Death Note Volume 1: Boredom

Written by Tsugami Ohba and Illustrated by Takeshi Obata

A manga for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

This book is about a boy named Light Yagami, a very nice, smart, and caring student whose life changes when he finds a notebook. This notebook is known as the Death Note, and anyone whose name is written in it dies.

Light tests the boundaries and extent of the Death Note among individuals by writing their names inside it. Although he tries to stay undercover, the police begin an investigation to uncover his identity. But, due to his father being the chief of the Japanese National Police Agency, Light has access to the information that the police have obtained on the Death Note holder, who the public have named Kira.

I read this book because I was interested in its story, as well as how it has an anime adaptation. It was very interesting in that it showed how individuals may seem nice and caring on the outside but are actually far from it on the inside. Throughout the book, characters carry out sinister and inhuman acts, and the plot has many twists and turns.

I would highly recommend this book to those who watch anime (specifically teens) or those who are interested in reading manga before watching an anime like Death Note. I would also recommend this book to those who like more sinister and unpredictable manga.

Since the book reads from right to left rather than left to right, it might be confusing to read at first. However, over time, it becomes easier to follow.