Completely bored with his everyday life. Straight A high school student Light Yagumi is about to experience excitement he has never dreamed of. After class, Light comes upon a black book lying on the ground titled Death Note. The user instructions describe if a persons name is written in the book, then that person would die from a heart attack in a certain amount of time.
After testing the book on an armed man during a hostage situation. Light learns that the book is far from a hoax. Now with the new power that was given to him. Light embarks on his one man quest to change the world. His plan is to rid society of all criminals, and make himself the God of the new world.
Previous Volumes:
Death Note Volume 1: Boredom
Death Note Volume 2: Confluence
Death Note Volume 3: Hard Run
Death Note Volume 4: Love
Death Note Volume 5: Whiteout
Misa Amane has been caught and secretly imprisoned by L, due to very strong suspicion of being the second "Kira". L seeks to learn her ties with the first "Kira", whom he believes to be Light. In addition, he's also set on learning how she kills. Under pressure by Misa's Shinigami Rem, Light must figure out a way to free Misa before she dies from the interrogation. Therefore, forcing Rem to follow through on her bold threat, which is to write Light's name in her Death Note killing him immediately. -summary
Considered by many fans, quite possibly all fans, to be the volume that officially "jumps the shark". Death Note Volume 5 for the most part does seem to go in a different direction. However, it never becomes boring as the story develops. The unexpected plot twist only continues to force the reader to move forward, because the story is so thick with suspense. The plot twist that is taking place in this volume may seem pretty shaky at first. But, things clear up later and you eventually learn how important these events are. Now, I would also like to make clear that I'm not basing this volumes worth on what happens later. The volume does have its rough moments, and it's not as great as the previous four volumes, or the following ones either.
Light begins his plan to free Misa and in the process attempts to take the heat off of himself. In which, L is convinced that Light and Misa have to be the first and second Kiras, and thanks to a certain change of events, so does the rest of the task force. The situation doesn't appear good for Light at all.
This volume is stronger than what some people give it credit for. There is more background given on the powers of the Death Note, which Light uses in his favor. Character development isn't forsaken in this volume as we get to better understand the feelings of Light's father Soichiro Yagami. To include, the side characters aren't completely left out, and at this point, no one feels like a filler character anymore.
The biggest problem with this volume would be the lack of confrontational interactions between Light and L. Without spoiling everything, the cat and mouse game pretty much changes its course. But, it never, ever becomes a chore to read, because I'm sure the reader would probably be attached to some of the characters by this point.
The plot really begins to pick up with the possibility of a third "Kira". Meanwhile, L immediately begins to understand the power of "Kira", and also pieces together with the help of Light, that this "Kira" is in fact different. It's very obvious without the character of L, this volume especially wouldn't be as strong. He's a very charismatic character, and he keeps the volume interesting for me with his theories and guesswork. He also displays his honest feelings, by being open with everyone on his disappointment of the "Kira" case, to the point where he could just quit.
Minus a couple of overly dark panels. The artwork is still every bit as good as the previous volumes, with many different varieties of characters. No one really appears to be of the exact same design.
Volume five is the weaker of the volumes, but I believe the enjoyment can be based on how much the reader was spoiled by the previous volumes, in regards to the character interactions. The quick paced story development found in the previous chapters does slow down a bit. However, if one allows themselves to be lost in the story, and realize that the only characters in the story aren't L and Light. Then the volume is easier to get through. This volume is 199 pages, and is broken into 9 more chapters:
Chapter 35:Whiteout
Chapter 36:Father and Son
Chapter 37:Eight
Chapter 38:Strike
Chapter 39:Separation
Chapter 40:Allies
Chapter 41:Matsuda
Chapter 42:Heaven
Chapter 43:Black
Pros:
-Still gripping and full of suspense, more character development
Cons:
-Some annoying moments, along with the annoying Misa, interactions not as intense
