Although Death Note was a fairly short series, it left a mark on anime history. Fans were captivated by its dark nature, which raised several ethical and moral questions that challenge both new and old viewers alike. Thanks to the series' success, it has continued to serve as an introduction to the anime medium for many fans since its conclusion in 2007, while ultimately leaving those viewers hungry for other anime like Death Note.

Since Death Note is often one of the first series that anime fans watch, it also serves as a gateway to other similar titles. While none of these shows quite replicate the experience of watching Light Yagami battle L for the first time, they all bring their own value to the table.

Updated on August 16th, 2023 by Mayra García: Although it ended almost 15 years ago, many anime fans are still looking for shows like Death Note to watch. After all, this show became an instant classic the moment it premiered. We have updated this list with more of the best anime like Death Note for viewers to enjoy.

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20 Tokyo Ghoul

Total Episodes: 12

In terms of sheer popularity, Tokyo Ghoul is one of the few series capable of challenging Death Note. First released in 2014, Tokyo Ghoul follows the adventures of Ken Kaneki as he attempts to survive a ghoul-infested version of Tokyo.

While Tokyo Ghoul is far more interested in combat and power-scaling than Death Note ever is, the dark, twisted nature of both series is an undeniable commonality. For those who enjoy watching the slow deterioration of Light Yagami's psyche in Death Note, Ken Kaneki's journey will be an absolute treat.

19 Bungo Stray Dogs

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

Bungo Stray Dogs focuses on Atsushi Nakajima, a weretiger detective working for the superpowered Armed Detective Agency. Together with other gifted detectives, Nakajima solves mysteries given by the agency while running it like a regular business.

Viewers will soon notice that Bungo Stray Dogs is an anime like Death Note in different ways. Both series deal with detectives with supernatural tools, which makes them some of the coolest characters in anime. Besides, the two anime are heavy on the psychological aspect, often pitting characters against each other in mind games.

18 Steins;Gate

Total Episodes: 24

Death Note's most defining feature almost certainly has to be its breakneck, constantly-evolving plotlines — in this regard, Steins;Gate bears many similarities. The 24-episode series quickly gained a dedicated following when it was released in 2011 thanks to its nuanced narrative, making it a natural choice for fans of Death Note.

Whereas Death Note relies on its titular book to spice up the story, Steins;Gate instead explores a different narrative device: time travel. Rintaro Okabe, the protagonist of Steins;Gate, must outwit his enemies to prevent World War III's onset, drawing natural comparisons to Light Yagami's struggles against L and the other Death Note users.

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17 Attack On Titan

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

At one point in time, Attack on Titan wasn't thought of as the highbrow series that it is today. Its gruesome nature and shonen tropes led some viewers to write it off, but after the events of Seasons 3 and 4, those criticisms seem firmly rooted in the past.

Attack on Titan's plot twists and dense narrative are major parts of its appeal — things that should greatly appeal to fans of Death Note looking to branch out from the series. Eren Jaeger may not be the genius that Light Yagami is, but he's every bit as enthralling.

16 Chainsaw Man

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

The hype for the debut of Chainsaw Man's anime adaptation reached rare heights before its release, and with its first season now firmly underway, it seems safe to say that the series is another massive success for its production company, MAPPA. The series' peculiar tone and unexpectedly poignant commentary have made it one of the most popular titles released in 2022.

While Death Note is undeniably broodier than Chainsaw Man, their grave subject matter bears clear similarities. In fact, the pairing of Light Yagami and Ryuk would fit right in among Denji and the other Devil Hunters squaring off against the Gun Devil.

15 Classroom Of The Elite

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is an apathetic high schooler in a super elite boarding school where students live as if it was a whole town. Classroom of the Elite follows the academic and psychological race among his generation to remain at the top and ensure their future.

Any Death Note fans who particularly enjoyed the thrilling race between Light Yagami and L will love Classroom of the Elite. This series pits its characters against each other, having them flex their talents -- particularly in martial arts -- and their intellects to beat their classmates.

14 Vinland Saga

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much in common between the Viking-filled narrative of Vinland Saga and Death Note. However, their protagonists' struggles to determine right and wrong play a similarly important role that, although certainly different, will more than likely appeal to fans of both franchises.

Vinland Saga's approach to the traditional Viking narrative is one of the best in recent memory, and it also prompts many of the same questions explored throughout Death Note. Thorfinn and Light Yagami might initially seem like polar opposites, but after seeing them both at their lowest points, viewers will no doubt see their chaotic similarities.

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13 Death Parade

Total Episodes: 12

Death Parade is another dark series that deals with death and what comes after. In this universe, people don't go to heaven or hell, only to a bar. Once they pass away, they are challenged by a bartender, Decim.

If the person can win a randomly chosen game, they are given another go at life via reincarnation. On the other hand, losers end up in a void, ceasing to exist. Most Death Note fans are hooked on this anime because of its suspense and questions regarding human nature and morality.

12 Tomodachi Game

Total Episodes: 12

Yūichi Katagiri thinks friendship is the most important thing in the world. However, after his class' school trip funds disappear, he and his friends have to investigate what happened. This puts them in the middle of a demonic dynamic that forces them to test their loyalty with horrifying consequences.

Tomodachi Game starts like an innocent high-school series, but it's so much more which makes it an anime similar to death note. This series goes the extra mile when it comes to psychological warfare, constantly surprising the viewer with its plot twists. Anyone who enjoyed this dimension of Death Note will love Tomodachi Game.

11 Parasyte: The Maxim

Total Episodes: 24

In Parasyte: The Maxim, 16-year-old Shinichi Izumi’s life turns upside down one night when parasite-like aliens attack the world. Those creatures crawl up into people’s noses and ears to take over their minds. One alien attempted to take control of Shinichi’s body as well, but it could only control the boy’s right hand.

