Death Note has 37 episodes in the main anime series. The anime is complete, so viewers can watch the full story from Episode 1 to Episode 37 without waiting for new episodes.
So, how many ep of Death Note are there? The direct answer is 37 episodes. These episodes adapt the famous psychological thriller story of Light Yagami, L, Ryuk, and the Death Note.
On KunManga, readers can explore manga guides, anime-to-manga explainers, and story breakdowns before starting classic series like Death Note.
This guide explains the Death Note episode count, whether the anime is finished, where the final episode ends, how the anime connects to the manga, and what beginners should know before watching.
Quick Answer: How Many Ep of Death Note?
The quick answer to how many ep of Death Note is 37 episodes. The original Death Note anime is a complete TV series, not an ongoing anime.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many episodes are in Death Note? | 37 episodes |
| Is Death Note anime finished? | Yes |
| What is the final episode? | Episode 37 |
| Is there a Season 2? | No official second season of the main anime |
| Is Death Note based on manga? | Yes |
| Best watch order | Watch Episodes 1 to 37 in order |
The simplest answer is this: Death Note has 37 anime episodes, and Episode 37 is the ending of the main anime story.
Is Death Note Anime Finished?
Yes, Death Note anime is finished. The main TV anime tells a complete story across 37 episodes.
This means viewers do not need to wait for a continuation to understand the main plot. The anime has a clear beginning, middle, and ending.
Death Note is different from long-running anime that continue for hundreds of episodes. It is shorter, tighter, and more focused on strategy, suspense, and moral conflict.
That is one reason the series is still recommended to new anime viewers. It is complete but not too long.
What Is Death Note About?
Death Note follows Light Yagami, a brilliant student who finds a supernatural notebook dropped by the Shinigami Ryuk. Any person whose name is written in the notebook will die, as long as the writer knows that person’s face.
Light decides to use the Death Note to kill criminals and create what he believes is a better world. As his killings spread, people begin calling the mysterious killer “Kira.”
The story becomes a battle of intelligence when the detective L starts investigating Kira. Their conflict turns the anime into a tense psychological game.
This is why the answer to how many ep of Death Note matters for beginners. The anime uses only 37 episodes to tell a fast and intense story.
What Is the Final Episode of Death Note?
The final episode of Death Note is Episode 37. It concludes the main anime storyline and resolves the long conflict built across the series.
The final episode is important because Death Note is not designed as an endless story. It builds toward a final confrontation involving Light’s choices, his identity as Kira, and the consequences of using the notebook.
Viewers should not skip ahead to the ending because the story depends heavily on setup, investigation, and strategy.
The best way to experience the final episode is to watch all 37 episodes in order.
Does Death Note Have a Season 2?
No, Death Note does not have an official Season 2 of the main anime. The original anime ends with Episode 37.
Some viewers search for Season 2 because Death Note is popular and has other related media, including films, specials, one-shots, novels, and adaptations.
However, those are not the same as a direct second season of the original anime.
The clean answer is simple: Death Note has one main anime series with 37 episodes.
Are There Death Note Movies or Specials?
Yes, Death Note has movies and specials, but they are separate from the main 37-episode anime. Some versions retell or summarize parts of the story, while others adapt the concept in different formats.
For a first-time viewer, the main anime should come first. The 37 episodes give the core experience that made Death Note famous.
After finishing the anime, viewers can explore manga, live-action films, recap specials, or side material if they want more.
But none of those change the main answer to how many ep of Death Note: the TV anime has 37 episodes.
Is Death Note Based on a Manga?
Yes, Death Note is based on the manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The manga came before the anime and is the original source of the story.
The anime adapts the main manga storyline, but the pacing and presentation are not exactly the same. Some scenes can feel faster, slower, or more dramatic depending on the format.
This is a good example of why readers may want to understand what is the difference between manga and anime. Death Note works well in both formats, but each version creates tension in a different way.
The manga is the source material, while the anime is the most popular animated adaptation.
How Many Manga Volumes Does Death Note Have?
Death Note has 12 main manga volumes. The manga tells the full story that the anime adapts across 37 episodes.
There are also special editions and related releases, but the standard main manga series is usually counted as 12 volumes.
This makes Death Note manageable for readers who want to compare the anime with the original manga.
Because the anime is only 37 episodes and the manga is 12 volumes, Death Note is much easier to finish than many long shonen series.
Should You Watch the Anime or Read the Manga First?
Both options work. The Death Note anime is a strong starting point because it is complete, tense, and easy to watch in order.
The manga is also a great choice because it gives the original version of the story and allows readers to experience the pacing through panels, dialogue, and page turns.
People who like voice acting, music, and dramatic direction may prefer the anime first. People who like source material and tighter reading control may prefer the manga first.
