List of Death Note episodes

Death Note is an anime series based on the manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. Death Note aired in Japan on the Nippon Television (NTV) network every Tuesday at 24:56 ^[1] The series began broadcasting on NTV on October 3, 2006 and ended on June 26, 2007.^{[2][not in citation given]} A special two-hour "Director's Cut" compilation episode, entitled "Death Note:R (Rewrite)", was aired on August 31, 2007.^[3] The series primarily revolves around high school student Light Yagami, who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of a supernatural notebook titled Death Note that causes the death of anyone whose name is written in it. The book was property of the God of Death, or Shinigami, named Ryuk, who became bored within the Shinigami world.^[3]

In 2007, Viz Media licensed the series for a bilingual release in North America.^[4] Significantly, episodes of the series were officially available for download soon after they aired in Japan;^[4] according to VIZ, this is "the first time a well known Japanese anime property was made legally available to domestic audiences for download to own while the title still aired on Japanese television".^[4] VIZ Media began releasing these episodes via Direct2Drive on May 10, 2007.^[5] On October 21, 2007, Death Note premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.^[6] The first episode had a "TV-14-V" rating, while the second was given a TV-14-LV rating. Most episodes have a TV-14 rating, except for the first 5, episode 12, episode 15, episode 17, which was TV-14-DV, episode 21, which was TV-14-DLV, episode 23, and episode 25. Episode 37 was given a TV-MA rating. Death Note episodes are also added to Adult Swim's streaming video service, Adult Swim Video, Fridays before airing on television. On October 26, 2007, it premiered on YTV's Bionix block. On November 9, 2008, Death Note began airing weekly, at 3:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, starting with episode 1, "Rebirth" on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. On October 2007, Hong Kong began airing the Cantonese version of Death Note at 12:00 am Saturday nights on TVB. On April 14, 2008, Death Note premiered in Australia, where it aired on ABC 2 on Mondays at 9:30 pm.

Five pieces of theme music were used for the series. The first opening theme, titled "The World", is performed by Nightmare. Nightmare also performs the ending theme "Alumina" (アルミナ, Arumina^?), and also appears as the ending theme in the TV special "Death Note:R From Vision of God," and as an insert in episodes 12 and 19. The second opening theme, starting from episode 20 onwards, is "What's Up, People?!" performed by Maximum the Hormone. Maximum the Hormone also performed the second ending theme, "Zetsubō Billy" (絶望ビリー, Zetsubō Birī^?, "Desperate Billy"), which also appears as an insert in "Director's Cut Complete Conclusion Rewrite: The Visualizing God". The final episode's ending theme is "Coda ~ Death Note" by series co-composer Yoshihisa Hirano. "Misa's Song", performed by Aya Hirano, is heard as an insert for episode 25. The English version of the song is performed by Misa's English dub actress, Shannon Chan-Kent.

Episode list

No.	Title	Original airdate	English airdate
01	"Rebirth" "Shinsei" (新生)	October 3, 2006	October 21, 2007
High school student, Light Yagami finds a notebook dropped from the sky named the "Death Note". He tests the mysterious powers of the notebook and finds to his astonishment that the book has the power to kill people whose names are written in it. 5 days later, Ryuk, a shinigami confronts him at his home, telling him the book belongs to the human owner who found it first and cannot be returned unless the owner dies or relinquishes ownership. He makes it clear Light found it by chance and was not 'chosen'. Though initially terrified and distraught by how he killed people, Light decides that he will use the Death Note to rid the world of evil and become the new god.
02	"Confrontation" "Taiketsu" (対決)	October 10, 2006	October 28, 2007
Light sits in English class while the other students talk between themselves. He is seen secretly writing in the Death Note. Light walks ahead and Ryuk meets up with him. In the school yard, Light tells him not to converse with him because others can hear his voice if he speaks loudly and think the voices would be strange. Only Light is able to converse and see the shinigami as he the owner of the Death Note. He is later seen writing criminals names in the notebook at home, and the shinigami warns him that if anyone touches the notebook they will be able to see him. Meanwhile an organization called the ICPO are shocked at the common pattern of deaths of criminals around the world, and employ a mysterious detective named L to catch Light Yagami, whose identity to the world is, as of yet, unknown and is commonly referred to as "Kira" by the public. L tricks Light into killing a condemned man, Lind L. Taylor, who poses as L on TV. The real L's voice tells Light he has revealed himself to be from the Kantō region of Japan. The two swear to not give up.
03	"Dealings" "Torihiki" (取引)	October 17, 2006	November 4, 2007
The episode opens at a meeting, where the police authority discusses recent observations relating to the "Kira case". L requests the time and day of the deaths of the criminals and concludes that Kira may in fact be a student with a naive concept of justice. The meeting ends with L requesting data on how the victims of Kira were publicized. Because the head of the Kira case, Light's father, is a police officer Light informs Ryuk that he can obtain information and keep an eye on the authorities' movements. However L becomes suspicious that Kira has access to the police. Light meanwhile suspects he may be being tracked. Ryuk tells Light the two main differences between shinigami and humans. First, shinigami get the lifespans of people they have taken 'before their time'. Second, shinigamis' eyes can see everyone's name and lifespan and Light can trade half his remaining lifespan for the eyes of a shinigami, which will enable him to see everyone's name and lifespan floating above people's heads, just as Ryuk can (Light's lifespan is 93312639 as seen by Ryuk).
04	"Pursuit" "Tsuiseki" (追跡)	October 24, 2006	November 11, 2007
Light Yagami explains to Ryuk that he is trying to create an ideal world where no criminals are left unpunished, and "as the god of such a world", he cannot sacrifice half his life for the shinigami eyes. The protagonist then goes on to wonder how much control he can have over the deaths of criminals and decides to experiment. Light's father is soon puzzled at the odd reports he receives — as is L. 6 prisoners are dead, 3 in odd circumstances. One drew a pentagram in his own blood; the second wrote a rambling note; the third escaped, then died in the staff bathroom. However Light was not able to get prisoners to draw L's face, or escape to France in an hour or write 'L suspects the Japanese police', learning that even the Death Note is not that powerful. Hacking into the police computer records, Light discovers that L doesn't want this to be reported to the media. Later, in an attempt to kill the tracker who is following him, Light creates a plan but is careful not to arouse the suspicion of the tracker, who is really a Federal Agent from the United States named Raye Penber, employed by L and Watari. He arranges a bus jacking by a drug dealer, Kiichiro Osoreda who was tricked into touching a piece of the Death Note, sees Ryuk, fires his gun, then gets off and is run over. During it, Light tricks Ray Penber into showing him his ID as proof he is not with the busjacker.
05	"Tactics" "Kakehiki" (駆引)	October 31, 2006	November 18, 2007
After successfully getting information on the FBI agent, Light Yagami waits one week before he decides to kill Raye Penber. It is on December 27 that Light enters a crowded underground shopping center with Ryuk at his side. Light's plan starts when he gets behind the agent and introduces himself as Kira. Afterward he gives Raye an envelope, and walks off to board a train discretely. He has Raye get on the same train and forces him to write down all the other agents' names on a portion of the Death Note. Raye leaves the train without the envelope and dies in front of Light. With the murder of the 12 FBI agents in Japan, the Japanese police begin to distrust L's motives while the fiancée of Raye Penber, a former FBI agent, begins to grieve and seek out Kira in revenge. The American President pulls the FBI out of the Kira case. L's answer to the police's suspicions is to invite the team to his hotel room. Light ponders his next move, sure he has made a mistake. L ponders the latest message from a prisoner: "L, did you know Death gods love apples?" When Light's father, the chief, tells his family he is heading the Kira case, Light says he is proud of him and that he will capture Kira if his dad dies.
