Death Note: How to Read

Reviewers widely praise this book as an invaluable resource for dedicated fans of the Death Note series, offering a comprehensive deep dive into its universe. Many found it satisfying, providing a sense of completion and closure to the overall narrative. Highlights include detailed character profiles, an exhaustive list of the Death Note's rules, and a chronological timeline of events. The exclusive interviews with author Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata are frequently lauded for offering significant insight into their creative process, decisions, and the making of the series. Readers also enjoyed additional content such as a certain supernatural being's observational journal, four-panel comics, and the original pilot chapter, which provided a fun and nostalgic experience. The book is particularly valued for revealing specific fan-desired information, like a certain detective's real name, and for its ability to answer lingering questions about the series.

Despite its appeal to fans, many reviewers found the book to be largely unnecessary, especially if read immediately after finishing the main series, as much of the information presented was already known or felt redundant. Some criticized the book's format, noting that the small text and often colored pages made it difficult to read, suggesting it would have benefited from a larger print size. The content itself was occasionally described as dry or bland, particularly certain character profiles or sections on human characters. A few reviewers also expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as the authors' commentary, or a tendency to downplay certain character actions or plot conveniences in their discussions. Additionally, the art style was critiqued by one reader for its depiction of characters.

In conclusion, this supplemental volume serves primarily as an extensive fan guide rather than a traditional continuation of the story. While it may not offer substantial new plot developments, its strength lies in providing a wealth of background information, authorial insights, and exclusive extras that enrich the understanding of the Death Note world. It is highly recommended for ardent fans, collectors, and those who have completed the series and wish to delve deeper into its intricacies, lore, and creative origins. However, casual readers or those not seeking exhaustive details might find it too niche, overly detailed, or simply not a must-read, suggesting it's best approached as a companion piece to be paged through rather than read cover-to-cover.