“I never thought it was important”: Death Note Writer Ignored the Most Obvious Theme of the Series for the Sake of Entertainment
- Ohba's true inspiration for Death Note was to reflect on human nature, not the battle of wits.
- The core message was to cherish life, as humans are not immortal.
- Ohba didn’t focus on defining Light as good or evil, but on the complexity of choices.
Nearly two decades after its release, the Death Note anime remains as popular as ever—though not necessarily for the reasons fans assume. Its unmatched accessibility and gripping storytelling set it apart from most other anime.
From anti-hero protagonist Light Yagami to L Lawliet’s memorable character design, Death Note has become one of the most recognizable anime in the 21st century. Moreover, the anime perseveres as a definitive gateway anime and remains as beloved today as it was in the mid-2000s for many fans.
While Death Note is a staple of the anime industry, it’s surprising to learn that the creator’s inspiration had little to do with the story itself—aside from a single moral reflection on human nature.
The Hidden Meaning Behind Death Note’s Creation
Tsugumi Ohba’s Death Note condenses a complex reverse mystery into 37 gripping episodes, captivating audiences worldwide with its psychological thrills and intricate plot twists.
Light Yagami and L (Ryuzaki) left several fans excited with the confrontation of the two smartest individuals. Light emerged victorious, earning the title of the smartest in the eyes of some, while others still believe L holds that title.
The intellectual battles between Light and L, which involve games of the mind, manipulation, and deep psychological insights, make the series entertaining as well as intellectually stimulating.
Death Note deals with profound philosophical themes, including the nature of good and evil, the consequences of absolute power, and the morality of taking a life. These ideas, being thought-provoking, are sure to resonate with audiences and provoke reflection and discussion.
The 37-episode masterpiece stands as a testament to Tsugumi Ohba’s brilliant storytelling. Surprisingly, Ohba had little creative inspiration for Death Note, intending only to convey a single moral reflection on human nature.
In an interview with Tsugumi Ohba posted on Gaia Guilds, Ohba shared his inspiration and the message he intended to convey through Death Note. He revealed:
No, there was nothing that I strongly wished to express. The basic underlying idea was that “Humans are not immortals and once they are dead, they do not come back alive again”.
Ohba revealed that he never aimed to emphasize the concept of good versus evil. Instead, his goal was to convey the message that humans should live life to the fullest. He further added:
This is to indirectly say that we should all treasure the present and live our lives to the fullest. I never thought it was important to define Light as either good or evil. To me, Light is evil, L is slightly evil and only Soichiro is totally righteous.
It might surprise some fans to learn that the mangaka didn’t prioritize a battle of geniuses or a more intricate plot. Instead, he focused on delivering a powerful message about human nature—one that is sure to resonate deeply.
How Death Note’s most powerful plot armor contributed to L. Lawliet’s tragic fate
The series Death Note brings a very intriguing premise where high school student Light Yagami finds a notebook that gives him the power to kill anyone simply by writing their name.
Many audiences defend Light despite his evil actions, seeing him as a good person who sought to make the world a better place by removing criminals from society.
However, Ohba introduced L immediately, who criticized Light’s ideas of justice and expressed many sentiments to the fans. A thrilling cat-and-mouse chase ensues, with Light meticulously plotting his next move, while L works tirelessly to unmask Kira, the alias Light adopts for his vigilante persona.
Throughout Death Note, the clash between Light and L is a captivating battle of wits, sparking debates about who’s smarter. However, the series’ biggest plot armor reveals L as the true genius.
Sadly, his brilliance became a major obstacle for Light, leading the mangaka to end L’s life early to allow Light’s victory and move the plot forward.
Death Note is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