06	"Unraveling" "Hokorobi" (綻び)	November 7, 2006	November 25, 2007
In an effort to repair his relations with the Japanese police, L organizes a private meeting with the remaining detectives who want to work on the Kira case and hopes to do so in secret until Kira is captured. L berates the detectives for showing him their ID cards, pointing out he could've killed them were he Kira. They have to turn their phones off and not write anything down. They are to call him Ryuzaki instead of L. He advises against hiding criminals' names due to Kira's childishness (he might attack civilians) and suggests using the media to exaggerate the size of the anti-Kira task force. He steadily reveals his thoughts with frightening accuracy about the identity of Kira following the murders of the FBI agents and pinpoints who the federal agents were tracking in that period. L admits he is losing presently because he has shown his face but declares he will win in the end. Meanwhile Light Yagami coincidentally meets Raye Penber's wife, and the two talk about the Kira case. He soon comes to realize that the woman is Penber's fiancée. Convinced that it is his destiny to use the Death Note to create a better world, Light is euphoric at the realization he has come into contact with the very person who can possibly get him caught. Light has recently been taking a page of the Death Note with him wherever he goes in case he needs it. He begins to formulate a plan to get rid of her. He gets her name, which is Maki-san (Ryuk laughs at this). Light is horrified that she has worked out Kira can kill by means other than heart attacks; she realizes the busjacker was under Kira's control.
07	"Overcast" "Donten" (曇天)	November 14, 2006	December 2, 2007
Light writes Maki-san and the cause as: "Thinks of the best way to commit suicide that won't bother others and will make it so her body isn't discovered. Thinks of nothing but suicide, carries out her plan, and dies within 48 hours." Much to Light's surprise and shock, Penber's fiancée has kept an alias, and he fears the worst; she may lead him to the police. Ryuk starts pressuring Light to get the shinigami eyes. Getting increasingly desperate he coaxes information out of her discreetly, pretending to work for L and promising her that her information will be passed onto him. In the time that has passed, Watari reveals his identity in the meeting with Light's father and the other detectives. He also gives the detectives special gadgets embedded in clothing in the event Kira comes into contact with them or if they are in trouble. Aizawa is sent to HQ by L and just misses Raye's wife. Light stops her going to HQ by saying the Kira Investigators are deliberately impossible to trace to avoid a disaster. She reveals she once worked for L and hopes to talk to him. Light invites her to join L's investigation, all he needs is her name; she gives him her driving licence. Naomi Misora finally reveals her true name and identity to Light. As the Death Note takes effect, he informs her that he is Kira. Pleased with himself, Light watches as Naomi walks away 'to her death'.
08	"Glare" "Mesen" (目線)	November 21, 2006	December 8, 2007
L is getting dangerously close, and more confident, as to the whereabouts and identity of Kira. Misora's disappearance causes L to shortlist the people who were being tracked by the FBI at the time of Raye Penber's death. In addition he requests surveillance equipment to be installed in the homes of those he suspects, including Soichiro Yagami's son. Light however somehow becomes aware he's being watched and has the shinigami locate all the cameras in his room, while pretending to occupy himself with human interest subjects. Under the guise of studying, much later, he tricks the surveillance team by watching a portable television hidden in a bag of potato chips and continues to kill criminals being reported in the news to throw away L's suspicions that he is the Kira he's searching for.
09	"Encounter" "Sesshoku" (接触)	November 28, 2006	December 15, 2007
L's suspicions are momentarily subdued, although he still hints that Light may in fact be Kira. At the college entrance exams Light notices a mysterious and eccentric person staring at him. It is L pretending to be a student and who is sitting and observing Light's actions. L has now taken on the name Hideki Ryuga, the same name as a famous idol. Light is then shocked at the fact that L introduces himself using this name and his own very discreetly. It would be too suspicious for L to die after meeting Light, so he decides to befriend L and plan his death at a later time. After panicking and feeling humiliated when he gets home, Light decides this is the best course of action to take for now and to get closer to L would mean he could gather more information into the true identity of L and keep a closer eye on the police.
10	"Doubt" "Giwaku" (疑惑)	December 5, 2006	December 22, 2007
L, in a bid to profile Light's behavior, challenges him to a game of tennis. Afterward, L asks him some questions regarding the Kira case, and if he would be willing to help in the Kira investigation. The two then receive news that Soichiro Yagami has had a heart attack and is in hospital. Light promises an oath to his father that he will make sure Kira is caught and executed for making him suffer. On the way out, L confronts and scrutinizes Light, still uncertain if he is or is not Kira. Light attempts another bluff and demands to be placed in a prison cell without television for one month to prove his innocence. For now L is satisfied but curious that Light offers this proposition. Meanwhile a television station, Sakura TV, receives audio tapes from an anonymous person claiming to be Kira.
11	"Assault" "Totsunyū" (突入)	December 12, 2006	January 4, 2008
The Kira investigation team discuss the disappearance of Naomi Misora when Watari interrupts their meeting. On Sakura TV, an audio tape, claiming to be from Kira, is being broadcast. In an effort to prevent Kira from gaining publicity and support, L demands that the broadcast must be stopped. Hirokazu Ukita, one of the investigators who is working with L, rushes to the doors of Sakura TV but strangely dies in front of the station. The investigation team panics. Light, having watched this from his room, concludes that the best thing to do now would be to involve himself in the Kira investigation team, as he is not the one who is doing this. By infiltrating the team he hopes to gather intelligence on L and the second Kira. L however, suspects that this Kira is not the original he and the team are searching for, therefore he concludes this Kira must be different from the one they are chasing.
12	"Love" "Koigokoro" (恋心)	December 26, 2006	January 11, 2008
Light arrives at the meeting between L and the detectives. To locate any clues in the audio reader's voice he is made to listen to the confiscated recordings by the team. Secretly, L wants to tests Light's analytical skills and comes to the conclusion that he and Kira cannot be the same person. Misa Amane, the real second Kira, is tricked into replying to an orchestrated audio recording, made by L and Light, which is broadcast on television. Misa unwittingly reveals some eccentric and important details about the properties of the Death Note and shinigami when she responds, and Light begins to panic. In her own reply Misa demands that the first Kira meet her in person. Shocked and wanting to pursue this lead the investigation team formulates a plan while Light decides what to do.
13	"Confession" "Kokuhaku" (告白)	January 9, 2007	January 18, 2008
Having received the details on where to meet, Matsuda and Light volunteer to try and capture the identity of the second Kira. Misa, having the shinigami eyes, finds out that Kira's real name is Light Yagami. Later, Misa confirms to the investigation team that she has found the real Kira. The team decides to change their approach in handling the second Kira, and tries to reason with her instead. They release a television broadcast condemning Kira as a heartless murderer who will kill anyone who discovers his identity. Furthermore, they offer to lessen the severity of the punishment the second Kira will face if she reveals information about the real Kira. However Misa ignores this, finds Light Yagami and explains her reasons for wanting to track him down.
14	"Friend" "Tomodachi" (友達)	January 16, 2007	January 25, 2008
After Light introduces Misa Amane to his shinigami, Ryuk, the two discuss their plans to get rid of L. Their plan is to confuse him about the powers of Kira and send him towards a different path other than it leading towards Light. Taking advantage of the situation, and of Misa Amane's love and affection for him, Light concludes that he can use her to throw off L, while his plans for a better world can be fully completed. However, Misa's shinigami - Rem - threatens him if her safety is compromised in anyway, she will write down his name in her own Death Note. In the meantime L is thrown off the trail by the second Kira and is left confused about the new audio tapes purposely denouncing the police's actions for making the first Kira appear as a pariah. L concludes that the two Kiras might have met together and be working towards the same goal.
15	"Wager" "Kake" (賭け)	January 23, 2007	February 1, 2008
Misa gives her contact details to Light and he in turn continues to manipulate her. Frightened at the prospect that he might be murdered, as he is convinced the two Kiras have met together, L demands that in the event of his death Light should be arrested by the investigation team. Much later, Light and L meet each other outside college. Misa, much to the anger and frustration of Light, appears and converses with the two. A few minutes after Misa leaves, Light receives the news from L that she has been arrested on the suspicion that she is the second Kira. Misa Amane appears to be blindfolded and tied to a chair, and L instructs Watari to torture her in an effort to obtain information. A few days later, Misa relinquishes ownership of the Death Note, thus erasing her memories of its existence.
16	"Decision" "Ketsudan" (決断)	January 30, 2007	February 8, 2008
Light decides to tell L that he thinks that he may somehow be Kira "sub-consciously" and wishes to be confined. Light's father also believes it is a good idea he himself is confined to a cell as he can't risk his emotions getting the better of him in this investigation. Light concocts a plan whereby he tells Ryuk he will relinquish ownership of the Death Note at any time in a discreet discussion, while being monitored by L. After Light's imprisonment the Kira executions have ended, and L's suspicion is heightened. Light decides that now is a good time to give up the Death Note; losing his memories of being Kira a few days later. His immediate behaviour puzzles L; it turns from a calmness to a complete sense of desperation. The Kira executions have now resumed, and the recent spate of killings is now puzzling L.
