For approximately a decade now, the live-action Netflix movie based on “Death Note” continues to be as unappreciated as before. Many concerns that were raised prior to its release were validated, and it’s often cited as one of the worst live-action adaptations of an anime series.
Among live-action anime adaptations, none have gained such notoriety as Netflix’s Death Note. It’s quite understandable given the reason. What people yearn for most in adaptations of any tale is loyalty and reverence towards the original content, but unfortunately, the primary flaw in Netflix’s Death Note lies in its insufficient efforts to stay true to the anime and manga, instead offering a significantly weaker narrative. Even after years have passed, there remains scant justification for spending time on Netflix’s Death Note, and there are several significant factors contributing to this.
8. Netflix’s Death Note Makes Its Main Gimmick Too Simple
The Eponymous Death Note Loses Everything That Made It Cool
The animated series and film adaptation of “Death Note” center around a mysterious notebook that has the power to cause anyone whose name is inscribed within it to die. What sets this book apart are its complex regulations that Light had to abide by when utilizing it, which frequently required him to think outside the box rather than simply writing names down. However, Netflix’s version of “Death Note” simplifies or eliminates many of these rules and even alters crucial ones, such as the prohibition against deaths that are physically impossible.
One key factor that has consistently drawn viewers to Death Note is its intricate psychological plotlines, which range from characters engaging in mental battles to devising ingenious problem-solving strategies. Over the years, this intellectual aspect of the Death Note‘s narrative has kept it distinct. Conversely, Netflix’s adaptation of Death Note simplifies how the Death Note functions, making the story seem less intellectually stimulating compared to the anime. As a result, it lacks the captivating allure that turns every moment into an engaging watch.
7. Netflix’s Death Note Doesn’t Understand Why Light Killed The Way He Did
Why Netflix’s New Take On Light’s Killing Doesn’t Work
In the anime and manga Death Note, a user could select various methods for someone to die, as long as it was feasible for them to execute it. More often than not, Light Yagami would choose heart attacks, but he occasionally added unexpected twists to these deaths. Contrasting this, the Netflix adaptation of Death Note tends to depict Light killing people in intricate and gruesome ways, lending the story a vibe similar to the film series Final Destination.
In simpler terms, Light could have easily killed people in gruesome ways throughout the anime and manga, but he chose heart attacks instead because it helped establish that one person was responsible for all the deaths, fostering the fear of ‘Kira’ within society. On the other hand, Death Note on Netflix presents random deaths which are excessive and lack a convincing motive to instill fear in people, making it seem like an attempt to overdo things unnecessarily.
6. Netflix’s Death Note Makes The Anime’s Bad Romance Even Worse
Why Death Note’s Main Romance Is Still Bad
In many opinions, despite Death Note’s captivating narrative, it struggled to portray romance convincingly. Admittedly, love was not a primary focus in the story, and Light only showed romantic interest when it served his strategies. However, whenever Light had any romantic involvement, no matter how minor, the other character was often written in such a way that made them highly annoying. Consequently, scenes involving romance were usually the ones viewers wanted to hurry through.
In an effort to rectify the romantic aspects of the original anime, Netflix’s Death Note gave more attention to Light Turner and Mia Sutton’s relationship compared to Light Yagami and Misa Amane’s. Regrettably, their hasty union failed to generate interest, and the excessive emphasis on their relationship overshadowed crucial story development. In essence, Netflix’s approach to addressing the anime’s romance issues backfired spectacularly.
5. Netflix’s Take On Ryuk Misses The Point Of The Character
Why Netflix’s Version Of Ryuk Doesn’t Work
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve had the chance to compare Netflix’s interpretation of Ryuk, the Shinigami, with the original source material. While on the surface, they share many similarities, there are some significant departures that truly set them apart.
Ryuk, who was once portrayed as a rather neutral figure in the anime and manga, has been transformed into an unsettlingly influential character in Netflix’s Death Note. Unlike his previous indifferent nature, Ryuk actively encourages individuals to use the Death Note, nudging them towards its destructive potential. In fact, it seems that Netflix’s version of Ryuk intentionally set Light on the path to becoming Kira, a stark contrast to the happenstance that defined their relationship in the original storyline.
