Death Note

Death Note (デスノート; Desu Nōto) is a manga created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata. The main character is a very intelligent high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook (nōto being Japanese slang for nōtobukku, "notebook") which has the power to kill any human whose name is written upon its pages, subject to certain rules.

This world is rotten, and those who are making it rot deserve to die! Someone has to do it, so why not me? Even if it means sacrificing my own mind and soul, it's worth it. Because the world... can't go on like this! I wonder... what if you else had picked up this notebook? Is there anyone out there other than me who'd be willing to eliminate the vermin from the world? If I don't do it, then who will? That's just it; there's no one! I can do it! In fact... I'm the only one who can! I'll do it. Using the Death Note, I'll change the world...
~ Light Yagami

However gifted you are you alone can't change the world.
~ L

After an initial "pilot" story involving unrelated junior high students, Death Note was first serialized in 108 chapters by in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006. That serial (along with an appendix of errata) was then published as a 13—volume series of graphic novels from May 2004 to October 2006. Finally, an anime series retelling the story aired on Nippon Television in Japan from October 2006 to June 2007; its translation aired on Adult Swim in the United States from 2007 to 2010.

Anime (Adult Swim dub)

Quotes by character

L

You see, if I were to sit normally, my deductive skills would immediately be reduced by roughly 40%.

• Greetings to all of you at the ICPO, I am L. (Ep. 2)
• Coincidence? No, too convenient. This can only mean that Kira has access to police information. It's obvious now, this is a direct challenge to me. (Ep. 3)
• I just find [phones] distracting. I can't stand when people's cell phones are ringing when I'm trying to talk. (Ep. 6)
• Kira is childish and he hates losing... I am also childish and I hate to lose. That's how I know. (Ep. 6)
• He who strikes first wins. (Ep. 10)
• I don't sit like this because I want to. I have to sit like this. You see, if I were to sit normally, my deductive skills would immediately be reduced by roughly 40%. (Ep. 10)
• As long as it doesn't kill me, college is a lot of fun. (Ep. 15)
• I'll give you a strawberry if you keep this a secret. (Ep. 19)
• However gifted you are you alone can't change the world. (L: Change the World)

Light

Kill me? Is that really the right thing to do? Since Kira's appearance six years ago, wars have stopped and global crime rates have been reduced by over 70 percent. But its not enough, this world is still rotten. With too many rotten people. Somebody has to do this, and when I first got that notebook all those years ago I knew I had to do it. No, I was the only one who could. I understood that killing people was a crime. There was no other way! The world had to be fixed, a purpose given to me! Only I could do it. Who else could have done it, and come this far?! Would they have kept going?! The only one who could create a new world - is me.

No matter what the world is, the god of that world creates the rules. In truth, you have been defeated by the rules I created. And as punishment for defying the God of the new world, you will die...

• Look around you, and all you will see are people the world would be better off without. (Ep. 1)
• This world is rotten, and those who are making it rot deserve to die! Someone has to do it, so why not me? Even if it means sacrificing my own mind and soul, it's worth it. Because the world... can't go on like this! I wonder... what if someone else had picked up this notebook? Is there anyone out there other than me who'd be willing to eliminate the vermin from the world? If I don't do it, then who will? That's just it; there's no one! I can do it! In fact... I'm the only one who can! I'll do it. Using the Death Note, I'll change the world... (Ep. 1)
• I am Justice! I protect the innocent and those who fear evil. I'm the one that will become the god of a new world that every one desires! (Ep. 2)
• L.. I will hunt you down wherever you're hiding and I will eliminate you. I am justice! (Ep. 2)
• In this world, there are very few people who actually trust each other. (Ep. 3)
• I'll solve equations with my right hand and write names with my left. I'll take a potato chip... and eat it! (Ep. 8)
• I'll take a potato chip; and eat it! (Ep. 8)
• You can't ever win if you're always on the defensive. To win, you have to attack! (Ep. 10)
• L, do you know gods of death love apples? (Ep. 10)
• I've never considered finding that notebook and gaining that power a misfortune. (Ep. 10)
• This is the first time in my life that I've been provoked to hit a woman. (Ep. 14)
• The thing I hate the most is to trample on other people's good will. (Ep. 17)
• I've won. Exactly as planned. (Ep. 24)
• Humans aren't made perfectly. Everyone lies. Even so... I've been careful not to tell lies that hurt others. (Ep. 25)
• Just as I thought. Without L, this is too easy. (Ep. 26)
• I have a mind of a genius and a strong sense of justice.
• This world is still rotten!.. With too many rotten people.
• Our battle will be concluded, and I will begin my reign from the summit of victory!
• In the end, L is indeed the greatest detective on earth...
• But you know the saying, "play with fire, and you'll get burned". I'll make you regret underestimating L...underestimating me.
• I must protect my fledging Utopia.
• No matter what the world is, the god of that world creates the rules. In truth, you have been defeated by the rules I created. And as punishment for defying the God of the new world, you will die...
• For murderers, there is no good or evil. I know that.
• He was someone who deserved to die.
• I came to exterminate the vermin of this world!
• I will reign over a new world.
• Catch me...if you can.
• That's right, I am Kira. And what can you do? Kill me right here? (Ep. 37)
• I am God of the new world! (Ep. 37)
• Kill me? Is that really the right thing to do? Since Kira's appearance six years ago, wars have stopped and global crime rates have been reduced by over 70 percent. But it's not enough, this world is still rotten. With too many rotten people. Somebody has to do this, and when I first got that notebook all those years ago I knew I had to do it. No, I was the only one who could. I understood that killing people was a crime. There was no other way! The world had to be fixed! A purpose given to me! Only I could do it. Who else could have done it, and come this far?! Would they have kept going?! The only one who can create a new world - is me. (Ep. 37)
• It's a trap! This is all part of Near's plot to frame me! Isn't it a little odd that no one died after having their names written in the Notebook!? This proves it's a trap! (Ep. 37)
• Matsuda you idiot! Who the hell do you think you're shooting at!? Don't screw with me! (Ep. 37)

