MovieChat Forums > Death Note: Desu nôto (2007) Discussion > Any other intelligent anime like Death N...

Any other intelligent anime like Death Note ?

posted 10 years ago by cool_jojo_007
36 replies | jump to latest

Let me explain first:

I absolutely loved the series till the episode Silence, after that even though I finished the series, I couldn't get over the fact that for me the series had ended in that episode. I loved that constant manipulation, mind games and the sheer intelligence of the main characters. Please suggest me another anime like this.

Note: I have started Code Geass based on a recommendation, but I'm at the 19th episode right now and I just can't see the extreme intelligence or manipulation shown in Death Note. Secondly, the inclusion of 'Pizza Hut' ads and naked top heavy girls for no reason irks me and has no addition to the story line. I have enjoyed Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist and Stein's Gate but I crave for another ''intelligent'' mind bending anime like Death Note.

Please Help.☺

[–] bakerstreetdozen 10 years ago

There are plenty of intelligent anime shows out there, plenty of mind-bending shows with smart and/or manipulative characters. It sounds to me like you're looking for an anime show that's intelligent in pretty much the same way that Death Note was. For that you may be disappointed, because it's a fairly unique experience; if you search out the exact same thing, you won't find it. If you stop expecting each show to be similar, or if you stop comparing each experience, my guess is that you'll be able to enjoy each anime on a more individual basis.

--
'Save me, Barry!'

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Not really, actually. You're partly right that I'm looking for a smart anime like Death Note (which isn't Mecha), and I thought I found it too, when I watched Monster. Alas, it fell flat around the 18-19th episode for me and never regained itself. I actually think Death Note was 10/10 for the first 25 episodes and then 7.5-8/10 for the remaining ones. I am just looking something on the same genre, even if it is 8/10 for the entire series.

[–] ikari_shinji24 10 years ago

Monster

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Dude at least read my reply 😔 I've written that I didn't enjoy Monster after the first 18 episodes

[–] ikari_shinji24 10 years ago

Oh sorry, I forgot :D Monster builds up very slowly but it's very good. Also you can check out Shinsekai Yori, Elfen Lied, Ergo Proxy, Texchnolyze (I think that's how you spell it), Serial Experiments Lain (this is the big one, if you love trippy *beep* like Evangelion, you will like this), Ghost in the shell etc... There are many awesome series, you just got to search :D

[–] bakerstreetdozen 10 years ago

Serial Experiments Lain is truly excellent, definitely one of my favourite anime shows. It'll go down as a classic.

--
'Save me, Barry!'

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

I think I'll start with Serial Experiments Lain. And then move on to the other shows mentioned here. Thanks guys!

~ Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's ~

[–] rmkeltz78 10 years ago

I know some of these were mentioned, but anywho...

Try Psycho-Pass...intelligent, well written, great plot. I think someone else mentioned Elfen Lied (Erufen rîto if you look it up on here), short series with a good story, heavy on the violence though. Ergo proxy was pretty good, as well as Darker than Black, but they both can be a bit hard to follow at times. Berserk, Attack on Titan, and Claymore are all also great, though not on the same level as shows like Death Note or Psycho-Pass as far as making you think.

[–] ikari_shinji24 10 years ago

Indeed it is, I also loved Mushishi, it's one of my favourites.

[–] rhi-everall 10 years ago

Try Baccano!

Cadwch Y Ffydd.

[–] samdotson1992 10 years ago

Try psycho-pass, it contains a similar formula as Death Note: bored genius with god complex and detective hunting down bored genius. Except in this scenario the police execute or lock up people merely off a "crime coefficient", think of it as a statistical likelihood of committing a crime. The show blatantly makes references to Western philosophy and sociology: Max Weber, Plato, Michel Foucault, Jeremy Bentham and the list goes on. I've only just begun Death Note, but I would venture their on equal footing.

