How Many Seasons Are There In Death Note | LIMITED | 2026 |

Since its debut in 2006, Death Note has remained a cornerstone of psychological thriller anime. A common question among new viewers is: “How many seasons are there?” Streaming platforms and fan forums frequently provide contradictory answers—some listing one season, others two, and some even including a third. This confusion stems from differences between Japanese broadcasting practices and Western syndication models, as well as the existence of recap films and original net animations (ONAs). This paper will clarify the factual structure of the series.

The confusion regarding the number of seasons often stems from how the story is structured and presented:

In 2016, a 3-episode original net animation titled Death Note: Light Up the NEW World was released as a prequel to the live-action film of the same name. These episodes are:

While you might see references to a "Season 2" on streaming platforms or in fan discussions, these usually refer to the second half of the series that begins after a major plot turning point. Why People Think There Are Two Seasons how many seasons are there in death note

Thus, the “two seasons” is a , not a production reality.

| Claimed Seasons | Actual Content | Verdict | |----------------|----------------|---------| | 1 season | Episodes 1–37 (original broadcast) | | | 2 seasons | Episodes 1–20 + 21–37 (cour split) | Misleading / Localization | | 3+ seasons | Including recap films or ONAs | Incorrect / Non-canon |

In terms of anime seasons, there is only of Death Note, which is the 37-episode series from 2006-2007. Since its debut in 2006, Death Note has

The myth of two seasons arises from the . In Japanese television, a “cour” is a three-month broadcast block (roughly 11–13 episodes).

Between episodes 20 and 21, there was a one-week holiday break, but no production hiatus. Episode 21 (“Performance”) opens the second major narrative arc—the introduction of Mello and Near after the death of L. Because this tonal shift coincides with the calendar change, Western distributors (and later streaming services like Netflix and Hulu) labeled the second cour as “Season 2” to align with Western seasonal expectations.

A minority of sources claim three seasons. This typically includes: This paper will clarify the factual structure of the series

There are of the Death Note anime.

While there is no "Season 2," the fanbase and DVD/Blu-ray releases often divide the single season into two distinct parts or arcs. This is due to a significant shift in the story's tone and cast about halfway through.