r/anime • u/Holofan4life • 14d ago
Rewatch [Spoilers] Death Note 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 2 Spoiler
Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.
Welcome to the Death Note 20th anniversary rewatch discussion thread!
I hope you all have a lot of fun <3
Episode 2
Confrontation
—-
ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)
What are your thoughts on L and him being established as the person who's going to take Light on?
What are your thoughts on the L decoy where L tricked Light into giving people a better sense of where he lives?
—-
Series information
—-
Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or past the LNs or mangas out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs or mangas. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!
—-
Ways to watch
Streams – Netflix
Schedule
| Date | Episode |
|---|---|
| 10/04/2026 | Death Note Episode 1 |
| 10/05/2026 | [Death Note Episode 2]() |
| 10/06/2026 | [Death Note Episode 3]() |
| 10/07/2026 | [Death Note Episode 4]() |
| 10/08/2026 | [Death Note Episode 5]() |
| 10/09/2026 | [Death Note Episode 6]() |
| 10/10/2026 | [Death Note Episode 7]() |
| 10/11/2026 | [Death Note Episode 8]() |
| 10/12/2026 | [Death Note Episode 9]() |
| 10/13/2026 | [Death Note Episode 10]() |
| 10/14/2026 | [Death Note Episode 11]() |
| 10/15/2026 | [Death Note Episode 12]() |
| 10/16/2026 | [Death Note Episode 13]() |
| 10/17/2026 | [Death Note Episode 14]() |
| 10/18/2026 | [Death Note Episode 15]() |
| 10/19/2026 | [Death Note Episode 16]() |
| 10/20/2026 | [Death Note Episode 17]() |
| 10/21/2026 | [Death Note Episode 18]() |
| 10/22/2026 | [Death Note Episode 19]() |
| 10/23/2026 | [Death Note Episode 20]() |
| 10/24/2026 | [Death Note Episode 21]() |
| 10/25/2026 | [Death Note Episode 22]() |
| 10/26/2026 | [Death Note Episode 23]() |
| 10/27/2026 | [Death Note Episode 24]() |
| 10/28/2026 | [Death Note Episode 25]() |
| 10/29/2026 | [Death Note Episode 26]() |
| 10/31/2026 | [Death Note Episode 27]() |
| 11/01/2026 | [Death Note Episode 28]() |
| 11/02/2026 | [Death Note Episode 29]() |
| 11/02/2026 | [Death Note Episode 30]() |
| 11/03/2026 | [Death Note Episode 31]() |
| 11/04/2026 | [Death Note Episode 32]() |
| 11/05/2026 | [Death Note Episode 33]() |
| 11/06/2026 | [Death Note Episode 34]() |
| 11/07/2026 | [Death Note Episode 35]() |
| 11/08/2026 | [Death Note Episode 36]() |
| 11/09/2026 | [Death Note Episode 37]() |
| 11/10/2026 | [Death Note Overall Series Discussion Thread]() |
3
u/awesomenessofme1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/kta_99 14d ago
I didn't notice this when watching the first episode, but the split screen over a black background that this has done a few times is extremely uncommon in anime. I don't necessarily want to say I've never seen it anywhere else, but I can't think of any examples off the top of my head.
I wouldn't even call this a nitpick, much less a criticism, but that voice changer on L really does not do a great job. If you know what he sounds like, it's extremely easy to hear his voice in it.
The whole Lind L. Tailor sequence is really where the story begins. As soon as I heard those first few notes of L's Theme playing, it was like I was right back in 2024 watching raptly for the first time. It's just done perfectly. There's just enough setup and it goes by quickly enough that you don't question the scenario at first. Light starts off collected and in control, but then he gets his ego pricked. We've already established that he believes in his own benevolence and is extremely driven by pride, plus he wants to be known anyway, so obviously he kills him even if it's not the smartest thing to do. But then the pull back and reveal: L has already started putting things together and left Light on the backfoot. It's an intellectual battle maybe not of equals, but at least on the same playing field. And finally we leave off with the implication that L, while probably better than Light, isn't exactly squeaky clean either and both of them have their own personal motivations for the fight. A lot of people talk about a "three episode rule", but to be honest, I think if you're not hooked at this point, it's probably not going to change. (I do think that it does get better after this, but I'm talking about general taste.)
