The 26 Best Anime Like 'Death Note'

Code Geass centers on Lelouch vi Britannia, a banished prince who gains the "Geass" power, letting him control anyone with just one order. This anime combines political and military drama with a clever main character who uses his power to outsmart others, engage in mind games, and challenge oppressive authorities. If you're into intricate strategies and complex characters with blurred moral lines, this captivating series is definitely worth a watch.

This psychological thriller follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon who saves the life of a young boy named Johan Liebert, only to discover that Johan is a dangerous and highly intelligent psychopath. Monster is a masterfully crafted narrative that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of morality, ethics, and the nature of evil. Death Note lovers will enjoy the complex characters and suspenseful atmosphere that pervade this chilling series.

Psycho-Pass is set in a dystopian future where society is governed by the "Sibyl System," a computerized system that measures individuals' mental states to determine their likelihood of committing crimes. The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a rookie police officer, and her seasoned partner, Shinya Kogami, as they investigate crimes and uncover the dark secrets of the Sibyl System. Fans of Death Note will appreciate the dystopian setting, thought-provoking themes, and intense psychological drama that characterizes this engrossing series.

Created by the legendary Satoshi Kon, Paranoia Agent is a psychological thriller that explores the interconnected lives of various people in Tokyo who become entangled in a series of mysterious attacks by a baseball bat-wielding assailant known as "Lil' Slugger." The anime delves into the psychological impact of fear, paranoia, and urban legends, offering a unique and unsettling experience. Its dark atmosphere, intricate narrative, and thought-provoking themes make this series a standout, as will the complex mental games the characters end up getting involved in.

Ergo Proxy is a cyberpunk mystery series that follows Re-l Mayer, an investigator in a futuristic domed city, as she uncovers the truth about a series of mysterious events and encounters the enigmatic Ergo Proxy, a powerful being with a hidden agenda. This anime explores themes of identity, existentialism, and the nature of reality, all while delivering a suspenseful and intriguing narrative. It’ll constantly have you questioning the nature of reality and what’s actually happening, which is something it tends to have in common with Death Note – except it’s a much darker affair several times over. 

Terror in Resonance tells the story of two teenage terrorists, Nine and Twelve, who carry out a series of bombings in Tokyo in order to expose a dark secret hidden by the Japanese government. Similar to Death Note, this anime features intelligent protagonists who challenge the authorities through a series of high-stakes cat-and-mouse games. Eventually, they befriend a high school student named Lisa who finds herself mixed up in their schemes, and while her life is jeopardized while interacting with Nine and Twelve, she soon uncovers some harrowing secrets about herself as well. 

Steins;Gate is a science fiction thriller that revolves around Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist, who accidentally discovers a method of time travel. As he and his friends experiment with this newfound ability, they become entangled in a dangerous conspiracy with dire consequences. It’s a show that’s ridiculously easy to dive in and get lost in, just like Death Note, as it kicks off a major rabbit hole you’ll want to get to the end of as soon as possible to see what happens next. 

Death Parade is set in a mysterious bar called "Quindecim," where deceased individuals are sent to be judged through a series of games that reveal their true nature. The anime explores themes of morality, judgment, and the human condition, offering thought-provoking insights into the nature of good and evil. What happened to each person who ends up visiting, and how did they die? What will they face when they’re sentenced to their eternal resting place, and why? All these questions and more are answered, but it may not always make sense. 

The Future Diary follows Yukiteru Amano, a high school student who finds himself thrust into a deadly game where the participants, each armed with a diary that predicts the future, must kill each other in order to become the new god of time and space. This survival game anime features a cast of complex characters and a suspenseful, twisting plot that will keep anyone who can’t get enough Death Note on the edge of their seats – especially with all the surprise reveals that you’ll never see coming about each of the contestants. 

Set in a utopian future where humans have developed psychic powers, From the New World follows a group of friends as they uncover the dark secrets and hidden truths behind their seemingly perfect society. This anime explores themes of morality, power, and the human condition, offering a rich and thought-provoking narrative that fans of Death Note will find captivating.

B: The Beginning is a crime thriller that takes place in a world where advanced technology and supernatural forces coexist. The series follows detective Keith Flick as he investigates a series of mysterious murders committed by the enigmatic "Killer B." Fans of Death Note will appreciate the intricate plot, engaging characters, and psychological elements that make this series a thrilling watch.

Middle school graduate Mirai Kakahashi decides he’s ready to end his life by jumping off a building. However, instead of plummeting to his death, his guardian angel named Nasse keeps him from doing so. Nasse gifts him the power to make anyone fall in love with him as well as the supernatural power of flight. He soon finds out these aren’t just altruistic offerings, but ways to help him compete with other humans with similar gifts to be a candidate for the world’s next god. This series is from the same team that created and wrote Death Note, so its similarities are uncanny, especially for those who couldn’t get enough of its character designs and somewhat cynical nature. 

Set in a futuristic world where cybernetic enhancements are commonplace, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex follows Major Motoko Kusanagi and her team at the "Public Security Section 9" as they investigate a variety of cyber crimes and complex conspiracies. Fans of Death Note’s procedural-like storylines and the constant struggle to apprehend Light for his crimes will feel at home here, especially as the storyline shifts with every episode. You never know what kind of criminal Section 9 is going to work to capture, and there’s always creative storytelling to look forward to. 

Re:Zero is a dark fantasy series that follows Subaru Natsuki, a young man who is suddenly transported to a parallel world where he discovers that he can return to a certain point in time whenever he dies. As Subaru tries to navigate this dangerous new world, he becomes entangled in a series of deadly conflicts and must use his newfound power to save himself and those around him. It’s not always as easy as dying and starting over again, and Subaru soon realizes his “save point” doesn’t always happen where he needs it. This in itself can cause some serious problems. 

