Summary
Death Noteis an enticing narrative that delves into the operation and repercussions of an ethereal notebook that is capable of murdering any individual whose name has been written within it. This supernatural book is accordingly called aDeath Note.The following article delves into theDeath Noteseries' story, including the anime, manga, and extended canon, concentrating on every character who has ever wielded this lethal book of death.
TheDeath Noteis a black notebook with the unique ability to kill anyone whose name is inscribed within its pages. However, there are numerous requirements that need to be fulfilled, along with an individual’s name being written down in theDeath Note. The Death Note user must write the correct given name of the person they want to kill as well as have a mental image of the specific person.Shinigami (Gods of theDeath Noteworld)are the founders of these notebooks in the series. They use the notebooks to prolong their own lives by stealing the lives of humans. When aDeath Noteis dropped into the human world, it can be picked up and used by humans, resulting in severe and often disastrous results. The plot ofDeath Noterevolves around these notebooks, their users, and the moral quandaries and power struggles that arise.
Light Yagami
Character Background
Light Yagami, who serves as the main protagonist and anti-hero of theDeath Noteseries, is a competent high school student who witnesses aDeath Notefall from the sky while gazing outside the window of his classroom. Following this, Light goes outside to uncover what this mysterious fallen item was, and this is the turning point in not only the narrative but the life Light Yagami will lead thereafter. TheDeath Noteuncovered by light was left by the Shinigami, Ryuk.
Becoming a Death Note User
After collecting the fallenDeath Notebook outside his classroom and then taking it home with him, Light is confronted by Ryuk, the Shinigama who owns the specificDeath NoteLight discovered. After comprehending that this notebook has ethereal competencies and potency, Light is intrigued by its powers and begins using it to create a utopia, free of crime and sin. However, ironically, he becomes the embodiment of the things he is trying to destroy. He adopts the name “Kira”, the Japanese interpretation of the English word “killer,” and yearns to become the deity that rules over the world.
Role in the Narrative
Light’s use of theDeath Notesparks a global manhunt, led by the enigmatic detective L. Light’s journey is marked by a descent into madness and moral corruption as he becomes more ruthless in his quest to eliminate those he considers unworthy of life. His interaction’s and moral conflicts with the aforementioned character, L, serve as a philosophical instrument that engages the audience to critically contemplate ideas such as morality, existence, and the idea of power and responsibility.
Misa Amane
Character Background:
Misa Amane, a well-known model and actress, becomes infatuated with Kira, Light Yagami’s alter-diety-ego, after using theDeath Noteto kill the man who murdered her parents.
Misa receives a separateDeath Notefrom the Shinigami, Rem, who has fallen in love with her. She also decides to take the Shinigami deal of halving one’s life to receive Shinigami Eyes, which allows her to see individuals' actual names and lifespans, which are displayed above the heads of every individual she encounters.
Misa becomes the second Kira, a sidekick to Light Yagami and his grandiose plan. Her loyalty to Light, along with her readiness to offer up her own life for him, adds depth to the story and the nuance of her character.
Teru Mikami
Teru Mikami is an attorney who specializes in criminal prosecution. This career choice makes reference to the values and beliefs of Teru Mikami. He has a strong sense of justice and, in turn, recognizes and aligns Kira’s vision of a crime-free world.
Becoming a Death Note User:
When the threat from law enforcement becomes excessive, Light chooses Mikami from among his many devotees to take over his work. Mikami receives aDeath Notefrom Light and faithfully carries out the Kira mission.
Mikami’s fanaticism and meticulous nature make him an effective ally for Light, but his strict adherence to Light’s principles eventually leads to critical errors that contribute to Light’s demise.
Kyosuke Higuchi
Kyosuke Higuchi is a driven executive at the Yotsuba Group, an enormous business conglomerate.
Higuchi obtains theDeath Noteafter Light temporarily relinquishes it in order to skew the police investigation. Ryuk drops theDeath Note, which Higuchi picks up and uses to dispose of business rivals.
Higuchi is the epitome of greed in theDeath Noteseries. His use of theDeath Notefor personal gain starkly contrasts with Light’s ideological motivations. His careless actions eventually lead to his capture, providing critical evidence for L and his team.
