How to watch

Death Note Watch Order in the correct order

How to watch Death Note in order

Last updated: July 6 2026

Written by: ChronoChris

Death Note is a gripping psychological thriller anime about a teenager who gains the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in a supernatural notebook. Short, intense, and endlessly debated, it's one of the most accessible entry points into anime.

Death Note is one of the few anime series that hooks viewers who have never watched anime before. The cat-and-mouse game between Light Yagami and the enigmatic detective L is among the most intellectually gripping storylines in all of fiction. At just 37 episodes with a clear beginning, middle, and end, it's a perfect standalone watch—but there are also films and a live-action Netflix adaptation to consider.

🕐 Release Order

The Death Note franchise began with the anime series and has since expanded into several film adaptations. Here's everything in release order.

  1. Death Note (Anime, 2006–2007) — 37 episodes
  2. Death Note: Relight – Visions of a God (2007) — anime recap film
  3. Death Note: Relight 2 – L's Successors (2008) — anime recap film
  4. Death Note (Live-Action Film, 2006)
  5. Death Note: The Last Name (Live-Action Film, 2006)
  6. L: Change the World (Live-Action Film, 2008)
  7. Death Note (Netflix Film, 2017)
  8. Death Note: New Generation (2016) — short web series prequel to Japanese live-action films

The anime series is the definitive version of the story. The Japanese live-action films are a fun alternative adaptation, while the Netflix film is a loose Western reimagining that stands apart from the main canon.

📖 Story Chronology

For the core story, the anime series is the beginning and end. Everything else is an adaptation or side story rather than a canonical continuation.

  1. Death Note Anime (2006–2007) — the original story
  2. Death Note: New Generation (2016) — prequel to the Japanese films
  3. Death Note Live-Action Film (2006) + The Last Name (2006) — alternate adaptation
  4. L: Change the World (2008) — L's story after the main film

Which Order Should You Choose?

Start and end with the anime—it's 37 episodes of near-perfect storytelling. Skip the Relight recap films unless you want a condensed refresher. The Japanese live-action films are a worthwhile bonus that put their own spin on the story. The Netflix film is best approached as a separate curiosity rather than a faithful adaptation. Do not watch the films before the anime.

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Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!