21 Death Note memes for the true fans who wish they had a Shinigami following them around

María Cetra • Writer

Sep 30, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

Some anime change the perception that non-anime-watchers have of the genre.

What would you do if a notebook fell from the sky right in front of you? Would you take it? Would you write something on it? What would you use it for? If you are a Death Note fan, I'm pretty sure you will definitely not write YOUR name on it. It is funny how this series was the reason why a lot of people got into anime. It is considered one of the most mainstream ones and has created an impact, especially in the U.S. Its importance comes from a variety of factors; in the first place, it is important to notice that the topic of the series is what catches the attention of most. Bringing up for discussion something so serious as what it is what we should do to criminals and to stop crime, but in the form of animation, is a choice, in this case a very good one. The concept of thinking of animation as a lesser form of media, or directly mostly for kids, really creates friction with the dynamics that are being discussed on the show.

Another factor that, at least for me, sold the series is the characters. For starters, we have Light, who we are always doubting for the first half of the show, whether he has a point or if he is insane. This has created a massive online discussion. Then we have an excellent counterpart who is up to the game of the protagonist but also has his own charisma, L. L is really interesting as a character to the point where he could have been the protagonist if the ending was different. The people that work for the police are pretty interesting as well; they work as a comedic relief in some cases, while also having Light's dad be a part of them, making the whole story much more complicated on its own. The idea is incredibly original, and still, there has not been any anime that has come as close as this one for people who don't actually watch anime. That's why I would especially recommend it as a starter for your friends who are against watching anime.