Death Note is banned in several countries because it's considered too disturbing and potentially influential in promoting violence, particularly among young people.
While celebrated for its complex narrative and philosophical themes, Death Note has faced bans and restrictions due to concerns about:
- Imitation and Violence: The core premise of the series, where a notebook allows its user to kill anyone by writing their name, raises concerns about impressionable viewers attempting to emulate the actions depicted. There have been reported instances of children creating "Death Notes" with the names of classmates or teachers, fueling fears of potential real-world harm.
- Moral Ambiguity: The series often blurs the lines between good and evil, with the protagonist, Light Yagami, taking on the role of judge, jury, and executioner. This moral ambiguity can be confusing for younger audiences who may struggle to differentiate between right and wrong.
- Promotion of vigilante justice: The show promotes the idea that it is acceptable for individuals to take the law into their own hands, enacting a form of extrajudicial killing. This undermines trust in legal and social institutions.
Therefore, countries have taken measures ranging from outright bans to restrictions on its availability to younger audiences to mitigate the potential negative impact of Death Note.