17	"Execution" "Shikkō" (執行)	February 6, 2007	February 15, 2008
Rem is seen talking to a mysterious businessman about the Death Note. Somewhere else, in a last bid to find out if Light and Misa are the first and second Kiras, L and Soichiro Yagami plan to stage a stunt in which Light's father attempts to kill Light, and then himself, out of shame. L intervenes and announces that he no longer suspects Light of being Kira nor Misa under the circumstances they were put under, but is still suspicious at the fact her DNA was found on the audio tapes. To Misa's relief she is released but Light is forced to continue working on the Kira case under normal circumstances. Much later L and Watari tell the investigation team that they will be moving to a new building inside the city to continue solving the murders. Elsewhere eight businessman plan the next murder Kira will commit in order for Yotsuba Industries to excel in the market.
18	"Ally" "Nakama" (仲間)	February 13, 2007	February 22, 2008
L's proposition to being tied to Light causes a slight scuffle to break out in the new headquarters' rooms with Misa present. Built like a hotel, the investigation team monitors the fight on the television screens. Some time has passed before Kira begins killing again, arousing L and Light into thinking that Kira may be killing for profit. Their suspicions lead them to the Yotsuba Group, a rich organization that dominates the global markets. Kira is also reported to have been sending threats to politicians and the investigation team is forced to conduct their operations in secret. As far as the public are concerned, the Kira investigation remains "unsolved" and the team "disbanded". However, L continues to operate and monitor the situation, finding patterns in the deaths committed by Kira. At this point L announces an additional two members will be joining the investigation team.
19	"Matsuda" "Matsuda" (松田)	February 20, 2007	February 29, 2008
Touta Matsuda, one of the members of the investigation team, feeling inferior at his lack of participation in the Kira case, decides to snoop around the Yotsuba Group and do his own research. He finds evidence that Kira is in the building but before he can act he is apprehended by the eight businessman. Using the fake identity card Watari gave to him, he poses as Misa's manager and pretends to offer a deal involving her in their commercial campaign, while contacting L using his modified belt buckle. Afterward, instructed by him, he fakes his own death by falling from the building, but is saved before he can plummet to his death. The businessman scatter amidst panic. Unaware that Matsuda has survived, the group are glad he fell before Kira was about to kill him. After some time, one of the Group's members, at a meeting, wants to opt out for fear he may have to face the consequences of Kira's actions.
20	"Makeshift" "Kosoku" (姑息)	February 27, 2007	March 7, 2008
The investigation team installs wiretaps and surveillance cameras discreetly and continue to watch the Yotsuba Group meetings, and are amazed by how openly they discuss their methods of killing by utilising Kira. Light and L come up with a plan and contact one of the seven members of the Group. In a deal one of the members will act as a spy and postpone Kira's decisions to kill people by discussing it orally at the meetings. L reveals that he still suspects Light to be the first Kira by playing mind games with him. Afterward, L begins to question Misa Amane, and wants her to obtain information on the Yotsuba Group by infiltrating the organization. Soichiro Yagami is worried that even if they do gather information on the Group it will be difficult to capture all the members at the same time.
21	"Performance" "Katsuyaku" (活躍)	March 6, 2007	March 16, 2008
The third Kira sets his eyes on Misa after meeting her, and wants to marry her. Later, Rem contacts Misa who is able to see the shinigami. Misa is currently taking a break from a meeting with the Yotsuba Group. However, Misa's memories of being the second Kira, upon touching a portion of the Death Note Rem had brought her, do not return. Rem explicitly tells Misa about everything that has happened and that she should trust Light's motives lest her life be taken away. Upon re-entering the room she spots who the third Kira must be. Misa sneaks off on a date with the third Kira and is able to obtain proof that Higuchi is the criminal L is looking for. However this leaves L in much dire suspicion of how easily she was able to determine who Kira was when he couldn't deduce it himself.
22	"Guidance" "Yūdō" (誘導)	March 13, 2007	March 23, 2008
After learning that Higuchi is the Kira he has been searching for, L decides that Higuchi cannot be caught until he learns the complexities of the killing methods adopted by him. He analytically pinpoints that this will be a great advantage in curing society of Kira and proving that he has been caught. He decides that Sakura TV will air a "Kira special" where someone will claim to know the identity of Kira in an attempt to lure Higuchi and learn of his abilities of killing people. In a deal that they will be granted immunity from prosecution, several of the businessmen trick Higuchi and lead him to follow L's plan. As the third Kira races to the television station L and the investigation watch his every move from the cameras and wiretaps that were installed in his property. Higuchi is determined to stop the broadcast by killing the whistleblower, Touta Matsuda.
23	"Frenzy" "Kyōsō" (狂騒)	March 20, 2007	March 30, 2008
While driving to the Sakura TV station, Higuchi talks with Rem about his situation. L, Light, and Misa watch from the Investigation team building and wonder whom he is talking with. L wonders if Higuchi is talking to a Death God. Rem convinces Higuchi to go to the station but has her own selfish motives for doing so. Higuchi enters the station's offices and writes Matsuda's fake name in his Death Note. The team thinks he has just written a note to himself, but soon discover that this is odd as soon as Higuchi suddenly displays erratic behavior. L argues that he has attempted to use his killing method. Talking to Rem, Higuchi decides it would be best if he obtained the shinigami eyes. A furious pursuit ensues when L gives the order that the police must act to apprehend him.
24	"Revival" "Fukkatsu" (復活)	March 27, 2007	April 6, 2008
Higuchi is arrested on suspicion of being Kira and causing multiple murders to occur in the region of Kanto. Inspecting Higuchi's Death Note, L discovers that, to his surprise, shinigami do exist. He hands the Death Note to Light, causing Light's memories of being the original Kira to return. It is revealed that when he gave away his Death Note, he added a fake rule stating that after having written in the book, its owner must continue to use it at least once every 13 days or perish. Secretly, Light enacts Higuchi's death in front of L by writing his name on a scrap of the Death Note. The investigation team reviews the rules written in the book and find they can do little to get rid of it. On top of this, they are facing another dilemma. Light, meanwhile, orders Misa to recover the other Death Note he had hidden a few months earlier. Returning from the Shinigami Realm, Ryuk greets Misa, who makes a second deal for the shinigami eyes in order to find out L's true identity.
25	"Silence" "Chinmoku" (沈黙)	April 3, 2007	April 13, 2008
L continues to ask Rem about Death Notes, but she continues to reveal as little information as possible. Meanwhile, Misa begins to use her Death Note to kill criminals. L realizes that it could be someone who used the Death Note previously if a piece of the Death Note could be used to kill. L decides that the fake Death Note rule is the only thing that prevents Light and Misa from being the prime suspects. Rem begins to panic believing it is only a matter of time until Misa is caught leading to bitter resentment towards Light. L and Light have a rooftop conversation in the driving rain concerning how they both stay distant from other people and how often people lie. L reveals to the rest of the team that he is planning on testing the fake 13 day rule by having a condemned criminal write in the Death Note. Rem kills Watari who presses a button setting off an alarm and wiping the headquarters hard drive, then she kills L. This in turn kills Rem, whose body is reduced to dust. Light is the first to find her remains, along with Rem's own Death Note, which he surreptitiously pockets before notifying others of his find. He then proceeds to tell everyone that regardless of what happens, he will avenge Watari and L.