2
u/awesomenessofme1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/kta_99 14d ago
One thing I almost forgot about that just seems like a blatant plot hole. It's mentioned that the reason L suspected Kira is in Japan is because the first person who was killed was a much lesser criminal who was only known locally. But didn't that guy murder multiple people? One of the victims mentioned in this episode only committed armed robbery.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
Yeah, you would think a murderer let alone a serial killer wouldn't just be local news. That effects the community at large.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
The thing that fascinates me is that there doesn't seem to be a traditional good guy and bad guy. Light and L both have their reasons for doing what they're doing, and you can understand why they believe what they do.
1
u/IndependentMacaroon 8d ago
the split screen over a black background that this has done a few times is extremely uncommon in anime
With how dominant dialogue is in the story, they had to up the creativity in the direction and absolutely succeeded in my opinion. There's that, all the blue/red contrasts and blacked out backgrounds, slow-motion moments, ...
2
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
Hey, guys. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the 20th anniversary rewatch of Death Note.
Names need not be written down.
Very few anime transend the medium it is a part of. One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Speed Racer. Those are really the four where even non anime fans know of it. I would argue there was a point in time where Death Note was like this as well where even if you weren’t an anime fan, you knew what Death Note was.
I of course have experienced Death Note through various memes and the like. I even remember checking out a Treehouse of Horror episode of The Simpsons specifically because they parodied Death Note, and I’m not even a modern Simpsons watcher. But despite being familiar with the show for the better part of almost 15 years, I’ve never actually seen Death Note. It’s just one of those things that escaped me.
I’ve heard Death Note is notorious for having a dip in quality. That with the conclusion of part 1, the show isn’t as good as when it started. This rewatch is less a matter of deciding if the show iw good or not and more is part 2 really as bad as it reputation suggests. My prediction will be no but it’ll be a show that goes from 9 out of 10 to 8 out of 10.
Death Note was at one point arguably the most mainstream anime in the entire world. And so it’s time we revisit what I’m sure got many people into anime.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I’m watching the dub, by the way. Because potato chips.
I'm actually eating chips as I watch this :D
A recap of the last episode
Well, that killed a minute
At school now
"Sir, this is algebra"
Ryuk looks like a pet lol
Ryuk following Light around
Ryuk casting shade at Light
Light at home writing names down
Ryuk looking to be drawn like one of your French girls.
Only a limited number of time to write names down.
Oh, Light has a sister. Interesting.
If anyone touches the Death Note, they can see Ryuk too.
The ICPO
They are discussing the recent increase in deaths.
This guy looks like Adolf
They are suspecting this is all an elaborate murder plot.
Gotta bring in L
I assume it's not short for Light
He's solved every case he has taken on.
The only man who can ever contact L
A computer with an L logo
This gives me Anonymous vibes
Light and Ryuk are in an abandoned house.
Did Light set the book on fire?
L says this case requires the whole cooperation of the ICPO.
L suspects the person behind this is Japanese.
As such, he wants to set the headquarters in Japan.
Ah, okay. Light didn't destroy the notebook.
He created a fake bottom to hide the Death Note.
And if need be, the Death Note can be destroyed and set on fire.
Sugoi, Light
Light says this actually protects him.
People walking
A lot of talks of the recent deaths
The legend of Kira the savior
Light has slowly developed his own fandom.
You know, like Arthur Fleck
Support for Kira is glowing on the Internet.
They are happy to see criminals being killed.
Ooh, a broadcast of the ICPO
Lind L Tailor
Lots of Ls going on
Oh shit. This is L.
He's showing his face now just for this case.
Gonna bring Kira to justice
So, now that Light knows his name, what's stopping Light from writing Lind in the Death Note? The thrill of the chase?
Kira says what Light is doing right now is evil.
And so Light is writing his name in the book.
