Tuesday, October 23

Time for TV Tuesday: Death Note (2006)





Recently Finished:




This show was never really on my radar. It never seemed like something I would like. Yes, I do like Anime, but I was never really drawn in. I have heard countless good things about this show. My friend decided to watch it and I watched the first few episodes with him and I got attached. I had to watch the rest. 

The story seems simple enough. A guy named Light finds a book that if you write a name it and visualize their face then that person will die. However, it is much more complex. The world begins to freak out because all these criminals are dying suddenly and without reason. Some people are okay with this because bad people need to be removed. Others are not okay because murder is murder. Let the justice system take care of the baddies. Things get a little bit more twisted when L, a super genius, figures out there is someone behind these murders and will do whatever he can to find this killer and bring them to justice. Light, of course, does not want to be found since he is building a new world of Justice. He kills an innocent person thinking it is this mysterious L. This sets off the most epic cat-mouse game the world has ever seen. 

Such a good story with complex and interesting characters. There is no black and white in this world. Everything is grey. My opinions changed continuously throughout the story. At first I was on Light/Kira’s side because there is no fear in this world for committing crime. Bad and evil people need to be punished. BUT Light showed that he really was no better. Sure, he wanted a better world, but who made him God? He was just as power-hunger and dark as those he claimed were bad. This show can really bring a debate to your household! Such a good conversation and show to talk about even when the END happens. 
It is long, but it does tend to fly by. So much going on. I was dreading the end simply for the fact I knew (a tiny bit) what was going to happen (the show came out 10+ years ago – I was bound to hear some spoilers). I would’ve written the ending differently if it had been me. It wasn’t BAD, but it wasn’t what I wanted to happen. I feel like it didn’t fit. Others disagree and say it was the perfect way to end this show, but I disagree for sure.

I think what has a lot to do with it is with N and Mello. I liked them…but at the same time they are not L so I was not really happy with it or them. 

Now…this isn’t all doom and gloom. There is a humor there that does lighten things up. I found myself laughing. Thank goodness there was the comic relief because this can be pretty dark. Even the more serious characters like Light had their moments. At first I didn’t like Misha…she seemed like a blooming fool. YES, she was an idiot, but she is a lovable idiot that you can’t help but want to be friends with. I’ll never fully understand her obsession with Light and how blind she was to how cruel and manipulative he was to her. BUT there is that symbolism there. Even when Gods are cruel their loyal followers still love them no matter what. 

WHICH brings me to my favorite of the show. The symbolism around every single corner. It was great. I loved just pointing them out. If a student ever has to write a paper about symbolism and metaphors THIS is the show to write about. Darn Young Carole…I wish I had been a fan of this show back in my High School and College days. So much material in this show alone! 

This for sure is a show to rewatch. I do want to rewatch it someday but I binged so much of it that I cannot watch it for a bit.

What else to say that doesn’t give away spoilers?? Mmmm

In the end, even if you don’t like anime this is still a good show to watch. There is so much storyline and characters to enjoy. This will for sure make you question your morality and your philosophy on so many things. I’ll give this 4 stars. The ending lowered this a touch. 

I will end with the main question every fan of the show must ask themselves:

Would you write in the Death Note? 

So tough, so tough. I have gone back and forth on this. I would like to say that IF I did I would be pure and only write the names of evil people. However….would I be tempted by the power? This is a lot of power to give a single person and no matter how pure the intentions are they will be playing with fire. However, there is SO much evil in this world that it makes me sick to my stomach. I wish I could rid the world of evil and this is a source that could be used if it existed. 

However, IF I used the book even once my soul would be bound to purgatory…stuck between heaven and hell for eternity. Sighs. Choices, choices. 

In the end, I do not think I could I write in the Death Note. I would not be able to get myself to do it. I would have a list I would want and whenever I lifted the pen, I would hesitate and put the book back. Yes, I would keep the book but I don’t think I could write in it unless something terrible happens that changes my mind and heart. 



5 comments:

Melliane said...

Ah death note. I tried the anime a while ago and I did read 2 books but I stopped there

Blodeuedd said...

It has been a while since I watched any anime!

Carole Rae said...

Melliane, watch more!

B, you should watch thisssss!

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

Yay for it catching your interest :) I'd never heard of it but probably not surprising since I don't watch anime. lol I know a lot of yall who enjoy it though so really should give it a try :)

Carole Rae said...

Anna, I would encourage even people who don't watch Anime to watch it. So good.