One day, a boy found a strange notebook lying on the ground. The notebook had the words “Death Note” written on the cover. Inside, there were some instructions on how to use it. The boy, Light Yagami, decides to use it to free this world from criminals, but his actions are soon challenged by another legendary detective known as “L.”. However, as the story unfolds, the sharp lines between justice and crime become blurred. As we wonder whether Light’s actions were truly moral. Join us as we journey into the fascinating world of Light Yagami’s deep dark morality. 

Death Note is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The anime series premiered in Japan in October, 2006 and ran for 37 episodes until its conclusion in June, 2007. The series has since gained a massive fan base around the world and has been adapted into various media including films, video games, and a TV drama.

A notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it! Light used the notebook and began to kill the criminals who might not be punished easily by the traditional law. Light saw an opportunity to create a world free from criminals and create a society free from evil. To make the kill, he simply needs to picture the victim’s face in his mind and write their correct birth name in the “Death Note”. Within 40 seconds, the victim dies of a heart attack, unless Light specifies a different cause of death. 

This terrifying power puts Light in the position of judge, jury and executioner, with no accountability or oversight. He decided to kill all the criminals undercover. He becomes more ruthless and calculating, willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way. Even his closest allies are not safe from his wrath. His actions eventually attract the attention of L, a brilliant detective who is determined to catch him. This led them to engage in a cat-and-mouse game, each trying to outsmart the other. With many interesting tricks & traps this game between Light Yagami and L Lawliet becomes one of the most vital silent wars in the history of anime.

The anime raises a lot of interesting questions about justice, morality and seeks the definition of the line between good and evil. This is a story about power and the consequences of it. At first glance, Light may appear to be a noble protagonist who was fighting against evil. But as the series progressed, he began to use the Death Note more frequently. His moral beliefs became questionable. He began to see himself as a god of justice who had the right to determine whom to live and whom to die. He had gone beyond the judiciary system and law itself. Would you call it “Justice”? 

The anime challenges the audience to question their own beliefs about justice and morality. Is it ever okay to take the law into your own hands? Is it right to punish criminals who deserve punishment, without due process? But who doesn’t think even once in his entire lifetime that “I wish I could kill that person for his crime.”? Although we would never do it like Light Yagami. Someone eradicate all the crime from society, isn’t it the thing that people would love to see? These are difficult questions, and the series does not provide easy answers.

Light’s actions are not justified, even if he believes they are. Killing people is never justifiable, no matter how extreme their crimes may be. His actions violate basic human rights and the principles of due process. Light’s idea of justice is deeply flawed. He believes that he has the right to determine who deserves to live or die based upon his own perspective alone. He’s willing to sacrifice the lives of countless people in the name of his own vision of creating a “perfect” world. He doesn’t consider the possibility that people can change or that society can evolve over time. 

The question of whether Light’s actions are just or criminal is a complex one. He was trying to rid the world of criminals who had escaped justice. On the other hand, his actions were so extreme and violent which had violated basic human rights. As criminals are human too. But it seems like fate has brought ultimate justice upon the Light himself! 

At the end, he couldn’t help but smile. Despite his ambitions of creating a utopian world, then he realised the true cost of his actions. He thought of the countless lives he had taken, all in the name of justice. He wondered if it was worth it in the end. Fate replied to the smile with a laugh,  Light’s own life would end much as he had ended the lives of others. The perfect justice had been served! Which may itself be a crime committed by the fate of Light Yagami!

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Writer, 

MD Rakib Rayhan 

Intern, Content Writing Department,

YSSE