And he has a heart attack
That was a fake L :O
THAT WAS A FAKE L
Okay that's fucking awesome
An inmate who's execution was scheduled for today.
L is playing 4D chess
This suddenly is a game of cat and mouse. And Ryuk is here for the apples.
The broadcast is also regional so they know where Light is.
We're seeing bits of L but not his face.
L promises to sentence Kira to death.
Well, consider me hooked
Light is ready for the challenge
"Humans are so much fun."
Overall, this was a great episode. We establish L as a challenge and now we have a conflict where L is going to try to capture Light. That moment with thr fake L was so well done and totally got me watching it. It makes sense for L to hide his identity when the whole thing with the Death Note is you have to know the person's name. I can see this suddenly becoming a race against time where ad L tries to find Light, Light tries to find out who L actually is.
This was better than the last episode. It started slow, but got really going once L showed up. I think this promises to have a lot of excitement on our hands.
2
u/Second_Cour 14d ago
It's important to note that it didn't really make sense for L to hide his identity, given it's an impossible scenario in an equivelent world to our own (which Death Note purports to be). To every other detective, the concept that the killings require some supernatural criteria is beyond their comprehension. Yet, L designed a specific scenario to isolate multiple variables and test them. It's likely he didn't believe that it was possible himself, but also wouldn't be able to come up with an alternate theory.
By providing a 'fall-guy', the outcome could well have been that eventually he gets killed later on in a 'scientific way' now that the killer has the name and face. Of course he wasn't willing to show his own face and become the target. Yet, from the experiment, L was able to come up with the specific criteria required to commit the killing.
He knew the why for the killings, but not the HOW, WHAT, and WHERE. Through this experiment he established the WHERE (Killer is in the region the show aired) as well as the WHAT (to an extent)
2
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
But also Light has shown to be quite impulsive and reactionary, as evidenced by this episode.
2
u/Second_Cour 14d ago
That has nothing to do with what either of us said haha
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I'm trying to argue why L might want to hide his identity. So, it's somewhat related lol
2
u/Second_Cour 14d ago
Yeah I was making a note that what L did is far more impressive. Of course, to us, it makes sense he needs to hide his identity, but it's not like L knew the method, thus he set up a multi-pronged trap to establish so much information.
I'd say that the show is almost moving too fast, with the killings already up to so many, that it's an international crisis, and the detective knowing so much information about an impossible method. In my memory it took way longer to get to that stage, but that was 20 years back. Really curious how they keep the intensity of the thriller going.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I think a good indicator on how fast a show is moving is based on the amount of questions I ask. Here, it's like 8 I believe. That tells me they really focused on introducing L as a character and had that be the main priority.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
What are your thoughts on L and him being established as the person who's going to take Light on?
I like this because it instantly creates stakes. It's all about one trying to catch the other.
What are your thoughts on the L decoy where L tricked Light into giving people a better sense of where he lives?
This hooked me into the show. I love how there's someone who can match wits with Light. It's more interesting this way.
2
u/Hartzilla2007 14d ago
First Timer
So basically Light gets his alias from internet randos and then walks into a trap because he’s up his own ass when he isn’t making convoluted security systems that as noted elsewhere would raid additional questions. Meanwhile L is Grand Admiral Thrawnng it, while Ryuk is investing in popcorn futures.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
Thoughts on Ryuk accompanying Light to school?
Thoughts on Light having a sister?
Thoughts on the ICPO?
What are your thoughts on L remaining anonymous?
Thoughts on Light creating a fake bottom to hide the Death Note?
Thoughts on Light being known online as Kira?
What are your thoughts on Light developing his own fandom from people who agree with him killing criminals?
What are your thoughts on L promising to send Kira to death?
2
u/LegitimateAppeal5654 14d ago
L is such a sick character who really gives Light such a hard time, they’re like two sides on the same coin!
1
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
Thoughts on Ryuk accompanying Light to school?
Thoughts on Light having a sister?
Thoughts on the ICPO?
What are your thoughts on L remaining anonymous?
Thoughts on Light creating a fake bottom to hide the Death Note?
