Wondering when the legendary Death Note manga first came out? You’re not alone; tracing the publication history of this iconic series can be confusing with its multiple printings and special editions. You need a clear, chronological timeline to make sense of it all.
The Death Note manga, created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata, was first released in December 2003. It began its official serialization in Shueisha’s popular magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, marking the beginning of its journey to worldwide acclaim.
Based on extensive analysis of publication records, this guide provides a complete timeline of every major release. You will discover the exact dates for the original Japanese serialization, the collected volume releases, the English-language debut, and all the special one-shot chapters published over the years.
Key Facts
- Initial Serialization Run: The manga was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006, spanning the entire core story.
- Total Chapter Count: The main story consists of 108 individual chapters, which were later collected into volumes.
- Standard Volume Collection: The 108 chapters are compiled into a standard set of 12 tankōbon (collected graphic novel) volumes.
- English Publication Lag: The official English release by Viz Media began in October 2005, roughly 18 months after the first Japanese volume was published.
- Anime Adaptation Followed Manga: The popular anime series premiered in October 2006, five months after the manga’s story had already concluded.
When Did the Death Note Manga Originally Come Out?
The Death Note manga officially began its journey in December 2003. The very first chapter of the series, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by the acclaimed Takeshi Obata, was published in the first issue of 2026 of Shueisha’s highly popular manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump. Although the magazine issue was dated for the new year, it was released to the public on December 1, 2003, marking the true birth of the series that would captivate millions.
This serialization marked the official start of Light Yagami’s dark crusade. The weekly publication format allowed the intricate cat-and-mouse game between Kira and L to unfold chapter by chapter, building a massive and dedicated readership in Japan long before it became an international phenomenon. This initial run in Weekly Shōnen Jump is the source material for all subsequent volumes, adaptations, and special editions.
What Was the Full Serialization Timeline in Weekly Shōnen Jump?
The complete serialization of the Death Note manga in Weekly Shōnen Jump ran from December 2003 to May 2006. During this roughly two-and-a-half-year period, a new chapter was released almost every week, allowing the complex narrative to build suspense and develop its characters methodically. This consistent publication schedule is what established the foundational story that fans know today.
The serialization period covers the entire original plot, from Light Yagami discovering the Death Note to the story’s dramatic conclusion. Here are the specific details of that original run:
- Start Date: December 1, 2003
- End Date: May 15, 2006
- Total Chapters: 108
Understanding this timeline is crucial, as it shows that the creators had a complete, finished story by mid-2006. This fact becomes particularly important when looking at the timeline of its popular anime adaptation.
When Were the Individual Death Note Tankōbon Volumes Released in Japan?
The 12 Japanese tankōbon volumes of Death Note were released between April 2, 2004, and July 4, 2006. As is common practice in the manga industry, the individual chapters serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump were later compiled into collected volumes, known as tankōbon. The publisher, Shueisha, began releasing these collected editions less than six months after the series started its weekly run.
This release schedule allowed fans who missed the weekly chapters or who preferred the book format to collect the series as it progressed. The final volume, Volume 12, was released just two months after the manga’s conclusion in Weekly Shōnen Jump, completing the entire collection for Japanese audiences.
Here is a complete list of the original Japanese release dates for each of the 12 volumes:
| Volume Number | Japanese Release Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | April 2, 2004 |
| 2 | July 2, 2004 |
| 3 | September 3, 2004 |
| 4 | November 4, 2004 |
| 5 | February 4, 2005 |
| 6 | April 4, 2005 |
| 7 | July 4, 2005 |
| 8 | September 2, 2005 |
| 9 | December 2, 2005 |
| 10 | February 3, 2006 |
| 11 | May 2, 2006 |
| 12 | July 4, 2006 |
How Did the English Manga Release Timeline Compare to the Japanese Original?
Viz Media began releasing the English version of the Death Note manga on October 10, 2005. As the series’ popularity exploded in Japan, the North American publishing rights were acquired by Viz Media, which introduced the story to a massive new audience. This English release started approximately a year and a half after the first Japanese volume hit shelves, a common time lag for manga localization during that period.
