Death Note, Vol. 11: Kindred Spirits

Death Note [デスノート] #11

by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata (Illustrator), Tetsuichiro Miyaki (Translator)

Light's latest machinations are putting a strain on even his formidable intellect as Near flies to Japan to beard Kira in his den. Near is sure that Light is Kira, but his sense of honor as L's heir will allow no doubts. He doesn't want to just stop the Kira murders, he wants to expose Light as the Death Note killer. Light thinks he's up to the challenge, but will the pressures of his fiancée, his new flame, and his acolyte prove to be fatal distractions?

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Horror

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2006

About the author

Tsugumi Ōba (Profile in Japanese: 大場 つぐみ), born in Tokyo, Japan, is a writer best known for the manga Death Note. His/her real identity is a closely guarded secret. As stated by the profile placed at the beginning of each Death Note manga, Ōba collects teacups and develops manga plots while holding his knees on a chair, similar to a habit of L, one of the main characters of the series.

There is speculation that Tsugumi Ōba is a pen name and that he is really Hiroshi Gamō. Pointing out that in Bakuman the main character's uncle was a one-hit wonder manga artist who worked on a gag super hero manga, very similar to Gamō and Tottemo! Luckyman in all aspects. Also that the storyboards drawn by Ōba greatly resemble Tottemo! Luckyman in style.

Reviews

[MischaS_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fear the end! I fear the end approaching. I may know what will happen but still... I think I'm entering a denial phase!

I love, love Mello and this one needs way more of him.

I'm a bit sick of Near explaining everything, someone kill that monkey child, please!

[Swati Tanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

In comparison to the preceding sections, this volume is not as good. Loop of repetition. Drags unnecessarily. I'll admit that I was bored while reading this. My admiration for this series has drastically deteriorated.

I'm definitely looking forward to the last book, and cliffhanger #11 has piqued my interest (dangit cliffhangers). But, in the end, I felt like this book was going around in circles. The last chapter is the only one worth reading because it sets up the final volume.

You might like to check out more similar books here.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good set up for the final novel. As I get closer and closer to the end of the series, I'm becoming increasingly annoyed/amused at how women are depicted in this series. I realize it's a manga series aimed at boys, but come on. They're all either victims (see Light's sister), crazy/annoying/stupid (see Misa), or pathetically gullible (see Takada). Even the shinigami from a few volumes back that was supposed to be female was disappointing. Then again, perhaps I'm overthinking this. It is a teen boys' comic, after all.

[Shawna Finnigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW// murder, mention of heart attack, brief misogyny

I have to keep reminding myself that I’m so close to finishing this series in order to get through each volume. It’s repeating a lot of the same stuff over and over again as they attempt to unravel mysteries, so it’s fairly dull. I am excited to see the final confrontation in next volume as I hope that it’ll help leave this series off on a satisfying note.

[Tim B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh I have no idea how this is going to end! My head is so dizzy trying to keep up with everyone’s thought process 😵‍💫

[Manisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters are unlikeable.

The story is going in circles.

[Makrand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Death Note Vol 11 - Kindred Spirits would be the first Death Note book of all that had quite less action, content or progress from plot's perspective.

This volume was majorly a warm-up before the Finale, A filler at the most! Near and Kira's already known verbal communications, Light's meetings with Takada & Mikawa on the verge of fooling Near were the major highlights.

Unfortunately, Ryuk's presence is fading as the story proceeds towards the ending. I still think Ryuk has a power card for which Tsugumi has saved him so far to be revealed in the final Chapter.

Misa Amane is a mere secondary side character now with nothing much to do.
Mello is also seen scarcely. Except the last scene where he kidnaps Takada

Hoping for a good ending in this battle of wits in the next volume

[Ferdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bored most of the way through, nothing much happened, the last chapter was pretty entertaining though with things finally kicking off with Near and Light.

[Leon Enciso · Rating 5 out of 5]

El final se acerca...

[Wiktoria Badora · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25

[Thedesibookthief · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was overall rather boring but that last chapter really set the tone for the final volume. God, I am super psyched to know how this ends!

[Lys ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? Idk how to rate this.
Almost coming to an end! I literally can’t think of how this will end which I good I guess! I’m nervous lol 👀
I just... it’s not the same without L and I can even say Ryuk because there’s no action from him. There was like a total of 5 scenes he was in and he didn’t even speak. He is my fave character so it’s a bit disappointing! I also felt like this dragged a bit? It took me forever to read but I hope the last volume is good!

[Gorab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended on a cliffhanger... as expected.

Clueless on what each of them is thinking through. Baffled a bit by the absurd rules of Death Notes - with all the Red, Green and White covers, 24min rules, 6 min rules, this and that!

Time to find out whether all of this converges somewhere.
On to the last Volume with lots of anticipation!

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cool set up for the last volume. I enjoyed Near and Mello's characters more than previously. Some of the plot was a bit far-fetched though...
Also, the sexism in these books really bothers me.

