Death Note's Solemn Lament

L rubbing light’s feet is also synonymous to Christianity when Jesus even rubs his followers feet even the one that betrays him in the end

My favorite thing Near did was the use of his ultimate attack on Light... the reality check.

In a series permeated by relentless and unceremonious death, L was one of the few characters that made peace with his mortality. Like you pointed out, L was able to peacefully let go of his ego and admit defeat in his final moments, which was in stark contrast to Light's meltdown when his hubris was at its peak. L was always self-aware to an extent and he understood his flaws and limitations, which is precisely why he entrusted his life's work to Near and/or Mello. But on the other hand, Light believed he was immaculate and untouchable, and he had no intention whatsoever of relinquishing his power to the next generation. Light just used people like Misa, Takada, and Mikami, and he didn't hesistate to throw them all away like garbage at the earliest convenience. He never truly trusted or believed in anyone but himself, whereas L had faith in his heirs to not make the same mistakes and eventually surpass him. For as much as they went back and forth in their duel, I feel like L ultimately had a better grip on life than Light did. L met his fate head-on while Light desperately tried to deny and run away from it, both behaviors which were very human regardless, but L was just more admirable to me for his particular humanity. Another remarkable video as always, man! And yeah, Near is fucking awesome and Kato's dissection is one of my favorites!

This was a fantastic, well-written video. As someone who previously disliked Post L Deathnote, this video gave me a new found appreciation for both this arc, as well as a new found appreciation for Near. You helped me to fully understand his importance for both the stories purpose as well as from a thematic standpoint. I’ll be sure to give this series a re-watch with fresh eyes as soon as possible.

0:51 What a fantastic joke, absolutely stellar 3:57 It just keeps getting better

Death Note is one of the GREATEST anime's of ALL TIME.

I agree 100% with Near and Mello representing L's two sides is something I've been saying forever. Sometimes it feels like no one understands Near, people just blindly hate him. 3:58 that little joke slipped in there love it

0:51 ''and that is not meant to be taken Lightly.'' I'm sorry but my brain decided that that was a pun.

This is a great interpretation of Near and Mello. Particularly with Near, it really puts him into perspective as a character that feels a lot less artificial and less just like "L's replacement" which is how so many people see him. It was awesome how even L (who was fighting for a more grounded idea of Justice from the perspective of the reader) was able to play off of his own desires the point of even considering himself as childish. It makes a lot of sense that Near, a colder and less charismatic version of L would be able to do what L could not. Another really well presented and edited video Alec, nice work!

Your assessment on Near and Mello being two halves of L's personality is very good way of better understanding their purpose.I may not care much for how they weren't as fleshed out as say L was in the characterization department but they do serve their purpose when adapting to the mindset you're presenting to help better enjoy the second arc of Death Note's story line overall. I will certainly say though that episode where L accepts defeat at last was easily one of the top Death Note moments hands down for me.The way L was covering his personality around others only showing his defeated side toward Light during that iconic scene where they're on the roof top during that heavy rain storm was brilliant writing execution for wrapping up his arc.L's line always sends a chill down my spine when he asks Light... "Tell me Light, from the moment you were born, has there ever been a point where you've actually TOLD the truth?" It symbolizes how similar L and Light are in some aspects.Both have lied before to others but what sets them apart is their honest intentions with certain individuals in the story line by far.L cares about each and every one of the investigators on his team lovingly/respectfully in his own quirky way compared with Light who throws every one of his "friends and family" to the wayside like they're beneath him period. Not to mention that statement was of course L's way of telling Light... "I know YOU'RE absolutely Kira without a doubt and will be killed by you soon but I can't do anything about it..." Episode 25, Silence, is a remarkable depiction of someone humbling themselves before their death unlike the finale for Light where all it was is the embodiment of a pitiful scumbag who deserved everything that's coming to him.

Idk what it is about L's english voice actor but god damn is it good.

Your videos are a must watch. Like seriously as soon as I got the notification I stopped a game I was playing in mid battle and started watching this. They're always very well done and you always make me think about stuff I'd never considered. Congrats on 100K. You definitely deserve way more subs

What's this obsession with having to relate to a character? I too often hear people say, "I didn't like the characters or the overall theme because I didn't find them relatable". Why is that so important? People often seem to follow what critics find important in a story when deciding for themselves if a series is good. One year it'll be character development is the most essential factor in a good story, another year it'll be subversion of expectations or common narrative tropes.

Death note All hail the potato chip

It's like a Deus Ex Machina in reverse. Instead of using a machine to introduce a god to solve the issues, you introduce a machine to solve the issue of a god.

Excellent video? With Kingdom hearts' hollow bastion music in the background? *Superb Video.*

Both Light and L entered the story craving stimulation they couldn't get from anything else in life. It's fair to say that the two might have never felt as alive or fulfilled as they did while fighting each other. If they were honest with themselves, they probably would have preferred things to stay this way forever with neither winning the game as stakes constantly escalate as they try to outdo each other over and over again. However you choose to read their relationship, the one thing that's always going to be true is that they needed each other, and when L died Light was never the same. It's why he got so sloppy and overconfident in the second half, believing that no one could ever match up to the L he'd built up in his head as the Lucifer to his God.

To add to Death Note's solemn themes, in my analysis, in the end, Light had gone through the 5 stages of grief upon being found out and was done for. Denial: Of course throughout the series, Light Yagami would deny that he is Kira. In the end, his denial reaches to it's peak where he laugh's maniacally and denies that he is wrong with his ways. After Near's speech, Light thinks that everyone are fools. He doesn't argue back as he has nothing to defend his stance with. He can only seethe in anger. Anger: In a fit of rage, Light tries to kill Near. Logically, best case scenario, he won't survive as there are many others who can and will kill/apprehend him. But he tries anyway and fails. He screams out for Matsuda to kill them all but fails to convince him. Bargaining: Upon getting shot down even more and being left in a pool of blood, Light begs for Mikami to write everyone's names, even though he is already aware that Mikami lacks an actual Death Note. It is here that he really is desperate, trying to find anything that can save his life. As he breathes in panic, he calls out for Misa and Takeda, only to remember that he had tossed them aside, with the latter being straight up dead. In his thoughts, he wonders what he must do. Depression: As Light runs away in his desperation, he starts thinking/hallucinating about his younger days, showing how decent he and his life were before he started using the Death Note. At then climaxes with him seeing his younger self passing by, a self that Light could now only dream of living as. But now, he can only try to flee for his fleeting life for a few moments. Eventually, he is given a heart attack and realizes that his death is sealed. Acceptance: Since he is dying, all Light can do is lay down and calmly wait for the last second of life to pass. In his final moments, he sees a vision of L standing above him, showing him that in the end, L had won. At last, Light eyes close and he passes away.

How can it be that L had admitted defeat to Light when right after the rain scene he announced he was going to test the 13 day rule? That shows he was still determined to solve the case even if he did realize he was going to die soon. And none of the other task members ever thought it was suspicious that L and Watari died right after he announced they were going to test the only thing protecting light.

I never get tired of Death Note analysis videos. It's simply one of the greatest stories ever written.