This anime is about a man named Light who finds the Death Note, an item dropped into the human world by the god Ryuk. Light takes it upon himself to rid the earth of evil-doers by writing their name in the Death Note, thus killing them.¹
Immodesty
In this anime, women's thighs are seen. On top of that, an "adult magazine is shown briefly. Women in skimpy outfits are seen."² The Bible tells us that women ought to be modestly dressed.
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9)
The Bible defines nakedness as from the waist to knee (Isaiah 47:1-3), if this area of a character is exposed, they are biblically naked. That is not popular to say in our modern world, but I am a biblicist.
Murder
Using the Death Note, Light kills many people. He is on a murder spree. IMDb says:
"A man is run over by a truck."
"A man bleeds to death."
"Multiple characters die of forced heart attacks."²
The Bible is very clear when it forbids murder. The Scriptures say that "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Matthew 5:21, Romans 13:9). With all of these Scriptures (and many more, e.g. Genesis 9:6), it is obvious how the Lord feels about murder. It is wrong.
Language
The language in this show is not great either.² As Paul says in his Epistle to the Ephesians:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)
This show is in contradiction to this verse. The Lord wants His children to listen to things that are edifying, not things that are full of improper language which vexes their soul (2 Peter 2:8).
Alcohol and Tobacco
There is some "Alcohol and tobacco use."² This is not okay! The Bible says that our bodies are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Obviously we should not destroy the temple of God, thus, tobacco—which is harmful to the body—is not alright.
The Bible also tells us that alcohol is, itself, unholy. In Leviticus 10:9-10, speaking to the priests, God tells them they are not to drink alcohol in the tabernacle (think, we are God's temple) because they are to "put difference between holy and unholy" (Ibid.).
Kidnapping
"A girl is seen kidnapped by criminals and held hostage."²
The Bible is clear that this is not good. In fact, the Law required that if someone was found having stolen a person, they were to be put to death (Exodus 21:16)!
False God
The "god" of death, Ryuk is the one who put the Death Note in the human realm.¹ Light uses this power (the Death Note) given by this false god—a devil—to do what he thinks is right. This so-called god is a Shinigami,³ a demon in Japanese religion.
"But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. <21> Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
The Bible does not say "you shouldn't be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils"; no, it says you cannot partake of both. You are either for or against Christ. One or the other. Light has sided with the "god of death".
Conclusion
A man endowed with power from a demon who murders people is not something God wants or supports. The LORD is the one and only God who loves man and teaches us not to murder. This anime is the opposite of God's morality.
"Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27)
Sources:
1. "Death Note." MyAnimeList, myanimelist.net/anime/1535/Death_Note. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.
2. "Death Note: Parents guide." IMDb, imdb.com/title/tt0877057/parentalguide. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.
3. "Ryuk." Death Note Wiki, deathnote.fandom.com/wiki/Ryuk. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.