Death Note: A Descent from Justice to Control
Many have likely seen this anime, which stands out for featuring an antagonist as the protagonist, a truly innovative concept.
It begins with an ordinary student, Light Yagami, stumbling upon a notebook that grants him the power to control life and death!
Initially driven by a strong sense of justice, Light uses the notebook to eliminate criminals. However, this mass killing spree catches the attention of the world’s greatest detective, a young man known as L, who senses something amiss.
The Turning Point: A Moral Compromise
Few can forget the initial confrontation between Light and L. Faced with L’s challenge, the usually astute Light compromises his principles by killing a criminal on television who he mistakenly believes to be L.
Although Light doesn’t kill an innocent person in this instance, the mere act of using the notebook without confirming the target’s identity marks a departure from his original ideals.
Perhaps it was from this moment onward that Light, once intent on saving the world and punishing evildoers, transformed into a ruthless killer, consumed by power and the desire to control everything.
The Battle of Wits and the Rise of Successors
The intellectual duel between Light and L is legendary. While L’s death is tragic, he manages to take down another notebook user with him, achieving a form of closure.
His ability to deduce the existence of supernatural forces in these deaths demonstrates an intellect that rivals Light’s.
The Legacy of L: A New Generation
After L’s death, Light becomes arrogant, fully embracing the role of L. While the world remains unaware of L’s demise, Light overlooks the fact that Wammy’s House knows the truth. It is then that they dispatch two individuals closest to L, his successors, who begin a five-year period of preparation.
Stretched thin, Light chooses another person, Teru Mikami, to act as his “god’s” spokesperson, punishing criminals and those who oppose him.
Ultimately, it is Mikami who leads to Light’s downfall at the hands of L’s successors.
The Final Act: A Game of Gods
Many find it difficult to accept that Light loses to L’s successors.
However, it’s understandable. Light was on the verge of victory, but he never anticipated that M, one of L’s two successors, would sacrifice himself to create an opening. Mikami’s mistake leads to Light’s defeat.
As the Shinigami Ryuk writes Light’s name in the Death Note and departs, one can’t help but feel that it was all just a game for the Shinigami.
Light, L, and even M and N were merely players in the Shinigami’s game on Earth.