Death Note, the original 2006 TV anime, has 37 episodes total, and that single 37-episode run completes the full main storyline.
Based on consistent series listings and the viewing order most fans follow on ComicK, this guide also clarifies why some platforms split the same 37 episodes into “seasons,” what recap specials do and do not count as, and how to avoid mixing the anime with separate live-action adaptations. Keep reading for a clean breakdown of exactly what to watch and what to ignore.
Quick Answer: How Many Ep of Death Note?
How Many Ep of Death Note? 37 episodes in the primary anime television run.
To be precise about what that means:
- Included: the core, canon TV anime (Episodes 1 to 37).
- Not included: recap specials and compilation films (these are not additional episodes).
- Not included: live-action adaptations (different continuity and format).
If you only needed the number, you can stop here. If you want the “no confusion” version, keep reading.
The 8 Critical Truths You Can’t Miss
Truth 1: The only “main” Death Note anime is 37 episodes, start to finish
When people ask How Many Ep of Death Note, the correct response is almost always referring to the 2006–2007 TV anime adaptation. That run is complete at 37 episodes, telling a full story arc with a definitive ending.
There is no hidden “extra season” that continues the anime storyline. If you see lists online implying an additional season, it’s typically one of these situations:
- Someone split the show into “Season 1” and “Season 2” for cataloging convenience.
- A platform labeled the arcs separately.
- They included recap specials and called them episodes.
From the ComicK team’s perspective, this is the most common source of confusion: some services present Death Note as multiple seasons, but the total episode count remains 37.
Truth 2: “Season” labels vary, but the episode count does not
Death Note is often presented in one of two ways:
- One season containing Episodes 1–37.
- Two seasons (or two parts) that split around the major turning point of the narrative.
This is purely organizational. It does not change the answer to How Many Ep of Death Note.
If you want a practical split that matches how the story feels, many viewers consider:
- Part 1: Episodes 1–25
- Part 2: Episodes 26–37
That split aligns with a major shift in the central rivalry and the investigative “shape” of the plot.
Truth 3: Death Note has recap specials, but they are not extra episodes
You may run into titles like Death Note: Relight, which are compilation recaps. These usually re-edit the story into a shorter format.
Key point:
- These recap specials are not “new episodes.”
- They do not expand the canonical storyline with a full new arc.
- They are best treated as alternative viewing formats for people revisiting the series.
So if your goal is to watch the complete narrative, you do not need them. If your goal is to refresh the plot quickly, they can be useful.
Truth 4: Death Note is a “tight” adaptation, so the 37 episodes are dense by design
One reason Death Note remains so widely recommended is its pacing. Even at 37 episodes, it rarely feels like it wastes time. Compared with many long-running shonen anime, Death Note is:
- More plot-driven than battle-driven
- Built on escalating consequences
- Structured around mind games, deception, and counter-deception
That density matters for watch planning. People sometimes assume a 37-episode anime is “light viewing.” Death Note is not slow. You will likely want to watch it with attention, not as pure background content, especially in the early investigative episodes where every detail can pay off later.
Truth 5: The story has a major pivot, and that pivot explains why viewers debate “where it peaks”
If you’ve heard viewers argue about “the best half” of Death Note, they’re usually talking about the transition around the mid-series pivot.
Without spoiling specifics, here’s what matters for your planning:
- Episodes 1–25 build a very specific cat-and-mouse dynamic that defines Death Note’s identity for many fans.
- Episodes 26–37 shift the structure, introduce different pressures, and accelerate toward the ending.
This is not “filler.” It is not a separate series. It is the same story moving into its second major phase.
From the ComicK team’s reader-viewer feedback over the years, the most common pattern is:
- Viewers who love the psychological duel often rate the first phase higher.
- Viewers who enjoy escalation, higher volatility, and endgame tension often appreciate the second phase more on rewatch.
Either way, you only get the full thematic conclusion by finishing all 37 episodes.
Truth 6: There’s virtually no “skip list” that doesn’t damage the experience
Because Death Note’s plot is interconnected, “skipping around” tends to break the logic chain.
