In the entire series there is very little nudity (someone will have to weigh in on how the scene with Mello and the shower works) and no real sexual content.
minakichan wrote:Stick this series on Adult Swim, and any preconceptions mainstream adults have about anime are going to get a LOT worse.
If we get "teen killings from this anime" news stories, then yes. Otherwise, however, I would hope Death Note would generally improve the mainstream impression. Unlike some other titles focused toward children, it has an intelligent plot, solid writing, and deals with serious issues. Light may be the protagonist, but he is not glorified.