Reflections about "Death Note"

Originally posted on: 15/10/2012
Reedited on: 17/07/2019

     Death Note is one of the most famous animes in the world. I believe it's that way because of the main subject and the rational duel it has. When I've watched this one, I started to have some thoughts about the conflict and the facts developed in it. Maybe I'm being carried away with the "reflection" thing, though I believe there are some things to explore. After a long discussion with friends, I thought about writing something about Death Note. Here we go.

"I am justice!"

     Well, at first I should say the main subject here is "justice", which appears through the main characters with a different point of view: each one believes in opposite forms of what is "justice" and what it should be. L believes that killing people who committed crimes is not justice, in the other way, Light (Kira) believes this is the most correct way to practice justice. Kira wants to build what he calls "new world" with no crimes. Both ways of thinking are something discussed nowadays in different parts of the world, thus we have some groups of people who defend each point of view about justice. Therefore, I think in this situation the dualism "right x wrong" doesn't apply here, every person is going to approve what seems correct, so a manicurist way is not a good choice there.
     There are a lot of scenes in the anime that made us reflect on the situation, context, and characters' conduct. I've chosen some important scenes to discuss next:

      The first scene: the moment when Light finds the Death Note and shows an attached interest about it can do - kill people. At that time, Light puts himself in a position to judge and condemn people for the crimes they commit, also he doesn't seem to feel at fault or regret what he's doing. On the other hand, L thinks this kind of judgment seemed like a "divine punishment", it means, Light thinks of himself as a God. The Death God (Shinigami) Ryuuku who follows Light has some participation (sometimes active or passive participation) in Light's plans.

     The second scene: L makes a move approaching Light after he starts to think he can be the culprit. This one is the most surprising scene, the rational and strategic duel now happens face to face. It's the anime's climax because of the smart confrontation between the main characters.

     The third scene:  the arrives of the third character Misa Amane, who also has a Death Note and sympathizes with Light's perspective of justice. I think this character portrays the kind of people who would support Kira's actions and his sense of justice, which depends on each one's point of view. When an idea is created, there would be people who agree with it.

       Considering people who sympathize with Kira's justice, the character Teru Mikami shows up, he has the possession of the Death Note according to the plans of Light. Teru shows strong support to Kira's justice, also he has a submission loyalty to Light. I think his characteristics made him a servant from Kira's proposes, as someone who blindly believes in a supreme truth with no objections.

     The fourth scene: Light abdicates the possession of Death Note to relieves himself from suspicion. The abdication is requested to the Shinigami Ryuuku and then, Light forgets anything he did with the Death Note even his plans. This situation made an abrupt change in Light's personality: he starts to sympathize with L's sense of justice. Here we have a question: does Light's sense of justice depends on the power he has? This fact shows the truth behind Abraham Lincoln's famous words: "To discover a man's true character, empower him". 
      Finally, the final episode has two important scenes:

1. When Light tries to scape and "run into his past self". This scene has a great impact in my opinion: it doesn't show repentance, in the other way, it just shows if Ligh hadn't had the Death Note, he would have the life he has before finding it, and he wouldn't die that way.

2. Kira's death. In this scene, L appears in front of Light when he's dying. I think it was a way to say: even though Light has got L out of his way, he would die too, both of them would have the same ending. Thus, the Light's self-proclamation as a "God of a new world" is destroyed just because he was so mortal, just like the people he has judged.

See you at the next post!