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Leustante — Death Note: Analysis
Published: 2011-06-29 02:59:31 +0000 UTC; Views: 2340; Favourites: 21; Downloads: 0
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This was written by myself, in hopes this entry should justify itself as for its meaning. I created this in hopes I can gain a respectable argument in defense for a few very interesting concepts I personally picked up after reading and analyzing the Japanese series Death Note. I wish to expand my ideas and share them with the public eye, from who feel very open minded to learning new things about this story.This mainly discusses character symbolism in regards to a few questions I received regarding its relation to religious beliefs. Though to many, young people, "faith" is not a subject of interest because of course many are prone to rebel against what may not make sense to reality. I personally believe that even though it ties to religion, there is still much about what that religion symbolizes that many people overlook; the reason for its existence regarding human life wellness. Regardless of what religion this may be, it always has something to so with justice among living fairly and organizing a practice for continuing life in prosperity. I believe that all religions are equal because they vary based on the experiences people were raised by to comprehend the world around them.
In relation to Death Note, this ties into understanding now what its morals are, similarly. We often overlook understanding symbolism because we lack experience to relate it to our every day thinking. Regardless of religion, what that religious reference means explains human behavior, the difference between right and wrong, what proves justice, how people differ according to the experiences they faced in life.
**This is my personal interpretation. I am not stating any facts or claiming that this should represent what I relate it to. I am using references in order to justify what to look for when reading, using analytical processes. It is a college profession to analyze books, you are wrong to say that everyone should have their own opinion and have it be correct. I am not claiming mine are, I am analyzing it based off of a logical deduction given the very, very obvious symbols the author uses. I do know that Ohba was knowledgeable about religion, even if she was not religious herself. It is very clear that because she implied certain things regarding death, the afterlife, sins, etc. into the story they served a purpose to help wrap up the story and make it more powerful as it relates to what the characters do and say. Some people unfortunately do not have the same knowledge background in order to make these deductions, but you cannot simply state that there was no relation at all and assume what I state is blastfamy. I was attempting to configure a philosophical way about using deductive analysis and compare and contrast what you know to what you analyze in literature. If you attend any college under the profession of literature study, you will see these types of documents making sense of what the author's direction could have been. In essence, just by studying it a bit more than the average person, you are showing/demonstrating that you care deeply about understanding the author's mentality and thinking; just by making any attempt at all. I do not appreciate that you feel that by simply using a personal reference, you claim that I am attempting to rewrite something. In fact, it actually personally affects me on many levels that I unfortunately cannot tell you. Please, remember to actually read, look into, absorb who is the one explaining these ideas. Why would this person do this, what is the intent of desiring feedback? It is because I wanted people to expand their horizons about thinking, not about religion. This is only one of the factors involving it. I am very sorry that because you might have been surrounded by religious disagreement that simply because I make a reference to faith that this was my only intention to make. **
You are welcome to share more ideas that you may discover, there is still much to be unraveled in Death Note's various use of symbols.
= Interesting response I received from anonymous guest:
"... You really need to get back on your meds, you know. This is pure gibberish and ranting, and let me start by saying that it pretty clearly states that there is no God in Death Note, besides Shinigami, Light's name in Japanese characters actually means "Moon", linking ideas doesn't mean making everything about Christianity, and the entire concept was more of a "what is justice, really?" type of thing, rather than a religious manga. You don't respect people's beliefs, though you have such a holier than thou personality. You're practically screaming, "Death Note has nothing to do with pure, rational things! No, it's really super religious! It has absolutely everything to do with the bible!" Shouldn't the entire idea of Light playing God offend you, if you're so religious? Didn't they teach in Sunday School that nobody else should try to be God? If you think that Death Note is super-Christian, I'm guessing you're part of the church that burned Harry Potter books for "promoting witchcraft" and spontaneously combusts whenever you walk by a Hot Topic or Spencer's. Seriously, DeviantArt isn't for religious shit you hear at preaching services. Grow up and go attend your church or something, and please take this rambling elsewhere, preferably out of the Death Note section. Thank you for your obnoxious gibberish. Not."
