





Death Note
12 books
The Death Note series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata has 12 books. Start with Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (2003), then read the rest in the order below.
Death Note reading order

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom
Tsugumi Ohba
A brilliant but disillusioned high school student stumbles upon a supernatural notebook, the Death Note, capable of killing anyone whose name is written within its pages. Driven by a desire to cleanse the world of evil, he embarks on a clandestine crusade, adopting the alias "Kira." However, his actions soon attract the attention of a reclusive and equally brilliant detective known only as L, setting the stage for a thrilling intellectual battle of wits. As the body count rises and the net tightens, the student must navigate the moral complexities of his newfound power while evading capture, all while his own father leads the investigation.

Death Note, Vol. 2: Confluence
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
Light Yagami's dangerous game of cat and mouse escalates as the enigmatic detective L closes in, forcing Light to devise increasingly cunning strategies to maintain his godlike persona. As the body count rises and the investigation intensifies, the lines between justice and vengeance blur, pushing Light further into the darkness of his own creation. This volume delves deeper into the psychological warfare between these two brilliant minds, exploring themes of morality, power, and the corrupting influence of absolute control. The intricate plot and compelling character dynamics continue to captivate, setting the stage for even more thrilling confrontations.

Death Note, Vol. 3
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
After voluntarily surrendering the Death Note and losing all memory of its deadly power, Light Yagami returns to ordinary life—just as a new series of mysterious killings begins. As the world’s greatest detective, L, continues his relentless pursuit, Light becomes entangled in an investigation that challenges his identity, morality, and extraordinary intellect. With increasingly intricate rules, calculated strategies, and shifting alliances, the story deepens its tense psychological battle over justice, power, and the consequences of playing god.

Death Note, Vol. 4: Love
Tsugumi Ohba
The game of cat and mouse intensifies as two Kiras now operate in the shadows, forcing L to make a daring move. He enlists Light Yagami to join the investigation, tasking him with posing as the original Kira to flush out the imposter. While L remains suspicious of Light, this arrangement provides Light with unprecedented access to the task force's resources and a unique opportunity to manipulate events. However, when Light finally confronts the new Kira, he discovers a rival far more complex and unpredictable than he could have ever imagined, leading to unexpected entanglements and a dangerous new dimension to their deadly game.

Death Note, Vol. 5: Whiteout
Tsugumi Ohba
Light Yagami's reign as Kira is challenged when a new, ruthless killer emerges, wielding a Death Note with a chillingly different agenda. As the body count rises and the focus shifts from justice to profit, the legendary detective L finds himself in a desperate race against time. The lines between good and evil blur as Light grapples with his own identity and the true cost of his god-like power. This volume plunges into a dark new chapter, exploring the corrupting influence of power and the terrifying potential of the Death Note in the hands of a truly selfish individual.

Death Note, Vol. 6: Give-and-Take
Tsugumi Ohba
Light Yagami's deadly game of cat and mouse with the brilliant detective L intensifies as the investigation into the new Kira's identity reaches a critical juncture. Despite gathering evidence against the seven Yotsuba members, the true owner of the Death Note remains elusive, pushing L to employ a risky new strategy. He enlists the help of Misa Amane, tasking her with infiltrating the group to draw out the hidden Kira. However, with the Shinigami Rem revealing the Kiras' identities to Misa, her unwavering devotion to Light will lead her to take drastic actions, setting the stage for a perilous confrontation that could change everything for L.
Death Note, Vol. 7
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
After a high-speed pursuit, the task force captures the latest Kira and takes possession of the mysterious notebook—allowing its members to glimpse the shinigami Ryuk and giving Light Yagami back the memories he had lost. Reclaiming his identity as Kira, Light resumes his intricate campaign while stepping into L’s former role as leader of the investigation. As the battle between justice and absolute power grows increasingly complex, shifting alliances and a startling revelation put everyone’s loyalties and strategies to the test. Blending psychological suspense, supernatural horror, dark humor, and police procedural intrigue, this volume continues the series’ gripping examination of morality, control, and the corruption of idealism.

Death Note, Vol. 8: Target
Tsugumi Ohba
Light Yagami, now operating as both Kira and L within the NPA, believes his meticulously crafted ideal world is within reach. However, years of unchecked success have bred a dangerous complacency, leaving him vulnerable to an unforeseen threat. When his sister Sayu is taken hostage, demanding the return of the Death Note, Light is forced into a desperate global pursuit. He must confront two formidable new adversaries, pushing his intellect and resolve to their absolute limits in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.
Death Note, Vol. 9
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
Light Yagami has outmaneuvered rivals before, but the emergence of L’s determined successors, Near and Mello, presents a new and unpredictable threat to his carefully constructed world. As competing factions pursue the Death Note and the identity of Kira, alliances fracture, loyalties are tested, and the battle of intellects grows increasingly dangerous. Blending supernatural horror, psychological suspense, and dark humor, this volume explores justice, ambition, manipulation, and the consequences of believing one person has the right to reshape society.
Death Note, Vol. 10
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
The battle to uncover Kira’s identity enters a dangerous new phase as Near and Mello—two brilliant successors to L—pursue radically different paths toward justice. With the Death Note’s power entangled in international crime, political maneuvering, and shifting alliances, Light must navigate threats that challenge both his authority and his carefully constructed plans. Blending psychological suspense, supernatural horror, and strategic cat-and-mouse intrigue, this volume deepens the series’ exploration of power, morality, ambition, and the consequences of deciding who deserves to live.

Death Note, Vol. 11
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
Five years after the Kira case began, the world has changed as cults worship Kira and two determined successors to L emerge: the calculating Near and the ruthless Mello. Their sharply different methods draw them into a dangerous struggle involving the mafia, the U.S. government, and the Death Note itself, forcing Light to confront new threats to his carefully constructed identity. As alliances shift and a shinigami returns to Earth to reclaim his notebook, the battle over justice, power, and control grows more unpredictable than ever. With its tense cat-and-mouse plotting and morally complex characters, this volume deepens the series’ exploration of whether absolute power can ever be used for a righteous purpose.

Death Note, Vol. 12
Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
The battle of wits between Light Yagami and those determined to expose Kira reaches its explosive conclusion in this final volume. With Light now established in a position of authority and Kira’s influence spreading into a devoted cult, the line between justice and tyranny has become dangerously blurred. As opposing forces close in, strategy, deception, and moral conviction collide in a tense examination of power, punishment, and the consequences of playing judge over life and death. Combining psychological suspense with sharp, intricate storytelling, the series delivers a gripping and thought-provoking finale.