Death Note (2003)
A notebook that kills anyone whose name you write in it. Technically not 90s, but it's on my desk, so it's in.
Okay, the manga started in 2003 and the anime came in 2006, so this one sneaked past the Vault’s bouncer. But the box set lives on my studio desk, and that’s the rule now.
A genius student finds a notebook dropped by a bored god of death, and decides to fix the world with it. A genius detective decides to stop him. What follows is the best game of chess ever drawn.
For gamers
- Light vs L is a mind game where both players are trying to read each other’s moves. That’s every great strategy game.
- The Death Note’s rules are written right inside the story, like a game manual, and the whole plot is people finding loopholes in them. Speedrunners, take notes.
- Ryuk is just here for the apples, and honestly, relatable.
Our verdict
I’LL TAKE A POTATO CHIP… AND EAT IT / 10.