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May. 4th, 2024 10:30 pmI've continued reading death note, and I have a few notes. I want to write down my character analysis thoughts as I progress. I am currently at the point of the story where Light has given up his memories.
As for the general story so far, obviously I've read this before, but it's still really interesting. The psychological back and forth between L and Light is the heart of the story, and it's really interesting to see how everything moves forward. There's a lot of intrigue regarding the characters and the ways they interact. I think it's interesting how death note is a story where the main question isn't who is guilty, but rather how and if they will be caught. I find it a fun approach.
Anyway, I want to talk about my personal perception of the characters. Or at least the ones I have anything to say about at this point.
Light: Light is sooooo interesting. I find it kind of disheartening how some people who don't look deeply into his character tend to read him as emotionless, when I think what's happening here is far more compelling. Light finds himself with the power to kill someone and uses it, not thinking it will actually do anything because at that point he had no reason to believe the Death Note was more than a joke. It's normal for teenagers to do things like this out of morbid curiosity. It's like when kids get in front of the mirror and say bloody mary, they don't legitimately think or want anything to happen, but it gives them a thrill. I'm sure to Light it was a similar thing. I've also considered perhaps the death note makes people feel drawn to it somehow, so that could also be a part of it. My point is, Light didn't expect anything to actually happen, and he initially does struggle with the guilt of having killed someone. I think what happens from there is partially self justification. It's easier to deal with the idea that you killed someone if you feel like it's for the greater good, and by that he feels the need to lean into the behavior more and more. The fact Light already had thoughts of boredom and dissatisfaction with the world is also part of why he ends up going down the path he does. At some point I do think it becomes about the high he gets from killing people. It's a power trip. His morals become looser and looser as the story progresses. Light's relationship to the people in his life are very interesting to consider. Light does love his family, even if this isn't focused on much. I like his interactions with Sayu a lot, it's a glimpse into the kind of life Light could have. Also, he is very misogynistic. He looks down on women in a way he doesn't really even the men in his life who aren't as smart as him. His relationship with Misa also gives a glimpse into how he's willing to use and manipulate others for his agendas. I want to talk about his dynamic with L too, but I will get to that. A scene I think a lot about is when Soichiro says the power to kill is a curse. Later, once he is alone with Ryuk, he makes it a point to says he has never seen this power as a curse and that it's made him happier than anything. Ryuk isn't the type to be concerned with this, so to me, this read as another form of self justification. He's not really talking to Ryuk in my opinion. I think he was talking to himself.
L: My personal favorite character. L is really fun once you get over the idea that he's morally superior to Light. He's not a very good person either, honestly. He does have a stronger morality than Light's but that isn't saying much, and his ethics are still really loose. In a way, he is also willing to do unethical things for the greater good, just not to the extent Light is. It's also good to consider L's primary motivation for taking on cases isn't his ethics, but rather that he finds them interesting. L prioritizes his amusement and his intellectual stimulation more than anything. But he is good at playing the part of a polite, well meaning person. He's very manipulative honestly. I think a lot about that scene when he says that bullshit about the good guys always winning. I fully believe he was being calculating when he said that and did it mostly because he knew the task force would be more inclined to follow him after saying that. I do think L sees value in life however. Murder is probably one of the few lines he wouldn't cross. Like I said, he does have sense of justice, it's just loose and not necessarily his main motivation. L is also fun, because he's not afraid to do things to amuse himself. He does clearly love what he does, but there's definitely a loneliness there. I don't think he was being genuine that Light was his first friend, and I'm sure that he only said that to throw him off. There is no way he legitimately viewed him as a friend at that point. But there is a nugget of truth there, in that I don't L has ever had very close relationships. There's his pseudo parental relationship with Watari but because of who he is as a person, and the nature of his life, I don't he's ever experienced meaningful connections with others. I think he had to be lonely. I wonder to what extent he craved those things, and to what extend he was in denial about wanting them.