For those of you who have recently enjoyed listening to my philosophy regarding religion, I am sure you might take this response very offensively. I am sorry that at times certain points do not get across very easily to some. But I forgive you, since deducing one's beliefs and practices based on a minor observation I made to extend ideas is not a wise choice to do. Remember, knowledge consists of learning from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. I hope this is a nice lesson for any reader.
Please relate this to what I have written above and compare and contrast the meanings I intended, and what this person seemed to only respond to.
For good intentions only for expanding the minds of others.
© Death Note Tsugumi Ohba 大場 つぐみ + Takeshi Obata 小畑 健
Another interesting concept to remember
Misa's song
Be careful, God is watching.
In a street blacked by night, please link our hands together.
Even if I'm by myself and far away, He can always come find me.
He comes to teach me everything He knows.
Even if I should no longer remember,
He will teach me over and over.
But what should I do once I know everything?
[link]
Problem's with English dubbed: They changed the lyrics into a love song, but the original Japanese was referring to God. How upsetting. (I respect the original Japanese ideals since Ohba was a collaborator for the anime)
How does this better influence how the character's viewed life, and what you know about Christian ideas in reference to human evil, devastation, loss, and consequence of action? Regardless of the religious aspect.
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Comments: 42
Here's my two cents. First Lucifer never thought he was better than god. He thought he was better than man. Case in point Light thought he was better than most of humanity. He also plays the role of Judas as Judas had his feet washed by Jesus and was even a disciple. Light becomes L's sucessor verbally. If the Kira case had not been so public, Light could have closed the case and took over L's spot where he would have been if he was also innocent the whole time.
Next we have mixed signals where the apple could be forbidden fruit but for a long time it was a pomegranate not an apple. In japan the apple means innocence. Light biting the apple means he's chipping away his innocence. This is further proven as Ryuk keeps asking for more and more apples as Light does more evil things. The Shinigami even has it's own apple but it's rotten suggesting he lost his innocence long ago and wants it back. Misa even tried it and said it was dry like sand. Sands of time reference maybe? Oh ewwwww by Ryuk taking the apple taking Light's 'innocence' Ryuk could be raping Light. I suppose he is in a way the whole where Light is effected because of nightmares and ryuk eating his life span.
I always treated it as a bunch of mind sets it's like a mirror of the different mind sets on capital punishment. You have your pro capital punishment and it's varites, you got your it needs to be checked as seen with the task force and L, then you got those that oppose it like Mello and near.
I also got so much into the fandom I dissected Mello's head looking to see if there was more than others thought. Indeed there was for example most people would think Mello just wanted to beat Near. There are lines and actions that show this to not be the case. One such is "I want kira's head" this was changed in the anime to I'll be the best. Next part is where Mello says "I don't underestimate revenge as a motive" to say that means he has to experience it in some form or another. My money would be him avenging L. Next you see he kills whose in Near's group but never Near himself. There was no doubt he would have been able to kill Near anytime but he didn't. Instead he made sure Near made it out and even helps Near out eventually dying in the process.
There are religous undertones as Misa's name means Mass, Light tends to have both judas looking times and mesiah looking in others. There's also the fact Misa wore crosses but as did Mello crosses stitched into his leather as well as the rosary. There is also the fact Lucifer has the translation of Light though there is also Mello's name being an arc angel as well as looking like one. There is also the fact Mello is burned and killed in a church. The next undertone is in the anime light reads something religious. Next like the arc angel Mello's been through hell figuratively. As you see Michael is called to smite everything that has to deal with hell. There is also where Light is as luring as Lucifer could be.
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this is a really good analysis. i caught the slight religious parts of DN, mainly with the crucifixes and demonic/ slight fallen angel look of the shinigami. personally i dont get into religious debates over t.v. shows, but with something like DN it makes almost perfect sense.
