Amateur Recommendation Hour: Death Note

Today’s recommendation is among the most formative works of art I’ve ever experienced in my life. Similarly to how Girls’ Generation opened my heart to the possibility of international art and The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess opened my eyes to the potential of video games as an artistic medium, Death Note opened my soul to the quality of the medium of anime. It is my favorite anime series of all time and it is solely responsible for my introduction to the medium. The amount of personal reverence I have for this work knows no bounds. Every fall season I find myself listening to its unique score and thinking about its abundant quality across the board in storytelling, tone and visual flair. I remember walking in whilst my younger brother watched it only to find myself marveling at it's unique, cerebral, and psychological spectacle. I not only owe so much of my taste to it, but so much of my interest in artistic creation as a whole to it as well.

Directed by Tetsuro Araki, I feel like Death Note needs no introduction or synopsis, but for the uninitiated: It is a psychological crime thriller about a highly regarded Japanese high school student, Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural notebook of death that allows him to kill humans within the rules stated by the notebook given to him by his Shinigami (or “God Of Death”) pal Riyuk. Following clashes with the super detectives of the world and their resources, Light is hell-bent on creating the world in his image through this newfound power as “Kira” the god of the new world. Adapted from Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's original manga. Director Araki seems to excel when it comes to adapting works from manga to anime, gets the most out of building suspense and atmosphere where it otherwise might be difficult on a page.

The main conflict, as stated, between Light and Detective L is put front and center but given some degree of dramatic irony (in fact the whole show is dramatically ironic given that we KNOW that Light is Kira) that most of the psychological tension is unknown to 95% of those they are working with and sharing spaces with, is only shown to us the audience. Trying to determine the other’s next move, preemptively striking when the other is, for the slightest and briefest of moments, unguarded and unprepared for that scenario. It is a remarkable game of chess that twists, turns, and most impressively takes daring narrative risks that ultimately pay off. It is tightly written and meticulously crafted with the same bold and unflinching energy that Detective L centers his investigative prowess around.

The pacing is a master class of how to build intrigue and suspense without overwhelming or desensitizing the viewer. The expositional components are delivered in such a way that keeps the viewer engaged while allowing the brief moments of action and bombast to stand out and stick in the viewers mind to be truly memorable and maintain their importance and gravity. Another of Tetsuro Araki’s strengths as a director to keep us involved in the more “mundane” parts of the investigative process. It's animation may be a little rough around the edges but since it doesn't rely on it too much it never becomes intrusive to the work. Relying far more on conversation than action, and when that action does come it feels, as mentioned, much more impactful and visceral.

Characterization is top notch across the board. From our main players of Light and L all the way through to the police task force and those aiding Light in his endeavor. These are believably flawed people with fascinating motivations, fears, and most importantly, truthful inconsistency and hypocrisy that doesn’t feel narratively convenient. You will come to know these people, beyond merely Light and L whose innermost thoughts and actions we are privy to and that is a testament to Tsugumi Oba’s excellent ability to develop characters whether they are given a moment or a lot longer. Be it through spoken dialogue, how they are worded, decisions, or even subtle body language and backgrounded elements. All converging to inform each person of themselves.

A special mention must go to Yoshihisa Hirano and Hideki Taniuchi’s truly outstanding score. A fascinating and intoxicating mixture of progressive rock and sweeping orchestral music of the gods (of death). It creates tone and personality as much as it’s dreary and strained color palette if not more. They make you experience character depth with iconic themes as much as they add extra spectacle and driving energy to each respective action scene. They invoke the energy of forces of the unknowable and infinite as much as they bring us back to reality with their investigative deliberation and ominous confusion. A wholly unique and unexpected synergy of two very different genres of music to create among the most identifiable and high quality scores. It’s consistency yet diversity of sound, instrumentation, and tones is timeless. One of my favorite soundtracks of all time, irregardless of medium.

My personal interpretations of this work are that it is a criticism of the idealistic, but seemingly good-natured ideas that can begin a society and government on the way to authoritarianism. Sure they may sound good on paper and in conversation, but in actual practice they would as much harm as good. There will be consequences, and they will hurt as many people as they might help. The feasibility of a just utopia is an impossibility. Holding onto such power, deeming oneself a god, having dominion over an entire system of justice is far too large of a power for any one person to decide let alone enact upon the world at large. The subjectivity of “justice” as human construct is far too variable. And it is in the balance that we must find the best way to be as just as we possibly can as people.

This series means so much to me for many reasons beyond its artistic achievements and merit. I hope you will be willing to take a chance on it as well regardless of what your preconceived notions of what the medium of anime is. You might find a fascinating world of creativity that deserves far more respect than it relieves and is understood in the West. The intention to not reveal too much about its details was a conscious one. As I did, I believe it's best to go in as blind as possible. If you have not begun your journey into the world of anime and are looking for a place to start, Death Note is an outstanding choice to get your feet wet and experience the quality that this medium has at it’s disposal.