The Best Death Note Watch Order for 2026
If you’re jumping into Death Note for the first time, you’re in for one of the most gripping stories in anime history. Getting the Death Note watch order right matters more than you might think — there are multiple live-action adaptations, a Netflix original movie, and a bonus one-shot special that can easily cause confusion. This guide cuts through all of that and gives you a clear, no-nonsense path through every piece of Death Note content worth your time in 2026.
The short version: start with the 37-episode anime series, then explore the live-action films and extra content based on your interest level. But there’s a lot more nuance to it than that — so let’s break it all down.
The Death Note Anime Series (37 Episodes) — Start Here
The 2006 Madhouse anime adaptation of Death Note is the definitive place to begin. Adapted from Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s manga, it follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who finds a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. What follows is a psychological cat-and-mouse thriller between Light and the world’s greatest detective, L.
The anime is split into two clear arcs. The first arc — episodes 1 through 25 — is widely considered some of the best anime television ever made. The second arc, episodes 26 through 37, shifts the dynamic significantly after a major story event. Some fans find the second arc weaker, but it still wraps the story satisfyingly and is worth watching.
Do not skip episodes. Death Note is a tightly plotted series where every scene matters. The pacing is deliberate, and the tension builds across the full run. Watch it in order, episode by episode.
| Episodes | Arc | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1–25 | Light vs. L | Light discovers the Death Note, becomes Kira, and faces off against detective L |
| 26–37 | Light vs. Near & Mello | The story continues with two new successors to L taking up the chase |
Episode count: 37 episodes | Runtime: ~23 minutes each | Total: roughly 14 hours
The Complete Death Note Watch Order — Full Ranked Guide
Here’s the full recommended watch order for all Death Note content in 2026, ranked by priority. The first two entries are must-watches. Everything after that is optional depending on how deep you want to go.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Death Note (Anime Series) | Anime — 37 episodes | 2006–2007 | ✅ Essential |
| 2 | Death Note Relight 1: Visions of a God | Recap Film | 2007 | ⚪ Optional |
| 3 | Death Note Relight 2: L’s Successors | Recap Film | 2008 | ⚪ Optional |
| 4 | Death Note (Live-Action Film 1) | Japanese Live-Action | 2006 | 👍 Recommended |
| 5 | Death Note: The Last Name (Live-Action Film 2) | Japanese Live-Action | 2006 | 👍 Recommended |
| 6 | L: Change the World | Japanese Live-Action Spinoff | 2008 | ⚠️ Completionists Only |
| 7 | Death Note: New Generation | Live-Action Web Series (3 episodes) | 2016 | ⚪ Optional |
| 8 | Death Note (Netflix Film) | Western Live-Action | 2017 | ⚠️ Watch with low expectations |
| 9 | Death Note: One-Shot Special Chapter | Manga Chapter | 2008 | 📖 Manga readers only |
The Japanese Live-Action Death Note Movies (2006)
After finishing the anime, the Japanese live-action film duology is the best next stop for most fans. Death Note (2006) and Death Note: The Last Name (2006) are solid adaptations that cover the main story arc with a few notable changes from both the anime and the manga. The casting is genuinely strong — Tatsuya Fujiwara as Light and Ken’ichi Matsuyama as L are both excellent.
These two films are best watched as a self-contained pair. They diverge from the source material in meaningful ways — particularly in how the story ends — which makes them interesting even if you’ve seen the anime. Watch them in release order: Film 1 first, then The Last Name.
L: Change the World (2008) is a spinoff starring L in an original story set in the 23-day window before his death. It’s watchable but far from essential. The story involves a bioterrorism plot and is more of a standard thriller than a Death Note experience. Skip it unless you can’t get enough of Matsuyama’s L.
| Film | Runtime | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death Note (2006) | 126 min | Covers the first half of the story; ends on a cliffhanger |
| Death Note: The Last Name (2006) | 141 min | Concludes the story; significant plot differences from the anime |
| L: Change the World (2008) | 129 min | Original spinoff story starring L; optional |
The Netflix Death Note Movie (2017) — What to Expect
The 2017 Netflix adaptation directed by Adam Wingard is a Western reimagining of the Death Note story, set in Seattle. It stars Nat Wolff as Light Turner and Lakeith Stanfield as a charismatic version of L. This film has a complicated reputation among fans — it takes significant creative liberties with the source material and compresses the story into under two hours.