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leu, do not misunderstand the comment.it wasn't aimed at you personally or what i thought you was doing, i was making a point and possiblility to how some may see or rather misunderstand you or the creators reasons. it was a comment from a general perspective. i do not always place truths in my theories as they are usually from speculation and from an open mind. i understand that its natual to want to protect and elaborate about something that is very personal to you and that you see is ashame that others may not appreciate creativity in the rightful value it deserves. i was keeping in mind of that comment from an anomonous you shared and thought to myself the reasons behind it. even though i personally don't like those who rely on inappropriate comments or insults for their shortcut to thinking, because they have nothing intelligent to say.. putting aside that simultaniously they fall into these cataguaries, comical, inconsequential , laughable, a fool, i was still keeping in mind of fairness and reasoning and so i came up with this, which i know you well enough to understand and have knowledge. so in a sense its my own response to this person. the difference between christianity and deathnote, is that christianity has its own fundamental design. (to save ones soul) i can see there are parables (short stories, symbolism, doctrine to teach reasoning and how to apply intellegence and form it into wisdom. but how does that differ or abstract the bible. try to understand why i use the word fundamental to describe christianity. the bible is fabricated with the ideals to tell a bigger picture. and to the christian fundamentalist, salvation equals jesus, the foundation of absolute truth.But what shes doing is using biblical references of christianity to describe her own fiction. at the end of the day everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but it doesn't mean their forcing it on another like a form of nazism. (lol) this is not what i'm trying to do. i'm only telling it how it is.
but if one was to try and replace a truth with fiction. i would consider it as replacing a diamond with clay.
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Technically, it is not personal. It is an observation using relative analysis. If it were personal then this would be a form of religious pressing. It is to allow others to look into Death Note in more intellectual ways of theorizing, rather than focus on the individual characters; which many seem to do.E Enough said. Please read the comments bellow, I do not wish to cause repetition to another similar comment I already responded to. I appreciate your theories.
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thankyou. i think its very clever how she was able to link biblical references into her story, and that it 'could' be possible that her intentions was to try and make it familiar with the social fabric and using it to tell a better understanding of good and evil, and how some may misunderstand what is really justice more intellectualy...(which some fictions under the same cataguary may fail to do.) i hope that i had made the intentions of my last two comments more understandable and that from a casual disposition and one who respects and appreciates freedom of speech and fairness, that i was establishing the difference bewteen christianty and deathnote in an analysis to why it isn't a form of religious pressing and that its not what you leu,or the creator had in mind and more importantly is nothing to get upset about! if you can appreciate its creativity, and the analysis may everyone view deathnote, in a better light.
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interesting..to be honest , i've never seen deathnote to be profoundly religious before i just enjoyed the anime. but yes, i was aware of the attemptive analogies in certain scenes and in characters but its common place now and can be easily reconised in most movies or cartoons today, if they have taken an interest in chistianity before. but it cannot replace christianity as in the believe itself because its not like re telling an old story with a new if people may think thats the case. my theory is that the creator (being japanese) included similarities of the western believes because it is the central epic of our culture. she was aware the west would be viewing and will be familiar with biblical terms and its something we're use to. their very clever, the japanese creators, as i've also notice they do this in final fantasy as well. to state the more obvious deductions, in ff7 (aeris in the church not buddist temple) ff8 balamb garden (balamb is a story in the bible) ff9 the lifa tree (like the tree of life in genesis) etc.. so there is no reason to get into a heated arguement, if you can look at it this way, theyre only being representational because they think it would please us.
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When writing this overview, I never intended this to have a "profound" analysis for why it was religious. What you described as your personal opinion towards it was similar to the point from which this overview of mine was created. If you understand it more, you can see that my intention was to link possible ways to observe the anime. It has nothing to do with it being fully a religious aspect, so please to not claim that was my intention. I also believe you were the fist person I spoke to a year ago regarding how I felt towards the symbolism with your high agreements. Shame you do not remember.
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When I started Death Note, I was instantly catching the symbolism of the apple, character roles, among other things. As I researched some more on the story, I recall coming across something where the author's had thought about the apple, and "it just looked cool". I find that somewhat doubtful, as you've made mention of Ohba's religious knowledge. Of course, this analysis is just from a general perspective, and a very good one at that. I enjoyed reading it a lot
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This really lifted the remaining fog about anything I didn't fully understand about the Christianity element of DN. Thank you
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How fascinating.
I did sense some christianity in it.
There was quite an excessive amount of crucifixes in most artwork, right?