Misa: Misa is such an unfortunate character because she has so much potential but Death Note is a really misogynistic series so it goes absolutely nowhere. There's a brief instance of really interesting characterization when she's introduced where she talks about how she knows she's stronger than kira, and it would have been really cool to see this actually be played with. Misa could be really threatening if she had more agency, but instead she's mostly just... a tool to Light. I do think Misa's relationship to Light is interesting though. I don't think it's true affection, I think her parasocial relationship to kira is just heavily influencing her. In a way, we can't even say that Misa is for sure straight because her attraction to Light is more about the gratitude she feels to kira, in my opinion. Misa is also not dumb, despite how the characters treat her. She was pretty calculating when it came to finding kira. I think she just feels dumb to the audience because the narrative and the characters treat her as such. That and she's of course being compared to L and Light, who are obviously smarter than her, but that's a really unfair comparison. Light and L are smarter than literally every other character. That being said, Misa doesn't really get to use her wits after she finds Light, which is disappointing. As a whole, Misa is impulsive and mostly motivated by her own sense of joy and the devotion she feels towards Light.
Naomi: Naomi makes me really sad. She's one of the most iconic death note characters, and the fact fans are still talking about her to this day is proof of her impact in the fandom. But she's also a victim of the story's misogyny. Unlike Misa, Naomi is actually treated as clever and intuitive. I think her marriage with Raye would have been unsuccessful even if he didn't die, because in the only scene we get with the two of them he's constantly shutting her down when she tries to speak her mind. Naomi is clearly someone who is drawn to crime solving and I think that's the environment where she would be the happiest. It's really just a shame that she got disposed off so quickly. It made sense narratively how it happened, but it felt unsatisfying. There was absolutely more to be done with her.
Ryuk: I adore Ryuk. He's legitimately great comic relief, but his role in the story is pretty neat. Ryuk is another character motivated largely by self interest. He's bored at the start, and the rest of the story he's mostly just happy to be entertained. He does form a bond with Light though. I don't think he cares about him deeply, but I think he's amused by him. He likes Light and enjoys his company, but it's not affection, it's more like the way one would care for a toy. He says himself that he isn't on Light's side and is not willing to help him, because he simply wants to be a neutral observer. From the perspective of Ryuk, death note as a story is a comedy.
Rem: Oh, Rem... I adore Rem. There isn't much to say about her, but she's another one of those fiercely devoted characters. Rem doesn't care much for humans, but she cares about Misa, and she's very aware of how deep this affection goes and does not really care about the consequences. Clearly Rem is aware of what a big weakness it is for a shinigami to fall in love, but she does not care. She loves Misa, and wants her to be happy more than anything. That is secondary to her own life.
Okay, now I want to talk about some of the ships I have thoughts about.
Lawlight: I feel like a good 70% of the death note fandom ships these two. They are soooo fascinating, and there is a lot to be said about them. I think, in a weird way, L and Light have an attachment to each other. L is immediately fascinated by Light and wants to pick his brain apart, and as established, intellectual stimulation is his primary motivator. As for Light, he views L as a nuisance, but I think a part of him got used to his presence. Is when presented with the opportunity to kill him he's initially so shocked at the idea that L might die so easily. They provide a challenge to each other, and while that's not affection, it is something that I think fills a hole within both of them. Their existences are lonely, but they get each other and are true intellectual equals. They've never had that with anyone else and they never will. They call each other friends, however it isn't genuine, not at that point of the story at least. But I do think they make each other feel something no one else has.
Terraito: I am quite a fan of this. It's mostly a funny concept, because Ryuk and Light legitimately have a hilarious dynamic. But it's also really interesting when you look at the way they both view each other. Both Ryuk and Light view the other person as their little pet, in a way. Light is used to bossing Ryuk around, but Ryuk is content with just observing Light as entertainment. I think they have their fair share of cute moments. They do legitimately seem to enjoy each other's company, even if it will never be true friendship because of how they view each other. But there is something to be said about how Light seems to feel in control around Ryuk but really isn't, considering how the story ends. Ryuk is a death god, a terrifying creature, but Light is at no point afraid of him. He should be.
