Overview
- The conclusion of Death Note does not fully utilize the strength of its original concept.
Light Yagami ultimately faces defeat not through greater intellect or strategic prowess, but rather due to a combination of his own hubris and what feels like a convenient plot twist.
Life After L
The Narrative’s Challenge
Viewers new to Death Note often gravitate towards the compelling dynamic between Light and L. The show’s earlier episodes intricately weave their psychological battle, suggesting a climactic showdown that could reconcile their opposing notions of justice.
“This world is rotten, and those who are making it rot deserve to die.” – Light Yagami
The initial episodes offer a captivating dual monologue, allowing audiences to witness Light and L’s conflicting ideologies regarding justice. Both characters perceive their beliefs as unassailable, establishing a high-stakes environment filled with moral ambiguity.
Light’s initial triumph over L follows a manipulative scheme involving the Shinigami Rem, leading to L’s unexpected demise. Although Light appears victorious, the ethical debates surrounding justice remain unaddressed, forcing the series to continue without its most compelling character. This shift introduces new characters midway, challenging the narrative’s coherence and complicating the audience’s engagement.
Light Yagami’s Downfall
Physical Defeat vs. Intellectual Victory
Following L’s death, the storyline advances approximately four years, depicting Light’s unchallenged dominance as Kira. To introduce conflict, new antagonists Near and Mello enter the fray. However, their limited development fails to match L’s depth, resulting in characters that feel more like shadows than worthy adversaries.
Near and Mello may serve as temporary foils to Light’s schemes, but they lack the philosophical depth of earlier discussions on justice and morality, which had become hallmarks of the series. Their methods to confront Light seem superficial, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion that diminishes the narrative’s earlier promise. This disconnect leaves audiences yearning for a more profound exploration of the central themes.
In a rather coincidental turn of events, Near discovers the location of the real Death Note due to a blunder made by Mikami, an event that feels random rather than a product of clever plotting. While this may subtly align with the theme of Light’s arrogance serving as his downfall, it resonates poorly as a decisive victory. Moreover, the rushed pacing and ambiguous elements of the final confrontation raise questions about the intricacies of Near’s strategy and the extent of unpredictability influencing the outcome.
Death Note is available for streaming on Netflix.