Key Takeaways:
– The series “Death Note” was always about the protagonist, Light, not L.
– Death Note author, Tsugumi Ohba, reluctantly revealed that L's death was a narrative necessity.
– L's death allowed for the introduction of two new characters, Near and Mello, who embody the essence of L.
– Ohba and the editorial team had to grapple with moving the storyline forward after losing a fan-favorite character.
Unveiling the True Focus of Death Note
The thrilling anime series “Death Note” has kept fans on tenterhooks at every turn of the page and click of the mouse. Audiences have been immersed in the suspense-filled narrative from the onset, each episode capable of seizing their attention at any given moment. However, the intrigue only heightened when a shocking revelation came to light – the true focus was always meant to be on Light, not L.
Lights, Camera, Action on Light
The unanticipated twists and turns that send aficionados reeling sprouted from the intricate details within each frame and every page. From leading roles like Misa and Light to even the seemingly insignificant characters, each element was meticulously crafted to captivate fans. However, the event that blindsided all was the death of fan favorite, L.
Rationale Behind the Unforeseen Departure
L's character, once deemed indispensable, succumbed to an unexpected death. This choice wasn't made lightly by the editorial team. After the story reached a climax with Misa's capture, the editors unanimously agreed that L's death was the necessary next step, despite their reluctance.
In an interview, Tsugumi Ohba, the ideator behind the series, shed some light on the thinking behind this shocking decision. He explained that while L figured heavily in the series, he was never intended to make it to the finish line. Light's story was the central focus, highlighting his internal moral battleground, messiah complex, and his purifying mission to cleanse the world, similar to the demigod Thanos. In order to continue Light's narrative, L's departure was necessary.
Filling the Void Left by L
Recognizing that L's departure would leave a gaping hole in the narrative, author Tsugumi Ohba decided to introduce two characters – Near and Mello – to fill the void. Replacing L with only one character would have eventually turned that character into another L. Therefore, to maintain variety and refresh the story, Ohba split L's personality and abilities between Near and Mello to create a tripartite battle among them and Light.
Journeying Forward Without L
To prevent stagnation and a repetitive storyline, two characters were introduced to create a dynamic storyline. Tsugumi Ohba assigned the character designs to his collaborator, Takeshi Obata. The aim was to ensure that Near and Mello did not just mirror L, but took on independent identities that embodied the values of L in diverse ways.
Highlighting L's formidable legacy, Ohba said that his new characters were not allowed to drift too far from L's essence. Despite the initial shock of L's death, fans of “Death Note” can comfort themselves knowing that L's spirit lives on in Near and Mello.
For those yet to dive into the complex world of “Death Note”, or those who wish to revisit it, the series is readily available to watch on Netflix. The journey of Light continues on, with new challenges to face and opponents to overcome. The thrilling narrative woven by Ohba will keep your eyes glued to the screen – one episode at a time.
