Death Note (Spoiler Warning: Series Ending)

[Mononoke]

NOTE: Spoilers relate to the end of the series.

[spoiler]Just watched the last episode today, It was awesome, sad, but awesome! I didn't want Light to die, but it was a good ending with his death, But the Manga sets it up as if there could be a 2nd season, discuss![/spoiler]

[Tommy]

But the Manga sets it up as if there could be a 2nd season, discuss!

Um...how?

[Mononoke]

Its left totally open, there are a bunch of things that they could use to start a second season. Like when they were talking about Near being suspicious with the death note, they didn't give a ton of information on that kira-cult at the end, its been talked about in another forum too...the anime closes it so I didn't think that at all when I saw it, but after reading the manga theres deffinitly possibility.

[uc pseudonym]

I've modified the first post so hopefully no one will look at the thread despite the initial warning.

As for the ending, I think the manga-ka has no intention of creating any sequel. For better or for worse, that is the end. I didn't think the end was particularly amazing, myself, but I certainly enjoyed the reading to get me there. Interesting that you didn't want Light to die. The way people view the moral issues in the plot varies immensely.

[Mononoke]

Yea I liked Light, sure killing people was wrong, it could have been a lot worse in someone elses hands. But it was almost as if he deserved to win, he had thought of so many brilliant plans to keep him safe, it sucked that it was the mistake of someone else that caused his demise.

[Tommy]

Perhaps you could also modify the thread's title, UC?

The word "Death" is spelled wrong.

[uc pseudonym]

Ah yes, I meant to do that. In addition to the typo, I elaborated on the spoilers just to make sure no one will have anything spoiled.

But it was almost as if he deserved to win, he had thought of so many brilliant plans to keep him safe, it sucked that it was the mistake of someone else that caused his demise.

I know what you mean. My preference would have been for him to lose because of an intelligent counterplan, ideally created by L. The film version of Death Note changes the ending to something I feel is actually better.

[Tommy]

The author of this story sure knows how the mind works.

We see the story through the main character's eyes and because we understand him and his intentions, part of us want him to him just because we know where he's coming from even though we realize what he was truly doing was sick and twisted.

[Htom Sirveaux]

Here's my impersonation of the end of Death Note:

Near: All right, check it out. This was my plan.
Light: Oh yeah? Well guess what!? I already knew about your plan!
Near: Oh yeah? Well I already knew about you knowing about my plan!
Light: Oh yeah? Well I already knew about you knowing about my knowing about you knowing about my plan!
Near: Hey, that's one too many!
Light: Yeah, that's how much better I am than you!
Near: Well I already knew about . . . your mom!
Light: Aaaarrgh! Noooooo! *URK!* [falls over dead]

[Kai Robin]

I was totally distraught after the ending, in the back of my mind I had this tingly feeling Light was gonna lose (becuz ya know, he's a "bad guy") but I actually had hoped he was gonna win, watching him die like that was the most dissapointing moment for me in any story I've encountered.

[MasterDias]

You guys really wanted the series to end with Light setting up a pseudo-fascist state? Well, whatever, to each his own.

I admittingly might have been a bit more sympathetic with him if he hadn't been so ruthless and was killing anyone who stood against him, but he was never portrayed as giving a dang about anyone else(except apparantly when he loses his memory) or having any sort of conscience whatsoever.

[Kai Robin]

You guys really wanted the series to end with Light setting up a pseudo-fascist state? Well, whatever, to each his own.

I admittingly might have been a bit more sympathetic with him if he hadn't been so ruthless and was killing anyone who stood against him, but he was never portrayed as giving a dang about anyone else(except apparantly when he loses his memory) or having any sort of conscience whatsoever.

I don't want to get into a semi-theological argument at all, but even if he did get screwy in the head and a few innocent people died, it was an undisputed fact that world voilence had gone down and wars had ended within Death Note's "alternate reality," the populace in Death Note was pro-Kira because the felt safe, admittedly, the story itself seems contradictory in that the world has become a "better place" but yet the author still writes him as a "bad guy" because he doesn't follow a traditional sense of justice.

The one other problem with the storyline I had was Light wanted to rid the world of evil to make a better world, but we never actually got to see him directly help anyone in need after the first few episodes to show his good side, admittedly he was busy playin' cat'n mouse but still it woulda been nice.

[uc pseudonym]

I don't want to get into a semi-theological argument at all

I would, but given that such is against the rules I thank you for your restraint.

But since we're making minor points on the subject, let me merely suggest that the most efficient way to end human suffering is to wipe out humanity entirely. No more war, no more violence, no potential for future suffering. By raw numbers, every person who has ever saved a life has only increased the amount of suffering in the world.

[Htom Sirveaux]

That's just one more aspect of Death Note's brilliance. When was the last time a series made you reflect on the evil nature of humankind and each individual's perception of "justice"?
I honestly didn't know which way the end was going to go. I was pretty sure Light wouldn't end up having his way (although I found that part of me was actually rooting for him), but I wasn't entirely sure even of that and certainly had no idea how it would all go down.