26	"Renewal" "Saisei" (再生)	April 10, 2007	April 20, 2008
At the beginning, scenes implied to be from L's early life are shown, showing a baby next to a trainline and a younger version of L standing next to Watari. Following the deaths of L and Watari, their headquarters in England receives all the data they gathered about the Kira case. Meanwhile, the Investigation Team learns that Watari was an inventor who used his wealth to create orphanages all over the world. Aizawa, Matsuda, Mogi, and Soichiro all agree that Light should replace L as the head of the investigation. Light agrees, but says he will be more cautious than L was. Light also requests that he work from his own one bedroom apartment. Soichiro says he has no qualms about that idea and Matsuda suggests they use the apartment as their new headquarters. Light says he can use software to re-create the voices of L and Watari so the Investigation Team can continue to work with the police. The only problem the Investigation Team faces is what they will do with the Death Note. They agree that one of the members must hide it and not tell anyone where it is. Soichiro assumes this responsibility. The Investigation Team seems optimistic that they will succeed in capturing Kira and Matsuda wants to throw an inauguration party for Light replacing L. While on a date in a café, Light tells Misa that he will now have his own apartment, and asks her to live with him. Misa is overjoyed and agrees to live with Light. Later that evening, Light stands on the rooftop of the Investigation Team's old headquarters with Ryuk. Ryuk says that with L dead there will no longer be anything interesting to see, but Light says that isn't true. Light declares that he will now create his new world and begins to judge criminals again. He also kills Aiber, Wedy, and all of the remaining six members of the Yotsuba Group leadership. Through narration, it is revealed that in April 2012, Light Yagami, now 23 years old, joins the national police. In the summer of that year, the rate of Kira's punishments dramatically increases. This makes Kira known to everyone all over the world and the voices of Kira's supporters start to become more dominant. The world is heading towards Kira being the law. The episode ends with a man at an orphanage in England being informed of L's death, and revealing this information to two onlooking orphans.
27	"Abduction" "Yūkai" (誘拐)	April 17, 2007	April 27, 2008
In 2007, a man informs two new characters (both male)--Mello and Near--of the death of L. He also tells them that because L did not choose a successor of the two of them that they should now work together on the Kira case. Mello rejects this idea because he does not get along with Near, and says he will now leave the orphanage. Five years later, Near meets the President of the United States with the director of the FBI. Near (having been given a record of all of L's work on the Kira case) explains to the President how Death Notes work. Near also tells the President that there are two Death Notes--one that Kira possesses and another in the hands of the Japanese police--and that original L died and a second one has taken his place. It is revealed that Near has brought over three years worth of independent investigations regarding the Kira case to the U.S. government. Together with the FBI director, they create an independent investigation squad of CIA and FBI members as its main force called SPK (Special Provision for Kira). Near is put in charge of the SPK and according the FBI director, he is the true successor to L. Meanwhile, Light, Soichiro, and Matsuda discuss how people leak the faces of criminals on the internet (which are now no longer allowed to be revealed in Japan) at the Yagami residence. While discussing this, Light's sister Sayu enters the room. Matsuda is clearly surprised by how much Sayu's appearance has changed in five years. Misa laughs at how much Matsuda is blushing and Soichiro promptly proclaims that he will never allow Sayu to marry a police officer and his wife agrees. To give Matsuda a hard time, Sayu tells him that she would consider dating him if he were younger. Sayu then asks when Light and Misa will get married. Having observed all of this, Ryuk thinks to himself that it is amusing how people who are so troubled are all acting like everything is normal. Afterward, Soichiro answers a call from Aizawa and tells Light and Matsuda that they must leave. While en route to Light's apartment (the new Investigation Team headquarters), Soichiro explains that the Director of Police--Takimura--has been kidnapped. The Investigation Team (now Light, Soichiro, Matsuda, Mogi, Aizawa, and Ide) meets at their headquarters to discuss what has just happened. Aizawa explains that the call came from Takimura's cell phone and that the kidnappers demanded the Death Note possessed by the Japanese police. The rest of the team is confused when they hear this, as the six of them should be the only people to know about Death Notes. Soichiro tells the team that no one other than members of the Japanese police can know that Takimura has been kidnapped. The next day, an FBI agent calling himself John MacEnroe (but saying afterwards that the name is fake as a precaution against Kira) meets with Soichiro and says he wants to see Takimura immediately, but Soichiro explains that Takimura is currently unavailable. MacEnroe explains that the Japanese police are no longer fit to handle the Kira case, and he demands that they hand over the Death Note in their possession. Soichiro takes this as a sign that the FBI kidnapped Takimura, but MacEnroe explains that they did not know of the kidnapping. It is then revealed that MacEnroe is bugged, and the SPK is listening in to his conversation with Soichiro. Meanwhile, it is shown that Mello and others have kidnapped Takimura. One of the people with Mello confirms from Takimura (who does not know otherwise) that the only members of the Japanese police working on the Kira case are Soichiro, Mogi, and Matsuda. Takimura explains that there was another member of the Japanese police working on the case named Ukita, but he died. The person interrogating Takimura then expresses disbelief that Takimura did not know of the existence of Death Notes. Mello then confirms that Yagami (although it is unclear whether he means Soichiro or Light) is a member of the Investigation Team and that he has the most power in the group. Mello then reveals to his followers that his theory is that there are two Death Notes--one in the possession of Kira and another in the possession of the Japanese police--and that he plans on acquiring both. His followers are confident that they will succeed, because in the year and a half since Mello joined them, he has never been wrong. Mello then thinks to himself that he will "use any means necessary to beat Near." In the next scene, Light uses his Death Note to kill Takimura. Afterwards, one of Mello's followers tells him that he and another member both fell asleep while guarding Takimura and when they awoke had found that Takimura had hanged himself with his necktie. Mello takes this as good news, as it probably means that Kira cannot kill any of them, and also that he has a way of getting information from the Japanese police. Mello then decides that Sayu Yagami should be kidnapped next. At the Investigation Team headquarters, Soichiro tells Light that he is fairly certain John MacEnroe's real name is Larry Connors (misspelled as "Rally" on a computer screen). Afterwards, Misa arrives in the main room where everyone is present and tells Light she will be good and go to sleep by herself. Mogi, Aizawa, Matsuda, and Ide all have shocked looks on their faces because of Misa's skimpy outfit. Light, however, is unfazed and simply says goodnight as Misa leaves the room. Ryuk says he is about to leave as well, but just then, Light realizes that if the kidnappers extracted information from Takimura, then the families of the Investigation Team are in danger. Just as this thought occurs to him, the team gets another call from Takimura's cell phone. Soichiro answers the phone and Aizawa immediately starts recording and tracing the call. The caller tells Soichiro that the deal to exchange the director with their Death Note is off because Takimura is dead. However, they are now offering Sayu for the Death Note instead. Furthermore, if any of them contact any other members of the police about this matter, Sayu will be killed just as the director was. He then sends Soichiro a picture of Takimura. Light realizes that he made a mistake in killing Takimura, and Ryuk tells Light that things are finally interesting again. Soichiro then calls his wife to ask where Sayu is. She tells him she does not know where Sayu is. He then calls Sayu's cell phone, but receives no answer--it is revealed that her phone is on a road near a sidewalk. Light then tells the team that he believes Kira killed Takimura instead of the kidnappers in order to keep a Death Note out of the kidnappers' hands. He says he believes this because Kira would not want a Death Note in the possession of those who would use it for their own ends instead of judging criminals. Therefore, this must mean that Kira has a way of getting information from the Japanese police (who were informed of Takimura's kidnapping). Meanwhile, Near is informed at the SPK headquarters that Takimura is dead. Near and other SPK members discuss whether or not Kira killed Takimura. Near then asks if anyone has yet discovered Mello's whereabouts, but no one has. Near decides that this probably means Mello is behind the kidnapping. Near then thinks to himself that Mello let his emotions get the best of him when he did not take a picture of him from the orphanage when he left--a picture Near now possesses. Later in the evening, the Investigation Team is contacted again by the kidnappers, and Aizawa again begins to record and trace the call. The kidnappers tells Soichiro to bring the Death Note to Los Angeles in two days. Soichiro says he will not bring the Death Note unless he knows that his daughter is safe. The kidnapper says he will send another picture to Soichiro and then hangs up. The picture is of a tied up and gagged Sayu in front of a television showing a program. Aizawa announces that he has traced the call to the fifth district of Los Angeles. Light then tells the team that the television program shown in the picture is on the air in Los Angeles at the present time. Knowing that Sayu is safe, Soichiro announces that as the Vice Director of the police (and therefore the ranking official in the Japanese police) and Sayu's father, he will take the Death Note to Los Angeles and this is his decision to make. Furthermore, he will take all responsibility for his actions. Light tells his father it would be better if the team came up with a plan and Ide concurs, but Soichiro remains defiant. At the SPK headquarters, Near explains to the FBI director that it is only a possibility that Kira killed Takimura. However, if this were true, it would mean Kira has a way of getting information from the Japanese police. The FBI director then receives a call from Light (calling himself L). Light (in a distorted voice) tells the director that he heard what Larry Connors had to say and asks if they would aid the Investigation Team with investigating the kidnapping of Takimura. Near asks for the phone, and, like Light, has his voice distorted in order to keep his identity a secret. Near greets Light as the "Second L" and Light begins to panic. Regaining his composure, he says "Second? What do you mean?" Near tells Light that he's from the new group that is investigating Kira without L's help called the SPK. He also tells Light that those higher up in the organization know about L's death. Near then explains to Light that he is the leader of the SPK and goes by "N." The episode ends with Light thinking that this N has an "aura" that is frighteningly similar to L's.