Misa Amane

• Misa-Misa loves to eat. Misa-Misa loves Yagami Light.
• Careful what you do, cuz God is watching your every move. Hold my hand in the dark street, for if you do I know that I'll... be safe. Even if I'm far away and alone, I can be sure that you'll find me there, this I know. You told me close for a while, so quiet. You tell me everything. If I forget what to say then you'll come to me and tell me again, yes, you'd tell me once again. But what happens when I know it all and what should I do after that? What then? (Ep. 25)

Mello

• I wanna eliminate my competition. I will be the best. I don't care what it takes. (Ep. 27)

Near

No. You're just a murderer, Light Yagami. And this notebook is the deadliest weapon of mass murder in the history of mankind. You yielded to the power of the shinigami and the notebook and you have confused yourself with a god. In the end, you're nothing more than a crazy serial killer. That's all you are. Nothing more, and nothing less.

• If you can't win the game, if you can't solve the puzzle, then you're nothing but a loser. (Ep. 27)
• Don't worry, Commander Rester, making assumptions is part of any investigation. If we're wrong, all it'll cost is an apology. (Ep. 30)
• Keep all important information in your mind only. (Ep. 30)
• No. You're just a murderer, Light Yagami. And this notebook is the deadliest weapon of mass murder in the history of mankind. You yielded to the power of the shinigami and the notebook and you have confused yourself with a god. In the end, you're nothing more than a crazy serial killer. That's all you are. Nothing more, and nothing less. (Ep. 37)
• Light Yagami, L, Kira, it's over. You've lost the game. (Ep. 37)

Rem

• Humans are truly... disgusting creatures!
• Light Yagami might be as pure as Misa... He was not using the Death Note for himself, but rather he was using the notebook in order to better humanity as a whole.
• Light... he can even kill a shinigami. He has surpassed us.

Ryuk

• You've taken quite a liking to it. (Ep. 1, first words to Light)
• Look at how many people you've killed in only five days. Most are reluctant to write this much. (Ep. 1)
• Let's just say this: you will feel the fear and pain known only to humans who've used the notebook. And when it's your time to die, it will fall on me to write your name in my death note. Be warned any human who's used a death note can neither go to heaven nor hell for eternity... That's all. (Ep. 1)
• I didn't choose you. Don't you see this is all just an accident? You actually thought you were chosen because you're so smart or something? Don't be so vain. It just happen to fall around here and you just happen to pick it up, and that's all there is to it. (Ep. 1)
• You're asking me why? I did it 'cause I was bored. (Ep. 1)
• Humans are... So much fun. (Ep. 2)
• You have lost, Light. Didn't I say in the beginning... when you die, the one who'll write your name down in a notebook will be me? That is... the deal between the Shinigami... and the first human to get their hands on the note in the human world. Once you enter the prison, I don't know when you'll die. It's annoying to wait... Your life is already over. You'll die here. Well, it was good while it lasted... We killed some boredom, didn’t we? We did some various and interesting things... (Ep. 37)
• Well, Light, it looks like you've lost. Remember how in the beginning, when we first met, I told you that I'd be the one writing your name in my notebook? That is part of the agreement, between the Shinigami who brings a notebook to the human world... and the first human who picks it up. If they put you in prison, who knows when you'd die? And I don't wanna lie around waiting. So, it's all over. You'll die here. It was good while it lasted. We eased each other's boredom for quite a while. Well, Light, it's been interesting. (Ep. 37, as Light dies, the last words in the anime)

Quotes in dialogue

Light and Ryuk

Why even bother? What are you trying to achieve by passing judgement on them? I mean, why do you care?

