I didn't read Death Note, but I watched it. First third was great, middle third sucked, last third was pretty good; don't know how that compares to the manga. Personally, I loved the chess game, it was such an intense psychological thriller. Of course, the entire "person struggles to wield power in morally ambiguous way" meme is one of my favorites.

And I've got the entire first season of Full Metal Panic! if you want to borrow it sometime.