Here’s the honest take: if you go in expecting a faithful adaptation, you’ll be frustrated. If you treat it as a loose, stylized take on the concept with its own strengths and weaknesses, it’s more watchable. Stanfield’s performance as L is genuinely compelling, and the film has a strong visual style. But Light’s characterization in particular diverges sharply from the anime and manga version most fans love.
Watch this one after the anime, never before. Watching it first would give you a warped first impression of the story. There were reports of a sequel in development, but nothing has been confirmed as of 2026.
The Death Note Relight Recap Films — Are They Worth It?
The two Relight films (Visions of a God and L’s Successors) are condensed recap compilations of the anime with some new framing sequences. They’re not theatrical films in the traditional sense — they’re edited-together summaries with a bit of new footage added.
If you’ve already watched all 37 Death Note episodes, there’s almost no reason to watch these. They cut a lot of the series’ best scenes for runtime. The only real use case: if you want a quick refresher on the story before discussing it or rewatching for the first time in years. Don’t start with them, and don’t let them replace the full anime.
The Death Note One-Shot Special and Manga
In 2008, original creator Tsugumi Ohba released a one-shot manga chapter called Death Note: C-Kira Story (also known as the Special One-Shot). Set several years after the main story’s ending, it follows a new Death Note user with a very different motivation than Light. It’s a short, contained read — about 60 pages — and serves as a quiet coda to the series.
This is strictly a manga extra. It was never adapted into anime and is only relevant if you’re reading the manga. Speaking of which — the Death Note manga (12 volumes) is an excellent companion or alternative to the anime. The manga includes a bonus volume, volume 13 (How to Read), which is essentially an encyclopedia of the Death Note world with character profiles, creator commentary, and the original pilot chapter.
The anime is a faithful adaptation, so you don’t need to read the manga if you’ve seen the anime. But if you loved the series, the manga is worth experiencing just for Takeshi Obata’s incredible artwork — it’s some of the most detailed and expressive work in the medium.
Where to Stream Death Note in 2026
Death Note is one of the more widely available anime series across streaming platforms. Here’s where you can find each piece of content right now:
| Content | Platform(s) | Region Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death Note Anime (37 eps) | Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu | Available in most major regions |
| Death Note Relight 1 & 2 | Crunchyroll (select regions) | Limited availability; check locally |
| Death Note Live-Action Film 1 (2006) | Netflix (select regions) | May require VPN in some countries |
| Death Note: The Last Name (2006) | Netflix (select regions) | Same as Film 1 |
| L: Change the World (2008) | Netflix (select regions) | Limited streaming availability |
| Death Note Netflix Movie (2017) | Netflix | Widely available globally |
| Death Note: New Generation | Netflix (select regions) | Limited; check local catalog |
For Death Note streaming in the US, Netflix and Crunchyroll are your best bets for the anime. Crunchyroll has both dubbed and subbed versions. If you’re trying to figure out how to watch Death Note in a region where it’s not available, services like a legal VPN or physical media (Blu-ray) are alternatives worth considering.
The Death Note manga is available digitally on VIZ Media’s platform and through the Shonen Jump app for a subscription fee. Physical volumes are easy to find at most bookstores and online retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Death Note Watch Order
Should I watch Death Note dubbed or subbed?
Both options are genuinely good. The English dub features strong voice acting — Brad Swaile as Light and Alessandro Juliani as L are fan favorites. The Japanese sub with original voice actors Mamoru Miyano (Light) and Kappei Yamaguchi (L) is also excellent. Start with whatever format you’re most comfortable with.
How many Death Note episodes are there?
The anime has 37 episodes total. Episode 37 is the series finale. There are no OVAs in the traditional sense, though the two Relight compilation films include some new framing sequences.
Can I skip the second arc of the anime?
You can, but it’s not recommended on a first watch. Episodes 26–37 wrap up the full story. Some fans find the second arc less compelling than the first, but it deserves a fair shot. After your first watch, it’s fine to stop at episode 25 on rewatches if you prefer.
Is the Death Note manga different from the anime?
Mostly no — the anime is a faithful adaptation. A few minor scenes differ, and the manga includes extra material in volume 13. The biggest differences are in the Japanese live-action films, not the anime.
What order should I watch Death Note for the first time?
Start with the 37-episode anime. That’s the complete, definitive version of the story. Everything else — the live-action films, the Netflix movie, the Relight compilations — is supplementary material best enjoyed after you’ve finished the main series.
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