But, since I never found myself to be interested in christianity, it was hard to understand.
Thank you for posting this up.
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I was always aware that Death Note had a great deal to do with Christianity, though, having never read the bible, I was unable to fully grasp what was going on, Thank you very much for putting this up.
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You are very welcome. It brings me joy to see readers like yourself desiring to dig deeper into possible ideas as it relates to the real world, and how often many people think.
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Just a quick question. If Light is Lucifer, then what would that make the Task Force? The Whammy's House Kids?
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I should probably also add that Lucifer was very charismatic and initially quite the venerable angel. Personality-wise he is very much like Light who used his cunning and deception to lead other angels in a rebellion against God. Light had also manipulated and corrupted countless others anonymously from a distance but also up-close and personally.
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While I personally don't see specific religious roles assigned to each of the Task Force members or The Whammy's House Kids, I believe that collectively they can be compared certain types of common Biblical figures.
Under L's reign, the Task Force to me seem like examples of righteous people who are nobly risking their lives for a greater cause. For a long period of time, they even believed that their livelihoods were at stake as well. In the Bible, there are many stories that speak of well-intentioned individuals who sacrifice something dearly important to them in order to save someone, or something that they had great faith in. In Death Note, the members of the task force were fighting for a sense of justice not at all unlike one that is preached in Christianity; that no one is above God and that no one has the right to pass judgement over other humans. Not to mention, they were trying to stop Kira, a mass killer from continuing to commit one of the worst mortal sins identified not only in Christianity; murder.
Under Light's command, while the Task Force at first still has complete faith in him, they are unknowingly used as pawns in his greater plan for 'glory.' This can be compared to the many corrupted religious leaders who try to abuse their power and status to lead their flock down wrong paths or who abuse them for their own selfish gain. Some followers become wiser and choose to rebel while others remain as sheep until the moment when their leader's fraudulent ways are revealed.
As for the Whammy Kids, they are comparable to the followers of prophets; as disciples, it is their duty to follow a righteous path and to continue to preach their prophet's teachings long after he is gone. They are led by example but they too, however, have been led astray by means of bribery, the promise of some ulterior gain or for other personal reasons.
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I see. Thank you
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You're welcome. I hope I was making some sense to you, haha.
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I Lol at the comment...
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I am unsure how to respond to that person as well. I will see what I can do. Hah.
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Though I am not a religious person myself, I still can handle listening to similarities and/or ideas that relate to Death Note, christianity, and the bible. Being Athiest doesn't mean hating religion and pointing your middle finger to churches, but simply not believing in any popular theories of our creation, or just not caring to know/ finding importance to it. In my view, we are here, we should be glad for it, and we should carry on creating, building, and growing more intelligent. It embarrasses me when other athiests act like fools and make everyone think we hate religion.
I'm 13, I could care less if you believe in God, or Satan or Allah, as long as you don't strut around acting like a "Light" (Haha, made a connection, reference.. thing- nevermind..) then I'll be fine.
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I do like what you wrote here, it has made me smile. Indeed it matters not what your belief is, but rather the interpretation of why it might have been implied. Just so we can interperate it in a different light. It is always very healthy and advanced to think this way, as a student or just yourself.
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gosh if i was older i would understand this but i cant.....damn myself for being 13....anyways i dont get the linking death note to Christianity...but i shouldn't say much because im not Christian ima a jew and happy....so i post anyways! but back to what i really mean to say is your writing is very well and you dont sound like a 5 year old like me so that's good 
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Hmm... my question was used. It makes me feel kind of special. I enjoyed your philosophies linking Death Note to Christianity. And yes, reading is facinating.
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Pleas take time to look at my other work, I hope that is some way you can come to admire it like many other people have; people just like yourself. : )
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Interesting, I see that you fail to link logic and use it to apply sufficient information to prove things. I hope that you take the time to read the comments that others made, and hopefully you can learn something very new about how to analyze reading. I used to enjoy doing this very much in my studies. I hope to see more artwork from you, I am glad we share the same interests. Have a wonderful day. Ah yes, and I am sorry that you felt a certain way when I posted that comment you made towards me in the description, but I felt that it might help you.