Remisa: I adore Remisa so much. There is something so romantic about the idea of this scary monster experiencing this very genuine and devoted love for a mere human for no reason other than that they are endeared by them. Rem's love for Misa is some of the deepest we see throughout the story and it just really does something for me, because of how tragic it is. I like to think Misa did love Rem. She seems to at least enjoy having her around, but I think Misa is very much the type to not realize she isn't straight easily, and when you add her relationship to Light into the mix and how it completely clouds her judgement that makes it tricker. But I like thinking that she did subconsciously loved her, because no one cared for her the way Rem did. I am obsessed with thinking about a world where Misa actually left Light behind and was just... happy with Rem. At the same time though, it feels like such a doomed relationship, because no matter what, Rem will outlive her. It makes me really sad, ough. They are just so romantic and tender and devastating. It's also just sexually appealing to me, because I'm a monster fucker.
Lawmane: I quite enjoy Lawmane. I think L is definitely a bit of a pervert... why was he reading those teen magazines? In that sense, I think L would be really attracted to her physically. And I am amused by the idea of Misa also finding him hot in like a pathetic way. I think Lawmane is very fun when you think about Misa femdomming L honestly. That being said, I think L could also find her charming. I don't think it would ever be anything too serious, because he fundamentally doesn't respect her, but I do think he could find her amusing the way one would a puppy. Similarly, I think Misa would be quite creeped out by him, but in a way that almost makes her more attracted to him. Plus the idea of this absolute weirdo dating a cute model is amusing to me. It's one of those things that I guess I see starting mostly sexually but then perhaps they just develop a small attachment. It also does a lot for me aesthetically... goth gf x emo bf.
Anyway, I will ramble more as the story progresses. I cannot wait to when I get to my favorite ship... that'll be fun to talk about. And I also want to dig into L's character more in future chapters.
As for the general story so far, obviously I've read this before, but it's still really interesting. The psychological back and forth between L and Light is the heart of the story, and it's really interesting to see how everything moves forward. There's a lot of intrigue regarding the characters and the ways they interact. I think it's interesting how death note is a story where the main question isn't who is guilty, but rather how and if they will be caught. I find it a fun approach.
Anyway, I want to talk about my personal perception of the characters. Or at least the ones I have anything to say about at this point.
Light: Light is sooooo interesting. I find it kind of disheartening how some people who don't look deeply into his character tend to read him as emotionless, when I think what's happening here is far more compelling. Light finds himself with the power to kill someone and uses it, not thinking it will actually do anything because at that point he had no reason to believe the Death Note was more than a joke. It's normal for teenagers to do things like this out of morbid curiosity. It's like when kids get in front of the mirror and say bloody mary, they don't legitimately think or want anything to happen, but it gives them a thrill. I'm sure to Light it was a similar thing. I've also considered perhaps the death note makes people feel drawn to it somehow, so that could also be a part of it. My point is, Light didn't expect anything to actually happen, and he initially does struggle with the guilt of having killed someone. I think what happens from there is partially self justification. It's easier to deal with the idea that you killed someone if you feel like it's for the greater good, and by that he feels the need to lean into the behavior more and more. The fact Light already had thoughts of boredom and dissatisfaction with the world is also part of why he ends up going down the path he does. At some point I do think it becomes about the high he gets from killing people. It's a power trip. His morals become looser and looser as the story progresses. Light's relationship to the people in his life are very interesting to consider. Light does love his family, even if this isn't focused on much. I like his interactions with Sayu a lot, it's a glimpse into the kind of life Light could have. Also, he is very misogynistic. He looks down on women in a way he doesn't really even the men in his life who aren't as smart as him. His relationship with Misa also gives a glimpse into how he's willing to use and manipulate others for his agendas. I want to talk about his dynamic with L too, but I will get to that. A scene I think a lot about is when Soichiro says the power to kill is a curse. Later, once he is alone with Ryuk, he makes it a point to says he has never seen this power as a curse and that it's made him happier than anything. Ryuk isn't the type to be concerned with this, so to me, this read as another form of self justification. He's not really talking to Ryuk in my opinion. I think he was talking to himself.