As a devoted fan of Death Note, let me share my thoughts on why Ryuk, though seemingly passive in the storyline, was a crucial character due to his neutrality. It underscored Light’s autonomy in his choices and demonstrated that Ryuk’s final act against Light was purely transactional, devoid of any personal feelings.
Unfortunately, Netflix’s adaptation of Death Note missed the mark when it came to capturing Ryuk’s essence. Despite Willem Dafoe’s exceptional portrayal, the film failed to grasp what made Ryuk tick as a character, leaving little that is endearing about it.
4. Netflix’s Attempt To Fix Misa’s Character Made Her Even Worse
Why Mia Sutton Is Still A Terrible Character
The female lead of “Death Note,” Misa Amane, is undeniably the most debated character within the series’ extensive roster. While she possesses a Death Note and boasts powers surpassing Light Yagami, Misa appears to lack independent action, often acting only upon what Light coerces her into doing. This manipulation is effective due to Misa’s portrayal as an air-headed romantic who prioritizes her unrequited feelings for Light above all else. In essence, Misa Amane can be considered the most poorly developed character in “Death Note,” and it often feels that she contradicts the series’ overall narrative.
The Netflix adaptation tried to enhance Misa’s character by creating Mia Sutton, but Mia’s constant antagonism and lack of justification makes her less enjoyable compared to the original Misa.
3. Netflix’s Death Note Completely Forgot What Made L A Fun Character
Everything Wrong With Netflix’s Take On L
In the anime version of Death Note, L is portrayed as a reserved, eccentric character who seldom displays emotion, yet indulges in large amounts of sweets. On the other hand, L in Netflix’s adaptation of Death Note is more assertive and sociable, venturing out in public and even carrying a gun. Additionally, his sweet tooth in the Netflix series is reimagined as a means to boost his mental abilities, rather than just being a peculiar habit.
As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my disappointment with Netflix’s adaptation of Death Note. The psychological chess game between Light and L was what truly captivated viewers in the original series. However, in this new version, L seems to have lost much of his unique charm, becoming more of a generic character instead. As a result, he fails to convincingly portray the intellectual menace that Light perceives him to be.
In essence, the L depicted in Netflix’s Death Note is barely recognizable from his original counterpart, sharing only his name. This transformation has unfortunately resulted in a less engaging and less intimidating character.
2. Netflix’s Take On Light Completely Ruined One Of Anime’s Best Characters
Why Netflix’s Take On Light Is So Bad
When Netflix transformed “Death Note” into live-action, they altered the character of Light Yagami to become Light Turner, and these changes extend far beyond just their names. Unlike the original Light, who was a level-headed genius hiding his God complex behind a façade of wanting to save the world, Light Turner is a typical teenager who usually manages situations through luck rather than intelligence. He is generally sincere in his desire to do good, and anything that unsettles him tends to provoke an unusually intense fear response.
In a more straightforward manner: The portrayal of Light Turner in this adaptation was disappointing compared to Light Yagami because he lacked depth and intelligence, and his actions were less malicious. This weakened version of Light contradicts the central theme of Death Note as a psychological thriller about moral ambiguity. This poor interpretation of an iconic character is one reason why the film failed to resonate with audiences.
1. Netflix’s Death Note Race-Swapped The Story And Did Nothing With It
Death Note Fell Victim To The Biggest Problem With Live-Action Anime Adaptations
As a dedicated movie critic, I must confess my dismay at the recurring issue in live-action anime adaptations: the tendency to reimagine original stories by altering characters’ racial identities. The latest example, Netflix’s “Death Note,” unfortunately followed this pattern. Instead of creating a fresh narrative within the established universe, as seen numerous times in the manga, Netflix’s Death Note chose to replicate a common pitfall among such adaptations by transforming a predominantly Asian cast into a primarily white one. This regrettable decision serves to reinforce racial stereotypes and biases that are all too evident when cultural context is altered in this manner.
The problem is, Netflix’s Death Note doesn’t delve into the intricacies of the American justice system, despite the potential for exploring how such a system would handle a character like Kira. Given the original story’s ties to the Japanese justice system, this oversight makes the racial changes in the cast and narrative seem unnecessary and may be the main reason why the adaptation has disappointed anime fans. It seems unlikely that this issue will be addressed in the future.
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2025-04-19 23:39