Death Note Short Stories

Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Death Note 13: How to Read - Shinsou (3645) and has subsequently been merged into Death Note Tanpenshuu (132335). Original review: July 16th, 2012 Last updated: February 18th, 2023 It has been more than a decade since I had revisited this encyclopedia, even granted that it was for one of my favorite series. The main reason would probably be that I was roughly 16 when I first read through it and needed to do so online, unable to buy retail manga on my own. Over a decade later and having dived into numerous other series in the meantime, I've finallyrevisited it. I feel that I was remiss in my previous review to only include my thoughts on the manga section, really only focusing on the pilot chapter. The included "Notes from Ryuk" and 4-Koma were pretty funny, and as a series guide, it is filled with what was, at the time, ground-breaking information on the series, including L's true name. Frankly, some of the more fun tidbits I learned were within interviews between the Ohba and Obata, such as the apple present in most Death Note imagery having no meaning whatsoever! And the artist feeling a kinship with Matsuda! It was an interesting read, if you're a fan. The larger manga section, the pilot, has probably been reprinted the most. I've found that, online sources aside, you can read it in box sets like the Omega Edition of the anime on BluRay that I've had and the Death Note Short Stories collection at least. It's a cool "look what started it all" kind of story, though not much if you're looking for something really engaging, at least not compared to the actual series. The art was good and the character could be seen as more relatable, but it's just something that falls short when compared to what was done with it later. The concept of the "Death Eraser" is exclusive to the pilot in that it was a plot device to keep it to a single-chapter story, and to be fair it really made to consequences just vanish into thin air. I cannot see the mainline Death Note series moving on and becoming nearly as popular if that concept was kept... it apparently weirded me out a little when I first read it, but I find it a funny thing to think about now. As far as I'm concerned, this is a great resource for people wanting more information on the series.

Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Death Note: Tokubetsu Yomikiri (123699) and has subsequently been merged into Death Note Tanpenshuu (132335). All out this is a perfectly decent One-Shot for the Death Note series. It doesn't intrude on the original significantly and works as a nice little mini story to be appreciated. While it isn't nearly as fun as the original manga, it gets the story across with a decent ending. The ending did involve some bending of some rules and involved me being willing to accept certain previously unstated things. But the result was worthwhile enough for me to enjoy it. It also helpedstrengthen some themes of the original series which is a major bonus. It goes without saying that the art is just as great as ever and its an absolute pleasure to see some characters again after so long. Nothing especially special, but does feel like it has a justification and a reason to exist.

Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Death Note: Tokubetsu Yomikiri (123699) and has subsequently been merged into Death Note Tanpenshuu (132335). As a Death Note fan, I've been waiting for it since the day it was announced. Let me tell you one thing - I does not disappoint. There are some aspects that could have been improved but overall, taking into account that it's just a one-shot and not a full-length story, it was executed nearly perfectly. It was long enough to deliver point across and re-introduce mind-games aspect of the original Death Note and short enough to fit the one-shot standards. It was niceto see some old characters coming back, as well as getting to know a new one that brings a new spin and POV to the series. Every Death Note fan should give it a try. My bet is that majority would not be disappointed. 9/10