in the psychological genre.
Overall Rating - 10
