Summary

• Death Note's author and illustrator created a captivating manga series with a dark, gothic art style and deep philosophical themes.
• The series features complex characters like Light Yagami and Teru Mikami, exploring themes of power, morality, and divine punishment.
• Illustrations throughout the volumes cleverly symbolize key moments in the story, adding layers of meaning and enhancing the reader's experience.

recognizable soundtrack, and deep subjects and motifs.

While incorporating these devices, Takeshi Obata’s gothic art style flourishes on the manga covers for the supernatural crime thriller icon. His spooky and romantic elements mix with Christian religious imagery to visually portray the story's themes of justice and ‘divine punishment’. The artwork at times invokes a sense of dread and suspense and at others exudes a saintly beauty. The series’ covers are a comprehensive and implicit look into this philosophical manga that fans still love today.

10 Worship & Destruction

Volume 11 "Kindred Spirit"

Volume 11 highlights and visually introduces a crucial character for Death Note’s presage of the end. Teru Mikami stands to the left in a dark suit and with a scheming facial expression. The death note hangs in his hand while Ryuk’s gruesome figure crouches behind him to the right. The illustration is heavily shadowed, its lighter areas giving way to creepy skeletal figures and gothic script of the death note’s rules, which is repeated over all the volume covers.

Although introduced late in the series, Teru Mikami becomes a pivotal character in the story’s conclusion. The criminal prosecutor and Kira devotee is another great character depicting a descent into power-driven madness and twisted intentions. As Light uses him as a proxy to stave off suspicion, Mikami enthusiastically assumes his position as if given a divine duty. This cover spotlighting him eludes his dark and plotting nature as he holds his ‘mission’ tool in hand. In the end, Mikami’s death differs between the anime and manga, yet both portray his never-ending loyalty to Kira despite its consequences.

9 Closing In

Volume 10 "Deletion"

Both of L’s successors are seen on the cover art of volume 10. Near’s visage sits on the left with Mellow to the right, both having serious, committed expressions on their face. Light looms at the top, his body glowing and heading the top of a white cross. The lines divide the two gifted children, drawing visual parallels to their strained relationship and diverging paths despite their common past and future goals.

Similarly, having the main character’s body at the top of a cross symbolizes both his assumed godly position as well as how he connects yet divides Mellow and Near. Obata masterfully layers his leitmotifs in his Death Note illustrations, cleverly sketching personas, messages, and their connections with superimposed meaning. Fans can’t help but ire the author’s and illustrator’s ingenious, multifaceted artistry that makes the series an undisputed icon.

8 A Bored Shinigami

Volume 3 "Hard Run"

Volume 3 is a vibrant blue for the God of Death, keeping to his cool-toned color palette. While darkness is an overarching element of the manga covers, vivid and complementary colors are incorporated for varying optical interest. Similar to most of the covers, there is a cross motif in the background, brightly highlighting the figure in the center. Although a simple composition, the artwork is anything but simple, with tangible texture in the background’s gritty, stacked bones as well as Ryuk’s limbs, metal chains and belt, and feathered collar.

This is the second cover art that shows Ryuk, yet the first to give him his solo flowers. Although his role adds to society’s distress and fear over the Kira debacle, and encourages terror to satisfy his boredom, his character has become a fan favorite. Perhaps due to his interesting design and goofy demeanor or to his indifferent perfidy towards Light’s demise, this carefree shinigami has become a Death Note idol.

7 Misguided Superiority

Volume 6 "Give-and-Take"

Volume 6 is colored in soft shades, contrasting the creepy figures in the center. Beautiful pink and violet tones highlight the shinigami, Ryuk and Rem, who crouch in the drawing’s lower half. Light is dressed in a simple outfit, standing above the Gods of Death and backed by a pale blue background with script. Obata effortlessly includes pleasant colors and intricate textures for this visually appealing cover.

Although he commits gruesome misdeeds and intelligently evades the law, Light’s figure is never drawn in a ‘hiding’ or ‘shameful’ demeanor. Through both written word and visual representation, there is a wonderful juxtaposition of the protagonist's ‘holier-than-thou' attitude with the dastardly ways of enacting his definition of justice. He is drawn with his self-image in mind, explaining his sanctimonious attitude. Power and punishment are a keystone subject to the story, and through visuals, readers can see how strength and judgment become distorted with the series’ progression.

6 The Unconventional Greatest Detective

Volume 7 "Zero"

Fan-favorite L is featured on the cover of volume 7. He sits in his signature scrunched-up position, backed by a dark cross lined with intricate metalwork and soft white roses. He appears to be less invested and unprofessional through his character design of signature casual clothes, messy hair, and dark circles. It juxtaposes his genius and adept intelligence, creating a humorous contrast.