• Ryuk: Why even bother? What are you trying to achieve by passing judgement on them? I mean, why do you care?
  Light: Because I've been bored too, Ryuk. (Ep. 1)
• Light: At first I wrote the names of the worst criminals I could think of, like I was cleaning up the world one name at a time, so that eventually no one will ever do anything evil again. And while the truly guilty ones who deserve to be punished for their crimes die of heart attacks, the people who are less guilty but who still make trouble for others will slowly be erased through disease and accidental death. Then and only then the world will start moving in the right direction. It'll be new world free of injustice and populated by people who I've judged to be honest, kind, and hardworking.
  Ryuk: But if you did that, it'd make you the only bad person left.
  Light: Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm a hardworking honor student who's considered to be one of Japan's best and brightest. And I... I will become the God of this new world.
  Ryuk: It's just as I thought.. Humans are so interesting. (Ep. 1)

Light and L

I can't carry on knowing these people will die. That's just immoral.

• Light: Kira, deaths by accident, by disease, designated times of death, it's all just as we suspected. We were right.
  L: No, unfortunately, we can only be completely sure after those people they've named are dead. We will continue to monitor these meetings and take note of what they say, how they act, and most importantly whether the people they choose actually die. If we can confirm the connection between their plans and the deaths, then we'll definitely be able to catch Kira.
  Light (in unison with Chief Yagami): Ryūzaki!
  L (with his mouth full): What is it? There is no need to yell in unison.
  Light: I can't carry on knowing these people will die. That's just immoral. (Ep. 20)
• Light: Ryūzaki. Do you think that I'm actually capable of becoming a murderer, Kira? Even after I help you catch him, do I seem like that kind of person to you?
  L: Yes, you do. I've always thought so. (Ep. 20)

Death Note rules

• Episode 1:

  The human whose name is written in this note shall die.

  This note will not take effect unless the writer has the person's face in their mind when writing his/her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.

• Episode 2:

  If the cause of death is written within 40 seconds of writing the person's name, it will happen. If the cause of death is not specified, the person will simply die of a heart attack.

  After writing the cause of death, details of death should be written in the next 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

• Episode 3:

  This note shall become the property of the human world, once it touches the ground of (arrives in) the human world.

  The owner of the note can recognize the image and voice of its original owner, i.e. a god of death.

• Episode 4:

  The human who uses this note can neither go to Heaven nor Hell

  If the time of death is written within 40 seconds after writing the cause of death as a heart attack, the time of death can be manipulated, and the time can go into effect within 40 seconds after writing the name.

• Episode 5:

  The human who touches the DEATH NOTE can recognize the image and voice of its original owner, a god of death, even if the human is not the owner of the note

  The person in possession of the DEATH NOTE is possessed by a god of death, its original owner, until they die.

• Episode 6:

  If a human uses the note, a god of death usually appears in front of him/her within 39 days after he/she uses the note.

  Gods of death, the original owners of the DEATH NOTE, do not do, in principle, anything which will help or prevent the deaths in the note.

• Episode 7:

  A god of death has no obligation to completely explain how to use the note or rules which will apply to the human who owns it.

  A god of death can extend his life by putting human names on the note, but humans cannot.

• Episode 8:

  A person can shorten his or her own life by using the note.

  The human who becomes the owner of the DEATH NOTE can, in exchange of half of his/her remaining life, get the eyeballs of the god of death which will enable him/her to see a human's name and remaining lifetime when looking through them.

• Episode 9:

  A god of death cannot be killed even if stabbed in his heart with a knife or shot in the head with a gun. However, there are ways to kill a god of death, which are not generally known to the gods of death.

  The conditions for death will not be realized unless it is physically possible for that human or it is reasonable...

• Episode 10:

  The specific scope of the condition for death is not known to the gods of death, either. So, you must examine and find out.

  One page taken from the DEATH NOTE, or even a fragment of the page, contains the full effects of the note.