28	"Impatience" "Shōsō" (焦燥)	April 24, 2007	May 4, 2008
The episode begins with Near suggesting that he and Light cooperate on the Sayu kidnapping situation. Near also tells Light that his Investigation Team should handle the hostage negotiation instead of the SPK. As Light's team prepares for their flight to Los Angeles, Soichiro says that his life may be sacrificed. Light rebukes him for saying this and tells his father to do everything he can to save his and Sayu's lives. Afterwards, Light tells Misa she should come along because he may need her Shinigami eyes. While Misa remains oblivious to the kidnapping, Light wonders if he will need to kill Sayu or not. The next day, the Investigation Team splits up into different planes in order to monitor Soichiro from Los Angeles. However, one of Mello's men forces Soichiro to board a different plane than was originally planned, making it impossible for the Investigation Team to monitor him during his flight. His new plane is also heading for Los Angeles. Light orders Aizawa to stand down and allow this to take place as they can't do anything yet. On the plane, one of Mello's operatives "hijacks" the plane and tells the airport to back off as they drop off a passenger (Soichiro) in a disclosed, remote location. Otherwise, all of the passengers on the plane will die. Near sends satellite images of Soichiro's drop-off location to Light. The drop off is done in the middle of the desert. Through a wireless ear-piece, Mello tells Soichiro that his only interest is in obtaining the notebook. Light orders Near to prevent any police or military forces from interfering. With the satellite monitoring Soichiro, both investigation teams are confident that they will discover Sayu's kidnapper. However, a secret floor ramp opens up and Mello orders Soichiro to enter. Near and Light become worried because no satellite can show what will be going on underground. As Soichiro enters an underground facility, he finds Sayu in a type of containment that resembles a revolving door. A masked operative appears behind the glass. He explains that the glass is bullet-proof and tells Soichiro to place the Death Note in a slot. Once that is done, the door will turn, giving the masked man the note and Soichiro his daughter. If he doesn't, the man will shoot through another slot and kill Sayu. Soichiro decides to place the Death Note in the slot and the unknown man tests out the Death Note by writing in a name. Meanwhile, Light is debating whether or not he should kill Sayu. Misa asks Light why he is so tense, and Light takes his anger out on Misa by verbally abusing her. Ryuk chuckles and calls Light an "irritable guy". Meanwhile, in Mello's hideout, a bodyguard falls to the floor dead. They claim that he stole from the mafia and was now useless. Mello's men tell the masked man that the bodyguard has died from a heart attack, thereby confirming that the Death Note is authentic. Light finally decides that he cannot bring himself to kill Sayu. A moment later, Soichiro appears from out of the underground chamber with Sayu in his arms. The masked man runs to a helicopter and Near's team decides to track it. A moment later, a missile appears from the ground. The missile is launched and Near states that he will be unable to track it. Near and L do not know whether the Death Note is in the helicopter or the missile. A moment later, Mello destroys the helicopter and Near loses track of the missile. Both teams realize their defeat and the consequences of their failure. Misa tries to comfort Light with a drink, but Light casually pushes the drink away, causing it to fall onto the floor. Later, when Near is continuing to work on a building on his desk made of dice, he deliberately has the building collapse. As this happens, most of the SPK's members die from heart attacks. Director Mason and Agent Gardner die of cardiac arrest, and Agent Ratt commits suicide by a gunshot to the head. Light then gets a message from Near. The message uses the same black font on a white background that L and Watari used when communicating with each other, and Near's voice is now no longer distorted. Near tells Light of the SPK's crushing blow, and insists that the two cooperate completely in the future. Near then says that he suspects a teen, nicknamed Mello, for these deaths and tells Light that he is playing a game to see who can catch Kira the fastest. Whoever catches Kira first, Near says, will win. Near also tells Light that there are no known pictures of Mello, though we already know this to be false. Finally, Near tells Light that Mello came from an orphanage named "The Wammy's House", and Light realizes that that was one of Watari's orphanages. The episode ends with two shinigami having a conversation in their realm. One of them approaches a shinigami known as "Armonia Justin". The other shinigami (named "Sidoh") tells Armonia that he reported a lost Death Note to "the old guy" (presumably the King of the shinigami), and this old shinigami told him that it was the one Ryuk dropped. He then asks Armonia what he should do about this situation. Armonia suggests that he make Ryuk "give it back" to him by going to the Human World, and Sidoh agrees.
29	"Father" "Chichioya" (父親)	May 1, 2007	May 11, 2008
The episode begins with an unresponsive Sayu Yagami in a wheelchair being pushed by her mother. Soichiro looks on sadly, and is depressed by what has happened to his family and his giving the Death Note to Mello's gang. The shinigami that went to retrieve his Death Note--named Sidoh--confronts Ryuk about his missing Death Note. Ryuk instructs Sidoh to find it himself, as he has no idea where the Death Note is. Meanwhile, Matsuda and Aizawa return from a trip to England to tell Light the orphanage where Mello came from was actually a facility that brought together gifted children and trained them to become L's successor. They also learned the most gifted was Near, assumed to be the N of the SPK. They also bring sketches of what Mello and Near looked like as children. Afterwards, Light receives a letter from the current owner of the stolen Death Note (which he learned by Misa looking at the faces of mafia members until she found one without a lifespan) with the address of Mello's location (through manipulating him using the Death Note).As Light burns the letter with the address he begins to have sexual intercourse with misa, Sidoh sees the address (somewhere in Los Angeles) and goes to find the current owner. Sidoh arrives in Los Angeles and has the current owner touch the Death Note in order to see him. The frightened mafia member instructs the others to touch the Death Note as well, and they all see Sidoh. Sidoh explains to them that the last 2 rules of the Death Note are in fact fake, and Mello wonders if the Death Note originally belonged to Kira. Mello also tells Sidoh to guard their facility. Meanwhile, Light tells Ryuk he will give up ownership of his Death Note and will borrow Misa's in order to keep his memories. Light then begins to explain his plan to Misa. The next day, the Investigation Team receives a call from the distorted voice of Misa claiming to be Kira. 'Kira' tells them that he will be giving them his Death Note soon, and that they'll only need to see a person's face in order to know their name. Kira also tells them that most of the members of Mello's mafia will die at 11:59pm on November 10, and that that will be their best chance of retrieving the stolen Death Note. After receiving their second Death Note, the Investigation Team decides to go through with Kira's plan. Soichiro decides that he will make the deal with Ryuk for Shinigami eyes because he was responsible for giving away their first Death Note to Mello. On November 10, the Investigation Team storms Mello's facility immediately after most of his members are killed. Ryuk is there to keep Sidoh from interfering, and the team members successfully retrieve the Death Note, but Light (still at their headquarters) tells them to find Mello. Once discovered by Soichiro, Mello sets off an explosive, destroying the entrances. Mello then threatens Soichiro with a gun and tells him he can set off another explosive that will destroy the entire building. Soichiro, who is currently looking in Mello's face, reads Mello's true name out loud; "Mihael Keehl. Your real name is Mihael Keehl". Mello, who is surprised that Soichiro knows this much, is then threatened by Soichiro that his name will be written in the recently recaptured Death Note. However, one of Mello's members shoots Soichiro with a submachine gun. Soichiro falls over and holds onto the Death Note tightly. While Mello and the mafia member try and take the Death Note away, other members from the Investigation Team arrive. The mafia member is shot dead, and Mello then detonates another blast, therefore ensuring his escape and injuring the investigation team members. Afterwards, Soichiro is taken to a hospital. Soichiro tells Light that he knows he cannot be Kira because he can see Light's lifespan. Because Soichiro is the only member of the Investigation Team who knows what Mello looks like, Light asks his father to kill Mello before he dies. Soichiro dies before he can do this. Later that night, Light returns the Death Note that once belonged to him back to Sidoh, and he flies away. The episode ends with Ryuk stating that people who use the Death Note become miserable. Light's father, having never used a Death Note even though he had the chance, died in happiness, believing that his son wasn't Kira.