Despite the serious tone for most of the show, L offers comedic breaks with his quirky personality and random remarks. Although Light and Misa are his opposition, their relationship becomes almost jovial the more time they spend together. Fans enjoy the morally gray aspect behind L, as part of his cat-and-mouse game with Light is not only for public safety but for his own interest in having a worthy opponent. His moral high ground, brilliant forethought, and eccentric demeanor make him an interesting ‘antagonist’ to follow.

5 Hopeless Love and Futile Sacrifice

Volume 4 "Love"

Volume 4 is the first and only to spotlight Misa Amane on her own. She is seen wearing her iconic alt clothes that made Misa a fashion icon, full of studs, leather, hardware, and layered jewelry. The contrasting turquoise background and stained glassed cross make her dark clothes, light figure, and white shinigami companion pop off the page. Illustrator Obata paid Misa particular mind to her design and girly nature, opting to draw her in various outfits

Misa is bubbly, charismatic, and yet obnoxious, dividing fan’s opinions, yet she is a great character for readers to analyze and dissect. Although she can be overbearing in Light’s perception, her persona depicts tragedy, loyalty, and hopeful yet misguided love. It is easy for readers to pity Misa as the story progresses, as they learn of her family's death, her trauma, Light taking advantage of her feelings, and ultimately her death, which ultimately solidifies her devotion to Light.

4 Chained by Fate (& Cuffs)

Volume 5 "Whiteout"

The main characters pop off the bright green page for volume 5’s cover. L and Light are dynamically posed in front of another black cross with other characters’ portraits seen inside. The two are cuffed together while chains run across the page, tying this illustration to the parallel plot occurring.

With the manga’s countless twists, surprises, and set-ups, being cuffed together creates yet another interesting situation in which both characters try to outplay one another while being physically attached. Fans are left on the edge of their seat as prison time and the death note changing ‘owners’ do not keep Kira from fulfilling his mission, all while L does his best to decipher and predict the next step. Their relationship is an entertaining battle between geniuses, simultaneously serving as a nuanced allegory for good versus evil and the different ways individuals enact their beliefs.

3 Man's Judgment

Volume 1 "Boredom"

Issue 1’s cover is a beautiful and chilling artwork to begin the series. It’s colored cohesively with purple and red tones which lay against a stark white cross and deep black shadow. The main character Light Yagami holds a scythe in hand, with the ominous Ryuk floating right behind him. At their feet and high above their heads stands a throne of bones, inferring readers to the God of Death's home and the nature of their relationship.

Death stemming from boredom, the welcome poison of power, and a trail of deceit and betrayal: Death Note is solidified as a ionate and thrilling crime story like any other. Its remarkable world-building and illustrations draw readers in for a captivating investigation of morality. For repeat readers and new audience , this series will surprise and excite.

2 Assuming 'God'

Volume 12 "Finis"

Volume 12’s cover is a unique and meaningful illustration of Death Note's conclusion. Devoid of color and holding light shadow, this drawing gives the appearance of a marble statue similar to historical sculptures. Its bright complexion and character positioning signify a ‘holy’ aura, as Light stands with his arms out in sanctified reverence. Misa, Mellow, Near, and L are placed around his legs and feet, also playing into biblical imagery as their connections slowly whither.

Crucifixion, equality found in death, disciples, godly nature, and the punishment of sins are repeated Christian allegories and symbolism throughout the story. The author and illustrator tly portray these metaphors through Light’s overarching God complex and ‘vindicated’ killings. Yagami’s parabolic death and Ryuk’s amused embrace of his end signify a belated realization for the series’ protagonist as he finds ‘absolution’ and justice in his own demise.

1 Checkmate

Volume 13 "How to Read"

The concluding volume cover might be the most recognizable of the bunch. Issue 13 depicts Light and L’s portraits on either side with a glowing, bright red apple in the center. Numerous characters including the police force, Misa, the shinigami, and others are mixed in with the background shadows. The artwork is monochromatic with its only color coming from the two main characters and the iconic fruit, drawing readers’ eyes to the middle.

Although it is unmistakable artwork, this issue is only filled with series details, character profiles, behind-the-scenes, and other side stories that readers can enjoy. The creators thoughtfully put together the last issue for extra information that fans can dive into. For an opportunity to learn more about ing characters, see silly interactions, or get a unique side story not found in the anime, volume 13 is a nice addition to the main storyline with a beautiful cover.