You Really Should Kneel.
Sep. 11th, 2020 10:53 amOn an odd whim, I started rewatching Death Note. I'd forgotten how engaging it is! I remember the details pretty well - I've seen the anime before and read (half of) the manga a couple of times - so none of it actually takes me by surprise, but it's still a great story.
Or half of it is, at least. I'll probably just watch up to the point where I usually lose interest and then skip ahead to the last couple of episodes.
There are so many stories I love where people discover new aspects of themselves through being thrown into bizarre, extreme situations. Death Note is another of those, now that I think about it. It's just that the aspect of Light that's exposed by his situation, rather than 'unexpected leadership skills' or 'hidden depths of loyalty and bravery' or 'surprisingly good at detective work when everyone's lives depend on it', is 'cunning and dedicated murderer'.
I disagree completely with Light's actions, goals and philosophy. He's the worst! But he is still easily (and perhaps predictably) my favourite character in Death Note, and I still ship him passionately and exclusively with himself. Nobody else could ever meet his standards.
Light's pride is his defining quality. He's a smart kid, he does extremely well in exams, and he knows it. He underestimates L in their first showdown because of his contempt for other people; he always thinks he's the smartest person in the room. This is why he's the only one qualified to reshape the world and become its god. It's not just his desire for power at play, but his genuine belief that he's the best person around. Obviously he's entitled to set the rules people live by; who's more intelligent and qualified than him?
What a dick. He's great.
One of my favourite early points is Light asking Ryuk, 'Why did you give me the Death Note?' He's obviously hoping to hear that Ryuk has been watching him and decided that of course Light Yagami, with his impeccable morals and unparalleled intelligence, is the one to be entrusted with power over life and death. And Ryuk just goes 'lol, I didn't choose you; I just dropped it. I had no idea who'd pick it up. Why would I write the instructions in English if I'd been planning to give it to a specific Japanese kid?' Get wrecked, Light.
Why must I be cursed to love such terrible characters? I don't care; I'm enjoying myself.
Or half of it is, at least. I'll probably just watch up to the point where I usually lose interest and then skip ahead to the last couple of episodes.
There are so many stories I love where people discover new aspects of themselves through being thrown into bizarre, extreme situations. Death Note is another of those, now that I think about it. It's just that the aspect of Light that's exposed by his situation, rather than 'unexpected leadership skills' or 'hidden depths of loyalty and bravery' or 'surprisingly good at detective work when everyone's lives depend on it', is 'cunning and dedicated murderer'.
I disagree completely with Light's actions, goals and philosophy. He's the worst! But he is still easily (and perhaps predictably) my favourite character in Death Note, and I still ship him passionately and exclusively with himself. Nobody else could ever meet his standards.
Light's pride is his defining quality. He's a smart kid, he does extremely well in exams, and he knows it. He underestimates L in their first showdown because of his contempt for other people; he always thinks he's the smartest person in the room. This is why he's the only one qualified to reshape the world and become its god. It's not just his desire for power at play, but his genuine belief that he's the best person around. Obviously he's entitled to set the rules people live by; who's more intelligent and qualified than him?
What a dick. He's great.
One of my favourite early points is Light asking Ryuk, 'Why did you give me the Death Note?' He's obviously hoping to hear that Ryuk has been watching him and decided that of course Light Yagami, with his impeccable morals and unparalleled intelligence, is the one to be entrusted with power over life and death. And Ryuk just goes 'lol, I didn't choose you; I just dropped it. I had no idea who'd pick it up. Why would I write the instructions in English if I'd been planning to give it to a specific Japanese kid?' Get wrecked, Light.
Why must I be cursed to love such terrible characters? I don't care; I'm enjoying myself.
