Summary

• Death Note's iconic soundtrack and character leitmotifs are the main reasons the anime remains popular almost 20 years later.
• The original score by composers Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi includes memorable motifs like L's Theme and Himitsu.
• The music's recognizability and relevance on social media platforms showcase the lasting impact of Death Note's score worldwide.

Released almost 20 years ago, the anime adaptation of Death Note is still popular today, but not for the reason fans may think. While Death Note is usually ed for its incredible plot and spine-chilling plot twists, its soundtrack and character leitmotifs are keeping the series alive in the present.

Many consider Death Note the quintessential anime experience. From anti-hero protagonist Light Yagami to L Lawliet’s memorable character design, this single-season show has become one of the most recognizable animes in the 21st Century. Tsugumi Ohba’s complicated reverse mystery is condensed into 37 episodes. While Death Note is short compared to long-running anime like One Piece or Naruto, its premise and execution are just as beloved, and not just in Japan.

The anime has inspired artists for years. live-action film by Netflix in 2017. There is also a musical version of Death Note, with an original soundtrack in English starring Broadway actor Jeremy Jordan as Light.

Death Note’s Iconic Original Score Stood The Test Of Time

Music is one major reason that Death Note has remained popular for so long.

Despite the countless ways Death Note has remained relevant over the years, there is one main reason this anime has stuck around in fans’ minds for so long: its score. Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi, the composers of Death Note, crafted an original score full of instantly recognizable pieces and opening themes. However, what makes the music from this psychological thriller so timelessly notable is its use of musical leitmotifs.

Memorable Motifs: L’s Theme and Himitsu

Most anime use motifs as story-telling devices, but Death Note does it best with these two themes.

A leitmotif is a brief excerpt or phrase of music played during specific events to guide viewers through a story. They can be especially helpful in establishing themes and identifying main characters for shorter anime, which may have as little as 6 episodes, each with a 23-minute runtime. Death Note has some of the most iconic leitmotifs in anime history. L’s Theme and Himitsu are two of the most famous motifs from Death Note, and they regularly trend on social media.

The songs' popularity on apps such as TikTok further exemplifies the score’s masterful recognizability and relevance almost 20 years later. Death Note's fan-base is strong, but the score’s simple yet unique melodies and rhythms provide listeners easy access into the anime’s world, even if they haven't seen it. Hirano and Taniuchi’s compositions are enjoyed not only by Death Note fans but also by social media s worldwide.

Memorable scenes like Light’s discovery of the Death Note and L’s introduction are what make this anime iconic. However, what makes this anime so remarkable isn’t just the brilliantly executed storytelling or voice acting. Death Note is still popular today also for its memorable score and for the ingenious utilization of leitmotifs.