REVIEW: Death Note

Death Note

By Ohba Tsugumi and Asami Yuuko

 Published 2003-2006

Death Note

·         Light is a noted individual of good grades and social standings, which may indicate his use of the Death Note may indicate his disdain of criminals and humanity as being beneath him.

·         Light as the main character is like having Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes as the protagonist, which is fitting given that L is the Holmes character throughout the series

·         The nature of the Death Gods indicate that killing people with the Death Note is boring under normal circumstances, though in the hands of a person it becomes more violent than need be

·         The realistic style of the humans next to the surreal demon style of the death gods contrasts well though it makes the whole series feel surreal also

·         The fact that each chapter or chapter arc adds more rules to the Death Note does give noted plot expansion for the series, though this could also be interpreted as the author making up restrictions and such for the series as he goes along

·         The fact that the Death God Ryuk bothered to make the Death Note in English and Japanese subtly indicates the nature of the series’ demographics, as it was expected for Japanese audiences to pick up yet it also indicates the foreign nature of the English language to the Japanese. It also could be a bid to see if American audiences would enjoy it as well.

·         There is more noted drama in between the deaths as opposed to the constant massacre of characters, which is unusual for a Shonen Jump manga as series by Shonen Jump are known for over the top violence and the breaking of physics. This in turn binds the series of Death Note to the laws of physics despite the existence of Death gods.

·         Light’s willingness to kill his father if he becomes a threat shows his adamant look on his ideals.

·         The creation of Kira notably reduces crime, so although the acts of Light could be seen as bad they do indeed serve the greater good

·         A good noted part of the beginning was dedicated to the means to which Light was to protect his identity as Kira, such as the possible burning of his Notebook should the house be raided

·         Light notably doesn’t make the deal with the Ryuk, or the devil, himself to gain the power to look at people’s names and lifetimes. This is a good contrast to Faust as though Light has the powers of a devil with him he prefers control for himself as opposed to gaining knowledge or powers.

·         The series is notably more of a drama as opposed to a conflict comic, a rare thing in Shonen manga.

·         Light notably does experiments with the Death Note to see if people will die in specific ways if he writes with a specific instruction in mind

·         Light’s use of the Death note makes him notably like the Spectre in DC comics.

·         Given the nature of his attacks, Light becomes more like the criminals in ruthlessness as the series progresses

Bibliography

Ōba, Tsugumi, Takeshi Obata, and Pookie Rolf. Death Note. San Francisco: Viz Media, 2005. Print.