Death Note first came out as a manga in Japan on December 1, 2003, when it began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump. The anime adaptation came later, premiering in Japan on October 4, 2006.
So, when did Death Note come out? The direct answer depends on which version you mean. The manga started in 2003, the first Japanese collected volume came out in 2004, the English manga release began in 2005, and the anime came out in 2006.
On KunManga, readers can explore manga guides, anime-to-manga explainers, and story breakdowns before starting classic psychological series like Death Note.
This guide explains when Death Note came out, including the original manga release, anime premiere, English edition, live-action movies, and why the timeline can feel confusing for new fans.
Quick Answer: When Did Death Note Come Out?
The quick answer to when did Death Note come out is that the manga started in Japan in 2003, while the anime started in 2006.
| Version | Release Date | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Original manga serialization | December 1, 2003 | Death Note began in Weekly Shonen Jump |
| Japanese Volume 1 | April 2, 2004 | First collected manga volume |
| English Volume 1 | October 10, 2005 | VIZ’s English manga release began |
| Anime premiere | October 4, 2006 | TV anime began airing in Japan |
| Anime ending | June 27, 2007 | The 37-episode anime finished |
The simplest answer is this: Death Note began as a manga in 2003 and became an anime in 2006.
When Did the Death Note Manga Come Out?
The Death Note manga first came out on December 1, 2003. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, one of the most famous manga magazines in Japan.
The manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. This creative pairing helped make Death Note stand out because the story combined a simple supernatural premise with intense psychological strategy.
The first collected Japanese manga volume was later released on April 2, 2004. The full main manga was eventually collected into 12 volumes.
So, if the question is when did Death Note come out as a manga, the answer is 2003.
When Did the Death Note Anime Come Out?
The Death Note anime came out in Japan on October 4, 2006. It was animated by Madhouse and directed by Tetsuro Araki.
The anime ran from 2006 to 2007 and finished with 37 episodes. It adapted the main story of Light Yagami, L, Ryuk, Misa, Near, Mello, and the Death Note itself.
For many international fans, the anime was their first introduction to Death Note. Its dark tone, tense music, and mind-game structure helped make the series popular outside Japan.
For the full episode breakdown, read how many ep of Death Note.
When Did Death Note Come Out in English?
The English manga release of Death Note began with Volume 1 on October 10, 2005. This version was published by VIZ Media.
This means English manga readers had access to Death Note before the anime became widely known internationally.
The English edition helped bring the series to a larger audience, especially readers who followed Shonen Jump titles in North America.
Later, Death Note also received other English formats, including Black Edition volumes and complete collection releases.
Why Death Note Release Dates Can Be Confusing
The release timeline can be confusing because Death Note exists in several formats. The manga, anime, English release, live-action movies, specials, and later one-shots all came out at different times.
Some fans discovered Death Note through the anime in 2006 or 2007. Others found it through the manga first. Some newer viewers found it through streaming years later.
That is why the answer to when did Death Note come out depends on context.
If you mean the original work, Death Note came out in 2003. If you mean the anime, it came out in 2006.
What Came First: Death Note Manga or Anime?
The Death Note manga came first. The anime was adapted from the manga after the manga had already become successful.
This is important because the manga is the original source material. The anime follows the main story, but pacing, atmosphere, and presentation can feel different between formats.
The manga relies on page turns, panel layout, and internal dialogue. The anime adds voice acting, music, animation, lighting, and dramatic timing.
For a broader format comparison, read what is the difference between manga and anime.
When Did the Death Note Manga End?
The Death Note manga ended in 2006. Its serialization ran from December 2003 to May 2006.
The main story was collected into 12 volumes, making it much shorter than many long-running shonen manga. Despite that shorter length, the series became one of the most famous psychological manga of the 2000s.
The ending gave the main story a complete structure. Death Note is not an unfinished manga.
This makes it easy for new readers to start from Volume 1 and read through to the end.
When Did the Death Note Anime End?
The Death Note anime ended on June 27, 2007. The main anime series has 37 episodes total.