L: My personal favorite character. L is really fun once you get over the idea that he's morally superior to Light. He's not a very good person either, honestly. He does have a stronger morality than Light's but that isn't saying much, and his ethics are still really loose. In a way, he is also willing to do unethical things for the greater good, just not to the extent Light is. It's also good to consider L's primary motivation for taking on cases isn't his ethics, but rather that he finds them interesting. L prioritizes his amusement and his intellectual stimulation more than anything. But he is good at playing the part of a polite, well meaning person. He's very manipulative honestly. I think a lot about that scene when he says that bullshit about the good guys always winning. I fully believe he was being calculating when he said that and did it mostly because he knew the task force would be more inclined to follow him after saying that. I do think L sees value in life however. Murder is probably one of the few lines he wouldn't cross. Like I said, he does have sense of justice, it's just loose and not necessarily his main motivation. L is also fun, because he's not afraid to do things to amuse himself. He does clearly love what he does, but there's definitely a loneliness there. I don't think he was being genuine that Light was his first friend, and I'm sure that he only said that to throw him off. There is no way he legitimately viewed him as a friend at that point. But there is a nugget of truth there, in that I don't L has ever had very close relationships. There's his pseudo parental relationship with Watari but because of who he is as a person, and the nature of his life, I don't he's ever experienced meaningful connections with others. I think he had to be lonely. I wonder to what extent he craved those things, and to what extend he was in denial about wanting them.
Misa: Misa is such an unfortunate character because she has so much potential but Death Note is a really misogynistic series so it goes absolutely nowhere. There's a brief instance of really interesting characterization when she's introduced where she talks about how she knows she's stronger than kira, and it would have been really cool to see this actually be played with. Misa could be really threatening if she had more agency, but instead she's mostly just... a tool to Light. I do think Misa's relationship to Light is interesting though. I don't think it's true affection, I think her parasocial relationship to kira is just heavily influencing her. In a way, we can't even say that Misa is for sure straight because her attraction to Light is more about the gratitude she feels to kira, in my opinion. Misa is also not dumb, despite how the characters treat her. She was pretty calculating when it came to finding kira. I think she just feels dumb to the audience because the narrative and the characters treat her as such. That and she's of course being compared to L and Light, who are obviously smarter than her, but that's a really unfair comparison. Light and L are smarter than literally every other character. That being said, Misa doesn't really get to use her wits after she finds Light, which is disappointing. As a whole, Misa is impulsive and mostly motivated by her own sense of joy and the devotion she feels towards Light.
Naomi: Naomi makes me really sad. She's one of the most iconic death note characters, and the fact fans are still talking about her to this day is proof of her impact in the fandom. But she's also a victim of the story's misogyny. Unlike Misa, Naomi is actually treated as clever and intuitive. I think her marriage with Raye would have been unsuccessful even if he didn't die, because in the only scene we get with the two of them he's constantly shutting her down when she tries to speak her mind. Naomi is clearly someone who is drawn to crime solving and I think that's the environment where she would be the happiest. It's really just a shame that she got disposed off so quickly. It made sense narratively how it happened, but it felt unsatisfying. There was absolutely more to be done with her.
Ryuk: I adore Ryuk. He's legitimately great comic relief, but his role in the story is pretty neat. Ryuk is another character motivated largely by self interest. He's bored at the start, and the rest of the story he's mostly just happy to be entertained. He does form a bond with Light though. I don't think he cares about him deeply, but I think he's amused by him. He likes Light and enjoys his company, but it's not affection, it's more like the way one would care for a toy. He says himself that he isn't on Light's side and is not willing to help him, because he simply wants to be a neutral observer. From the perspective of Ryuk, death note as a story is a comedy.