For more context on adaptation basics, read are all animes based on manga.
Best Death Note Watch Order
The best Death Note watch order is simple. Start with Episode 1 and continue through Episode 37.
- Step 1: Watch Death Note Episode 1.
- Step 2: Continue in normal episode order.
- Step 3: Finish with Episode 37.
- Step 4: Read the manga or explore side material afterward if interested.
You do not need a complicated watch order for the main anime. The 37 episodes already tell the complete story.
Can You Skip Any Death Note Episodes?
No, it is better not to skip Death Note episodes. The anime is short and heavily connected, so skipping episodes can make the strategy and character decisions harder to follow.
Unlike some long anime, Death Note does not have a large filler section that can be removed from the main story.
Each episode builds tension between Light, L, and the investigation around Kira.
Because there are only 37 episodes, the best choice is to watch everything in order.
How Long Does It Take to Watch Death Note?
Death Note is much shorter than many popular anime. With 37 episodes, it can be finished fairly quickly compared with long series like Naruto, One Piece, or Bleach.
If each episode is around 23 minutes, the full anime takes about 14 to 15 hours before skipping openings or endings.
A casual viewer can finish it in a week. A faster viewer can finish it over a weekend.
This short length makes Death Note a strong recommendation for people who want a complete anime without a huge time commitment.
Why Death Note Feels Longer Than 37 Episodes
Death Note can feel bigger than 37 episodes because the story is dense. The anime uses a lot of internal planning, mind games, investigation, and moral tension.
Many episodes include layered strategies rather than simple action scenes. Light and L often fight through deduction, deception, and prediction.
This makes the anime feel intense even without a massive episode count.
That is why Death Note remains memorable despite being much shorter than many classic shonen anime.
Is Death Note Good for Beginners?
Yes, Death Note is one of the easiest anime to recommend to beginners. It has a clear premise, a complete story, strong suspense, and only 37 episodes.
It is also less dependent on anime genre knowledge than many battle shonen or fantasy series. The core idea is simple: a student gains the power to kill through a notebook, then tries to outsmart the people hunting him.
However, Death Note is darker than a casual school anime. It deals with murder, morality, corruption, justice, and power.
Beginners who like thrillers and crime stories are more likely to enjoy it.
Why Death Note Has No Filler Problem
Death Note does not have the same filler problem as many long-running anime. Its 37-episode structure keeps the story focused.
The anime does not need dozens of side arcs to wait for the manga. It adapts a complete story with a clear endpoint.
This makes it easier for new viewers to start without searching for a filler guide.
For Death Note, the simplest watch guide is the best one: watch every episode from 1 to 37.
Common Mistakes About Death Note Episode Count
One common mistake is thinking Death Note has multiple anime seasons with many more episodes. The main anime has one complete run of 37 episodes.
Another mistake is counting movies or specials as extra TV episodes. Those may be related, but they are not part of the main episode count.
A third mistake is assuming Death Note is still ongoing because the franchise has side material. The main anime is finished.
The clean answer to how many ep of Death Note is 37 episodes.
Final Answer: How Many Ep of Death Note?
The final answer to how many ep of Death Note is 37 episodes. The original Death Note anime is complete and ends with Episode 37.
There is no official Season 2 of the main anime. Viewers who want more after the anime can read the manga, explore related specials, or check out other Death Note media.
For most beginners, the best path is simple: watch Death Note from Episode 1 to Episode 37 in order.
FAQs
How many ep of Death Note are there?
Death Note has 37 episodes in the main anime series.
Is Death Note anime finished?
Yes, the Death Note anime is finished. The main TV series ends with Episode 37.
Does Death Note have Season 2?
No, Death Note does not have an official second season of the main anime.
What is the last episode of Death Note?
The last episode of Death Note is Episode 37.
Should I watch all Death Note episodes?
Yes, you should watch all 37 episodes because the story is connected and does not have a major filler section.
Is Death Note based on manga?
Yes, Death Note is based on the manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.
How long does it take to watch Death Note?
Watching all 37 episodes takes about 14 to 15 hours, depending on whether you skip openings, endings, or recaps.
Conclusion
So, how many ep of Death Note are there? Death Note has 37 episodes in its main anime series.
The anime is complete, focused, and easy to watch in order. It does not require a complex watch guide or a long filler list.
For new viewers, Death Note is one of the best short anime choices because it tells a full psychological thriller story in only 37 episodes.
Techna Taylor is a content contributor at KunManga, focusing on manga, manhwa, and webtoon-related guides, recommendations, and reader-friendly explainers. With a strong interest in digital comics and online reading trends, Techna helps create clear, accessible content for fans who want to discover new series, understand popular titles, and follow updates across different manga genres.