[MischaS_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finale bude epicke! Jako fakt! Mello je bozi (ae je ho tam malo ). Zajimalo by me jestli N nebo L zahrnuli promenou Mello do svych planu...
Ja nechci, aby to uz byl konec :-(

[moi, k.y.a. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sona 1 kala heyecan dorukta.

[Josiemaus85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wird zum Schluss nochmal richtig spannend :O

[Kathy - Books & Munches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are the women so easily manipulated?😐

[Annie♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Necesito el siguiente libro YA.

[ʚ evie ɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

can’t believe the next volume is the last 😣

[Colleen AF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just say that Near's doll collection totally freaks me out! Why do they sort of but not really look like the characters? Eeeee. Why can't he go back to constantly playing with plastic ducks?! I find it funny that they felt the need to give Near and Mello these distinct personality ticks. If you ask me it holds their characters back a bit and venture more towards caricature. This might have been a 2 star rating if it wasn't for those last few pages. No even more than that—those last few panels. Totally knocked me away! I actually almost gave it 5 but then had to remind myself I had fallen asleep, nose first into the book spine, around page 20. Not a great sign. I am totally a Mello fan, even if I still think he should have been written as a female. Though I can't complain as much since Hal Linder is finally representing a smart strong woman in this book series, literally the first one we've come across in over 2,000 pages! Of course she IS a double-crosser and casually finds an excuse in the beginning to strip and shower while holding a conversation, but compared to the horrible representations of women in this whole series Linder is pretty darn bad-ass. Let's hope she plays a bigger role in the final two books. One that DOESN'T involve her falling in love or learn to make casserole or something.

[Sandra Girard-Demontigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot begins to tighten. I really look forward to seeing what's going to happen in the next manga especially since the series is almost over ... I don't know what I'm going to do when I'll finish reading. Probably read them and reread them again. I still don't know if I'm on the side of Kira or on the side of Near and L. Anyway it's impossible for me to wait before reading the next one. So I leave you and I will start the other book :)

L'intrigue commence à ce resserrer. J'ai vraiment hâte de voir ce qui va se passer dans le prochain manga d'autant plus que la série est pratiquement terminé... Je ne sais pas ce que je vais faire lorsque je vais avoir terminé de les lires. Probablement les lires et les relire encore. Je ne sais toujours pas si je suis du côté de Kira ou bien du côté de Near et L. Quoi qu'il en soit il m'est impossible d'attendre avant de lire le prochain. Donc je vous laisse et je vais commencer l'autre livre :)

[A. Raca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5🌟

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars So we're drawing to the end of this series and things are leading up to what seems to be a thrilling ending!

While this was not one of my favorite volumes in the series, too much Near and Light monologues, talking to death their theories, and some serious misogynistic undertones throughout the volume, it did set up pretty well the pieces needed to be set for the final show down.

Seriously though, the little catfight with Misa and Takada? What was up with that? I guess it was supposed to be funny, but it was pretty pointless.

Light and Near are closer to meeting each other, the date has been set, and then there's an explosive ending with a cliffhanger ending. I'm glad I can jump right into volume 12!

[Kačaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dost cool díl. :)

[Tesutamento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sondan bir önceki bir cilt için güzeldi. Final için tatlı bir heyecan yarattı. Tabii kusursuz da değildi. Near epey kolay anladı Mikami'yi. Mikami'nin metrodaki hadisesini de biraz fazla acemice buldum. Her ne kadar karakter çok sağlıklı bir psikolojiye sahip olmasa da tanrının sağ kolu olması fikriyle yanıp tutuşan bu adamın bence daha dikkatli davranması gerekirdi. Cilt sonlara doğru L ve Near'ın karşılıklı rest çekmesiyle iyice heyecanlı bir hale gelmişken o son sahne hiç hoşuma gitmedi. Mello maalesef bu hikayede unutulmuş da son anda akla gelip ortaya atılmış gibi durdu. Neredeyse iki cilttir hiç gözükmeyen bu karakter keşke Amerika macerasında bir şekilde hikayeden çıksaydı.

[⋆.˚ Ariana ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah mlah schmlah 🙄

It’s getting dragged at this point. The only exciting thing that happened was Mello’s appearance.

And Ik what’s to come, I spoiled it for myself by reading someone’s review 💀, but that was expected so I’m not so very shocked, but I do hope Near gets the same fate because that kids is annoying the hell out of me.

[Roula · Rating 5 out of 5]

εκει που πιστευα οτι "εξαφανισαν" τον Μελλο(τον λατρευω), κανει θεαματικη εμφανιση στο φιναλε και δεν ειμαι καλα!!!παμε για αυλαια αυριο.λυπαμαι αλλα και ανυπομονω για το τελος!!!

[Akash (readwithturtle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so good as compared to the previous parts.. it feels like a stretch. Nothing interesting in this part apart from the last chapter.
It was gooooood with L in it..
Overall, it's still fun to read. Hope to get more excitement in the final part.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive and felt like its only purpose was one chapter’s worth of exposition to lead to the climax in the following volume.