A display device includes a display panel having cathodes, gates, and anodes in which the cathodes and the gates are connected in a matrix manner, and an electron emitter which emits electrons in a state where a voltage is applied only between the cathodes and the anodes and which is provided with the cathode. A display of pixels is performed under a dark state by stopping electron emission from the electron emitter for the anodes by applying a stop voltage between the cathodes and the gates. In addition, a controller controls operation of a circuit for driving a display panel in such a way that a potential of each of the anodes becomes not less than a threshold value potential by which the potential of each of the anodes can perform electron emission from the electron emitter after a predetermined time elapse from starting of application of a drive voltage which provides a specified display state or the stop voltage between the cathodes and the gates when a display starting signal is generated.