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This reminds me of one of my beliefs, and while it might be slightly off topic, I'd like to share:
I don't think stories should be searched for any religious intents. If the story comes right out and states that it is meant to be religious (such as 'chronicles of narnia') then discussing religion relating to it would be natural; however, I think assuming that many stories contain a religious undertone is not only aggravating, but slightly insulting. Not because the meanings found aren't true, but because they could be untrue, and that distinction is very important, at least to me.
I've had some of my own stories reviewed with 'religious undertones' which makes no sense. I find it offensive when people believe that morals can only come with a Faith.
I am also annoyed when stories are written based off a fairy-tale or a bible story, simply because I can only appreciate original work and it feels like having a large amount of the story based off something is a form of 'cheating.'
On a greater scale, I think that attempting to find a 'deeper meaning' in a story can be a terrible thing to do, if only because I have seen it performed so brutally by teachers and classmates. It appears that people, once they have the idea that there is a theme to be found, ignore the carefully chosen words and solid plotline that might be what is so important. The work should be appreciated as a whole, not torn to shreds to find the 'hidden message' that may or may not have been placed.
As John Green (Well-known published author, among other things) once said, "It is not what the author intends but what the readers take away."
Of course, you respected Death Note during your review. I'm afraid that controvisial issues (including religion) are something that can put me on edge, and I've recently endured a teacher destroying a perfectly good book to find the 'meaning'- and this had caused me quite a bit of worry about my future books. Perhaps it is selfish, but I cannot help empathyzing with the authors.
Simply put, you found two of my many 'weak spots'- things I have a strong opinion on, which normally offends more people then those who agree with it, by a large degree.
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I am afraid you received quite the wrong impression about why I posted this. Sigh. Since is increasingly becoming more difficult for people to understand, let me point out the rather obvious points I am trying to remark.
This is my personal interpretation. I am not stating any facts or claiming that this should represent what I relate it to. I am using references in order to justify what to look for when reading, using analytical processes. It is a college profession to analyze books, you are wrong to say that everyone should have their own opinion and have it be correct. I am not claiming mine are, I am analyzing it based off of a logical deduction given the very, very obvious symbols the author uses. I do know that Ohba was knowledgeable about religion, even if she was not religious herself. It is very clear that because she implied certain things regarding death, the afterlife, sins, etc. into the story they served a purpose to help wrap up the story and make it more powerful as it relates to what the characters do and say. Some people unfortunately do not have the same knowledge background in order to make these deductions, but you cannot simply state that there was no relation at all and assume what I state is blastfamy. I was attempting to configure a philosophical way about using deductive analysis and compare and contrast what you know to what you analyze in literature. If you attend any college under the profession of literature study, you will see these types of documents making sense of what the author's direction could have been. In essence, just by studying it a bit more than the average person, you are showing/demonstrating that you care deeply about understanding the author's mentality and thinking;just by making any attempt at all. I do not appreciate that you feel that by simply using a personal reference, you claim that I am attempting to rewrite something. In fact, it actually personally affects me on many levels that I unfortunately cannot tell you. Please, remember to actually read, look into, absorb who is the one explaining these ideas. Why would this person do this, what is the intent of desiring feedback? It is because I wanted people to expand their horizons about thinking, not about religion. This is only one of the factors involving it. I am very sorry that because you might have been surrounded by religious disagreement that simply because I make a reference to faith that this was my only intention to make. I highly suggest that once you read the last word in this statement, you re read this entire paragraph again in order to fully understand my point. Because you might be able to give me the decency of having justice for what I philosophically wanted to imply. I feel rather personally demoralized, and I expected more from a higher thinker like yourself.
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While I do not entirely agree with some of your arguments, I think that you expressed your stand-point on this subject in a very thorough and sensible way. I greatly respect you for speaking against something that you believe strongly in; I sometimes find myself lacking the courage to do the same.
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It's understandible to not agree with some of my arguments; they are, after all, from my view point, and to expect someone to think they are all correct would be foolish. Your respect is an honor, and I hope that you can find the courage to speak up when you need it.
