Finally, out of my utter boredom, I got desperate. "I'll watch it just so I can make fun of it, and point out to all the fans out there that this show is awful!" ...And then, I watched episode 1.
Story~
This is my favorite of all time. I have to admit. I know that in my Higurashi review, I really praised it, but Death Note is my number one. I know, it's not the best thing, so it's my guilty pleasure, I guess. I lost count of the times I've seen this. Um, 10? Maybe 9. Basically, I watch it when I'm bored or I want a good thrill. After I finished it the first time, I IMMEDIATELY started it over (literally, immediately) just so I could pick out the plot holes. I found a couple, but then I realized they were quickly resolved after and/or explained. In my third time through I found some holes that weren't really resolved, but they are so small that it's almost impossible to notice-- and they really don't even matter or even hurt the story. Overall, it's great, and every little fine detail is so important to the overall show that I swear-- your mind might explode at some point in Death Note. Yes, some people think it's stupid, but my opinion does not change on my favorite anime. Sorry! Anyway, it's THE best mystery/fantasy/cat-and-mouse game ever. The second arc which takes place after episode 25 (I won't spoil anything) is sort of less exciting, but is still very good and enthralling.
Art~
Oh, the gorgeous art! Honestly, like 80 percent of Death Note is pretty much them talking to find out the mystery, but the art style itself is PERFECTLY dark, modernly gothic, and gorgeously realistic. And when they do move around, or an action scene comes on? They go all out, and never skimp on anything. It almost seems like they have eternal budget to make each scene amazing. Hehe. Anyway, all in all the art is amazing. One of my friend's hated anime, saying that "it's for children and the art is stupid". I forever converted her using this show, Death Note. It's just awesome.
Character~
Amazing. They're all unique in their own ways, but the most enthralling and notable characters for me (WARNING-- this will sound cliche) are L and Light. Ugh, you've heard that a trillion times... but is it my fault that the creators made such unique, such interesting characters? They're just genius! L seems like the cool, smart type, but he's not strong in some areas, and has more weaknesses than you might think. He isn't rude, but he does show a softer side later on nonetheless. He's a really hard character to sum up. Light, on the other hand, is immature. An image of your little brother just popped up in your head, didn't it? Stupid, annoying, cries when he doesn't get something he wants, everyone has to give him everything, and he's such a baby. NO. Light is immature in a different way-- yes, he's a freaking genius. He is a master of logical reasoning. He acts mature in public and always has a trick up his sleeve. But he's immature in his mind, I guess-- his idea of justice isn't the most mature, and killing people doesn't make you God, Light. Just thought you ought to know!~ Anyway, it's sooooooooo entertaining to see him change. I can't remember the person who said this, and I can't really even remember the saying-- I just remember this. "Power doesn't change a man but unmasks what's been there all along." (Yeah I can't remember it really, sorry, but you get the idea.) Yeah, it's fun watching him go from genuis, well-mannered high school kid to psychotic mass murderer who thinks that killing people will make him God. All the other characters are good, and it doesn't really have too many characters but not too little either. And each has their own personality. They're all interesting. A certain character in the second arc seems like a wannabe of a certain character in the first arc, but overall they're fun.
Soundtrack~
...Wow. I mean wow. Some of the orchestral music is just rearragements of slightly older pieces, but does that ruin the mood? LOL. No. I have never laughed so psychotically at someone's death in my whole life. Not even in Higurashi. That astonishing music along with the perfect animation is just... Woooooowwww. The tracks that aren't orchestral are good, but not super noticed. The more I watched the show the more it stood out, but my first time round, only the choir chanting along ominously with the perfect set of instruments really stood out. And I mean REALLY. The first opening and ending were good, but not super memorable. The animation that went with them was epic though. The second opening and ending... Erm, I'm not a death metal fan. Let's leave it at that.
All in all, Death Note is my top anime, no matter how much you make fun of me. It's just genius, and when I finished watching it I was delighted. It's pretty much everything I ever wanted in an anime, or anything for that matter. Fantasy, SLIGHT horror, mystery, psychotic characters, an... interesting ending. Gorgeous!
I'd recommend this anime to ANYONE... Um, unless you're a raving romance-loving person, there is no romance in this. Protest all you want, but Light doesn't love Misa. He's only using her and that's all he ever did. So if you like bright, happy, lovey-dovey anime, this may not be for you.
But truly, this is art and genius.
You just may want to try it.
