Welcome back to my episode-by-episode analysis of Death Note. Today I’ll be going through the most important moments of the second episode “Confrontation.” In it, we’ll meet Light’s antagonist, L, and decide whether or not he truly has what it takes to challenge one of the brightest students in Japan.
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Light, in class, translates some lines that are clearly reflective of his own state of mind. “He found himself overwhelmed with happiness and satisfaction, knowing that at long last his dream had finally come true.” Knowing that this is the second episode, we know that Light’s satisfaction can’t last for long.
On the way home, Ryuk tries talking to Light, who rebuffs him. Whispering under his breath he says he can’t be seen talking in public or he’ll draw attention to himself. There are a few beats this episode that mostly establish what we know from the first episode; Light is smart, considered, and cautious. He knows, and lends weight, to the idea that any small detail could tip off people to his identity. And while talking in public might seem like a small detail, we’ll see the power of small details later in the episode.
At home, Light’s sister, Sayu appears in his room. Light’s sister is not in the series terribly often, but her appearance here expands the universe. Her role is really to give the viewer a rule about Death Note, Shinigami can only be seen by people who’ve touched the Death Note. Anyone who touches a Death Note will gain the ability to see the possessing Shinigami. This prompts Light to travel, knowing he’ll need to take steps to hide the Death Note.
We change perspective by going to the ICPO, a meeting of police operators from across the globe, to discuss a series of deaths. Criminal deaths. By heart attack. This is great pacing, by keeping the police hot on Light’s tail we ensure that the plot does not slow down. While many of the objections are a little bit silly from a realistic point of view, it may pay to keep in mind that Light’s power is a bit like witch powers from Salem. In a modern world, what evidence could prove a supernatural killer?
We get an anchor in the Japanese Chief of Police and a young officer next to him. The whole room goes quiet when someone mentions L. The Chief explains, “He’s solved every case he’s ever taken on and he’s tackled some of the greatest mysteries the world has ever known.” This is Death Note’s favorite technique, lending credence to the weight of characters by means of exposition. This is parallel to when Light tells him he scored first in the Nationwide Exams.
That is to say, that “Confrontation” concerns itself with introducing the rest of the plot. The first episode was focused on Light, and now we need to focus on other things.
A man in an overcoat walks on screen, known as Watari. He introduces L to the ICPO. As it turns out L has already been watching the case.
We take a quick jump back to Light, but it’s really just teasing the next scene.
L says that the deaths are a murder spree and that whoever is behind them is an unforgivable criminal. He says that the ICPO’s cooperation will be important and then singles out the Japanese Police, explaining why we’ve been anchored to the Chief. This is more foreshadowing for later scenes.
Light, worrying about the Death Note being discovered, has made a trap. He keeps the notebook in a drawer holding a journal. However, the note is underneath a false bottom that can only be opened in a specific, though mundane and non-obvious way. There’s a fascination in small details, and the specificity of which Death Note writes these scenes is a magic all its own. Light was already smart, but the intensity of small details may as well be another argument for the Anime’s power. Just when you think you know what’s happening it goes beyond that. It’s a bit of a reverse Sherlock, where you aren’t solving cases, but hypotheticals.
The next scene begins to show civilians in Kanto. There is overlaid dialogue meant to represent them, gossiping about “Him” and “Kira.” Light explains to Ryuk that there are websites and people who know about Light’s actions. Kira is the name that they have given to him and he seems to accept it. Light then offers a justification of his actions so far. If I was a bigger scholar in the field of social psychology I would likely have a term or name for what Light offers. He says that if you ask someone point blank what the right action is, they’ll give the socially accepted answer instead of how they really feel.
It’s important to mention that as an American I am not personally positive of how much impact Japanese culture has on some of these viewpoints. What is important is that Death Note presents them in a universally appreciable way.
“You think I’m Evil?” L’s face adopts an iconic grin. “I am justice, I protect the innocent and those who fear Evil. I am the one who will become the God of a New World that everyone desires. All who would oppose that God, they are the ones who are truly evil.”
Light lays down his morality with this statement and he writes Lind L. Tailor’s name in the Death Note. As he has his heart attack, Light sneers at the TV. “This could have been a lot more interesting if only you were a little smarter.”
As Lind L. Tailor is dragged off screen we see the L overlay pop up on TV. “I never thought it would actually happen. Kira, it seems that you can kill people without having to be there in person.”
This, as we know, is the real L. Not only does he seem to have confirmed that Kira is a telepathic killer, he lets him know that the “worldwide” broadcast was actually a staggered broadcast, currently only being shown in Kanto. L sums up how he came to believe that was the case and how he was going to prove it in a series that hammers in the fact that small details matter in the world of Death Note and that the show is a lot smarter than us viewers at home.
Ryuk explains what is going to be the major plot conflict for the show. “Each of them has to hunt down the other without knowing each other’s name or face and the first one whose identity is revealed will die.”
“L…”
“Kira…”
“I will hunt you down wherever you’re hiding and I will eliminate you.”
“I am-“
“I am-“
“Justice!”
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