If you want a faster watch, a better approach than skipping is:
- Watch fewer episodes per sitting, but watch them in order.
- Or choose a recap format (if you’re rewatching), while understanding it is condensed.
If you absolutely must compress, here is a safer “minimum commitment” approach that avoids random skipping:
- Commit to Episodes 1–7 first.
This section establishes the premise, the stakes, and the psychological style. If you’re not engaged by then, it may not be your genre. - Then continue in normal order, because the series relies on cause-and-effect.
A true skip guide is hard to recommend responsibly for Death Note because most “quiet” episodes are actually laying traps, rules, and motivations that become critical later.
Truth 7: How long it takes to watch depends on your pace, but you can estimate realistically
Even if your search was simply How Many Ep of Death Note, you probably also care about the time investment.
A useful way to estimate:
- Most episodes run in the typical anime range, roughly low-to-mid 20 minutes each once you exclude openings and endings (platforms vary slightly in how they present this).
- At 37 episodes, you’re looking at roughly 14–16 hours total viewing time depending on how you count intros, credits, and recaps.
Practical watch pacing options:
- Weekend binge: 10–13 episodes per day across a weekend, intense but doable.
- One-week plan: 5–6 episodes per day.
- Two-week plan: 2–3 episodes per day (popular for people who want time to think between twists).
- Casual plan: 3–5 episodes per week, which keeps tension high without burnout.
If you enjoy analyzing character choices and moral tradeoffs, the two-week plan often lands best because it leaves room for reflection.
Truth 8: There is no canon “Episode 38” continuation in anime form, so manage expectations
A frequent follow-up to How Many Ep of Death Note is: “Is there more after the anime ends?”
In anime TV terms, the answer is simple:
- The Death Note TV anime concludes the story within 37 episodes.
- There is no direct sequel season that continues the same canonical timeline.
That said, Death Note as a franchise includes other formats (films, live-action adaptations, and additional manga-related material). These are best understood as:
- Alternative takes, not the next anime season.
- Separate experiences, not Episode 38 onward.
So if your goal is “the complete Death Note anime story,” the finish line is clear: Episode 37.
Death Note Episode Breakdown by Story Phase
If you want a clean mental model of the 37-episode structure, this is the simplest way to map it without spoilers.
Opening Phase: The premise, the rules, and the first escalation (Episodes 1–7)
This is where Death Note earns trust quickly. You get:
- The core concept and the “rules logic” that drives the entire narrative.
- The early moves that set up the series’ intellectual tone.
- The first signals that this story is not just about power, but about identity and ideology.
If someone asks us at ComicK, “How soon will I know if I like it?” we usually say: by Episode 2, and definitely by Episode 7.
Core Duel Phase: The cat-and-mouse intensity (Episodes 8–25)
This is the stretch most people remember when they think “Death Note.” Expect:
- Tight psychological maneuvering.
- Rapid shifts in perceived advantage.
- Constant testing of boundaries, both moral and tactical.
If you enjoy chess-like plotting, these episodes are the reason Death Note remains a gateway anime for many new viewers.
Endgame Phase: The second major conflict structure and resolution (Episodes 26–37)
Here the story accelerates toward conclusion. You’ll see:
- Broader pressure, faster consequence cycles.
- A different style of strategic conflict.
- A push toward final answers: who wins, how, and what it ultimately means.
Even if you prefer the earlier tone, this phase gives the narrative its thematic closure.
What “Counts” as an Episode of Death Note?
Since the keyword How Many Ep of Death Note can be interpreted differently by different fans, it helps to define what most people mean.
The standard definition most viewers use
When someone asks this question on search, they almost always mean:
- The TV anime episodes released as a continuous series.
That is 37 episodes.
What does not count as “episodes” for this answer
To avoid confusion, these usually do not count toward the episode total:
- Recap or compilation specials that re-edit existing footage.
- Live-action films or series (different medium, often different story choices).
- Non-canon extras or promotional content.
If a list claims a higher episode count, it is typically combining formats that do not belong in the “main anime episode” definition.
