Why Is Death Note Banned In Some Countries?

More often than not, massive success is accompanied by a backlash. In Death Note's case, the very things that earned it the title of a "masterpiece" got it banned across nations.

Death Note follows the story of Light Yagami, a genius high-school student, as he comes across a magical notebook belonging to a Shinigami (a God of Death). Light discovers that the book grants him the power to kill anyone at will and takes it upon himself to pass judgment on criminals. What starts as a self-righteous vigilante mission soon evolves into a God-complex, and the lines between justice and murder cease to exist.

The series owes its success to the intensity of its plot and the dark psychological themes it dabbles in. Still, not everyone is particularly appreciative of its cunning and powerful story-telling. Death Note has been banned in some countries and continues to spark concern among parents and authorities, and here's why:

Why Is Death Note Banned In Some Countries?

Death Note is banned in some countries (like China and Russia) due to its mature themes. The show deals heavily with topics like mass murder and morality and is allegedly quite influential on young minds, causing authorities to deem it inappropriate for children.

The anime is also notoriously famous for messing with the viewer's psyche by presenting them with a moral dilemma — which, as you can expect, isn't exactly something people want young children to be exposed to.

Since the anime's release, there have been multiple reports of kids creating mock Death Notes in the United States and China. The students (usually middle-schoolers) filled these notebooks with the names of their enemies and teachers, which roused concern among local police and parents.

There was also an incident in Russia where volumes of the DN Manga were found near a 15-year-old's suicide note. Investigators later determined that the manga had not caused the child's death, but it did nothing to shed the bad light the franchise had found itself under. A local parents' group responded to this by writing an open letter to the president, asking him to ban the series in all its forms (movies, anime, manga, etc.).

In yet another incident in Belgium, a group of murderers left notes inspired by Kira (the protagonist and villain of the series) near the crime scene, earning themselves the nickname "Manga Murderers."

Considering all of this, it's no wonder that the franchise has been banned in some places. Thankfully, not every country with a DN-inspired incident took such a hard stance against the series.

What Countries Is Death Note Banned In?

Death Note is banned in Russia and a few provinces of China (namely Shenyang and Gansu). China's ban was placed way back in 2005 on the grounds that the series was a "corrupting influence on children," but Russia's decision was a recent surprise.

In Death Note's defense, though, it's not the only anime series that was blacklisted. Last year, the Russian court ruled in favor of banning several animes, including the cult-classic 'Akira' and wildly popular shounen series 'Tokyo Ghoul.'

According to the representatives, the court has testimonials from a number of "experts" alleging that these shows cause violence among young people.

Though the anime community in Russia is understandably upset, there doesn't seem to be any room for negotiations. The court's decision, so far, remains painfully firm.

Read More: 6 Anime Banned In The US

Is Death Note Harmful For Kids?

Death Note is not harmful to kids. While the show does deal with mature themes, there's no proof that it induces any dangerous reactions in them. The show is rated 16+ on various sites, but rest assured, viewers as young as 12 can enjoy it safely.

After all, a good chunk of Death Note's fans started the show at age 15/16 (including myself), and some watched it much earlier! My own brother was only 11 when I first recommended the anime to him, and he's grown up just fine.

Understandably, parents might have concerns about the show's themes and influence on kids, which is why it's recommended that they watch the show themselves before deciding anything. But for the most part, Death Note is safe for kids aged 12 and above.

It would be a good idea to keep younger kids (7-10 years) away from the show, though, because even if they don't understand a lot of the plot, some of them might get scared because of the character designs. Ryuk, for example, is not particularly pleasant to look at.

Why Should I Watch/Read Death Note?

Death Note is a brilliantly written series and is generally considered one of the best animes in existence. Even if you're not a big fan of anime as a medium, Death Note's masterful story-telling and intense plot will not disappoint you.

While the initial premise is about Light Yagami and his newfound power (see: the Death Note) to play the vigilante and God, the series predominantly focuses on a deadly cat-vs-mouse chase between him and the mysterious detective L.

The story soon evolves into a 3D Chess game – a battle of wits amongst two of the most brilliant minds in generations – and glues you to the edge of your seat with anticipation. In any other show, both Light and L would've been unstoppable, which really makes you wonder how the show would end.

Admittedly, Death Note makes a few poorly received plot choices in its middle act, but that opinion is mainly objective and nothing that's left irredeemable by the end.

Besides, there's something so delightful about watching the protagonist transform from a bored high-school student to an obsessive evil mastermind. And it doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with him; the show does a phenomenal job at making you root for Light.