• Episode 11:

  The instrument to write with can be anything, ((e.g. cosmetics, blood, etc)) as long as it can write directly on the note and remains as legible letters.

  Even the original owners of the DEATH NOTE, gods of death, do not know much about the note.

• Episode 12:

  You may also write the cause and/or details of death prior to filling in the name of the individual. Be sure to insert the name in front of the written cause of death. You have about 19 days (according to the human calendar) in order to fill in a name.

  Even if you do not actually possess the DEATH NOTE, the effect will be the same if you can recognize the person and his/her name to place in the blank.

• Episode 13:

  The DEATH NOTE will not affect those under 780 days old.

  The DEATH NOTE will be rendered useless if the victim's name is misspelled four times.

• Episode 14:

  "Suicide" is a valid cause of death. Basically all humans are thought to possess the possibility to commit suicide. It is, therefore, not something "unbelievable to think of".

  Whether the cause of the individual's death is either a suicide or accident, If the death leads to the death of more than the intended, the person will simply die of a heart attack. This is to ensure that other lives are not influenced.

• Episode 15:

  Even after the individual's name, the time of death, and death condition on the DEATH NOTE were filled out, the time and condition of death can be altered as many time as you want, as long as it is changed within 6 minutes and 40 seconds from the time it was filled in. But, of course, this is only possible before the victim dies.

  Whenever you want to change anything written on the DEATH NOTE within 6 minutes and 40 seconds after you wrote, you must first rule out the characters you want to erase with two straight lines.

• Episode 16:

  The time and condition of death can be changed, but once the victim's name has been written, the individual's death can never be avoided.

  If you lose the DEATH NOTE or have it stolen, you will lose its ownership unless you retrieve it within 490 days.

• Episode 17:

  If you have traded the eye power of a god of death, you will lose the eye power as well as the memory of the DEATH NOTE, once you lose its ownership. At the same time, the remaining half of your life will not be restored.

  You may lend the DEATH NOTE to another person while maintaining its ownership. Subletting it to yet another person is possible, too.

• Episode 18:

  The borrower of the DEATH NOTE will not be followed by a god of death. The god of death always remains with the owner of the DEATH NOTE. Also the borrower can not trade the eyesight of the god of death.

  When the owner of the DEATH NOTE dies while the Note is being lent, its ownership will be transferred to the person who is holding it at that time.

• Episode 19:

  If the DEATH NOTE is stolen and the owner is killed by the thief, its ownership will automatically be transferred to the thief.

  When the same name is written on more than two DEATH NOTES, the Note which was first filled in will take effect, regard less of the time of death.

• Episode 20:

  If written the same name on more than two DEATH NOTES is completed within a 0.06—second difference, it is regarded as simultaneous; the DEATH NOTE will not take effect and the individual written will not die.

  The god of death must at least own one DEATH NOTE. That DEATH NOTE must never be lent to or written by a human.

• Episode 21:

  Exchanging and writing on the DEATH NOTE between the gods of death is no problem.

  If the god of death decides to use the DEATH NOTE to kill the assassin of an individual he favours, the individual's life will be extended, but the god of death will die.

• Episode 22:

  The dead god of death will disappear, but the DEATH NOTE will remain. The ownership of this DEATH NOTE is usually carried over to the next god of death that touches it, but it is common sense that it is returned to the Great god of death.

  Only by touching each other's DEATH NOTE can human individuals who own the DEATH NOTE in the human world recognize the appearance or voice of each other's god of death.

• Episode 23:

  An individual with the eye power of a god of death can fell the name and life span of the other humans by looking at that person's face. By possessing the DEATH NOTE, an individual gains the ability to kill and stops being a victim. From this point, a person with the DEATH NOTE cannot see the life span of other DEATH NOTE owners, including him/herself. But, it is not really necessary for the individual to view the life span of him/herself nor other DEATH NOTE owners.

  The god of death must not tell humans the names or life spans of individuals he sees. This is to avoid confusion in the human world.

• Episode 24:

  It is prerequisite for the DEATH NOTE used in the human world that a living god of death makes sure that the humans in the human world use it.

  It is very difficult to consider that a god of death who has possessed a human could die, but if he should die, the DEATH NOTE that he brought into the human world will not lose its power.

• Episode 27:

  If you just write "die of accident" for the cause of death the victim will die from a natural accident after 6 minutes and 40 seconds from the time of writing it.

  Even though only one name is written in the DEATH NOTE if it influences and causes other humans that are not written in it to die the victim's cause of death will be a heart attack.