30	"Justice" "Seigi" (正義)	May 8, 2007	May 18, 2008
The episode begins with Near playing with toys at the SPK headquarters. Near tells another member of the SPK that he believes that the Japanese Investigation Team is aiding Kira and that the Second L may be Kira himself. Meanwhile, the Investigation Team watches the latest broadcast from Sakura TV, called Kira's Kingdom. The host of the show is Demegawa (the manager Soichiro confronted during Misa's first broadcast as the Second Kira). Demegawa talks about how crime is decreasing and life is improving as a result of Kira's judgment. The team looks at the program in disgust. Matsuda reminds them about a worldwide speech that the President of the United States is about to give and they begin to watch the speech. With the exception of Light, the team is shocked to learn that America is declaring its neutrality with respect to Kira. Afterwards, Matsuda begins to wonder if Kira is truly evil or not. Light agrees that it is a matter of perspective, but that their job is simply to catch Kira. Meanwhile, Near is disgusted by the president's decision. In the next scene, Halle Lidner (an SPK agent) is assaulted by an unknown assailant in her home. The attacker turns out to be Mello, deeply scarred from the explosion. He gains entrance to Near's headquarters using Lidner as a hostage and he seems tempted to kill Near with a gun. However, he says he only wants the picture Near has of him so that he will remain safe from Kira. In return, Mello tells Near about the existence of shinigami and tells him that some of the Death Note's rules are fake. With this new piece of information, Near begins to contemplate which rule is fake. Eventually, he decides that it is most likely the "13 day" rule. He then contacts Light and questions him on this new theory. Near then tells Light that he wants to test the "13 day" rule to see if it is fake or not by writing down Mello's name. Light asks the Investigation Team for their opinions, and they all agree that the rule should not be tested. Light now realizes that the Investigation Team is beginning to wonder whether or not he is Kira. Later, he overhears Ide telling Aizawa that he would rather work for him than for Light. Aizawa then tells Ide that he plans to visit Near sometime soon. In response to Near's actions, Light contacts the President of the United States and threatens to kill him if he does not cooperate. Light tells him that he wants any information on the whereabouts of SPK members. Meanwhile, Demegawa arrives in America as Kira's messenger to increase his audience. He then gives a major worldwide broadcast of the newly found SPK headquarters saying that they are an evil organization looking to overthrow Kira. An angry mob then tries to break in to the building, while Misa watches the mob via television. The episode ends with Light telling Near that he's won.
31	"Transfer" "Ijō" (移譲)	May 15, 2007	May 25, 2008
The episode begins with Mello arriving at an airport in Japan where he then watches Demegawa on television. Demegawa commands the followers of Kira to continue to smash into the SPK headquarters in New York from a helicopter. Misa continues to watch the scene on television waiting to kill Near as soon as he exits the building using her Shinigami eyes. Light tells Near that he should retreat from the building. Near deduces that the Second L is Kira based on the fact that the SPK has only now been targeted after he began suspecting the Japanese Investigation Team — the timing being too convenient. Near tells the other members of the Japanese Investigation Team to consider that the Second L is Kira, or at the very least that Kira is among them. Aizawa starts to consider the possibility that Light is Kira, remembering that he was suspected by the original L. As the protesters outside the SPK headquarters continue to break in, they become distracted and fight among themselves when Near and the SPK start dropping buckets of money out of the windows (the original L's inheritance). Light and the Japanese Investigation Team watch as the police arrive and break up the riot. Near and the SPK exit the building dressed as policemen with face masks and body armor. After the SPK make it out safely, Near calls the Japanese Investigation Team from the now safe SPK headquarters. He tells them that his phone number has been re-established and any member of the team is free to contact him with information regarding Kira. Light considers his options and e-mails Misa with a plan. Aizawa calls Near and gives him information regarding Light and Misa's confinement and how they used the 13 day rule to clear their name, but does not reveal their identities. Aizawa then tells Near about Chief Yagami pretending to kill Light and Misa and how L cleared their names based on Light not killing the Chief at that point. Near realizes that Kira used his confinement to clear his name and asks Aizawa if the First Kira suspect volunteered to be confined. Aizawa says nothing, and Near tells him that from this he knows that he volunteered. Near asks who the suspects were, but Aizawa refuses to reveal their names. Near thanks Aizawa for revealing this information as well as the information regarding the Shinigami eyes. Near discovers that Chief Yagami and Light were father and son and concludes that Kira and the Second L is Light Yagami. Back at the Japanese Investigation Team headquarters, Aizawa tells Light that he contacted Near. Light asks Aizawa what they talked about, but then he changes his mind and says it would be inappropriate for him to know. Aizawa also says that he wants to resume video surveillance on Light and Misa to help clear their names, to which Light agrees. Aizawa and Mogi go to Misa's apartment to search for a Death Note, but they do not find anything. Meanwhile, Demegawa appears on television hosting Kira's Kingdom and asks Kira's followers to donate money to help them build a temple to worship Kira. The investigation team are disgusted that Demegawa is exploiting the Kira situation. Aizawa arrives back at the headquarters and watches the television along with the investigation team. Demegawa then reveals to the public his "hand selected officers" of Kira's Kingdom. The investigation team agrees that Demegawa is using Kira for his own personal gain, and Light thinks to himself that Demegawa is now no longer useful. Demegawa and his officers are then killed on television by Teru Mikami. It is revealed that Light instructed Misa to forfeit ownership of her Death Note (thus erasing her knowledge of Death Notes) and mail it to Teru Mikami. Aizawa realizes that with Mogi still at Misa's, Light and Misa cannot be responsible for these new deaths. He then begins to doubt that Light and Misa are guilty. It is then revealed that Light selected Teru Mikami based on his television appearances on the TV show Kira's Kingdom, confirming that he has the same views as Kira. Also, Mikami is someone that would understand why he would be chosen if he were given the note. The episode ends with Mikami telling Ryuk that he is happy that he can pass judgment on criminals and answers the question (to himself), "What do you think Kira is?", by saying that Kira is God.
