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| “ | This world is rotten, and those who are making it rot deserve to die. Someone has to do it, so why not me? Even if it means sacrificing my own mind and soul, it's worth it. Because the world... can't go on like this. I wonder... what if someone else had picked up this notebook? Is there anyone out there other than me who'd be willing to eliminate the vermin from the world? If I don't do it, then who will? That's just it: there's no one. But I can do it. In fact, I'm the only one who can. I'll do it. Using the Death Note, I'll change the world. | „ |
| ~ Light Yagami after aquiring the Death Note. |
Light Yagami, also reputed as Kira, is the main protagonist of the Japanese supernatural thriller anime/manga franchise Death Note.
He's initially introduced as a highly intelligent, morally sound, and ambitious high school student with a sense of justice. Light later discovers the Death Note, a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, after it is dropped into the mortal realm by the Shinigami named Ryuk. Using this power, he embarks on a mission to create a utopian "new world" free of criminals in which he will rule as God, punishing them with death.
As the story progresses, Light becomes increasingly corrupted by the power bestowed upon him. It becomes clear over time that his "noble" intentions are little more than a mask for his megalomania and god complex, as he kills many innocent people while continuing to view himself as a savior destined to mold a "pure" world. He ends up developing a cult-like following among his supporters, though he views them as little more than pawns.
The series also charts his cat-and-mouse game with the detective L Lawliet and later his successors, as well as the Japanese Task Force (led by L), whom are all trying to put an end to his murder spree - the team also includes Light's father, Soichiro Yagami. Ultimately, Light is cornered by them, exposed for the maniac that he is, and killed by Ryuk using the Death Note.
In the anime, Light was voiced by Mamoru Miyano in the Japanese version. He was voiced by Brad Swaile in the English dubbed version.
What Makes Him a Shonen Villain?[]
- Villainous/Anti-Villainous: Light commits mass murder using the Death Note, eliminating criminals under the justification of creating a "better world." However, his methods are ruthless and not justified by this due to his selfish motivations, and he even kills innocent people who get in his way, such as FBI agents and his own allies like Kiyomi Takada.
- Powerful/Skillful: He is extremely skilled at manipulating people, strategizing, and covering his tracks. He outwits multiple law enforcement agencies, including L and Near. He also possesses the Death Note, which is an exceptionally powerful item that can kill people instantly and even alter their decision making, effectively making him a God-like ruler by his own claim.
- Power-Hungry: Light begins by wanting to rid the world of crime, but over time, he becomes obsessed with his deity-like power. He even refers to himself as the "God of the New World," and his "noble" goals are nothing more than a self-delusion to justify his lust for power and tyranny.
- Pursues a Big-End Goal: His goal is to create a "utopian" world where he is the supreme ruler, deciding who lives and dies. He believes that he is changing a rotten world entirely.
- Arrogant: Light sees himself as vastly superior to others. He frequently underestimates his opponents and believes himself untouchable, which ultimately leads to his downfall. He is also a massive hypocrite and morally deluded, but his arrogance makes it so that he cannot recognize it.
- Intelligent: Light is a genius at the top of his class, and he is consistently outmaneuvering world-class detectives. He deduces people's identities with little information and orchestrates many schemes to avoid getting caught while furthering his plans.
- Cold-Hearted/Ruthless: He kills tons of both criminal and innocent people without a second thought, and later manipulates his devoted followers into sacrificing themselves with no regard for their humanity.
- Short-Tempered: He has lost his temper and composure at times, especially his breakdown towards the end of the series where he erupts into a delusional rant towards Near and berates everyone for stopping him.
- Laughably Evil: He has some laughable moments, such as his confusion over Misa Amane's obsessive behavior.
- Psychopathic: He completely lacks empathy, manipulates even those who love him, and is very charming and charismatic.
- Narcissistic: Light constantly refers to himself as a god and believes he alone has the right to decide justice and rule the world.
- Has a Sinister Laugh: His final, unhinged laugh after being exposed is iconic.
- Sadistic: He enjoys the taxing intellectual battle with L and takes pleasure in the fear and suffering of those he eliminates, even those who were loyal to him.
- Freudian Excuse: He was once a normal and good person that became tempted by the Death Note's power. While it's his responsibility not to wield it for evil, he would not have turned out the same way if it was never aquired, and he started off with seemingly noble goals.
- Has Incompetent Minions: His followers, like Teru Mikami and Misa, make foolish mistakes that contribute to his downfall and often foil his intended strategies.
- Serves as a Foil to the Hero/Protagonist: Light is a direct foil to L, who is also highly intelligent and strategic, but values justice rather than murder, does not delude himself in the way that Light does, and maintains a sense of humility.
- Bloodthirsty: He has no issue killing innocent people and even kills for convenience or amusement.
- Is a Dark Lord: Light’s identity as Kira inspires a massive cult-like following worldwide. Many people start worshipping him as a Dark Messiah, and some even kill in his name.
- Has Black Air Force Energy: His actions show a blatant disregard for other people and established rules, including outplaying law enforcement to betraying his own allies; he demonstrates a completely callous mentality and kills thousands.
- Immature: His delusional behavior and temper tantrums (especially when he loses) show that he is very smug and immature, and that he cannot take criticism. In his final moments, he pathetically begs Ryuk to kill the police agents sent after him just so he could be spared, which culminates in him having a nasty breakdown where he repeatedly screams that he doesn't want to die of a heart attack.
External Links[]
- Light Yagami on the Death Note Wiki
- Light Yagami on the Villains Wiki
- Light Yagami on the Moral Ranking Wiki
- Kira (Manga) on the Pure Evil Wiki
- Kira (Anime) on the Near Pure Evil Wiki
- Amnesiac Light on the Inconsistently Admirable Wiki
- Light Yagami on the Ultimate Evil Wiki
- Light Yagami on the Entertainingly Detestable Wiki
- Light Yagami on the Conflicting Good Wiki
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