The main Death Note anime has one complete season with 37 episodes. Some platforms or listings may group episodes differently, but the original anime story is normally treated as one full TV series rather than multiple seasons.
This can confuse new viewers because Death Note has anime episodes, manga volumes, recap films, live-action versions, and special releases. This article explains how many seasons of death note are there, how many episodes the anime has, and how the anime connects to the original manga.
For readers who want clear manga and anime guides, HariManga looks at Death Note from the source story first. The anime is famous, but the original manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata is still the foundation of the series.
How Many Seasons of Death Note Are There?
The direct answer is that Death Note has one main anime season. That season contains 37 episodes and adapts the central story of Light Yagami, the Death Note, Ryuk, L, Misa, Near, Mello, and the Kira investigation.
When people ask how many seasons of death note are there, they are usually asking whether they need to watch Season 1, Season 2, or later sequel seasons. For the main anime, there is no separate official Season 2 that continues the original TV story after Episode 37. The anime completes its main plot within those 37 episodes.
However, viewers may still see Death Note listed in different ways depending on the streaming platform, region, or box set format. Some services may split long anime into parts for display. That does not mean the original Death Note anime has multiple story seasons.
How Many Episodes Are in Death Note?
Death Note has 37 episodes in the main anime series. These episodes cover Light’s discovery of the Death Note, his rise as Kira, the investigation led by L, and the later conflict that follows after the story changes direction.
The 37-episode count is important because it tells new viewers that Death Note is not a huge long-running anime. It is much shorter than series with hundreds of episodes, but it still has enough room to build a full psychological thriller.
That is one reason Death Note remains popular with beginners. The series is complete, focused, and easy to watch without needing years of catch-up. A new viewer can finish the entire main anime without worrying about filler seasons or unfinished adaptation gaps.
Is There a Death Note Season 2?

No, there is no main Death Note Season 2 that continues after the 37-episode anime. The story reaches its ending within the original anime series. Because of that, if you finish Episode 37, you have finished the main anime adaptation.
This does not mean there is no other Death Note media. There are recap films, live-action adaptations, special editions, novels, guide material, and manga-related releases. But these are not the same as a second anime season continuing the TV storyline.
The confusion often comes from people searching for more after finishing the anime. Death Note has a strong ending, and many viewers want another season because the world and characters are memorable. Still, the main anime is designed as one complete series.
How Does the Anime Connect to the Manga?
The Death Note anime is adapted from the manga, which came first. The manga gives the original version of the story and is the best place to go if you want to compare pacing, details, and differences after watching the anime.
For release context, readers often ask when did death note come out because the timeline can be confusing. The manga began before the anime, while the anime later helped Death Note reach a wider global audience.
If you enjoy the anime, reading the manga is still worthwhile. The manga gives more control over the pacing, lets you study the Death Note rules carefully, and shows Takeshi Obata’s artwork in its original panel format.
Does the Anime Cover the Whole Manga?
The Death Note anime covers the main story of the manga from beginning to end. It follows the central conflict between Light and the investigators trying to stop Kira, including the major turning points that define the series.
That said, anime and manga are not identical experiences. An anime adaptation can adjust pacing, shorten some material, emphasize certain scenes with music and direction, or change how quickly viewers process a scene. The manga allows readers to slow down and reread details, which is useful in a story built around rules and strategy.
For most viewers, the anime provides a complete version of the main story. For readers who want the source experience, the manga remains the better choice after finishing the show.
What About Death Note Relight?
Death Note Relight refers to recap-style anime specials that retell parts of the story. These are not new seasons. They condense and reframe parts of the anime rather than giving viewers a full sequel continuation after Episode 37.
Recap specials can be interesting for fans who already know the story, but they are not the best way for a first-time viewer to experience Death Note. The main 37-episode anime gives the story more space to develop its mind games, character shifts, and major reveals.
If you are new, watch the 37-episode anime first. After that, you can decide whether recap films, live-action versions, or manga extras are worth exploring.
Why People Think Death Note Has More Than One Season
People often think Death Note has more than one season because the story has a major shift in the middle. The first part focuses heavily on the battle between Light and L. Later, the story introduces new opponents and moves into a different phase of the Kira investigation.
That shift can feel like a new season even though it is still part of the same 37-episode anime. The tone, character focus, and conflict structure change, which makes some viewers mentally divide the anime into parts.
Streaming layouts can also add confusion. A service may label episodes by parts, collections, or seasons for technical reasons. When answering how many seasons of death note are there, it is better to focus on the original anime structure: one main complete series with 37 episodes.
Should You Watch the Anime or Read the Manga First?
Both choices work. The anime is a strong starting point if you want voice acting, music, suspenseful direction, and a fast way to experience the complete story. The 37-episode length makes it easy to finish without a large time commitment.
The manga is better if you want the original source material. It gives you the story as it was first created and lets you follow the rules, deductions, and conversations at your own pace. For a series like Death Note, that slower reading experience can make the mind games easier to appreciate.
If you are mainly asking how many seasons of death note are there because you want to know the watch commitment, start with the anime. If you finish it and want more detail, move to the manga afterward.
Quick Facts About Death Note Seasons
- The main Death Note anime has one season.
- The main anime has 37 episodes.
- There is no main Season 2 after Episode 37.
- The anime adapts the core Death Note manga story.
- The manga came before the anime.
- Recap films and live-action versions are separate from the main anime season count.
FAQ
Is there a Death Note Season 2?
No, there is no main Death Note Season 2 that continues after the original 37-episode anime. Other Death Note media exists, but it is not a second TV anime season.
How many episodes does Death Note have?
Death Note has 37 episodes in the main anime series. These episodes cover the central story from Light finding the notebook to the final outcome of the Kira case.
Does Death Note end in the anime?
Yes, the Death Note anime reaches an ending. Episode 37 closes the main anime adaptation, so viewers are not left waiting for a required sequel season.
Should I read the manga after watching Death Note?
Yes, it can be worth reading the manga after the anime. The manga is the original source and gives readers a different pacing, artwork experience, and closer look at the story’s details.
Final Thoughts
So, how many seasons of death note are there? The main Death Note anime has one season with 37 episodes. It is a complete TV anime adaptation, not a multi-season series with a separate Season 2.
The confusion usually comes from recap films, live-action adaptations, manga editions, and streaming platform labels. Those extras may be connected to the franchise, but they do not change the main anime season count.
If you want to watch Death Note, begin with the 37-episode anime. If you want the original version afterward, read the manga. That gives you the clearest understanding of how the anime season and manga source material fit together.

At HariManga, James specializes in editing and improving content related to Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua. His writing is designed to be accurate, current, and helpful for readers looking to follow trending discussions and titles.
