As one of the celebrated psychological thrillers, Death Note is riveting in most aspects. From plot to characters, Tsugumi Ohba left no stone unturned in adding finesse to his manga. But that is not all considering its cult popularity.
Even decades after its premiere, the series stands legendary in the shonen genre. Ohba’s unique spin on morality and death parallels the dark and unsettling aspects of the spirit world. But there’s more to it than meets the eye.
In his characterization of Light Yagami, Ohba outlined him as a true genius. The scheming and cunning character led to his downfall.
He may not be the best liar after all. Another character from the series rivals his intelligence and his streaks in terms of his meticulousness. This also complements Ohba’s finesse as a mangaka in layering out his characters.
Light might not be the best liar in Death Note
Death Note is a cult-popular and celebrated shonen anime that unpacks mystery, thriller, and supernatural themes. It is a riveting tale of a genius and a detective with Tsugumi Ohba’s spin on the cat-and-mouse chase trope.
If anything, the manga is far-fetched from the stereotypical portrayals of supernatural entities. Though it may not be as cool as Tite Kubo’s Bleach, Ohba’s manga packs a punch and edginess in its unique way.
But most of all, it stands out in terms of its characterization. Both Takeshi Obata and Ohba went above and beyond to carve out a masterpiece. Its blend of modern elements with myths is reflected perfectly in the character designs.
Interestingly though, it is Light Yagami’s anti-hero trajectory that catches the eye. He is reminiscent of the Faustian tragic hero who faces downfall eventually. And though he’s underlined as a perfect liar, he may not be the best one.
This is especially true for L’s character in the series which the mangaka would vouch for. Tsugumi Ohba revealed the reason behind L not having any friends in an interview. He quoted:
No. When he told Light that he was his first friend, it was a lie. L could never have a friend, as he found humans to be a very cunning species.
Both characters are evenly matched in terms of their intelligence and wit. In terms of treachery, though, L takes the cake. This ties well with his inner-knowing and qualms regarding Kira.
Even in his death, he had unprecedented self-belief in his abilities. Overall, Ohba didn’t carve one but two geniuses in his story by creating parallels. It was his unique spin on the whole idea of the prodigal genius.
Tsugumi Ohba redefined the concept of prodigal genius
Many a time, fans have compared the series to Christopher Marlowe’s play Doctor Faustus. In terms of concepts, both stories share a similitude, especially with their protagonists. Both Faustus and Light are symbolic of ambitions and failures.
Moreover, both represent god-complex which ultimately leads to their downfall. As opposed to the idea of a genius working towards goodwill, Ohba’s anti-hero is divorced from altruism in every possible way.
Though he starts as a genius who holds mastery through his academic achievements, his feats are overshadowed by L. Lawliett’s intelligence. The detective is one step ahead of him and is arguably smarter than him.
Ohba redefines the idea of a prodigal genius by blurring the lines in his manga. While L is his nemesis, both are evenly matched in terms of their scheming personality. Regardless of that, the mangaka succeeded in reflecting his outlandish approach in his manga.
As opposed to cliche shonen tropes, Light’s anti-hero stance and trajectory are truly remarkable. The unconventionally is what renders Ohba’s series as a true masterpiece.
Death Note is available to stream on Crunchyroll. The manga is available to read on Viz Media.
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