The English volumes were published under Viz Media’s “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint, which was aimed at older teen audiences due to the series’ mature themes and complex psychological content. The release schedule was fairly aggressive, aiming to bring the complete series to English-speaking fans as quickly as possible.
- English Publisher: Viz Media
- Imprint: Shonen Jump Advanced
- English Release Window: October 10, 2005 – July 3, 2007
The completion of the English run in July 2007 meant that North American fans had access to the entire 12-volume story. This successful release paved the way for other editions, such as the popular “Black Edition” and the massive “All-in-One Edition,” which also received English releases from Viz Media in subsequent years.
What Other Special Death Note Manga Releases Have Come Out?
Beyond the main 12-volume series, several special one-shot manga chapters and supplemental books for Death Note have been released over the years. These additional pieces of content provide further insight into the world, explore new stories with different Death Note users, and give fans a deeper appreciation for the lore. These releases demonstrate the enduring legacy of the series, long after the main story concluded.
For dedicated fans and collectors, tracking these special releases is key to understanding the full scope of the Death Note universe. Here is a chronological list of the most significant special manga releases:
- ✎ The Pilot Chapter (August 2003): Released a few months before the main series, this pilot story features a different protagonist named Taro Kagami who finds a Death Note. It is not part of the main story’s continuity but shows the early concepts for the series.
- ✎ “How to Read 13” (October 13, 2006): This is an official encyclopedia and guidebook for the series. It contains detailed character profiles, creator interviews, and a bonus one-shot chapter that takes place after the main story’s conclusion, resolving some minor plot points.
- ✎ The “C-Kira” One-Shot (February 2008): This 44-page epilogue chapter was released to commemorate the release of the L: Change the WorLd live-action film. It is set a few years after the end of the manga and deals with a new Kira figure who appears in Japan.
- ✎ The “a-Kira” One-Shot (February 4, 2020): A major 87-page one-shot chapter that created a new wave of excitement for the series. This story is set in the modern day and follows Ryuk as he introduces the Death Note to a new, exceptionally intelligent protagonist in a world with advanced technology and surveillance.
- ✎ “Death Note: Short Stories” (February 4, 2021): This is a collected volume that compiles the various one-shots into a single book. It includes the “C-Kira” and “a-Kira” chapters, as well as the original pilot chapter and other short comics, making it an essential piece for collectors.
How Does the Manga’s Release Date Compare to the Anime’s Premiere?
The Death Note anime premiered on October 3, 2006, just five months after the manga finished its original run in May 2006. This timing is a critical detail in the franchise’s history and a key reason for the anime’s quality and faithfulness to the source material. Unlike many anime adaptations that run concurrently with their manga, the Death Note anime had the significant advantage of a completed story.
Because the manga’s plot was already finished, the animation studio, Madhouse, was able to adapt the entire 108-chapter narrative without needing to create filler content or deviate from the original author’s vision. This allowed the 37-episode anime series to be a very faithful and tightly paced adaptation of Tsugumi Ohba’s and Takeshi Obata’s complete work. The small gap between the manga’s conclusion and the anime’s premiere ensured that fans of the manga could quickly experience the story in a new, fully animated format.
FAQs About when did death note manga come out
Was Death Note a manga before the anime?
Yes, Death Note was originally a manga series that was released before the anime adaptation. The manga began its serialization in December 2003, while the anime did not premiere until October 2006. This allowed the entire manga story to be completed before the anime production finished, ensuring the anime could follow the original plot closely.
How many chapters and volumes does the Death Note manga have?
The main Death Note manga series consists of 108 chapters, which are collected into 12 standard tankōbon volumes. The serialization ran from December 2003 to May 2006. There is also a 13th volume, titled “How to Read,” which is a guidebook and contains the pilot chapter, but it is not part of the main narrative.
Is the Death Note manga still ongoing?