Thoughts on Light being known online as Kira?
What are your thoughts on Light developing his own fandom from people who agree with him killing criminals?
What are your thoughts on L promising to send Kira to death?
2
u/LegitimateAppeal5654 13d ago
I think it was funny that he went to his school and pretending like everything wasn’t suspicious lol, I think it’s great light has a sister but she had such a sad ending! The Icpo was cool but they all went downhill I feel like when L died because Light could not replace L and imo was getting more obvious that he was Kira. And L remaining anonymous is honestly what makes his character because of how mysterious he was. Light is such a smart character because of doing that, another reason why he gotten away with it for so long! I honestly feel in the middle with it (if you’re talking about if he’d be known as Kira online in the show) because it’d be sad for his mother and sister, but it would let the world know who it was and gives a better explanation. If you’re talking about irl online, I think it’s cool and funny because people make jokes about him being Kira and there’s a whole discussion with just him being Kira. Light developing a whole fandom is so realistic, I find it crazy. Like yes I agree evil people who do horrible things deserve to honestly go but he was going too far and how Light is as a person is just horrible. L promising Kira death is such a foreshadowing moment, I love how even in death he was right!
1
u/Holofan4life 13d ago
At this point, I don't know if I want Light to get caught because of the thrill of the chase.
2
u/ItalianQuagsire 12d ago
wow this episode goes really hard holy shit im sold, im actually hooked
What are your thoughts on L and him being established as the person who's going to take Light on?
not gonna lie im 100% on board this aura farm moment of L deducing all that, holy hell
What are your thoughts on the L decoy where L tricked Light into giving people a better sense of where he lives?
IT'S SO GOOD but also L basically just did what Light does and guinea pigged a guy to be killed
---
Poetically timed translation
Just sitting there in class
God complex
Of course there's a Little sister
L is aura farming
Ryuk is glazing light
LOL
I'm a kira
When anonymous kill everyone, true
Light is going crazy thinking he won't be caught
He just killed a guy a random guy lol
L has so much aura
C'mon kill me LOL
oh fuck that's so smart broadcasting in Kanto
Holy shit L is good
2
u/Holofan4life 12d ago
I really like that there's someone who can match wits with Light. It makes things far more interesting.
2
u/ItalianQuagsire 12d ago
them both started with L is confusing me though lol
Lightweights v Lightweights
2
2
u/Holofan4life 12d ago
Thoughts on Ryuk accompanying Light to school?
Thoughts on Light having a sister?
Thoughts on the ICPO?
What are your thoughts on Light remaining anonymous?
Thoughts on Light creating a fake bottom to hide the Death Note?
Thoughts on Light being known online as Kira?
What are your thoughts on Light developing his own fandom from people who agree with him killing criminals?
What are your thoughts on L promising to send Kira to death?
2
u/ItalianQuagsire 12d ago
Thoughts on Ryuk accompanying Light to school?
i'm really liking Ryuk he's just a chill nightmare fuel monster
Thoughts on Light having a sister?
i was like really? then i realized... yeah ofc there would be an imouto
What are your thoughts on Light remaining anonymous?
bro uses a VPN
Thoughts on Light creating a fake bottom to hide the Death Note?
really paranoid, but after seeing L, really smart
Thoughts on Light being known online as Kira?
actually got me to laugh, HE'S A KIRAA
What are your thoughts on L promising to send Kira to death?
not sure about L wanting to kill Kira, but im not a fan of light attempting to kill L, he developed his god complex way too early imo to be killing otherwise innocent detectives
2
u/Holofan4life 12d ago
Ryuk is Light's emotional support serial killer companion.
It's hard to feel sympathy for Light given how quickly he went all in on this.
2
u/Holofan4life 12d ago
It's not just that L used a decoy. But the fact he was able to successfully deduce what region Light was living in was all kinds of hype.
2
u/ItalianQuagsire 12d ago
it actually got me so hyped when L found all that out, it was hella logical and SO smart
2
u/Holofan4life 12d ago
I made this comparison elsewhere, but it reminds me of Mad magazine and Spy Vs Spy and how part of the enjoyment of that is seeing how they were gonna reverse Uno each other.