Near (Nate River)
Nate River, commonly referred to as Near, is one of L’s successors who received training at Wammy’s House, an orphanage for gifted children.
Near is never seen to use theDeath Notedirectly, but after L’s death, he takes on the role of primary investigator in the case against Kira. He eventually obtains aDeath Noteas part of his plan to capture Light.
Near’s stands as the second obstacle in Light’s conquest of dominance. Near’s critical thinking skills and tactical mindset make him a formidable rival for Light. He eventually succeeds in exposing Light as Kira, resulting in Light’s defeat.
Soichiro Yagami
Soichiro Yagami is Light Yagami’s father and the commander of the NPA’s Task Force dedicated to capturing Kira.
Soichiro briefly becomes a Death Note user as a result of Light Yagami’s devious plan, when the Task Force obtains aDeath Note. Soichiro uses the notebook to discover the identity of Mello, one of Light’s primary adversaries.
Soichiro’s integrity and commitment to justice contrast sharply with his son’s descent into villainy. His role in theDeath Noteseries is significant as it shows thetrue darkness that becomes Light’s personality. Despite his father consistently upholding a moral and optimistic outlook, Soichiro is played by his own son and, ultimately, falls victim to Light’s scheme.
Minoru Tanaka
Minoru Tanaka is a high school pupil who takes on the role of the protagonist ofDeath Note: Special One-Shot,which occurs years after the events of Light Yagami and ultimately, the original series.
Similar to the previous protagonist, Minoru obtains aDeath Notefrom Ryuk, who intends to unleash chaos in the human world for his own entertainment purposes. Unlike previous users, who instrumentally used theDeath Notefor their own ambitions, beliefs, and desires, Minoru chooses to auction theDeath Noterather than use it himself.
Minoru’s clever influence on the Death Note’s prospective purchasers, including world governments, exemplifies a different type of intelligence and strategic thinking. He is very similar to Light Yagami in terms of intelligence and boredom in mundane, everyday life, but his character serves as an alternative way that theDeath Notecan be used without the existential repercussions and immoral actions that Light exhibited.
C-Kira
A lot about C-Kira is unknown. However, he is a supporting character inDeath Note’sSpecial One-Shot, who appears in the narrative following Minoru Tanaka’s auction scheme being put into action.
Following Minoru’s auction, C-Kira acquires the Death Note and decides to reignite the ambition of Light Yagami. C-Kira uses theDeath Noteto provide euthanasia to those who request it.
C-Kira’s actions catalyze Near to return to theDeath Notenarrative and confront the new imitation of Kira. While C-Kira’s shares Light’s ambition, his reasoning differs significantly from that of previous users, with a focus on a controversial and morally complex use of theDeath Note’spower.
Death Note’s Dieties: Shinigami Characters
Ryuk
Ryuk is the Shinigami who releases theDeath Noteinto the human world out of a desire for entertainment. His impartial stance and fascination with human behavior make him an ever-present spectator rather than an active participant in the events he initiates.
Rem
Rem is the Shinigami who delivers Misa’sDeath Note. Rem, unlike Ryuk, is emotionally invested in Misa’s well-being and is willing to sacrifice herself to protect her.
Sidoh
Sidoh is a more unexplored Shinigami who appears as he seeks to reclaim his stolenDeath Notefrom Ryuk. The notebook that Ryuk dropped into the human world, which resulted in the radical shift in the events of Earth, was actually Sidoh’sDeath Note. His presence enhances the idea of Shinigami having subjective personalities and interests. Sidoh appears to be a lot less maniacial than Ryuk, but nowhere near as invested in humans as Rem.
TheDeath Noteseries is full of multilayered characters who wield the power of theDeath Note, each with distinct motivations and ethical frameworks. From Light Yagami’s god complex to Minoru Tanaka’s strategic cunning, each user adds depth to the story and delves into the profound implications of wielding such lethal power. The Shinigami, despite their often detached nature, play critical roles in shaping these characters' fates, makingDeath Notea classic in the history of anime and unique in concept and impact.