No, the main story of the Death Note manga is complete and concluded in May 2006. However, the creators, Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, have released several additional “one-shot” chapters over the years, including a significant new story in February 2020. These are standalone stories set in the same universe but are not part of a new ongoing series.
Who wrote and illustrated the Death Note manga?
The Death Note manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. This creative duo is responsible for the original story, characters, and iconic art style of the series. They have also collaborated on other successful manga series like Bakuman. and Platinum End.
What is the Death Note “All-in-One Edition”?
The “All-in-One Edition” is a special omnibus release that compiles all 12 volumes (2,400 pages) of the Death Note manga into a single, massive book. Released in English by Viz Media on September 6, 2017, it also includes a special epilogue chapter that was not previously published in English, making it a popular item for collectors and readers wanting the entire story in one package.
What was the very first piece of Death Note manga ever released?
The very first piece of Death Note content released was the pilot chapter, also known as “The Taro Kagami Story.” It was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in August 2003, a few months before the main series began its serialization in December 2003. This chapter features a different protagonist and is not part of the main story’s continuity.
When did the Death Note manga get a “Black Edition”?
Viz Media began releasing the “Black Edition” of the Death Note manga on December 28, 2010. This is a six-volume omnibus edition, where each book contains two of the original volumes. It features larger pages and sleek new cover designs, offering a different, high-quality format for collecting the entire series.
Are there any sequel stories to the main Death Note manga?
Yes, there are official sequel one-shot chapters written by the original creators. The most notable are the “C-Kira” chapter released in February 2008, set two years after the main story, and the “a-Kira” chapter released in February 2020, which follows Ryuk in the modern day. Both are collected in the Death Note: Short Stories volume.
How long was the gap between the Japanese and English manga releases?
The first English volume of Death Note was released approximately 18 months after the first Japanese volume. Volume 1 was released in Japan in April 2004, while the English version from Viz Media was released in North America in October 2005. The English releases continued until mid-2007, successfully closing the gap for Western audiences.
What is “Death Note 13: How to Read”?
“Death Note 13: How to Read” is an official guidebook and encyclopedia for the series, released on October 13, 2006, in Japan. It contains detailed character profiles with statistics, creator interviews, behind-the-scenes information, and the original pilot chapter. It serves as a comprehensive companion piece to the main 12-volume series for die-hard fans.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the Death Note publication timeline reveals a story of meticulous planning and explosive success. From its humble beginnings as a serialized weekly manga in December 2003 to its status as a global phenomenon, every release has played a crucial part in its legacy. The journey through its various editions, from the original tankōbon volumes to modern all-in-one collections, offers fans numerous ways to experience this dark and thought-provoking masterpiece.
What’s most clear is that the manga is the true origin, the complete and unfiltered vision of its creators.
- Original Serialization: The manga’s journey began in Weekly Shōnen Jump in December 2003 and concluded after 108 chapters in May 2006.
- Japanese Volume Releases: The 108 chapters were compiled into 12 tankōbon volumes in Japan, released by Shueisha between April 2004 and July 4, 2006.
- English Publication: Viz Media handled the North American release, publishing the 12 volumes from October 2005 to July 2007, about 1.5 years after the Japanese debut.
- Manga Came First: The manga was the original medium, and its story was completed before the anime adaptation premiered in October 2006, which allowed for a faithful adaptation.
- The Story Continues in One-Shots: While the main series is finished, the universe has been expanded with several one-shot chapters, most notably in February 2008 and February 2020.
- Multiple Editions Exist: Beyond the standard 12 volumes, fans can collect the series through different formats like the two-in-one “Black Edition” and the massive “All-in-One Edition.”
- A Pilot Chapter Predates the Series: The true first piece of Death Note content was a pilot chapter with a different protagonist, released in August 2003, months before the main series began.
Whether you are a new fan drawn in by the anime or a long-time reader, appreciating this history enriches the experience of the story itself. The carefully managed timeline, from the weekly serialization to the international releases and special editions, is a testament to the enduring power and appeal of Death Note.
Last update on 2026-03-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