• Episode 28:

  If you have traded the eye power of a god of death you will see a person's primary life span in the human world.

  The name you see with the eye power of a god of death are the names needed to kill that person. You will be able to see the names even if than (that) person isn't registered in the family registration.

• Episode 29:

  If a person loses possession of a DEATH NOTE, they will not recognize the gods of death by sight or voice any more, If however, the owner lets someone else touch his DEATH NOTE, from that time on, that person will recognize the god of death.

  In accordance with the above, the human who touched the DEATH NOTE and began to recognize the gods of death's sight and voice, will continue to recognize it until that human actually owns the DEATH NOTE and subsequently looses possession of it.

• Episode 30:

  If a DEATH NOTE owner accidentally misspells a name four times, that person will be free from being killed by the DEATH NOTE, However, if they intentionally misspell the name four times, the DEATH NOTE owner will die.

  The person whose name was misspelled four times on purpose will not be free of death by a DEATH NOTE.

• Episode 31:

  When regaining ownership of the DEATH NOTE, the memories associated with the DEATH NOTE will also return. In cases where you were involved with other DEATH NOTEs as well, memories of all the DEATH NOTEs involved will return.

  Even without obtaining ownership, memories will return just by touching the DEATH NOTE.

• Episode 32:

  If a DEATH NOTE is owned in the human world against the god of death's will, that god of death is permitted to stay in the human world in order to retrieve it.

  In that case, if there are other DEATH NOTEs in the human world, the gods of death are not allowed to reveal to humans that DEATH NOTE's owner or its location.

• Episode 33:

  In the event that there are more than 6 DEATH NOTEs in the human world, only the first 6 DEATH NOTEs that have been delivered to humans will have effect.

  The seventh DEATH NOTES will not become active until one of the other 6 DEATH NOTEs is burned up, or a god of death takes one of them back to the world of gods of death.

• Episode 34:

  The DEATH NOTE will not take effect if you write a specific victim's name using several different pages.

  But the front and back of a page is considered as one page. For example, the DEATH NOTE will still take effect even if you write the victim's surname on the front page and given name on the back.

• Episode 35:

  In the world of gods of death there are a few copies of what humans may call user guidebook for using the DEATH NOTE in the human world. However, the guidebook is not allowed to be delivered to humans.

  It is perfectly okay for gods of death to read the guidebook for him/herself and teach humans about his contents, no matter what the content may be.

• Episode 36:

  The human whose name is written in this note shall die.

  The human who uses this note can neither go to Heaven nor Hell

• Episode 37:

  All humans will, without exception, eventually die.

  After they die, the place they go is MU. (Nothingness)

Manga

Quotes by character

L

There are many types of monsters that scare me: Monsters who cause trouble without showing themselves, monsters who abduct children, monsters who devour dreams, monsters who suck blood... and then, monsters who tell nothing but lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance: They are much more cunning than others. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart; they eat even though they've never experienced hunger; they study even though they have no interest in academics; they seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such monsters, I would likely be eaten by them... because in truth, I am that monster.

This isn't divine judgment. It's the work of some childish killer who's playing at divine retribution, that's all.

• So, come on! Kill me if you can! (1)
• Justice will, without fail, prevail. (2)
• Let's value our lives. (11)
• I just can't stand it when someone's cell phone rings when I'm talking. (11)
• Kira is childish and he hates losing... I'm also childish and hate losing. (11)
• Let's show him... that the good guys always win. (11)
• In the end, I'll win.
• It is insulting. So I went into depression.
• This isn't divine judgment. It's the work of some childish killer who's playing at divine retribution, that's all. (18)
• He who moves first always wins. (20)
• I just can't sit any other way than this. If I sit the way other people do, my reasoning ability drops by 40%. (21)
• Risking your life and doing something that could easily rob you of your life are exact opposites. (23)
• I don't like his style... it's not like mine at all. (25)
• God of death?! You... You expect me to accept that such things exist?! (27)
• I'm a... pervert?? (34)
• Amane's obsessive love toward Light Yagami is just about all we've figured out. (36)
• Light, can you please make Misa—san be quiet? (37)
• Will you be eating that cake?... Say what you want, but I will be taking the cake. (38)
• Why are you staring at me? Are you annoyed that I am the only one who has cake? (38)
• If you use your head, you won't get fat even if you eat sweets. (38)
• I haven't said anything about letting them commit murder... yet... (39)
• I'll fall in love with you? (45)
• My number of friends has increased yet again. (45)
• I know that line is a bunch of bull... (46)
• It proves that he is becoming rather desperate. (50)
• What an idiot. (52)
• Light Yagami... I wasn't wrong, but... I suppose I've lost... (58)
• That would be convincing if I didn't already know you were Kira.
• The bells are very loud today.
• You look so mad. I thought you might want some cake, too.
• But... I... (said immediately prior to death)
• However gifted you are, you alone can't change the world.
• There are many types of monsters that scare me: Monsters who cause trouble without showing themselves, monsters who abduct children, monsters who devour dreams, monsters who suck blood... and then, monsters who tell nothing but lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance: They are much more cunning than others. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart; they eat even though they've never experienced hunger; they study even though they have no interest in academics; they seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such monsters, I would likely be eaten by them... because in truth, I am that monster. (Death Note Relight 2: L's Successors)
• "I guess it's time to say, farewell..."
• "I am... JUSTICE!!!"

