Raising Death Note age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Death Note age rating: the anime series is TV-14 in the US (may be unsuitable for children under 14), per Common Sense Media's listing and Rotten Tomatoes. In the UK, the BBFC rates the series DVD 12 for moderate violence and sustained threat, and Netflix's two recap specials 15 for sexual threat. We couldn't find a German FSK rating for the anime series. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 15 and up.
Death Note at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
TV-14 per CSM listing and RT - ✓Violence in rating descriptors
BBFC: moderate violence - ✓Scary content in rating descriptors
BBFC: sustained threat - ✓Bad language in rating descriptors
CSM: occasional "f--k" - ✓Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
BBFC: sex references; CSM: smoking - ✓Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
UK BBFC: 12 (series DVD)
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Japanese anime thriller (Madhouse, 2006–2007, 37 episodes) about a notebook that kills source |
|---|---|
| US (TV rating) | TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under 14), per Common Sense Media's listing and Rotten Tomatoes |
| UK (BBFC) | Series DVD: 12 (no one under 12) for moderate violence; Netflix recap specials: 15 for sexual threat source |
| Germany (FSK) | Anime series not found in the FSK database; live-action films rated 12 to 16 source |
| Common Sense Media | 15+ — serial killing, torture, a suicide, creepy death god |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What Death Note is about
Death Note is a Japanese anime based on the manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. High school student Light Yagami finds a notebook dropped by Ryuk, a death god: anyone whose name is written in it dies. Light uses it against criminals under the name "Kira," and a detective known as L tries to catch him. The 37-episode series aired in Japan from October 2006 to June 2007. There are also live-action films and a 2017 Netflix film.
Death Note age rating: what's in it
Short answer: Common Sense Media and Rotten Tomatoes list it as TV-14; the BBFC rates the series DVD 12.
- US: TV-14, per Common Sense Media's listing and Rotten Tomatoes.
- UK (BBFC): series DVD 12, for moderate violence, sustained threat, and sex references; Netflix recap specials 15, for sexual threat.
- Germany: we couldn't find an FSK rating for the anime series.
- Common Sense Media: 15+.
Common Sense Media says the story centers on the serial killing of criminals, who mostly die suddenly of heart attacks. It lists torture, a character's death by suicide, and an attempted sexual assault in an early episode. Language includes an occasional "f--k." Characters smoke and drink wine.
Is Death Note scary?
Short answer: Common Sense Media calls it a dark psychological anime and says Ryuk's creepy look may frighten some viewers.
The BBFC lists sustained threat on several episodes. Common Sense Media notes that most deaths aren't too graphic, but they're frequent.
The habit kids may copy: judge and punish
Light decides on his own who deserves to die. Common Sense Media's takeaway is that the end doesn't always justify the means.
Try tonight: two roads
Next time a sibling or friend grabs a toy, stop and hold up two fingers: "I see two roads: grab it back, or ask for a turn. Which one?" Let your child pick. In our program, this is the lesson "Two Roads": noticing that there's a choice.
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FAQ
What age is Death Note for?
It's TV-14 in the US per Common Sense Media's listing, and Common Sense Media lists it for ages 15 and up. The BBFC rates the series DVD 12.
Is Death Note for kids?
Common Sense Media lists it for 15+, citing serial killing, torture, and a suicide. The UK series DVD is rated 12 for moderate violence and sustained threat.
Is Death Note scary?
Common Sense Media calls it dark and psychological and says the death god Ryuk's creepy look may frighten some viewers.
Does Death Note have bad language?
Common Sense Media lists "damn," "bastard," "ass," "hell," and an occasional "f--k," varying by dub and subtitles.
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