Is Death Note “Complete” in the Anime, or Do You Need the Manga?
Another common intent behind How Many Ep of Death Note is: “If I watch all episodes, am I done?”
Watching all 37 episodes gives you a complete narrative
You will get:
- A full beginning-to-end story
- A resolution, not a cliffhanger
- A clear thematic endpoint
Why some fans still recommend reading the manga
Even though the anime is complete, manga readers sometimes prefer the manga for:
- Slightly different pacing in certain segments
- More internal monologue and investigative detail
- Nuances in how certain characters’ reasoning is presented
If you loved the anime, the manga can feel like an “extended cut” for your brain. But it is not required to understand the ending.
The Best Watch Order for New Viewers
If you are new and your question is simply How Many Ep of Death Note, the best watch order is also the simplest:
Recommended order for first-timers
- Death Note Episodes 1–37 in order.
That is it.
If you are rewatching and want a faster refresh
- Consider a recap format only if your goal is remembering major beats quickly.
- Otherwise, rewatching in full is still rewarding because foreshadowing is easier to notice the second time.
A practical ComicK team note here: on rewatch, many viewers are surprised how early the story plants ideas that later feel “inevitable.” That is part of what makes the series so rewatchable.
Why the Episode Count Matters More Than You Think
Knowing How Many Ep of Death Note is not just trivia. It helps you set expectations correctly.
It is short enough to finish, long enough to develop real complexity
- At 37 episodes, Death Note is approachable.
- It is also substantial enough to explore:
- moral drift
- ideology vs justice
- identity and performance
- institutional power vs individual power
- the psychology of being watched and judged
It is an excellent “starter” anime for certain audiences
If someone is trying anime but does not want a 300-episode commitment, Death Note is a strategic choice because:
- It has a strong hook early.
- It has a complete ending.
- It focuses on intellect and consequence rather than pure tournament escalation.
Common Misconceptions That Lead to Wrong Episode Counts
If you have ever seen someone answer “How Many Ep of Death Note” incorrectly, it usually comes from one of these misconceptions.
Mistaking recap specials for additional episodes
People see compilation titles and assume they are extra chapters of story. They are not.
Confusing platform “seasons” with separate productions
A platform may label arcs as seasons, but they still add up to the same total: 37.
Mixing anime with live-action counts
Live-action projects may have their own episode or film counts, but they do not change the anime’s total.
FAQ: How Many Ep of Death Note and Related Questions
1) How Many Ep of Death Note in the main anime?
37 episodes.
2) Does Death Note have more than one season?
It may be labeled as one or two seasons depending on the platform, but it is a single complete run totaling 37 episodes.
3) Is there a Death Note Episode 38?
No. The main TV anime story concludes at Episode 37.
4) Are there any Death Note filler episodes?
Death Note is largely plot-dense with minimal filler in the typical long-running anime sense. Skipping episodes is not recommended.
5) How long does it take to watch all episodes of Death Note?
Roughly 14–16 hours total, depending on openings, endings, and platform presentation.
6) Do the recap specials add new story content?
They are primarily compilations and re-edits. They do not function as “new episodes” that extend the main story.
7) Is the anime ending complete, or do I need the manga to finish the story?
The anime provides a complete ending. The manga can add nuance and detail but is not required for closure.
8) Which episodes are considered the first major story phase?
Many viewers group Episodes 1–25 as the first major phase due to how the central conflict is structured.
9) Can I start Death Note in the middle if I already know the premise?
Not recommended. The logic chain is tightly connected, and missing early rules and setups can reduce impact and clarity.
10) What should I watch after finishing Death Note if I want a similar vibe?
Look for psychological thrillers and strategy-heavy anime with strong cat-and-mouse dynamics. If you want, tell me what you liked most (mind games, darker themes, detective work), and I will recommend a short, curated list.
You may also like:
Does Naruto Dies in Boruto? 5 Definitive Answers That End the Rumors
Is the Berserk Manga Finished? 10 Powerful Facts Fans Can’t Ignore
How Old Is Naruto in Boruto? 5 Definitive Answers Fans Will Love
