The DEATH NOTE anime — adapted from the manga by Tsugumi Ohba (story) and Takeshi Obata (art) and produced by Madhouse — aired on Nippon TV from October 2006 to June 2007 for a total of 37 episodes. As of October 2026, the series is available across multiple streaming platforms in Japan. This article covers the full picture.

Where to Watch DEATH NOTE: Platform Overview

DEATH NOTE is available for unlimited streaming on DMM TV, U-NEXT, dAnime Store, Hulu, Netflix, and ABEMA (ABEMA Premium subscribers only). Amazon Prime Video offers it as a rental, and TSUTAYA DISCAS provides DVD delivery rental. The series is not available on the free broadcast catch-up service TVer.

• DMM TV — Unlimited streaming, ¥550/month, 14-day free trial + 550 bonus points
• U-NEXT — Unlimited streaming, ¥2,189/month, 31-day free trial + ¥500 in points
• dAnime Store — Unlimited streaming, ¥660/month, first month free
• Hulu — Unlimited streaming, ¥1,320/month, no free trial
• Netflix — Unlimited streaming, from ¥890/month (Standard with Ads), no free trial
• ABEMA (ABEMA Premium) — Unlimited streaming, from ¥680/month, no free trial
• Amazon Prime Video — Rental only, ¥220/episode (SD), 30-day Prime free trial
• TSUTAYA DISCAS — DVD delivery rental, ¥2,200/month (up to 8 discs)

Top Pick: DMM TV

Among all unlimited streaming options, DMM TV stands out as the most affordable at just ¥550 per month, covering all 37 episodes with no extra charges. New subscribers get a 14-day free trial and 550 bonus points — making it the easiest way to binge the entire Light vs. L mind game from start to finish.

Platform Details

U-NEXT

At ¥2,189/month, U-NEXT is pricier, but it bundles anime with films, dramas, and more under one subscription. New members get a 31-day free trial and ¥500 in points, and ongoing subscribers receive 1,200 points monthly to spend on rental titles.

dAnime Store

An anime-only service at ¥660/month with the first month free. A solid choice for fans who want to revisit 2000s classics at a manageable price.

Hulu

Hulu, operated under the Nippon TV umbrella, offers DEATH NOTE at ¥1,320/month alongside Japanese dramas and variety shows. There is no free trial period.

Netflix

Netflix carries all 37 episodes split across three seasons. Plans range from ¥890/month (Standard with Ads) to ¥1,590 (Standard) and ¥2,290 (Premium). No free trial is available.

ABEMA (ABEMA Premium)

DEATH NOTE is available on ABEMA exclusively for ABEMA Premium subscribers, starting at ¥680/month. No free trial is offered.

Amazon Prime Video (Rental)

DEATH NOTE is not included in the Prime Video unlimited catalogue. Each episode costs ¥220 to rent in SD, even for Prime members. Watching all 37 episodes this way adds up quickly compared to a flat-rate subscription.

TSUTAYA DISCAS (DVD Rental)

TSUTAYA DISCAS ships DEATH NOTE DVDs directly to your door. The 定額レンタル8ダブル plan costs ¥2,200/month for up to eight discs with no return deadline or late fees — ideal for viewers without a reliable internet connection.

Story & Highlights

High-school student Light Yagami discovers a supernatural notebook dropped by the shinigami (death god) Ryuk: anyone whose name is written in the Death Note dies. Convinced he can build a utopia free of crime, Light begins killing criminals under the alias “Kira.” His actions draw the attention of the enigmatic genius detective L, setting off an intense battle of wits. In the second half, L’s successors Near and Mello enter the picture, pushing the story into new territory.

The soundtrack is a highlight in its own right. The first-half opening theme (episodes 1–19) is “the WORLD” by Nightmare; the second-half opening (episodes 20–37) is “What’s up, people?!” by Maximum the Hormone. Ending themes follow the same split: “Alumina” (Nightmare) and “Zetsubou Billy” (Maximum the Hormone). October 2026 marks the series’ 20th anniversary, with new merchandise continuing to be released.

Main Voice Cast

• Light Yagami — Mamoru Miyano
• L — Kappei Yamaguchi
• Ryuk — Shidō Nakamura (actor)
• Misa Amane — Aya Hirano
• Sayu Yagami — Haruka Kudō

Production Information

• Title: DEATH NOTE
• Broadcast: October 2006 – June 2007 (Nippon TV)
• Episodes: 37
• Original Work: Tsugumi Ohba (story), Takeshi Obata (art)
• Director: Tetsurō Araki
• Series Composition: Toshiki Inoue
• Character Design: Masaru Kitao
• Animation Studio: Madhouse
• Production: Nippon TV, D.N. Dream Partners, VAP, Shueisha, Madhouse

FAQ

Is DEATH NOTE on TVer for free?

No. DEATH NOTE is not available on TVer. To watch for free, take advantage of DMM TV’s 14-day trial or dAnime Store’s first-month-free offer.

Is DEATH NOTE included with Amazon Prime?

No. It is rental-only on Amazon Prime Video at ¥220 per episode, regardless of Prime membership status.

How many episodes does DEATH NOTE have?

37 episodes in total. From episode 20 onward, the opening and ending themes change to Maximum the Hormone tracks, and Near and Mello become central to the plot.