A game of cat and cat

// Synopsis: Light is a bored, disaffected high school student who is disgusted by all of the violence and evil in the world. One day he happens upon a strange notebook that says that whoever’s name is written in it will die. When it works he decides to change the world by entering the names of criminals. In response, the world’s greatest detective named L plays a dangerous game to bring to justice the killer known to the public as Kira.

// Review: Not since Full Metal Alchemist have I watched an anime series where I couldn’t stop watching no matter how late it was. The premise sounded silly and I was pretty skeptical. During the first episode when we first meet Light I thought, “I hope this guy isn’t the protagonist because he’s a real douche.” It turns out that he’s not only a class A D-bag, but also a cold blooded, brilliant, arrogant diabolical villain.

/ Even though only criminals are being targeted, the world governments decide to call in L to stop this “Kira.” L is a genius with extraordinary deductive and observational skills. He quickly narrows the list of suspects down to Light. Light begins to systematically kill everyone investigating Kira, but L is by far his greatest threat, except he can’t kill him because he doesn’t know L’s true name. In an attempt to keep your enemies closer L brings Light into the investigative team, and the rest of the series is intricate cat and mouse awesomeness.

/ Light was a fantastic villain. He quickly develops a god complex but doesn’t get distracted by the power. You hate him because he’s willing to use and kill anyone, but you also have to admire his meticulous planning, forethought, and intelligence. Once the rules of the death note have been revealed everything that happens is plausible, and you don’t have to recalibrate your suspension of belief.

/ I was instantly reminded of Infernal Affairs and The Departed as L and Light were trying to smoke each other out, only way better. It was exceptional writing to create a scenario where both of them could be out to get each other and yet be in the same room working together no less. I honestly had no idea what was going to happen next, and as each gambit played out I was just more impressed with each character. And once I thought it was in danger of becoming a little strung out, the story is completely turned on its head.

// Wrap up: This isn’t some bizarre sci-fi/fantasy anime. The death note is the one supernatural element and the rest plays out like a thrilling cop drama that’s a chess match between good guy and bad.

Entertainment rating: 5