32	"Selection" "Sentaku" (選択)	May 22, 2007	June 1, 2008
The episode begins with the back story of the new character Teru Mikami, mostly narrated by him. As a young boy, he took it upon himself to protect those at his school who were bullied. This was because Mikami felt that all humans could be divided into those that were "good" and "evil". By the time Mikami was in high school, his mother expressed frustration with him for attracting the attention of bullies for trying to protect their victims. In Mikami's view, she was on the side of evil because she refused to stand up to it. Not long afterward, the students who bullied Mikami and others were killed in a car wreck due to their recklessness. One pedestrian was also killed as a result--Mikami's mother. Mikami was first shocked to see all those he had judged had died. However, his class was peaceful afterwards, and Mikami began to believe that God wanted him to continued standing up to evil. As a result, he decided to become a prosecutor. Many years later, criminals everywhere began to die from heart attacks. Mikami was convinced that this was God committing righteous judgment. In order to help God, Mikami decided to be a frequent guest on the show Kira's Kingdom. As a result, he was noticed by Light and given a Death Note. Mikami became ecstatic and began passing judgment on criminals in Light's stead. Back at the Japanese Investigation Team headquarters, Light begins to wonder who Mikami would choose as the next spokesperson for Kira. At that moment, Matsuda arrives to tell them that Kira has chosen a new spokesperson--Kiyomi Takada. This woman was one of Light's girlfriends in college (in order to keep suspicion away from Misa). Mogi remembers this, and wonders if this makes Light more suspicious. At first, Light is worried because of this connection, but he realizes that he can use her to his advantage, and make the Investigation Team believe that he can use her to their advantage. Light promptly informs the Investigation Team that she was his girlfriend in college and that she is definitely a supporter of Kira. He then tells them he will set up a meeting with her in order to use their past relationship for the benefit of the investigation. Aizawa tells Light that he will want to listen to his conversation with Takada, and Light agrees. Light calls up Takada on her cell phone and tells her it is important for the two of them to meet soon. She wonders why he hasn't spoken with her in so long. Light immediately apologizes, and tells her that he was unable to talk with her as often as would have liked back in college. Light then tells her that he is now a member of the Japanese police. Knowing that the Japanese police currently do nothing to stop Kira, she agrees to meet. Before ending the call, Takada asks Light if it would be appropriate for them to meet, considering he is together with Misa, but Light tells her that Misa lacks the intelligence to be his partner. Meanwhile, at Light's apartment, Misa tells Mogi that he shouldn't tell Light that the two of them have been seeing each other so often, as they would surely be misunderstood. It is revealed that the room is bugged with cameras and microphones, and that Mello and his partner, Matt are watching her. Mello says to himself that although he found out from Near that Misa could be the Second Kira, he doesn't see how she could be considering how stupid she appears. Afterwards, Light prepares for his meeting with Takada in a hotel room. During Takada's latest broadcast, she says that people who do not do as Kira wishes will also be killed. A few people watching in the hotel lobby wonder if this means Kira will kill lazy people. Light determines that it is very important to talk with Mikami, as this decision has been a hasty one. The room where he is to meet Takada is bugged by the Investigation Team and Aizawa, Ide, and Matsuda watch Light and Takada's meeting. After her broadcast, Takada goes to meet Light in the hotel room. It is clear that Light is attempting to seduce Takada, and it appears that he is succeeding. Then, Takada receives a call from Mikami, and tells Light that it is a call from Kira. Mikami asks Takada if she is with anyone, and she says she is meeting an old friend. Mikami wonders who an old friend suddenly deciding to have a private meeting with her could be, and so he asks to talk to this person. Takada gives the phone to Light and Mikami asks (in a distorted voice) who it is. Light replies, "November twenty-sixth? Five pages? What are you talking about?" Mikami realizes that this is a clear reference to the package he received with the Death Note and exclaims "God!" Mikami asks Light if he is unable to act freely and whether he is under surveillance to which Light responds "Yes." Light then asks Mikami if he is really Kira. Mikami then tells Light to tune into Sakura TV. Light responds "Sakura TV you say?", and both Takada and the Investigation Team tune into that channel. Another spokesperson in elaborate clothing is speaking as a false spokesperson for Kira. He then dies of a heart attack. Light then tells himself that Mikami has exceeded his expectations and puts a piece of paper in front of one of the Investigation Team cameras. The paper says that Kira wants him to remove all bugs from the room. Knowing they have no choice, the Investigation Team allows Light to turn off all of the bugs. Now that it is safe to speak, Light informs Takada that he is Kira and that Mikami is currently the person with the power to judge criminals. Light then finishes his conversation with Mikami and tells Takada that he wants her to be his goddess in the new world. Takada is overwhelmed since she greatly respected Light in college and embraces him. After the meeting, Light calls the Investigation Team to inform them that he will pretend to be Takada's boyfriend from now on and that this will be in order to catch Kira. The episode ends with a delirious Mikami judging criminals at a fast pace. Ryuk watches as Mikami repeatedly writes down the names of criminals and says "delete!" over and over.
33	"Scorn" "Chōshō" (嘲笑)	May 29, 2007	June 8, 2008
Near restates that L is Kira as well as the second Kira. Takada Kiyomi tells the world that she will be speaking on Kira's behalf from now on. Light tells the group that they should bring Takada into their investigation. Light speaks with Mikami through Takada and tells the woman he is Kira. Near decides that all the pieces he needs are in place and that he should go to Japan. He asks Lester to come back to New York once more. When Lester inquires as to why, Near responds that he has never boarded a plane alone in his life. Lester becomes Near's escort. Matsuda claims that they have managed to get into Yoshida Productions and NHN--Misa's infiltration, as a pop star hired to perform for their show, was a huge success. The conversation is interrupted by a call from Near. Light takes the call and immediately wonders why Near has chosen to tell him that he has decide to come to Japan. Near shocks the group by making note that they should be in close with Takada, and Light agrees, telling L's successor that they have already done so. He asks Light to inform Takada that SPK members have come to Japan, claiming it is bait for Kira. He also reveals that SPK is only four members strong. To himself, Light accepts the challenge Near puts forth by exposing his plans. With his thoughts, Light makes it clear that he is jumping for another battle of wills such that he had with L in the past. Near reviews what he has gathered so far, using Lego figures to illustrate his points. Light is Kira, marked on the Lego figure as L-Kira. The other, who is doing the will of Kira, marked as X-Kira, has the Shinigami eyes. The two Kiras are using Takada as a bridge for communication. Near decides there are two ways to beat Kira; kill them both and take the notebook, which will not be done because that is not the way he or L works, it would be disgraceful as the successor to do such a thing. The second method is not revealed. Light meets with Takada, starting conversation with her large amount of fanmail received per day. He hands her a letter he himself has written with instructions upon it so that the Task Force members listening will not know. Out loud, Light asks her to call Kira to her side so that it appears he is doing his job as the second L. He hands her another letter: "T has other missions, creating a perfect world. I would like to have you carrying out the judgment of Kira." Takada stands in shock while Light meets her in an embrace that cinches their goal. In his room, Mikami continues to "eliminate" as X-Kira when he receives a call from Takada. She asks him to send a fan letter only she will recognize containing five pages from the notebook. She tells him that he will continue his work in a fake book made to look like the real one. After hanging up, Mikami briefly wonders what his God is up to, but decides he is but a lowly servant and should not question Him. Sakura TV airs "Today's Miss Takada," a replacement for the show "Kira's Kingdom," showcasing the four bodyguards of Miss Takada of which is ex-CIA member Hal Lidner--Light realizes that there is an SPK member guarding her and wonders what Near is up to. Elsewhere, Near wonders who Kira would have picked for X-Kira. Takada was chosen because she supported Kira. So, he realizes that X-Kira must have a relationship with Takada. Innumerable TVs in the background play every broadcast ever aired with Kira information. Near's eyes glow as the room whirls sickeningly--an obscure way of demonstrating his thinking process. It comes to a sudden halt on a screen of Mikami with Takada in the background, and all the screens switch to the same program. From this, he deduces that Mikami is X-Kira. Misa throws a fit over why she isn't the most popular star while Mogi tries to reason with her that there are simply bigger things on people's minds. They run into Takada in the hall and Misa calls her out. Takada brushes her off and Misa takes the bait and rushes her. Hal stops Misa from approaching Takada by force, but Takada has her released on the grounds that they're 'important friends.' Misa is released and falls to her knees, now throwing a tantrum over how embarrassing the moment was. Near calls the Japanese HQ and requests to speak with Aizawa. He asks if there are cameras and bugs to record Light's sessions with Takada. When Aizawa responds that there are only bugs, Near thanks him and hangs up. Lester realizes that without the cameras, L-Kira and X-Kira very well could be communicating and that Hal is in danger. Near responds that they must let L focus on Takada and Hal while they go after Mikami; SPK has a member, Giovanni, following Mikami. But he does not believe from what he has observed that Mikami is X-Kira. Takada requests a girl-to-girl talk with Misa who accepts. Takada asks Hal to sit in with them. At the restaurant, in a private room of course, Takada asks how Misa and Light are getting along with him being so busy. Misa responds fine, and that she is going to reveal their engagement on the New Year's Show (Christmas trees have been everywhere throughout the episode) aired on NHN. They have a minor, controlled girl fight over the issue and Takada ends it by claiming she is not as cold as to kill someone to avoid something she dislikes. Misa continues, saying that Kira will soon be caught by Light, and Takada covers her laughter well with a staged choke. She thinks Misa is stupid and unobservant; she leaves, claiming Misa lacks manners. Afterwards, poor Mogi is left to deal with a drunken Misa. Hal reports what she has observed to Near, and he declares that Light is caught in a love triangle with Takada and Misa. Lester scolds him to be more serious, and Near responds that this is good, because Light will have a difficult time betraying either of them. Elsewhere, on a train, Mikami observed a drunk harassing a young girl. Giovanni watches as Mikami pulls out a notebook and writes something inside it. The drunk dies as Mikami gets off the train, leaving Giovanni and the SPK surer than ever that their assumptions were correct.
