The brand-new Death Note TV drama just made its debut, and it left us feeling a little lukewarm, what with its rushed pacing and less-than-compelling changes from the manga and anime source material. Still, we probably shouldn’t be too harsh in our criticisms. After all, at just one episode in, there’s still plenty of time for the newest live-action adaptation to turn it around and deliver a portion of the thrills the original Death Note did.
Plus, we’d like to stay on the good side of the series’ death gods, since this creepy photo has us worried that maybe they can manifest in real life, and might even be watching us right now.
Death Note is one of those special hits that has transcended the worlds of anime and manga fandom and become a mainstream pop cultural force in Japan. Among the many people who sat down to watch the drama’s premiere was Twitter user Kenshin Ogawa.
We’re not sure if Ogawa enjoyed the episode any more than we did, but we do know that his eyes weren’t glued to the screen for its entire runtime. At some point, he turned to look out the window, and even if he’d been bored up to that point, we’re sure his heart was suddenly pounding a mile a minute as he saw this.
https://twitter.com/kenshin_ogawa/status/617988063034150912Staring right back at him was shinigami/death god Ryuk, the mischievous supernatural entity who supplies protagonist Light with the means to end the life of those he judges as deserving death.
Now before you make a mad dash to the grocery store to stock up on apples with which to appease Ryuk, you should know that Ogawa himself offered the level-headed explanation that the glass of his home’s sliding door is just reflecting the image from his TV. But while that means creative otaku could also engineer a visit from anime’s many charming and attractive characters, we’re still a little freaked out by the snapshot, so you’ll have to excuse us if we decide to keep our Death Note curtains tightly shut during all subsequent episodes of the drama.
Source: Twitter/@kenshin_ogawa

Death Note drapes? Fans spot TV drama’s curtains in their home, keep them shut to block out Light
Death Note returns with first new manga content in 12 years!
Hide your name, hide your face – Death Note TV drama set to air this summer!
Live-action Netflix Death Note’s extended preview shows off Light’s adversary L, Ryuk voice work
Clip for Netflix’s Live-Action Death Note Film Shows Ryuk, Light’s Meeting
Studio Ghibli unveils new My Neighbour Totoro Yearly Plate for 2027
New Japanese convenience store rice balls taste like instant noodles [Taste test]
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
Starbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
Japan’s Tsukimi One-hand Bento’s name is all wrong, but it still looks entirely delicious
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Ryuk from Death Note performs Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen in official release video
Death Note 2016: live-action movie sequel to feature new Six-Note Rule【Video】
Death Note manga’s first new collected volume in 14 years announced
Upcoming live-action Death Note film is now recruiting shinigami Ryuk cosplayers for PR events!
Namie Amuro Performs Theme Song, Insert Song for 2016 Death Note Film
Netflix releases first trailer for its live-action American adaptation of anime Death Note【Video】
Review: Death Note (2017)
Live-action, Western-made Death Note film opening in Japan, but it’s not what anime fans think
Apparently enough people watched the American Death Note that Netflix is making a sequel
Japanese women list reasons they wish their husbands would die in new Husband Death Note book
Expectations run high as Death Note team begins new series — this time about angels!
New Dragon Ball, Death Note, and One Piece attractions coming to Universal Studios Japan
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?