[–] ristovskarashela 10 years ago

I feel u ... I've been looking for something like Death Note for ages now .. but I didn't came across one .. I've been suggested Monster but i haven't started because is so long .. So you just replayed u didn't like it .. whys that? Does it gets boring or something? And also whats going on in Serial Experiments Lain?

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Well I think Monster started out as pretty good...but it took a small amount of time to establish its story and then it just kept dragging on. At least it was better than Code Geass which was suggested to me, and it turned out to be almost nothing about strategy/deception/mindgames, rather a mecha anime relying on fights and battles (R2 was better than R1). Watch Monster if you have a lot of time in your hands but I think by 35-36th episode you would be bored and wish the story gets over faster.

I have finished Serial experiments. It is good, but not even in the same rung as Death Note. But good news :) I have found two new anime: Liar Game and One Outs. I have been told by friends that both are really good. Have just started watching One Outs and it is really interesting till now !! (on the 14th episode). It's going brilliant I think you would enjoy both of these anime as well !!

~ Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's ~

[–] HEYitzED 10 years ago

Has anyone recommended "Kaiji" yet? Lots of manipulation and mindgames in that and shows the cruel nature of humanity. Also very well written and thought out. Not quite on the same level as Death Note (which is God-status) but still very good. If you're looking for something as good or better than Death Note, prepare to be disappointed. But I reiterate, watch "Kaiji". You can find the entire series on YouTube so it's not difficult to find. You may find the animation style a bit odd but give it a chance. Watch at least three episodes and let me know what you think. I went around asking people for animes like Death Note as well and this is the only one that came close. Also, I'm pretty positive it's by the same studio that made Death Note and even has the same music composer.

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Hi...I have just finished One Outs and it was terrific !! Not close to Death Note, but a solid 9/10. Could you tell me which Kaiji are you talking about? Is it called Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler?

~ Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's ~

[–] HEYitzED 10 years ago

I'll link you to the "Kaiji" I'm talking about. It is closest thing you'll find to Death Note in terms of being well thought out and intelligent. Also, you'll love the mindgames and manipulation between the characters. It's a little less complex than Death Note but still very good. Here's the first episode on YouTube. You should be able to find most of the series on that channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV1CYclyuf4

I'd say watch the first three or so episodes before deciding to watch more. First episode is a bit slow.

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Thanks man. Since I just finished One Outs on a high, I'll definitely give this a watch and get back to you !

~ Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's ~

[–] HEYitzED 10 years ago

Thanks for taking the suggestion! I really think you'll enjoy it. And definitely let me know what you think.

[–] kayak-kid 10 years ago

I would highly recomend Code Geass as I was asking the exact same question as you but was pointed to death note from Code Geass. The main character Lelouch could give light a run for his money in the wits department and has an equally as shocking end.

10/10 would watch.

[–] cool_jojo_007 10 years ago

Hey man...i really respect your opinion, but truly I didn't find Code Geass 'that' top-notch. R2 is definitely better than R1, but I found it more action packed mecha rather than mind manipulation.
Lelouch (Zero) was most of the time just barking orders for attacking different knightframes or relying on the block system of the grounds to fall at the exact time he had planned. In fact he was outsmarted by Suzuki quite many times, without Suzuki having to use his mind, just his fighting skills. So it didn't quite work for me. Although I admit, in terms of battles and fights, it was really an amazing watch.

~ Well, if this is it, old boy, I hope you don't mind if I go out speaking the King's ~

[–] zelos736 10 years ago

Bit of an old thread, but I'll add one to your list in case you still check here every once and awhile, or for anyone else interested. Have you seen Log Horizon? It currently has 2 seasons out (about 50 episodes) and despite the comedic elements and somewhat blatant fan service, I find it quite intellectual in nature.

Now there is no scheming or plotting on the level of Death Note, but it is there to some extent. It take place inside what is perceived as an MMORPG (Like .hack and sword art online) and the main character is a strategist. It deals with topics you might no expect, like the impact of food on society and other social economic style issues. Its about the characters coming to terms with their situation and having to come together to build a society in a new world while navigating through the politics of the land and the issues that come with it. The first like 6 episodes are world building and character set ups, but there is a pretty cool plot put into motion around episode 7 with a cool payoff in episodes 9 and 10 and it just gets more interesting from there...

