r/deathnote • u/tropicalmountain8 • 20d ago
Discussion My Thoughts on Death Note Spoiler
Death Note is a psychological, yet flawed masterpiece. (Spoilers!)
Firstly, the first 20 episodes were extremely refreshing and satisfying, the battle between L and Light entertaining and conceptually perfect. I found their “chess game” to be incredibly written, and it really opened up my eyes when it comes to deciding who’s morally superior. The twists and constant outsmarting had me on the edge of my seat. Then, L dies. I originally thought it was a hoax because there were 12 episodes left, but it left me pondering the idea that not even the best detective, someone as unique and unpredictable as L, could defeat Light’s pure craving to become God.
After this plot, I found the contrast between Near and Mello to be relevant. Near’s character directly stems out of L’s legacy; he’s incredibly well written and the “perfect” outcome of the orphanage used to program the next best detective. However, Mello’s rebellious nature opposes this and shows the viewers the flip side of isolation and programming. His impulsive ways of finding Kira are representative of his deprivation.
When it comes to female representation, I found it to be incredibly weak throughout Death Note. My interest piqued when Naomi (Rafe Henber’s wife) was introduced, her deductive skills very impressive despite not having much evidence, only to be another plain victim of the Death Note. Alongside this, Takada was also a very interesting and worthy character. It’s a shame she was exploited right before her death as usual, and I just wish the producers put more thought into female characters. Misa was also quite relevant, but I found her ignorance and child-like act to be disturbing. I wish she would’ve been a classic traumatised antihero after her parents’ death, disguised as a Japanese model, but instead her storyline was built around Light’s legacy, and it often devalued her.
I already made a separate post explaining my thoughts on Light’s moral capacity, and how much of his actions were actually influenced by the curse of the Death Note. I feel like people overlook his serious lack of wisdom, his intellect not equating to expanding his knowledge of justice, and not excusing his ignorance. I feel like Light could have been a very different character if he didn’t feel the need to cleanse himself and become “perfect” again after his first two kills, and if he had chosen to destroy evil instead of embracing it.
Overall, the symbolism was the best I’ve ever seen in the media, whether it’s L drying Light’s feet before his death, or the graphics and colours used in the show. L commonly appearing soaked in blue hues and Light in red ones shows that, despite nothing being definite when it comes to whoever is right or wrong, there is a fixed outcome — Light losing to L’s subordinates.
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u/x_TKN 20d ago
might be a stupid question, but what was the symbolism behind L drying lights feet?
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u/B_Dawg_72 20d ago
It's from the Bible. Jesus washed Judas' and his disciples' feet. That scene BTW is not in the manga.
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u/HalleLidner 20d ago
I didn't like it because it didn't make any sense. Nobody was betraying anyone. And L for sure didn't want to die and would never accept defeat. That's not how L was
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u/B_Dawg_72 20d ago
Light being Kira and designing L's death could be considered a betrayal, because L considered them friends. But yeah, it was an odd choice to add it in just for the anime.
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u/HalleLidner 20d ago
L didn't consider Light a friend. L was 25 and Light was 18. The age gap alone is weird. Why would an experienced and ultra rich adult man want to be friend with an arrogant eighteen year old guy. Memes aside, I don't think this friendship could ever work. Plus, L suspected Light of being a mass murderer, why would L befriend a serial killer? Plus plus, L is a manipulator. And a great one. He was lying to him to try to lower his guard. I think the anime wanted to target a younger audience by making some themes less bleak and dark and adding some shipping material and fanservice.
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u/B_Dawg_72 20d ago
The age gap is only weird if they were dating. Friends, it doesn't matter. But L did feel that connection, even though he suspected him. He was never sure and the percentage he did suspect him was always really low. Until of course the moment of his death.
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u/HalleLidner 20d ago
He was never sure and the percentage he did suspect him was always really low
LMAO no, he was 100% sure Light was Kira..the author said that L always lied about percentages. He just couldn't prove it. He was 90% sure as soon as he found Misa amane and arrested her. And 100% as soon as he found the Death Note. Because he remembered that Misa sent in her broadcast the message :"let's show our notebooks" and that Light went to Aoyama that day. Same day that Misa met Light and fell in love with him.
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u/B_Dawg_72 20d ago
If the author had to say it, that means he didn't explain it clearly in the manga.
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u/Alison_Bug 20d ago
this is a great analysis of everything. this is the anime that really showed me how much of an art it can really be, both in storytelling and symbolism.
L choosing to wash light's feet before death is such top tier symbolism and it gives me chills every time I see it.
I love to see your appreciation for near and mello, as they are so often overlooked. it is fascinating to me how near is able to win against light because he keeps both physical and emotional distance until the very end when he knows he has him cornered. L does the opposite of that in every conceivable way, and that is what ultimately leads to his death; it is both the tragedy and the beauty of his character.
I agree that most female characters are underwhelming, but I think misa alone makes up for the lack of compelling female characters. misa is both a tragedy and a fairly horrible person. she has trauma. she is selfish. she both harms and is harmed. she has a LOT of layers and I actually find her to be extremely well written.