Death Note: Anime vs Manga

[bigsleepj]

I'm not sure if there is a thread like this yet, but here goes.

Death Note has always been a series I wanted to "get into" (both manga and anime), and the possibility has presented itself where I can buy the entire anime in a good deal as a "blind purchase". But still, I have some reservations (other than "the manga is better", which is generally a given). So, after gazing into a crystal ball and wondering why it's not working, I've decided to concoct some questions; please keep the answers spoiler-free.

(a) Would you say that the series is a good representation of manga?

(b) Is there any annoying, unnecessary filler?

(c) This question is false. Ignore.

(d) Would you described it as 'well-paced' or 'correctly paced'?

(e) Do characters, in the middle of some dramatic moment or "battle" (in whatever form) suddenly begin to loudly deconstruct and analyze each other's tactics and the movement of time and the universe is suspended while they talk? (a la Bleach the anime). I'm asking because I hate that.

(f) Any particular reason why I should seek out the manga instead (without spoiling anything)?

[Fish and Chips]

(a) Would you say that the series is a good representation of manga?

Yes.

That's actually the problem with it.

(b) Is there any annoying, unnecessary filler?

Not that I'm aware of. Death Note is about as plot-driven as they come.

(c) This question is false. Ignore.

What pumpkin?

(d) Would you described it as 'well-paced' or 'correctly paced'?

Good pacing, though the second arc is a bit rushed compared with the first, I think.

(e) Do characters, in the middle of some dramatic moment or "battle" (in whatever form) suddenly begin to loudly deconstruct and analyze each other's tactics and the movement of time and the universe is suspended while they talk? (a la Bleach the anime). I'm asking because I hate that.

Yes, except that most of the fighting and drama is talking, so the line is yours to draw between volleying conjectures and eating chips.

What few action scenes there are are typically uninterrupted, however.

(f) Any particular reason why I should seek out the manga instead (without spoiling anything)?

Basically, do you want to read the Manga or watch the Manga?

Death Note is very dialogue heavy, most of it being two or more different characters locked in occasionally overly intricate mind games, across entire countries and face to face. It lends itself well to the comics, but in animation, not as much, since you're essentially animating people talking to each other. A lot. It's not all talk, there's a fair bit of other goings on (including at least one high speed car chase), but the Anime at times seems to emphasize these things as if they were taking a breather from the dialogue, to prove it actually is animated, as well as emphasizing certain characters' speaking tics and mannerisms. Who doesn't remember the infamous Internet chip bag scene?

Death Note is a competent Anime adaption, with a few pragmatic changes interspersed here and there, but that doesn't change the fact that what you're doing is essentially watching people talk for about 37 episodes.

[bigsleepj]

Yes, except that most of the fighting and drama is talking, so the line is yours to draw between volleying conjectures and eating chips.

I put 'fighting' in quotation marks because I assumed it would be mind games and would involve talking]Death Note is very dialogue heavy, most of it being two or more different characters locked in occasionally overly intricate mind games, across entire countries and face to face. It lends itself well to the comics, but in animation, not as much, since you're essentially animating people talking to each other. A lot. It's not all talk, there's a fair bit of other goings on (including at least one high speed car chase), but the Anime at times seems to emphasize these things as if they were taking a breather from the dialogue, to prove it actually is animated, as well as emphasizing certain characters' speaking tics and mannerisms.[/quote]

Death Note is a competent Anime adaption, with a few pragmatic changes interspersed here and there, but that doesn't change the fact that what you're doing is essentially watching people talk for about 37 episodes.

Interesting perspective. Since you know my tastes you'd know I don't mind "talky" movies, but I'm not sure how I'd react to an animated series. I suppose it helps if I know what I'm letting myself in for.

Thanks for answering the questions.

Who doesn't remember the infamous Internet chip bag scene?

[uc pseudonym]

For the most part, I can only second what has already been said. I found the anime too slow simply because it takes a voice actor much longer to say words than it does to read them. You are getting the same story, so I think you will have to judge for yourself which medium you would prefer.

I put 'fighting' in quotation marks because I assumed it would be mind games and would involve talking]
For me it was middle of the road in this regard. The pacing is consistent, in that analysis is applied in basically every situation at a similar level. There were some times when I felt it was unnecessary, but also a few points where they could have insulted the audience's intelligence and didn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoy1QKxGQs

Watch repeatedly for optimal effect.

[minakichan]

Miyano Mamoru's voice for Light is GODLY. His suave smoothness of his vocals could spontaneously impregnate a woman. That is enough reason to watch it.

I kid. But if you're going to hear two people monologuing for 37 episodes, have good faith that at least one of them is hot and the other is Yamaguchi Kappei.

[GeneD]

the possibility has presented itself where I can buy the entire anime in a good deal as a "blind purchase".

Where and how much? I’m just curious, I already have the first box set with eps. 1-20.

I read the end of the manga to see if it differs from the anime, but apart from one or two minor changes it's the same, although I liked the anime ending more. I haven't read any more of the manga so I can't compare.

I agree that the pacing is good, and even though the second arc moves faster and even though I wouldn't have minded it being more like the first, I can see the possible reasoning as to why it was made so.

[the_wolfs_howl]

I haven't actually read the manga all the way through, but I have it from very reliable sources that the anime is basically just the manga animated, so it doesn't really make too much difference which you choose.

The only reason I can think of to watch the anime rather than read the manga is to hear the voice acting - which is very good in Japanese and very not-good in English. Also, I believe there are a couple minor scenes added to the anime - just really short things that don't change much but are kind of nice for more characterization.

Also, no matter which you choose, I would highly recommend watching the live-action movies afterwards. It's best to experience the original story first, but the movies actually offer a better ending in my opinion, and the only reason one should watch the anime rather than the movies is because the movies don't have enough time to go through every one of the ingeniously fun plots. Also, for a live-action adaptation of an anime, Death Note does an outstanding job. (Kenichi Matsuyama is L.)

[bigsleepj]

Hi, everyone. Sorry for not getting back to these posts earlier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoy1QKxGQs

Watch repeatedly for optimal effect.

My mind is blow-waved...

Thanks. ]Where and how much? I’m just curious, I already have the first box set with eps. 1-20.[/QUOTE]

Well, I did some checking and it was not as cheap as I thought, but at R800 it was still cheaper than buying both box-sets separately in SOuth Africa.

Thanks for the opinions, everyone, but I decided to pass on the anime for now and seek out the manga. Thank you.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Also, no matter which you choose, I would highly recommend watching the live-action movies afterwards. It's best to experience the original story first, but the movies actually offer a better ending in my opinion, and the only reason one should watch the anime rather than the movies is because the movies don't have enough time to go through every one of the ingeniously fun plots. Also, for a live-action adaptation of an anime, Death Note does an outstanding job. (Kenichi Matsuyama is L.)

The endings of both movies are deffinately superior, but they also pretty much ruin Ryuk as a character by cutting out most of his material. If you don't already know who he's supposed to be, the few scenes he gets in the films are kind of confusing. But then, the films ALSO have the great Takeshi Kaga as Mr. Yagami. :rock:

Also, I've decided that mentioning the Death Note parody comic I just drew yesterday here would be really self-serving, so I won't... oops.