Light

For murderers, there is no good or evil. I know that.

I've never considered finding that notebook and gaining that power a misfortune.

• I'm going to change the world. (1)
• I am God! (2)
• Those who oppose the god are truly Evil! (2)
• I will erase him. (4)
• L, do you know Gods of death love apples? (8)
• The real battle starts now. (10)
• She has to be eliminated. (13)
• I'll make you trust me. And when you've told me everything I need to know, I'll kill you. (19)
• You can't ever win if you're always on the defensive. To win, you have to attack. (20)
• I've never considered finding that notebook and gaining that power a misfortune. (22)
• I can't develop feelings. That's how most idiots screw up. (30)
• The thing I hate the most is to trample on other people's good will. (37)
• After I caught the current Kira, after that... I would become a Kira murderer? Do you see me as such a human being? (45)
• For murderers, there is no good or evil. I know that. (47)
• I won... just as planned. (53)
• In every world, the gods always make the rules. You will fall before my fake rules and, for the sin of going against the new world's God, die. (55)
• I am going to be the God of the new world. (58)
• There are a lot of stupid people out there. (59)
• I must protect my fledging utopia. (68)
• I'll make you regret underestimating L... underestimating me. (68)
• I'll need to appear full of confidence if I'm to take advantage of him. (68)
• In your eyes lies all happiness for this new world. (68)
• In the end, L is indeed the greatest detective on Earth... (68)
• Our battle will be concluded, and I will begin my reign from the summit of victory! (89)
• This is my win, Near. (103)
• Under normal circumstances, humans should have continued to evolve as the greatest creatures upon this earth, but we were actually regressing. A rotten world. politics, law, education... Was there anybody around who could correct this world? But someone had to do it. (105)
• Only I could do it! I was well aware that killing people is crime in itself! Yet at that point it was the only way to make things right! I thought to myself that someday people will come to realize this as much, and regard it as an act of justice! I had no choice but to act as Kira… it was the destiny given to me. I was chosen to renew this rotten world, to bring about true peace – a utopia. (105)
• DON'T COME NEAR ME! Kill them! Someone kill them! (106)

Matsuda

• You guys hit at the same time. Just call this one a draw. (45)
• Why are you looking at me? It's not me. (61)
• Light—kun what do you mean? In layman's terms... (62)
• What was it all for then!? What about your father, what the hell did he die for!? (106)

Mello

Our goal is the same. I'll wait for you there.

• I'll live my own way. (61)
• In the end there is no greater motivation than revenge. (64)
• He's terribly reasonable, this new L. (64)
• So, how about you tell me right now whom you'd like me to kill and how I'll treat'cha to it. (67)
• No kidding. So you've got no choice but to listen to us. (67)
• Near, you say clever things. (77)
• Which one of us will reach Kira first I wonder. (77)
• Our goal is the same. I'll wait for you there. (77)

Misa Amane

• I hate evil & love justice. I do not consider the police as my enemies but as my allies against evil. (23)
• I'm satisfied with just being used by you. Trust me. (29)
• There's no way I'll stand for you seeing other girls. If I see that, I'll kill them. (30)
• You just want to see me pee again, YOU PERVERT! (34)
• Does Ryuzaki—san really swing that way? (37)
• Eating sweets makes you fat. (38)
• I can't go on in a world without Light. (45)
• If it's for Light, I can die without regrets. (45)
• What do you mean I "use my sexual charm"!? (46)
• You can't buy peace or love with money. (80)
• I don't even use the Internet... (46)

Near

To Mello, it's like playing a video game against me, I think. See who gets to Kira, the last boss, first.