Rem: Oh, Rem... I adore Rem. There isn't much to say about her, but she's another one of those fiercely devoted characters. Rem doesn't care much for humans, but she cares about Misa, and she's very aware of how deep this affection goes and does not really care about the consequences. Clearly Rem is aware of what a big weakness it is for a shinigami to fall in love, but she does not care. She loves Misa, and wants her to be happy more than anything. That is secondary to her own life.
Okay, now I want to talk about some of the ships I have thoughts about.
Lawlight: I feel like a good 70% of the death note fandom ships these two. They are soooo fascinating, and there is a lot to be said about them. I think, in a weird way, L and Light have an attachment to each other. L is immediately fascinated by Light and wants to pick his brain apart, and as established, intellectual stimulation is his primary motivator. As for Light, he views L as a nuisance, but I think a part of him got used to his presence. Is when presented with the opportunity to kill him he's initially so shocked at the idea that L might die so easily. They provide a challenge to each other, and while that's not affection, it is something that I think fills a hole within both of them. Their existences are lonely, but they get each other and are true intellectual equals. They've never had that with anyone else and they never will. They call each other friends, however it isn't genuine, not at that point of the story at least. But I do think they make each other feel something no one else has.
Terraito: I am quite a fan of this. It's mostly a funny concept, because Ryuk and Light legitimately have a hilarious dynamic. But it's also really interesting when you look at the way they both view each other. Both Ryuk and Light view the other person as their little pet, in a way. Light is used to bossing Ryuk around, but Ryuk is content with just observing Light as entertainment. I think they have their fair share of cute moments. They do legitimately seem to enjoy each other's company, even if it will never be true friendship because of how they view each other. But there is something to be said about how Light seems to feel in control around Ryuk but really isn't, considering how the story ends. Ryuk is a death god, a terrifying creature, but Light is at no point afraid of him. He should be.
Remisa: I adore Remisa so much. There is something so romantic about the idea of this scary monster experiencing this very genuine and devoted love for a mere human for no reason other than that they are endeared by them. Rem's love for Misa is some of the deepest we see throughout the story and it just really does something for me, because of how tragic it is. I like to think Misa did love Rem. She seems to at least enjoy having her around, but I think Misa is very much the type to not realize she isn't straight easily, and when you add her relationship to Light into the mix and how it completely clouds her judgement that makes it tricker. But I like thinking that she did subconsciously loved her, because no one cared for her the way Rem did. I am obsessed with thinking about a world where Misa actually left Light behind and was just... happy with Rem. At the same time though, it feels like such a doomed relationship, because no matter what, Rem will outlive her. It makes me really sad, ough. They are just so romantic and tender and devastating. It's also just sexually appealing to me, because I'm a monster fucker.
Lawmane: I quite enjoy Lawmane. I think L is definitely a bit of a pervert... why was he reading those teen magazines? In that sense, I think L would be really attracted to her physically. And I am amused by the idea of Misa also finding him hot in like a pathetic way. I think Lawmane is very fun when you think about Misa femdomming L honestly. That being said, I think L could also find her charming. I don't think it would ever be anything too serious, because he fundamentally doesn't respect her, but I do think he could find her amusing the way one would a puppy. Similarly, I think Misa would be quite creeped out by him, but in a way that almost makes her more attracted to him. Plus the idea of this absolute weirdo dating a cute model is amusing to me. It's one of those things that I guess I see starting mostly sexually but then perhaps they just develop a small attachment. It also does a lot for me aesthetically... goth gf x emo bf.
Anyway, I will ramble more as the story progresses. I cannot wait to when I get to my favorite ship... that'll be fun to talk about. And I also want to dig into L's character more in future chapters.