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This was meant to give the series justice because everyone seems to not be looking strong enough into it in order to make better interpretations. We see this sick, twisted versions of the characters revolving around sexual ideas. I as myself, is this really what Death Note must come to? We cannot simply expand our horizons by discussing the possibilities of what it could mean in a more pure and respectful understanding? I believe that simply because you have a disagreement with the religion, that you have corrupted the logical way of thinking simply about references and theology when understanding something for its greater purpose. I just do not want to see something that had so much work put into it forgotten and only remembered for how many of the fans connect to it in a sexual or visual way. I see all of these painful things every day, how would you feel if your hard work was being compared to an inappropriate idea? This is only an example, but I just wanted people to brainstorm, make connections whatever they may be. Who cares about the religious aspect, it is how you logically make sense and make an argument about how the puzzle fits together. Why the author placed these symbols. To understand what she used these for, regardless of belief or what one should/should not believe. It is how it ties into the real world, people not receiving justice, people having fear of what happens to us when we die. These are all advanced things we could think about, yet that is not exactly how many wish to remember Death Note. I just want it to not die, and be seen to many people as overrated simply because everyone has observed it. I may not make any sense to you, and my intent is to not change your ideas. Just do not accuse me of stating or influencing ideas that I am not. It is just a reference point. Lucifer, God, angels, sins, etc; all of it. They were just pulled from it to recognize there is more to understand about Death Note. Just the fact they were used, not what they mean to the person, But the story.
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I believe that there is some confusion to clear up...
I can easily see the connections between Death Note and religion and wholeheartedly agree with the points you've just made here. I simply wanted to express how I understand why ~futureauthor might feel frustrated in having her stories misinterpreted. I also respect her for voicing her opinion with a maturity that some cannot simply hope to muster when their ideals are offended; I have witnessed many individuals who resort to swearing and blatantly insulting their 'opponents' turning what could have been a more-or-less civilized ethical debate into a disreputable feud.
What I didn't say was that it is inevitable for works of art as well as written works to be interpreted by it's audience. Whether the viewer's interpretation 100% accurately describes the author's original intended message is not of concern so much as whether people are capable of making connections at all.
I do not know if you have also read the first comment I had left, but I believe that it pertains to the entire point you were making about 'fans' using Death Note's characters for their ridiculous sex-themed fanfictions and fanart while completely ignoring the series for its philosophical merits and morals.
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this analysis of yours, Leu. I am also glad that you addressed the importance of appreciating such a profound work as Death Note for its many underlying messages as opposed to only it's artwork or it's characters' designs and personalities. While these elements play an important role in telling an entertaining and engaging story, these characters' have a far more complex purpose than most fans realize.
While I would love to elaborate on your theories by providing my own personal interpretation of the series' symbolic themes, I'm afraid that I will have to save this discussion for another occasion. I thank you for sharing this written piece; hopefully it will entice others to understand the series for it's philosophical merit."
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But you must understand the main topics of any literature contain, Love,Action,War,Mystery,Horror. Its hard for someone to make a book and not have anything that can't be related back to the bible, since it contains all of those things that people write about. Yes it can be stressful when people turn your story into something it is not but its hard to write about something that can't be traced back to some bible reference or story... The best way to combat is to say no I didn't try to base this story off of anything in the bible and leave it at that.. People say otherwise then that's their problem, just write and move on...
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Of course, I agree. There's a basic plotline used for almost every story,
"Main character(S) has a problem (external or internal) goes on a 'journey' and becomes 'stronger' (emotionally, physically...) defeats problem"
So, yes,I understand that most stories can be tied in some way to the bible (intentional or not.) I just don't appreciate or like it.
Of course, my distaste for my works being compared to bible may come from (besides that I did not attempt to do so) that I am not part of that religion (The religion it is compared to the most often, anyways). I put a large amount of thought and my own beliefs in my stories, and to have the parts I intend to be listened to ignored, and the parts that are written for a different purpose are twisted to fit a religion I don't agree with...
I will attempt to move on, though. Thank you for your insight.
