Yagami continues his quest in his belief to use the powers gained by the Death Note to kill off more criminals for the good of humanity. Using his spare time between high school, cram school and sleep he ruthelessly writes down the names of criminals day in day out each dying by cardiac arrest, 52 of them recognised in total in the past week. As news of the rising death toll of the criminals increase the public being to speculate. Websites and message boards begin to crop up on the internet about Yagami’s activities who is only known as the alter ego “Kira” (derived from the word Killer). Kira then becomes idolised by people happy to see such retribution being dished out and creates unrest to those who have done evil - Exactly how Yagami wanted to manipulate the world.
The ICPO sets up an emergancy meeting to try and solve the suspicious case of criminals dying without cause and thats when the case gets referred to a man named “L” - A man that no-one knows about, his where-abouts, identity and history. Only one thing that the police are certain about L is, that he solves every case he has been involved in.
L sets up an elaborate test to see if Yagami’s powers are true and hits the mark, identifying his location and issues a challange to him. Whatever it takes L will bring Kira to justice and thus the rivalry begins.
Picking up quite well where the first episode ended its clear to see that this animé does not star the usual guy who wants to become the hero for the sake of it. Rather one who likes to manipulate others for his own needs and desire. While basking in his own glory that his actions are indeed correct in the name of justice Yagami shows no remorse for committing mass murder, much to the Shinigami Ryuukuu’s delight. This provides good viewing to those who are tired of the stale storylines and lukewarm characters often seen in other animés to date as there it no clear “Good Vs Evil - fight your way through and slap the end boss for 250 exp” theme just yet. “L” plays a formiddable detective with an elaborate plan to hunt Yagami down and its building up quite nicely as a battle of witts. Both “L” and Yagami do not know anything about each other, yet the first one to reveal their identity will lose the battle. The voice acting is of high standard, switching from the plan and boring Yagami when he’s at school to the more maniacal devious character once in possesion of the Death Note. Artwork and camera angles work superbly to convey the emotion and tension between the two protagonists and the people around them. In all another decent episode making you want a bit more of the story to be unveiled.
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Janus says:
I’m not sure either can’t be called “protagonists”, Yagami showed in this episode that he can be heartless and “L” was equally heartless by sending the criminal out to die on television.
Two characters who might well be called antagonists, A show without protagonists is indeed a delight.
Oct 17, 2006, 10:20 am