[–] bakerstreetdozen 10 years ago

I've loved stories where characters get trapped inside of a game world of some sort, ever since playing .hack. I was excited to watch Log Horizon, so I watched the first two episodes last week, but had a really hard time getting into it. Generally I have a three episode rule when trying out new shows, but I was honestly pretty bored. Maybe it gets better eventually, but I've seen stories like this before that I enjoyed a whole lot more.

--
'Save me, Barry!'

[–] www-sri 10 years ago

Death note is intelligent? I think it is the dumbest show i've ever seen, created for the dumb anime fanatics with lots of plot holes

[–] Bioparadoxous 10 years ago

Alright "genius" break it down - with a sledgehammer. Prove to me that it's stupid, and don't don't just point to a few basic plotholes. (One of the reasons it has any is because it's so convoluted.) Really tear it apart. Make me hate it.

[–] www-sri 10 years ago

Please man, don't be so hard on your keyboard. I didn't say that i didn't like the show, i gave it a 7. But i think its overrated, only reason i said it was dumb because this show tries so hard to be intelligent but fails. Well i can't make you hate this show because its your opinion to like or not. There are many plot holes such as why light killed only those criminals who are in prison or in the news, why didn't he killed osama-bin laden or some terrorist or politician. And there's Misa-Misa and her annoying voice, another stereotypical anime character who's only role was fanservice. I hated her the most.she is even worse that matsuda. Well there are so many other plot holes but i think 9/10 for this show is too high. Normal animes such as fairy tail, naruto was ok for me. But anime like this, where a 17 year old boy who is a genius and wanted to change the world just because he is bored from his daily schedule, is too pretentious for me. And yeah light is not a genius in fact i think he is a dumbest guy i've ever seen and so am I. ( sorry if my English is not good)

[–] Zoopi_Lala 10 years ago

"There are many plot holes such as why light killed only those criminals who are in prison or in the news,"

He didn't ONLY kill those people. Those were just the criminals whose names were most readily available to him.

"why didn't he killed osama-bin laden or some terrorist or politician."

I don't remember the anime ever telling us he didn't kill Osama bin Laden. Maybe he did it off-screen.

"Well there are so many other plot holes"

Well so far, you haven't given me a single valid example...

"where a 17 year old boy who is a genius and wanted to change the world just because he is bored from his daily schedule, is too pretentious for me."

He didn't want to change the world just because he was bored; he wanted to change the world because he felt he could make it a better place.

[–] Bioparadoxous 10 years ago

That's not entirely accurate either - but whatever. I only know of one plot hole. Given the complexity of the series' rules that's more of an accomplishment than an unforgivable mistake. I don't get the idea that the show is "pretentious" for that matter. It's a thriller for teenagers about a kid with a magic notebook. - How pretentious can that be?

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] www-sri 9 years ago

Yeah, you're right. He didn't kill only those people, he also killed several police officer's, a detective and his innocent girlfriend,his past girlfriend and many innocent people. He even tried to kill his own father in his dumb quest to change this world. And what? He killed osama bin laden and they didn't show it, what kind of dumb logic is that? What you really trying to say is he killed a world renowned terrorist and they butchered that scene from the show. Don't support this dumb show with your *beep* logic. And why does light want to change this world a better place? Is this world not good enough for him? Does he have a terrible past like other shonen anime, his father was a policeman, he is handsome and a genius, he had a good lifestyle and also a hot girlfriend. Can youtell me the reason why he wanted to change this world? well, if i haven't given you a valid example than you're points are also not good enough.(sorry for my English)

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] StamateGabriel 9 years ago

Are you sure you`ve seen Death Note?Because Misa-Misa was second Kira,her role was more significant than for fanservice.

You say the anime is dumb then is too pretentious for you.Get your *beep* together,man you suck!

[–] 9 years ago

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