While the premise of Parasyte: The Maxim is undeniably much different than that of Death Note, they still share a similar appeal. Their protagonists both develop close relationships with seemingly parasitic creatures, thrusting them into a medley of life-threatening situations.

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10 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Total Episodes: 26

Those who enjoyed the cat-and-mouse nature of Death Note will love Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Set in a future where humanity found a way to increase their physical and mental abilities through artificial transplants, Ghost in the Shell laid the groundwork for some of the most famous science-fiction films of all time.

A new hacker, known only as The Laughing Man, proves to be extremely vicious and nearly impossible to catch, leading the show's heroes down a series of different leads. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex might be a bit older than other titles, but it hasn't lost its appeal.

9 Future Diary

Total Episodes: 26

Future Diary's protagonist, Yukiteru Amano, begins the series as an ordinary high school student, largely keeping to himself and being left alone by his peers. However, when Deus Ex Machina, the god of time and space, gives him a diary describing the future in detail, he is tasked with finding and killing the 11 other people who possess a similar diary.

With clear similarities to Death Note, Future Diary is an easy choice for fans looking to extend their enjoyment of Death Note's suspenseful and thrilling story. If this weren't enough incentive, its low episode count should bring in more prospective fans.

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8 Erased

Total Episodes: 12

Erased is a short, twelve-episode anime that is simultaneously touching and disturbing. In the series, whenever a tragedy is about to happen, 29-year-old aspiring manga artist Satoru Fujinuma is sent back a few minutes in time to prevent it from happening.

Due to a not-so-random turn of events, Satoru is sent back eighteen years, prompting him to investigate the disappearance of one of his classmates. This leads to a series of twists and turns that naturally elicits comparisons to Light Yagami's exploits in Death Note.

7 Ergo Proxy

Total Episodes: 23

For fans who liked Death Note for its dark setting and chase scenes, Ergo Proxy is a great fit. The anime is set in a dystopian world where humanity was reduced to only one city called Romdo. In the technologically advanced settlement, androids served humans until a virus spread and gave AI self-intelligence.

Re-l Mayer — the granddaughter of Romdo’s ruler — investigates the case. During her search for a solution, Re-I faces incredible danger as she uncovers terrible secrets, placing her in multiple, vulnerable situations that parallel the adventures of Light Yagami.

6 Hell's Paradise

Total Episodes: (Ongoing)

The most recent addition to the Shonen Dark Trio, Hell's Paradise sees a group of death row criminals fight for their lives inside Shinsenkyo, a mythical island full of monsters, so the Shogunate spares their lives. The show mainly focuses on Gabimaru the Hollow, a repentant assassin, and his executioner, Sagiri the swordswoman.

Since Hell's Paradise is set in the Edo Period of Japan, viewers may not believe this series is similar to Death Note. However, even if it's different in world-building, both anime deal with similar topics, such as justice, morality, and the many shades of gray between good and evil, through incredibly complex characters, such as L and Gabimaru.

5 Code Geass

Total Episodes: 50

Code Geass is chockfull of surprises and unique world-building. The series is set in 2010 after the Holy Empire of Britannia conquered Japan. Despite the battle for Japan being quick and decisive, locals consistently rebelled against the oppression.

Britannian student Lelouch Lamperouge utilizes a special power called Geass to manipulate the will of others, allowing him to pull various strings through Britannia-controlled Japan. As another anime with clear parallels to Death Note, Code Geass should be on the shortlist of Light Yagami fans looking for new material.

4 Heaven's Memo Pad

Total Episodes: 12

After Narumi Fujishima, a stoic high-schooler, becomes part of an amateur network of detectives -- NEET -- he finds something new to live for. Guided by Alice, a child-looking hacker, he solves all kinds of crimes, including what happened to Ayaka Shinozaki, one of his classmates.

Heaven's Memo Pad is a serious teen detective anime, which makes it very similar to Death Note. Narumi may not be as odd as L, but he's still an unconventional hero that fans will love. Heaven's Memo Pad is an underrated series, that Death Note fans will truly enjoy.

3 Monster

Total Episodes: 74

After Death Note ended, many fans were happy to find Monster, as it had a very similar vibe, even if the premise was completely different. Dr. Kenzou Tenma was among the best neurosurgeons in his city, until one day when he was told by the director to switch patients because there was a more important person to save.

While Tenma's work on the patient gained his colleagues’ respect, he was plagued by the other person’s death. Later, he faced a similar situation but decided to operate on a little boy instead of the mayor. Although an admirable decision, this little boy would go on to become a monster that would kill numerous people, drawing into question the morality of Tenma's vocation itself.

2 Psycho-Pass

Total Episodes: 22

Psycho-Pass took the anime world by storm upon its release in 2012. Both fans and critics agreed that it is a remarkable sci-fi series with mind-blowing twists — an enticing assessment for any Death Note fans looking to sink their teeth into a new series.

Set in the 22nd century, Pyscho-Pass explores a world where Japanese law enforcement takes on a different approach and attempts to prevent crimes rather than catch culprits. This well-intentioned idea takes a series of left turns until the whole system starts to fall apart, generating similar questions to those about Light Yagami's actions as the user of the Death Note.

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1 Paranoia Agent

Total Episodes: 14

Many fans agree that Paranoia Agent is the anime that resembles Death Note the most. While the feared Shonen Bat and his victims are different from Light Yagami and the citizens of Japan, the series stirs up similar feelings and responses from their fans.

In Paranoia Agent, Musashino City is terrorized by Shonen Bat, a vicious boy who goes around on rollerblades and assaults people with a golden baseball bat. Detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa attempt to close in on the perpetrator, leading to a cat-and-mouse chase similar to Death Note's.