Anime Review: Death Note Vol. 3
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Gretchen Lee
Gretchen is an anime junkie who spends far too much time reading manga and searching for that elusive new favorite series. She lives with her cat, and raises tomato trees. By Gretchen Lee
Published on 02/24/2008
Volume 3 brings a new sense of urgency with the introduction of a couple new characters and further development of the Kira case...
A killer playing an innocent playing a killer
Volume 3 brings a new sense of urgency with the introduction of a couple new characters and further development of the Kira case. The appearance of a copycat killer reveals more about those involved in the investigation and further complicates Light's precarious position. While the series has been interesting from the start, several turning points and revelations in this volume bring the story to a whole new level.
University proves more interesting than Light ever bargained for when another freshman, who also scored top marks on his entrance exam, introduces himself as none other than L. The declaration sends Light into a flurried spiral of speculation. Is this strange young man really L? Is it a trick to get him to let something slip? Light concludes that his new classmate is indeed the famous detective, which leads him into a whole other world of doing his best to divert suspicion. Each attempt at appearing innocent sends up another red flag for L, who invites Light to assist with the investigation. Just as L begins to get a handle on his suspicions about Light, a copycat with powers even greater than Light's threatens to wreck the investigation and blow Kira's cover.
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." Newton may have been talking about the laws of motion, but his third law is just as relevant to Death Note. Light is still paying for the death of Ray Pember, and the suspicion that he's drawn to himself with that one mistake might very well be his downfall. Ray's intended is still missing, but thanks to Light's handiwork with the Death Note, her body will never be found. L focuses his considerable energy on Light, who deftly evades his provocations and attempts at entrapment. L and Light are so similar, it will be difficult for either to catch up with the other, but it certainly is fascinating to watch them try.
The appearance of the copycat, however, might be the push they each need to get the upper hand. This new Kira is sloppy, and reveals much to Light and L. For Light, the copycat Kira is a liability, capable of spilling his secret without ever meeting him in person. The copycat presents a unique challenge for Light: This other Kira might be used to his advantage, and yet their senseless killing of innocents violates Light's original motivation to use the Death Note. To L, a second Kira might provide that crucial piece of the puzzle that has been eluding him all this time. Either way, I can't wait to see what happens when they eventually make contact.
News media plays a large part in this volume. Death Note portrays the media at its worst, when the copycat Kira holds a television station hostage. Unfortunately, the producer uses the situation to the station's advantage in an attempt to drive up ratings. The copycat Kira's contact with the media has the unexpected result of building the characterization of the remaining detectives in the investigation, and deepening the trust between L and the police.
Death Note doesn't waste a moment. Everything happens for a reason, even though it might take a while for the purpose to become apparent. The mind games between Light and L remain fresh, and the tightwire act Light is trying to pull is made all the more interesting with unexpected family emergencies and the appearance of the copycat killer. I have to think about Death Note. The meaty story provides more than just an entertaining diversion, and I find myself considering this angle or that plot point long after it's over. This series is on my wish-list of purchases, and recently I've been eying the manga...
Details: Runtime 100 minutes, contains episodes 9-12. Extras include a behind-the-scenes segment featuring an interview and recording sessions with Ryuk's English voice actor, production art, commentary for episode 11, and some manga trailers. The case has a reversible cover, and some fun artwork included in the liner notes.
University proves more interesting than Light ever bargained for when another freshman, who also scored top marks on his entrance exam, introduces himself as none other than L. The declaration sends Light into a flurried spiral of speculation. Is this strange young man really L? Is it a trick to get him to let something slip? Light concludes that his new classmate is indeed the famous detective, which leads him into a whole other world of doing his best to divert suspicion. Each attempt at appearing innocent sends up another red flag for L, who invites Light to assist with the investigation. Just as L begins to get a handle on his suspicions about Light, a copycat with powers even greater than Light's threatens to wreck the investigation and blow Kira's cover.
"Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." Newton may have been talking about the laws of motion, but his third law is just as relevant to Death Note. Light is still paying for the death of Ray Pember, and the suspicion that he's drawn to himself with that one mistake might very well be his downfall. Ray's intended is still missing, but thanks to Light's handiwork with the Death Note, her body will never be found. L focuses his considerable energy on Light, who deftly evades his provocations and attempts at entrapment. L and Light are so similar, it will be difficult for either to catch up with the other, but it certainly is fascinating to watch them try.
The appearance of the copycat, however, might be the push they each need to get the upper hand. This new Kira is sloppy, and reveals much to Light and L. For Light, the copycat Kira is a liability, capable of spilling his secret without ever meeting him in person. The copycat presents a unique challenge for Light: This other Kira might be used to his advantage, and yet their senseless killing of innocents violates Light's original motivation to use the Death Note. To L, a second Kira might provide that crucial piece of the puzzle that has been eluding him all this time. Either way, I can't wait to see what happens when they eventually make contact.
News media plays a large part in this volume. Death Note portrays the media at its worst, when the copycat Kira holds a television station hostage. Unfortunately, the producer uses the situation to the station's advantage in an attempt to drive up ratings. The copycat Kira's contact with the media has the unexpected result of building the characterization of the remaining detectives in the investigation, and deepening the trust between L and the police.
Death Note doesn't waste a moment. Everything happens for a reason, even though it might take a while for the purpose to become apparent. The mind games between Light and L remain fresh, and the tightwire act Light is trying to pull is made all the more interesting with unexpected family emergencies and the appearance of the copycat killer. I have to think about Death Note. The meaty story provides more than just an entertaining diversion, and I find myself considering this angle or that plot point long after it's over. This series is on my wish-list of purchases, and recently I've been eying the manga...
Details: Runtime 100 minutes, contains episodes 9-12. Extras include a behind-the-scenes segment featuring an interview and recording sessions with Ryuk's English voice actor, production art, commentary for episode 11, and some manga trailers. The case has a reversible cover, and some fun artwork included in the liner notes.