Good vs Evil

The main theme of the series is good vs evil and the idea of justice. The conflict between Kira and those who oppose him. However there are times in the series where the line between good and evil is blurred.

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Dangers of doing/ using evil for "good" purposes

The blurred line between good and evil causes an important them on using evil for good purposes. Not only does Light and his followers use a note book which has the power to kill criminals for the "greater good", but even those working for the police have demonstrated times where they use notorious methods to achieve their goals.

L uses a criminal standin when he appeared on tv when he wanted to determine if Kira was real and if he could kill without being in the same room.

Chief Yagami, arguably the most upstanding characters in the show, used the Death Note repeatably to try and reclaim the second death note from the mafia.

Multiple characters had suggested using the death note to determine its authenticity. 

 

 

 

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Defence against "demons" of hopelessness and despair

Misa is prime example of fighting against hopelessness and despair. After her family was killed she slipped into depression however once Kira punished her parents killer she was able to break free of her depression and commit herself to Kira. For many, Kira is a symbol of hope and justice.

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However for those who do not support Kira and the killing of those he judges to be evil they too can fight back. A specific example is when the second kira demanded that the police work with Kira and the media not slander Kira. Television news reporters spoke out that they would never support Kira even at the risk of their own lives. In what was increasingly becoming a hopeless situation they chose to fight back against a

god-like-figure, who could kill them at any time. The reporter covering the incident even goes so far as to say his own name, indicating that he would rather be killed then give into a serial killer.

 

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Judas symbolism

The idea of Judas is very prominent, as repeatedly L refers to Light as his friend all while suspecting that he is Kira and in the end L knows Light will betray him.

 

In the Anime there is very clear symbolism as L drys the rain off Light and washes his feet, paralleling Jesus washing the feet of Judas

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Predestination

While there are no destinies in the Death Note series, the shinigami even says Light was not chosen to find the Death Note but instead it was all a coincidence, every human has a predetermined lifespan. 

 

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Evil masquerading as harmless

Misa is once again a prime example. As a model and actress she is

considered to be very beautiful by most, even called a "little angel",

however with the power of the shinigami eyes she is the most deadly 

character in the series.

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Trial by fire

The idea that you must be tested in your faith is promoted throughout the series.

Light Yagami states that he is willing to give his life and soul for the creation of the new world, Misa's life was traumatic having lost her parents and being tortured for information on Kira.

Sirochiro Yagami repeatedly went through many hardships trying to prove his sons innocence and protect his family.

Mello left the orphanage at 14 and joined the mafia in order to stop kira and had to set off a bomb in order to escape the police to continue his mission to defeat Kira and surpass both Near and  L.