Higurashi: When They Cry is a psychological horror series that takes place in the seemingly peaceful village of "Hinamizawa." The story revolves around a group of friends who become entangled in a series of mysterious and terrifying events that repeat in a never-ending cycle. This anime delves into themes of paranoia, friendship, and the darker aspects of human nature. Not only is the series completely terrifying, but it forces viewers to constantly re-evaluate who to trust, which is a recurring theme in Death Note as well. 

Another is a horror mystery series that follows Koichi Sakakibara, a transfer student who becomes involved in a deadly curse that plagues his new class. As the body count rises, Koichi and his classmates must work together to uncover the truth behind the curse and put an end to the cycle of death. For those looking for another show like Death Note, Another offers a super eerie atmosphere and plenty of reasons to keep tuning in to find out who’s going to be culpable for the curse and how to stop it, much like the Death Note’s “curse” itself, and what it does to people who wield it. 

Classroom of the Elite is a psychological thriller that follows students at "Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing School," a prestigious institution designed to cultivate the future leaders of Japan. The students are divided into four classes, A to D, based on their academic and social abilities. The school has a unique system where students are granted a certain amount of points every month, based on their performance.

These points can be used as currency, allowing students to purchase various goods and services. The main goal for students is to reach Class A, as it comes with various privileges and ensures a successful future. To achieve this, the classes must compete against each other through various tests and challenges. Mind games and morally ambiguous situations abound as students are calculating and cruel. You'll never know exactly who to trust, just like in the world of Death Note. 

Tomodachi Game is a psychological thriller that revolves around Yuichi Katagiri, a high school student who values friendship above all else. However, Yuichi and his friends find themselves trapped in a twisted game known as the "Friends Game," where they are forced to betray and manipulate each other to survive. The game tests their friendship, loyalty, and morality as they try to uncover the truth behind the mastermind and the game's sinister purpose. If it sounds familiar, it's because that's essentially what goes down in Death Note as Light tries to outwit and outlast L and the police, but he certainly isn't playing a game. That apt comparison solidifies this one as a clear candidate for the best anime like Death Note.

MMORPG "Elder Tale" has millions of players each month and it’s just released its newest expansion. When logging in to try it out, suddenly thousands of Elder Tale fans find themselves trapped in the game during the expansion’s update. The series focuses on the socially awkward player named Shiroe as he tries his best to navigate the game world he finds himself stuck in while making as many friends as he can. While it might sound like something completely removed from the world of Death Note, it’s similar to Light and L’s ever-shifting dynamics as Shiroe and his allies must constantly think ahead if they ever want to return to their real lives, and that’s including staying one step in front of other players, not just the game itself. 

Darker Than Black is a supernatural thriller that takes place in a world where individuals with special powers, known as "Contractors," exist and are used by various organizations for their own ends. The series follows Hei, a powerful Contractor, as he takes on various missions while trying to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events that have shaped his world. This incredibly dark series has a cool factor that’s turned up to 11 and players that will have you questioning their motives left and right. 

Serial Experiments Lain is a psychological thriller that delves into themes of identity, reality, and the nature of human consciousness. The story follows Lain Iwakura, a socially withdrawn teenage girl, who becomes engrossed in the "Wired," a virtual world that blurs the lines between reality and cyberspace. Death Note often explores themes of mortality and social norms, which Lain does in full force as well, with both series working to analyze society through different lenses. 

Kaiji is a psychological thriller that follows the titular character, Kaiji Itou, as he is forced to participate in a series of high-stakes gambling games to pay off his debts. As Kaiji battles for survival, he must rely on his wits and cunning to outsmart his opponents and overcome the odds. Light is always playing a type of Russian Roulette, so to speak with his role as Kira, and is constantly on the verge of getting caught, which can resonate throughout episodes of Kaiji as well. What we have here is another engrossing thriller that's perfect for those of you looking to add another anime like Death Note to your playlist.

From the creator of Kaiji, Akagi is another psychological thriller that revolves around a genius gambler, Shigeru Akagi, who becomes a legendary figure in the world of mahjong. The series follows Akagi as he takes on various opponents in high-stakes games, using his intellect, intuition, and ruthless tactics to emerge victorious. Fans of Death Note will appreciate the strategic mind games, complex characters, and intense psychological drama that make Akagi a thrilling watch.

Parasyte: The Maxim is a horror and science fiction series that follows Shinichi Izumi, a high school student who becomes partially infected by a parasitic alien. As he learns to coexist with the alien, named Migi, Shinichi must confront other parasites who pose a threat to humanity. As a result, there’s no shortage of body horror, violence, and gritty alliances and cabals of those who both want the parasitic aliens to stay and those who want them to leave humanity alone – with showdowns similar to those in Death Note. 

No Game No Life is a fantasy and adventure series that follows Sora and Shiro, a brother-sister duo who are undefeated in the world of online gaming. They are transported to a world called "Disboard," where all conflicts are resolved through games. Though it’s certainly a more comedic affair than Death Note, Sora and Shiro are master strategists who must always ensure they can outwit their opponents, which will have you seeing visions of Light and L as you dive into the fantasy series. This series is pretty legit for those of you looking to add more fantastical selections to your queue for anime like Death Note.

The Promised Neverland is a dark fantasy series set in an orphanage where children live a seemingly idyllic life until they discover the horrifying truth about their fate. The story follows the orphans, led by the intelligent and resourceful Emma, as they devise a daring escape plan to save themselves from a terrible fate. This may very well be one of the most nail-biting, stressful series out there, as you root for the kids to escape their terrifying circumstances. No one is exactly who you think they are, and just like in Death Note, you’ll be forced to question everyone’s motives constantly.