Where to read Death Note legally
Death Note is a Japanese manga, not a manhwa. You can read it on VIZ’s official Shonen Jump page. VIZ lists the first three chapters as free and later chapters as requiring access; check the page for availability in your location. If you want another story built around dangerous knowledge, survival, or morally fraught decisions, the Korean comics below are places to start.
Rankings
These are our editorial scores and opinions, not platform ratings. Each link goes to the official English release supplied in the research brief or, where none was verified, to a WEBTOON title search.
1. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint — Our score: 9.5/10
Dokja’s favorite apocalypse novel becomes reality, leaving him with knowledge of events others cannot foresee. Watching him decide what to reveal and whom to save gives the story the strategic tension a Death Note reader may enjoy. Why it’s great: information itself becomes a tool with consequences. Read on WEBTOON.
2. SSS-Class Revival Hunter — Our score: 9/10
Gongja gains an extraordinary ability in a tower where hunters compete for power. Its repeated chances to act make his choices, and their cost, more compelling than the premise first suggests. Why it’s great: it puts character decisions at the center of its fantasy setup. Read on Tapas.
3. Villains Are Destined to Die — Our score: 8.8/10
Penelope enters a dating game as its villainess on the hardest difficulty, with survival far from assured. She must read other people carefully while navigating a system stacked against her. Why it’s great: the constant calculation creates suspense, though its romance fantasy setting is very different from Death Note. Read on Tapas.
4. Second Life Ranker — Our score: 8.5/10
After learning that his missing brother died following a betrayal, Yeonwoo sets out to uncover what happened. The mystery and his pursuit of those responsible drive this action fantasy. Why it’s great: its investigation gives the battles a personal purpose. Read on Tapas.
5. The Villainess Turns the Hourglass — Our score: 8.4/10
Aria faces death after her sister’s schemes, then receives a chance to revisit the past. She uses what she knows to change her position in a hostile household. Why it’s great: its revenge plot rewards readers who like watching a character plan several moves ahead. Search on WEBTOON; an official English release link was not verified in the supplied list.
6. The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon — Our score: 8.2/10
A loyal skeleton fails to protect its master and is drawn into another chance to change events. Each setback adds to the puzzle of how it might avert the same fate. Why it’s great: its time travel premise turns failure into a reason to investigate and adapt. Search on WEBTOON; an official English release link was not verified in the supplied list.
7. A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special — Our score: 8/10
Desir survives a catastrophic labyrinth and returns with a chance to keep people he loves alive. His knowledge of what went wrong shapes how he prepares for the threat ahead. Why it’s great: foreknowledge creates a clear question: can careful planning really change the outcome? Search on WEBTOON; an official English release link was not verified in the supplied list.
8. Solo Leveling — Our score: 7.8/10
After gates connect the human world to monsters, hunters enter them to confront the danger. This is the most action focused pick here, with a different appeal from Death Note’s battle of wits. Why it’s great: its progression provides a gripping change of pace after a psychological thriller. Search on WEBTOON; an official English release link was not verified in the supplied list.
Sources checked
VIZ: Death Note; WEBTOON: Omniscient Reader; Tapas: SSS-Class Revival Hunter; Tapas: Villains Are Destined to Die; Tapas: Second Life Ranker.