• If you cannot win at the game, if you cannot solve the puzzle, you are just another loser. (61)
• L the second! Pleased to meet'cha. (63)
• I'm the head of the SPK... let's see... N! (63)
• Things are getting interesting now. (64)
• Nope. It's over! Looks like you're beaten, L. (64)
• You, who've taken on his name, have managed — well, nothing. (66)
• To Mello, it's like playing a video game against me, I think. See who gets to Kira, the last boss, first. (67)
• I don't know what to say. Now, I think it's just best to observe closely. (71)
• We will be removed. All because of that chicken we call a President… No, "chicken" is too nice. He's even lower than a maggot. (75)
• Don't make me repeat the same thing many times. (77)
• Which of us will get Kira first... It's a race! (77)
• Making such a sleazebag a spokesman... (77)
• What an obvious lie he is telling. (79)
• For me and Mello, L has been the only person we adore and the only person who deserves our respect. (82)
• You said she's smart but it only means she got high marks, and she's actually a stupid woman. (86)
• Does she understand what she's doing, this stupid woman? (88)
• To kill me, a potential avenger. (89)
• I've wanted to make him taste his own pathetic failure with all my heart. (90)
• It's over. You've lost the game. (103)
• No. You're just a murderer. (105)
• Nobody can tell what is right and what is wrong, what is righteous and what is evil. Even if there is a god, and I had His teachings before me, I would think it through, and decide if that was right or wrong myself. (105)

Rem

• Humans are such ugly creatures. (37)
• Light Yagami might be as pure as Misa... he was not using the Death Note for himself, but rather he was using the notebook in order to better humanity as a whole. (47)
• But Light Yagami... to kill even a shinigami... he's surpassed the shinigami. (58)

Ryuk

Didn't I tell you in the beginning? I'll be the one to write your name when you die. This is the deal that is made between the shinigami who brought the notebook into the human's world and a human who possesses the notebook. If you are cast into jail, I will never know when you'll die. It would be annoying to wait until your death. You are finished. You'll die here.

• Humans are... so much fun. (1)
• I feel like I'm in a sitcom.
• That was worth an Academy Award, Light. (9)
• Humans are hilarious. (10)
• Hey, all it did was go around in a full circle. (54)
• Sorry, but... believe it or not, I'm a male too... (56)
• Hehe. A disaster—struck family playing a happy—homey family... This show is funny. (60)
• Heh. Are those the eyes of a man in love? (68)
• What? I'm going to be possessed by such a poor imbecile? (71)
• Shinigami trust shinigami before they trust humans. (72)
• I can understand them, because they can exchange that money for tons of apples. (80)
• You're using the word 'destiny' for a woman again, Light. You always use a one-patterned approach for women. (87)
• The name I'm writing in the Death Note is yours, Light. (107)
• Didn't I tell you in the beginning? I'll be the one to write your name when you die. This is the deal that is made between the shinigami who brought the notebook into the human's world and a human who possesses the notebook. If you are cast into jail, I will never know when you'll die. It would be annoying to wait until your death. You are finished. You'll die here. (107)

Chief Yagami

Light, my son, from one murderer to another, I'll see you in Hell!

• I will not succumb to evil.
• The real evil is the power to kill people. (22)
• No...anything obtained by killing people can never bring true happiness. (22)
• I have a responsibility as a parent and as the chief of police. (36)
• Light, my son, from one murderer to another, I'll see you in Hell! (36)
• Murderers should go to hell!
• Light... I trust you. (72)

Dialogue

Misa: I can't imagine a world without Light!
L: Yes, that would be dark. (37)

Light: L
L: Kira
Both: I will hunt you down where ever you are hiding and I will eliminate you.
Light: I am...
L: I am...
Both: Justice! (2)

Light: What was it?
L: Nothing. Just another of Matsuda's unimportant idiocies.
Light: Well, Matsuda does have that natural ignorance...
Matsuda: Those two know that we can hear them, right? (38)

Misa: Oh, and by the way, Light darling — do you know how to kill a shinigami?
Light: Did you just call me "darling"?
Misa: Fine, then do you mind if I call you "knight" instead? 'Cause you're like my knight in shining armor, you know.
Light: [sighs] Let's just stick with "Light." (Ep. 14)

Misa: Hey Light, wanna sleep with me tonight?
Light: Wh...What are you talking about?
Misa: Just kidding! You're saving me for after we catch Kira, right? You don't have to be shy about it!
L: Yes, Light. There's no need to be shy.
Light: I'm not being shy!
L: No need to be so serious, either. (48)

