How different are the anime and manga versions of Death Note? Although this question was closed, it was actually through it that I came to realize that the anime and manga versions of Death Note are different, having only seen the anime version.  

Just how different are the two versions?
Does the anime simply omit some details, shortening the story?
Or do they take completely different directions at some point? (much like the FMA manga and its first anime series) If this is the case, at which point do they part?
There are some minor differences. 

For example, when L loses his life in the Anime, he doesn't say anything. But in the Manga he says something like "I knew I was right". 

But the main difference is the ending.

In the Anime


  Yagami Light, Near, Matsuda and all the squad are in a sort of warehouse. When Light tries to get the piece of paper of his Death Note from the watch, he gets shot by Matsuda in non-fatal points, both times. While the other guy kills himself, Light runs away, and ends up in another building of what looks like an industrial area. Ryuk is on top of a chimney and speaking to himself, he "reminds" Light about his first promise, i.e. that he would be the one to write Light's name on the Death Note. And that's what he does. 


In the Manga


    Light is still in the warehouse and he sees Ryuk (Near sees him too since he has the Note as well) and he begs the Shinigami to write their names. Ryuk says "Ok Light, I'll write..." and while everybody tries to shoot him, he adds "...your name, Light." Light doens't want to believe it but when Ryuk shows the Note, his name is written there. Light sees his entire life and remembers the same sentence Ryuk told him when they met (i.e. that he would be the one to write Light's name on the Death Note). Ryuk adds "it would be hard to see you in prison and your life is over anyways" or something similar. After 40 seconds, Light dies in front of the two detective teams.