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Understand why people think the way they do, otherwise you are denying the rights of everyone to have their own paths to seek self reflection and understanding. Do not hate simply because you do not understand why it may be corrupted; or because you do not understand it. Many Christians display hate against people because they choose to not dig deeper to understand another person; the cause of why they are what they are; why they may do what they do. And you are the same if you simply ignore the existence or usage of how other people think = which is what created religion in the first place. I am attempting to say to you, "yes, you have rights to your beliefs" Yes, you do. I am not ignorant to deny that you feel strongly about your opinion. But simply because I make a reference, you revolve it around what you believe I am influencing. Just by mentioning it. Please, please, please do not limit yourself to what you can accept in people. It is the possibilities, not that it means it should convert people to think in a Christian format. In essence, Ohba might have used these symbols to simply represent how people actually live, because yes, religion does exist. It influences the series' realism. That is just that.
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This was meant to give the series justice because everyone seems to not be looking strong enough into it in order to make better interpretations. We see this sick, twisted versions of the characters revolving around sexual ideas. I as myself, is this really what Death Note must come to? We cannot simply expand our horizons by discussing the possibilities of what it could mean in a more pure and respectful understanding? I believe that simply because you have a disagreement with the religion, that you have corrupted the logical way of thinking simply about references and theology when understanding something for its greater purpose. I just do not want to see something that had so much work put into it forgotten and only remembered for how many of the fans connect to it in a sexual or visual way. I see all of these painful things every day, how would you feel if your hard work was being compared to an inappropriate idea? This is only an example, but I just wanted people to brainstorm, make connections whatever they may be. Who cares about the religious aspect, it is how you logically make sense and make an argument about how the puzzle fits together. Why the author placed these symbols. To understand what she used these for, regardless of belief or what one should/should not believe. It is how it ties into the real world, people not receiving justice, people having fear of what happens to us when we die. These are all advanced things we could think about, yet that is not exactly how many wish to remember Death Note. I just want it to not die, and be seen to many people as overrated simply because everyone has observed it. I may not make any sense to you, and my intent is to not change your ideas. Just do not accuse me of stating or influencing ideas that I am not. It is just a reference point. Lucifer, God, angels, sins, etc; all of it. They were just pulled from it to recognize there is more to understand about Death Note. Just the fact they were used, not what they mean to the person, But the story.
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You do make some good points here; and I must repeat- this is one of the most polite and respectful takes on an author's work that I've seen a while (if no the most respectful.) The s
There are more ways to understand the story then in the sexuel or visual way; I prefer to look at it as a study of people, of behaviors. Light's change from the average schoolboy into the killer- Death Note was aimed, at least in part, to the average schoolboy. Not only that, but they had L willing to let people die, and some of Light's logic (Surrounding killing the criminals) make sense- the crime rate did go down. I looked at it from that stand point, and I do not dare to even consider my way as the right way. And I don't think you are attempting to claim your way of thinking is right either.
My post was meant to revolve around the common practice of interpreting stories (normally to a religious stand point) and then the interperter claiming that the way the have interpreted the story is correct. I've actually seen authors argueing with teachers over the meaning within the author's own story, and the teacher truly believes that they know better then the author about what the author intended.
I believe my distaste for these forms of reviews was mistaken as distaste for your own attempt. I understand that others have the right to attempt to connect stories to the bible, or anything else they want, but I have the right to not like it when they do.
I'm afraid this is likely a topic on which we won't be able to agree.
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this analysis of yours, Leu. I am also glad that you addressed the importance of appreciating such a profound work as Death Note for its many underlying messages as opposed to only it's artwork or it's characters' designs and personalities. While these elements play an important role in telling an entertaining and engaging story, these characters' have a far more complex purpose than most fans realize.
While I would love to elaborate on your theories by providing my own personal interpretation of the series' symbolic themes, I'm afraid that I will have to save this discussion for another occasion. I thank you for sharing this written piece; hopefully it will entice others to understand the series for it's philosophical merit.
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Lol death note and Christianity... Makes sense if people read their bibles.. The tongue speaks life and death.. Now what if someone put that in a book and could carry out the death part. I love anime, so many what if questions... Most of the time anime carries more bible references then one thinks. I'm surprised people attacked you over this... Everything we did or do is in the bible just some people mix and match and combine things to find the right formula to provide a interesting question for others.. Science what would we do without it...
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