Light: Then I suppose that when I meet with Misa, it will have to be outside of here.
L: Huh, you want to meet her? (55)

Light: Misa, I want you to know my feelings. I don't want you to shorten your life by doing the deal, I don't want to manipulate you like that. I'd rather live a lasting life with you in our ideal world.
Misa (tearing): Light.
Ryuk (thinking): Like hell you do.
Misa (hugs): I'm so glad!
Ryuk (thinking): All this girl does is hug... (56)

Mello (after Shidou takes the notebook): The...thee uh notebook just flew.
?: It's a notebook that kills people! Hell, nothing surprises me any more. (70)

Light: Near, try to escape from that place now.
Near: How dare you say that, when you are Kira.
Light: W—what... Why are you still saying such a thing?... (80)

Matsuda: Awwh man...I bet there was like 10 million dollars there...
Ryuk: How much is that in apples? (80)

Near: Thank you for your useful information. You two may go back now.
Aizawa: You heard that much and just say 'go back'
Near (pouting): And so I thanked you for your useful information... (80)

Near: Lester could you come back one more time to command the center in New York? (Lester is currently in Japan)
Lester: One more time?
Near: I'm also going to Japan.
Lester: So during that time you want me to come to New York and stay watch?
Near: No.
Lester: Then why do you want me in New York?
Near: I've never experienced the first class procedures of riding a plane alone, so I want you to come back so we can go together. (89)

Near: What is it, L?
Light: Misa Amane and Mogi are missing.
Near: Yes. We have abducted them.
Light: Near... for what reason?
Near: For insurance. (95)

Giovanni: If there are shinigami, I might die, right?
Near: Yes.
Giovanni: ...
Near: If you are scared, I'll ask Lester to go.
Lester: ...

Misa: Namikawa's pretty good. Considering his looks, I was expecting that.
L: No, that was a screw—up by Yagami—kun.
Light: (Sweatdrop) ...

About Death Note

We will be using Death Note as a lens to look critically at current events such as the drone strikes in the Middle East, and discuss whether or not such actions are just. The course will address aspects of vigiliantism, as well as the morality within murder. Overall, we ask students to keep an open mind and to challenge their preconceived notions of justice based upon what is actually happening in the world. ~ Jay Hoyne

• The course will be focused on the question: What is Justice? We will do so by analyzing the Japanese Anime, Death Note, featuring a young genius, named Light Yagami, who seeks to create justice in the world through a mass murder of criminals. The original twelve volume series has gone on to sell over 26 million copies, and has received nominated for several awards such as "Best Manga at the 2006 American Anime Awards, the 2007 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, an Official Selection at Angouleme International Comics Festival 2008, and Obata was nominated for Best Penciller/Inker at the 2008 Eisner Awards." The protagonist's voice actor also won the "Best Voice Actor" award at the Tokyo International Anime Fair in 2008. In addition to the successful Anime adaptation, there have since been three live-action movies, three video games, and two spin-off novels from the material. The series has since been banned in several cities, primarily in China, to protect the physical and mental health of young students, as well as to avoid the copycat crimes that had been occurring throughout the world.
  We will be using Death Note as a lens to look critically at current events such as the drone strikes in the Middle East, and discuss whether or not such actions are just. The course will address aspects of vigiliantism, as well as the morality within murder. Overall, we ask students to keep an open mind and to challenge their preconceived notions of justice based upon what is actually happening in the world. 
  • Jay Hoyne, “What is Justice? A Critical Analysis of the Death Note Anime”, Washington.edu, (2015).

Voice actors

• Light Yagami – Mamoru Miyano (Japanese), Brad Swaile (English)
• Ryuk – Shidō Nakamuda (Japanese), Brian Drummond (English)
• Misa Amane – Aya Hirano (Japanese), Shannon Chan-Kent (English)
• L – Kappei Yamaguchi (Japanese), Alessandro Juliani (English)
• Near – Noriko Hidaka (Japanese), Cathy Weseluck (English)
• Mello – Nozomu Sasaki (Japanese), David Hurwitz (English)
• Touta Matsuda – Ryō Naitō (Japanese), Vincent Tong (English)
• Shuichi Aizawa – Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese), Trevor Devall (English)
• Soichiro Yagami – Naoya Uchida (Japanese), Chris Britton (English)
• Teru Mikami – Masaya Mastukaze (Japanese), Kirby Morrow (English)
• Kiyomi Takada – Masumi Okamura and Maaya Sakamoto (Japanese), Heather Doerksen (English)