As a fellow anime fan, I sense a lot of blind defense of anime going on in these comments without seeing things from a non-otaku perspective. Yes, schools have to do whatever they can to prevent another Columbine. They have to take anything that looks like a potential threat seriously. School and cops see a notebook with "Death Note" written on it with names inside, they get concerned. Even knowing the anime, I would be concerned too. We really don't know if this kid was serious or not, so if I saw one of my students carrying something like that, and I was in charge of keeping the school a safe environment for every student, I would have to act to prevent putting any kids in danger. That means treating a Death Note with names in it like a death threat. In fact knowing the anime makes me even more nervous. That kid got what he deserved for bringing a death list into school, and I hope the school will, for mental health and safety's sake, get him help and do what they can to stop the bullies.