The anime does not continue into a normal Season 2 after Episode 37. Related media exists, but the main TV anime tells a complete story.
This is useful for new viewers because Death Note does not require a complicated watch plan. You can watch the anime from Episode 1 to Episode 37 in order.
The complete episode count also makes Death Note easier to finish than longer anime such as Naruto, One Piece, or Bleach.
When Did the Death Note Movies Come Out?
Death Note also received live-action movie adaptations. The first Japanese live-action film came out in 2006, the same year the anime premiered.
These movies helped expand the franchise beyond manga and anime. However, they are not the original version of the story.
For beginners, the best path is still to start with either the manga or the 37-episode anime. The movies can be watched afterward as alternate adaptations.
This matters because different adaptations can change pacing, details, or character emphasis.
How Old Is Death Note Now?
Since the manga started in 2003, Death Note is now more than 20 years old. The anime, which premiered in 2006, is also a classic from the mid-2000s anime era.
Even after all that time, Death Note still feels accessible because its main premise is easy to understand. A student finds a notebook that can kill people, then tries to reshape the world while a genius detective hunts him.
The series does not depend on a huge power system or hundreds of episodes. Its appeal comes from suspense, morality, and strategy.
That is why Death Note still works well for new fans today.
Why Death Note Became Popular So Quickly
Death Note became popular because its concept was simple but intense. The Death Note itself creates an immediate question: what would someone do with the power to kill from a distance?
Light Yagami’s transformation into Kira gives the story moral tension. L’s investigation turns that tension into a psychological battle.
The series also stood out visually. Takeshi Obata’s detailed art made the characters feel sharp, stylish, and serious.
By the time the anime came out in 2006, Death Note already had a strong manga foundation and a story built for suspense.
Is Death Note Still Worth Watching Today?
Yes, Death Note is still worth watching today. The anime is complete, short enough to finish easily, and still one of the best entry points for psychological anime.
Its themes also remain easy to discuss. Justice, power, ego, punishment, surveillance, and corruption are not limited to one era.
The animation style is from the 2000s, but the story’s tension still works because it depends more on character decisions than visual spectacle.
For viewers who like mind games and dark moral questions, Death Note still holds up well.
Common Mistakes About Death Note Release Dates
One common mistake is saying Death Note came out in 2006 without explaining the format. That is true for the anime, but the manga came out earlier in 2003.
Another mistake is thinking the English release was the original release. The English manga started after the Japanese manga.
A third mistake is treating the live-action movies as the beginning of the franchise. They came after the manga already existed.
The clean answer to when did Death Note come out is: manga in 2003, anime in 2006.
Final Answer: When Did Death Note Come Out?
The final answer to when did Death Note come out is that the original manga began on December 1, 2003, in Weekly Shonen Jump.
The first Japanese collected volume came out on April 2, 2004. The English manga release began on October 10, 2005. The anime premiered in Japan on October 4, 2006 and ended on June 27, 2007.
In simple terms, Death Note started as a manga in 2003 and became a TV anime in 2006.
FAQs
When did Death Note come out?
Death Note first came out as a manga in Japan on December 1, 2003. The anime premiered on October 4, 2006.
When did the Death Note manga start?
The Death Note manga started serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump on December 1, 2003.
When did the Death Note anime start?
The Death Note anime started airing in Japan on October 4, 2006.
When did Death Note end?
The manga ended in 2006, while the anime ended in 2007 with Episode 37.
Which came first, Death Note manga or anime?
The manga came first. The anime was adapted after the manga had already begun and gained popularity.
When did Death Note come out in English?
The English manga release began with Volume 1 on October 10, 2005.
Is Death Note still ongoing?
No, the main Death Note manga and anime are complete. Some side material and special releases exist, but the main story has ended.
Conclusion
So, when did Death Note come out? The manga first came out in Japan in 2003, while the anime premiered in 2006.
The English manga release began in 2005, helping the series reach more readers before the anime became a major international gateway.
Death Note remains popular because its release may belong to the 2000s, but its central questions about power, justice, and ego still feel sharp today.
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.