[Fish and Chips]

Its left totally open, there are a bunch of things that they could use to start a second season. Like when they were talking about Near being suspicious with the death note, they didn't give a ton of information on that kira-cult at the end, its been talked about in another forum too...the anime closes it so I didn't think that at all when I saw it, but after reading the manga theres deffinitly possibility.

The Manga and Anime wrapped themselves up very neatly. A sequel would be unnecessary and manufactured. Just because the author leaves a couple threads hanging to leave the world spinning doesn't mean there will or even can be a continuation. There is no room or necessity, unless you think Ryuk is bored again and drops another note on Earth, which would be a cheap plot device.

And Light got exactly what he deserved.

[MasterDias]

I don't want to get into a semi-theological argument at all, but even if he did get screwy in the head and a few innocent people died, it was an undisputed fact that world voilence had gone down and wars had ended within Death Note's "alternate reality," the populace in Death Note was pro-Kira because the felt safe, admittedly, the story itself seems contradictory in that the world has become a "better place" but yet the author still writes him as a "bad guy" because he doesn't follow a traditional sense of justice.

The one other problem with the storyline I had was Light wanted to rid the world of evil to make a better world, but we never actually got to see him directly help anyone in need after the first few episodes to show his good side, admittedly he was busy playin' cat'n mouse but still it woulda been nice.

...

Light... helping people? Er, were we watching/reading the same series?

I could comment much more on the subject.
But, eh whatever, let's just say I strongly disagree with you and, to avoid a argument, leave it at that.

The Manga and Anime wrapped themselves up very neatly. A sequel would be unnecessary and manufactured. Just because the author leaves a couple threads hanging to leave the world spinning doesn't mean there will or even can be a continuation. There is no room or necessity, unless you think Ryuk is bored again and drops another note on Earth, which would be a cheap plot device.

And Light got exactly what he deserved.

There has been speculation that the series was meant to end at 7 volumes but was continued because of popularity or other factors, due to the somewhat mixed feelings people have about the last half.
I don't really have opinions either way about the subject however.

[Kai Robin]

...
I could comment much more on the subject.
But, eh whatever, let's just say I strongly disagree with you and, to avoid a argument, leave it at that.
.

Lol, I like to argue, but CAA doesn't seem very keen to it, so to makes things simple how about I just pull out my notebook and you give me your real name?

[Fish and Chips]

the populace in Death Note was pro-Kira because the felt safe, admittedly, the story itself seems contradictory in that the world has become a "better place" but yet the author still writes him as a "bad guy" because he doesn't follow a traditional sense of justice.

Never confuse fear for saftey.

As for Light's typecasting as the villain, you would do well to remember that he wasn't in this for the sake of the people. His "Justice" was a tool to attain godhood. In classic Shakespearian tragedy, Light's intentions may have started with the best interests of the people in mind, but by the end of the series there's no doubt that his only concern was breeding a docile populous that would worship and fear him as a supreme holy potentate never to be questioned. Lowered crime was merely a bonus for those seeking his authority.

[uc pseudonym]

That's just one more aspect of Death Note's brilliance. When was the last time a series made you reflect on the evil nature of humankind and each individual's perception of "justice"?

Indeed. What struck me most strongly is that nearly everyone is attempting to make the world a better place. Villains who are evil for evil's sake do not exist, and arguably every evil also contains good. Had Hitler conquered the world, for example, things would have been better in some respects. The number of people he killed could well have been less than the death toll from following wars or less than those Stalin killed.

I should think it's pretty obvious I'm not supporting Hitler there, but I decided to add this sentence just in case. Because this is the internet.

Light... helping people? Er, were we watching/reading the same series?

Well, he stopped the woman in the first chapter from being harassed, and was indirectly related to helping others in the sense that the criminals killed in mid-crime would have harmed others.

As for Light's typecasting as the villain, you would do well to remember that he wasn't in this for the sake of the people. His "Justice" was a tool to attain godhood. In classic Shakespearian tragedy, Light's intentions may have started with the best interests of the people in mind, but by the end of the series there's no doubt that his only concern was breeding a docile populous that would worship and fear him as a supreme holy potentate never to be questioned. Lowered crime was merely a bonus for those seeking his authority.

Indeed. It seemed obvious to me from the onset that protagonist was set up as the villain, which was one of the reasons I continued to read Death Note. The promise of a more complex moral landscape always wins points in my book.

Lol, I like to argue, but CAA doesn't seem very keen to it

This seems an opportune time to clarify CAA's rules. Discussion and argument are fine, provided that they maintain some degree of Christian civility. Theological argument is a special case and it has been decided such issues are more trouble than they're worth. In my opinion this thread walks the safe side of the line, but if we can all agree there isn't a need to be too concerned about a fictional story that's fine too.