34	"Vigilance" "Koshi" (虎視)	June 5, 2007	June 15, 2008
Giovanni reports his findings to the SPK HQ and Near decides that they must get close to Mikami. He warns that they must be wary of the Shinigami trailing Mikami, for it might warn him of their actions. Lester points out how it would be difficult to avoid something invisible, but he and Giovanni agree to do their best. Aizawa thinks about the possibility that Light is communicating with Takada through written notes to each other; going over how the cameras had to be removed after Kira's call. Aizawa wonders why Light is so insistent on having cameras and bugs in the room when he goes into his next meeting and leaves a nail mark on the bottom of several pads of paper to see whether or not notes are being passed. Kiyomi arrives and tells Light of her meeting with Misa. Inwardly, Light becomes flustered, annoyed at both women for causing him such trouble. In the note Light passes, he tells Kiyomi that Misa was doing the killings before T (Teru), as she had obtained the power from an unknown source-- "it couldn't be avoided." Light assures her that she is the only one for him. Meanwhile, in the Task Force’s listening area, Aizawa becomes annoyed with Ide and Matsuda for talking during the more important conversation. Kiyomi decides to believe Light, but threatens him against lying as she can tell Kira about his actions. Light continues normal conversation while he writes out a script for Takada to follow. Said script makes it sound to those in the listening area that she has agreed to help them capture Kira. He warns her of the risks and she, still following the script, agrees to lend her support. Giovanni reports that Mikami muttered to himself and sends feed of Mikami’s lip motions to the SPK HQ. Lester reads the first word as 'Shinigami' and the following statement as “That Shinigami hasn't appeared since he gave me the notebook.” Near quickly interprets these new facts and tosses the Lego figure representing the Shinigami back into the toy box--there is no Shinigami haunting Mikami. The meeting between Kiyomi and Light ends and the two parties go their separate ways. Aizawa returns to the hotel room and discovers that two of the four notepads he marked are no longer marked, indicating a replacement of the pads. He knows for sure they are communicating now and demands a meeting in person with Near. He arrives at the SPK and presents his findings, only to be told they are already known. Near informs him that they are at the point that they no longer need proof of Kira's identity. Regardless, he asks that Aizawa continue to watch Kira, and invites him to witness the end of the so-called God. The Music Festival begins while Misa and Mogi are picked up by Hal and Lester. Kiyomi, the MC for the event, announces that Misa has yet to arrive. In the SPK’s car, Misa complains that this detour is going to ruin her reputation as a pop star. Mogi comments that he would not have gone with the SPK peacefully if Aizawa had not told him what happened with Light and Kiyomi’s notebook conversations. Light contacts Near, telling him that they have lost track of Mogi and Misa. Near responds, saying that they have been invited over "just in case." Near then shows them the kidnapped victims, Misa and Mogi, in a waiting room. Light asks if they willingly agreed to be there and Mogi responds positively. To himself, Near comments that Light should know the meaning of this move. Giovanni decides that enough time has passed that the mission must have been successfully carried out, and moves in to search Mikami's things while Mikami is working out in a local gym. While picking the locker, Giovanni reflects upon the events that led him to be there: After watching Mikami closely, the SPK determined that he follows a strict daily schedule (even during the holidays) and that they should take advantage of that by having one of their members touch the notebook. The locker opens and Giovanni easily breaks into Mikami’s briefcase as well. He struggles with himself briefly before touching the notebook and noticing that there is no Shinigami in sight. Giovanni reports back to HQ and Near orders Lester to contact Mogi. Near asks Mogi how long one can be manipulated by the notebook--23 days, as proven by the Yotsuba group. Near decides that Giovanni could be controlled already and will make his move in 24 days if Giovanni is still alive. January 3rd: Light meets with Kiyomi after the Music Festival, commenting on how rough it must have been to have Misa avoid the Music Festival like that. On the note he passes her, he tells her to have Mikami contact her once he has confirmed everything, and then for her to contact Light with the message “I want to see you as soon as possible.” January 6th: Giovanni is sent back to the locker to take photographs of the names written in the notebook, in order to determine whether there is a specific pattern to the deaths. Near determines the handwriting in the notebook is Mikami's by comparing it to his prosecution reports. With everything he needs, Near closes the episode saying, “if that's the case, it can be done.”
35	"Malice" "Satsui" (殺意)	June 12, 2007	June 22, 2008
In a daring operation, Mello makes his move and successfully kidnaps Takada, posing as a hindrance to both Near and Light's plans. During the kidnapping, Matt is killed by Takada's security force. Takada kills Mello; Light then induces her to commit suicide.
36	"1.28 (January 28)" "1.28"	June 19, 2007	June 29, 2008
Each having developed a strategy to bring the other down for good, Light and Near finally meet face to face in an abandoned warehouse. Light carries out his plan using Teru Mikami, while Near is confident that the pages of the notebook Mikami is using are fake, confessing he tampered with them. As Light struggles to mask his glee Teru, in a frenzy, writes down the names of everyone but Light in his notebook and then enters the warehouse at Light's request. Just before the forty-second mark, Light declares his victory to Near.
37	"New World" "Shinsekai" (新世界)	June 26, 2007	July 4, 2008
The struggle between Kira and those who oppose him is over. Teru is restrained, and Near confesses that the Death Note he has is a fake, telling Light that he has lost. Light desperately claims that Near has framed him, but in the face of Near's evidence he breaks down and laughs like a madman. He confesses and gives a speech about how he is justice, and the only one who can rule a better world as its god. Near refutes his claims, saying him he is power-mad and crazy. Light distracts Near by claiming that the notebook from headquarters might be a fake in attempt to kill him by writing his name on a piece of the Death Note hidden in his watch. Before he can, Light is shot several times by Matsuda, who Light infuriated by his betrayal and his show of contempt for his own father. As Light writhes on the floor in agony, Mikami's faith in his "god" is completely shattered, and he stabs himself with his pen. Light escapes in the commotion, running into the industrial complex as Mikami bleeds to death. Near tells the Team to leave Light, as it is unlikely he has other hidden pieces and his wounds will probably kill him soon, but Aiwaza decides to go after him. Flashbacks are shown from the earlier episodes, along with an image of a younger, more innocent Light walking past the wounded Light. Ryuk, from a tower, looks at wounded Light as he escapes, and reflects as he does so that he had said from the beginning that he would be the one to write Light's name in his own notebook when it was time for him to die. Before Light dies, Misa Amane is shown standing on a building past the safety rail, implying she commits suicide like in the manga, and the body of Teru Mikami is shown. Light dies of cardiac arrest, lying on a set of stairs (possibly symbolic of his place in limbo, between heaven or hell - if they exist, as they are implied not to in the manga), and sees L's figure in front of him before he dies. Note: This episode was rated TV-MA. Also the death of Light is different of that of the manga, in which Ryuk kills him in the warehouse after Light begs the shinigami to kill the others, and revealing the truth behind the rule "The human who uses this note can neither go to Heaven nor Hell" (from How To Use It II, volume 1).

References

1. ^ "Official Death Note Website" (in Japanese). http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/. Retrieved 2006-11-06. 
2. ^ "Nippon Television Network Program Catalogue: Animation" (PDF). pp. 4. http://www.ntv.co.jp/english/pc/ntv-animation.pdf. Retrieved 2006-11-06. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Death Note TV Special to be Three-Hour Director's Cut". Anime News Network. 2007-07-12. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-07-12/death-note-tv-special-to-be-three-hour-director's-cut. Retrieved 2007-09-03. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} VIZ Media (2007-01-10). "Viz Media Obtains License to Download Death Note". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-01-10/viz-media-obtains-license-to-download-death-note. Retrieved 2007-01-17. 
5. ^ "Death Note Release Won't be Limited to Downloads". Anime News Network. 2007-01-13. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-01-13/death-note-release-won't-be-limited-to-downloads. Retrieved 2007-01-13. 
6. ^ Death Note Confirmed to Air on Adult Swim October 20 - Anime News Network

• "Official Death Note Website, containing descriptions and images of each episode" (in Japanese). http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/story/backnumber.html. Retrieved 2006-11-06.