Death Note is widely considered one of the greatest psychological thriller manga ever created. Written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, the series captivated readers with its intense battle of wits between Light Yagami and L (Death Note).

What made the series unforgettable wasn’t just its supernatural premise, but its mind games, moral dilemmas, and exploration of justice. Even years after its conclusion, fans are still searching for manga like Death Note that capture the same dark tone and intellectual storytelling.

While it’s rare to find another series that perfectly replicates Death Note’s legendary psychological chess match, there are several modern manga that explore similar themes—revenge, hidden supernatural rules, moral ambiguity, and power struggles. If you're looking for manga similar to Death Note, these titles from Shueisha’s MANGA Plus by Shueisha offer gripping stories with dark atmospheres and complex conflicts.

Below are four manga that Death Note fans should definitely check out.

4 Manga to Read If You Love Death Note

1. Kagurabachi

A Revenge Story Driven by Darkness

Read Kagurabachi here

One of the breakout modern manga hits, Kagurabachi follows Chihiro Rokuhira, the son of a legendary swordsmith whose enchanted blades once helped end a war. When a group of sorcerers murders his father and steals those weapons, Chihiro begins a ruthless mission of revenge to reclaim them.

Armed with the final enchanted blade, he hunts the criminals responsible and dives into a brutal underworld of sorcery and organized crime.

Why Death Note fans will like it

• Dark revenge-driven protagonist
• A morally gray world where justice isn’t simple
• Strategic confrontations with dangerous enemies

While the story focuses more on action than pure psychological warfare, the serious tone and themes of vengeance make it an easy recommendation for readers who enjoyed Death Note’s darker atmosphere.

Read Kagurabachi here

2. Nue's Exorcist

A Hidden Supernatural War

Read Nue's Exorcist here

Nue’s Exorcist begins with Gakuro Yajima, a quiet student who has been able to see spirits since childhood. His life changes when he meets Nue, a mysterious spirit sealed inside a room at his school. After forming a pact with her, Gakuro becomes involved in battles against dangerous spirits alongside exorcists.

The story gradually reveals a hidden supernatural world operating behind everyday society.

Why it's similar to Death Note

• Supernatural rules governing the world
• Secrets hidden from ordinary people
• Characters forced into dangerous moral decisions

Just like Death Note’s Shinigami system introduced supernatural logic into the real world, Nue’s Exorcist blends everyday life with hidden spiritual forces.

Read Nue's Exorcist here

3. Märchen Crown

Dark Fairy Tales With Political Stakes

Read Märchen Crown here

Created by the writer of Oshi no Ko, Märchen Crown reimagines classic fairy-tale characters in a dark fantasy setting.

The story begins with Rapunzel escaping her tower, only to discover that the outside world is full of monstrous “cursed people.” The narrative eventually evolves into a struggle between powerful fairy-tale figures competing for control and survival.

How the manga is like Death Note

• Dark reinterpretation of familiar stories
• Characters competing for power and dominance
• Themes of idealism vs harsh reality

Like Death Note, it challenges the idea that the world is morally simple.

Read Märchen Crown here

4. War of the Adults

A Psychological Dystopia

Read War of Adults here

War of the Adults explores a dystopian society built on a strange premise. The protagonist once created a personal philosophy called the “Articles of Adulthood,” but after waking from a coma years later, he discovers that society has adopted his ideas as strict rules.

The result is a hyper-surveillance system where every person’s behavior is constantly monitored and scored, determining their status and freedoms.

Now he must confront the consequences of the world his ideals created.

How the manga is similar to Death Note fans

• Ethical questions about justice and control
• A protagonist confronting his own ideology
• A dystopian system shaped by moral rules

This kind of philosophical conflict is very much in the spirit of Death Note’s debate about justice.

Read War of Adults here

Final Thoughts

If you're searching for manga like Death Note or trying to discover manga similar to Death Note, the key elements to look for are:

• Dark moral dilemmas
• Strategic conflicts between powerful characters
• Supernatural systems affecting society
• Stories that challenge the idea of justice

While nothing fully replaces the brilliance of Death Note, these newer series offer fresh takes on darker storytelling that many fans of the classic psychological thriller will enjoy.