2
u/ItalianQuagsire 10d ago
it's like a bit where it constantly reveals and escaltes, it's a really entertaining watch so far
2
u/Holofan4life 10d ago
It never slows down and just when you think it's gonna slow down, it only ratchets up another notch.
1
u/Second_Cour 14d ago
Rewatch, Dub
I do have to reinforce that Light becoming this antihero who has already decided that he is God, does seem too extreme. I think him getting to that point is absolutely acceptable and believable, but going from a model student, and good family member to this diabolical in such a short time feels like a stretch. I think his decent would have been an amazing plot point as it undoubtedly leads us down the similar path that criminals do: trying to get away with more and more.
I talked about the clear rules for the ‘mystery’ element in this show being like crack to me, and instead of being restrictive, they actually open up the plot to more opportunities. This time we learn that anyone who touches the book would be able to see our apple-loving demon: I can now imagine an episode where Light screws up and he’s forced to kill off the person who touched it, violating his principles of eliminating bad guys. Sorry if this becomes a spoiler - to establish, I watched this 20 years ago, and don’t remember such details: this is just a pure stab based on the show’s logic.
The show moves extremely fast without confusing me. We are already having ‘UN’ discussions about the murders in episode 2, while we already know the HOW of the mystery. It’s a bold choice, but it’s paying off so far.
We then get an explanation of the idea of ‘L’. Now, this is a very common and cliched trope: the detective who has never failed at a case: very Knives Out. While I call it cliched, I have no issue with this trope - it’s always a good time. The show is well thought out, as no one knows the name or face of L - which happens to be requirements for the notebook to work.
I believe the reason L chooses Japan as his special focus, is he likely created a timeline of the deaths, and the first death was on Live TV there, while I’m sure there’s a disproportionate death toll in Japan too, with criminals who don’t get international coverage.
One cultural nuance I want to talk about is “what if Light kills someone wrongfully convicted”, which I guess is one of the big talking points in the USA about the death penalty (since there are multiple cases of those cleared after Death Row. I doubt that most people necessarily think of that, as in Japan there’s really high faith in the justice system. Conviction rates are unbelievably high, and while a lot of people in the West think this is because the cops will do everything in order to convict and everyone is guilty until proven innocent, that’s not really the case - from what I understand (and speaking to people during the huge length of time I’ve spent there), convictions are only pursued when the evidence is overwhelming and definitive. It’s not really the case that people are tried with the assumption that they’re likely the ones who did it letting the courts/jurors decide; the evidence needs to be so strong that the person is the only one who could have committed the crime. Of course there are errors (as there are in any system), but from that mindset, if someone is in jail for a crime, people wouldn’t really think that they could be innocent, watching the show.
I love the concept of people being truthful on the internet behind anonymity versus the public face. This was especially relevant to the internet of the early 2000s, before social media took over.
Other than the grandiose speech about being God (again), the scene where Light scribbles ‘L’s’ name is monumental, as this is the first time he’s breaking his own rules of going after evil.
Genius plan by ‘L’, though it raises the philosophical question: since L sacrificed someone to prove his theory, does that mean he is as bad as Light? Is this a battle between what is considered the ‘greater good’? Is it being an inmate on death row relevant, as he accelerated his death? I love all the deep questions this show throws at me. Regardless of all that, such a smart move to try and deduce the rules for Light being able to kill, as well as the location.
It is a bit illogical though that there was an inmate who was arrested in secrecy, unknown to the public and already scheduled to be executed. I think this is the first logical flaw in the show, though I guess that perhaps he was a terrorist held and sentenced in secret, as those do happen.
Another awesome episode - I’m incredibly invested already: I am starting to feel like I know Light quite well, and the plot is riveting.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I thought it was so hype when L outsmarted Light. That got me so pumped up :D
2
u/Second_Cour 14d ago
Funnily enough I'm team Light all the way so far
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I think I'm team Ryuk :P
2
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I continue to be very entertained by Ryuk's antics. He just goes with the flow.
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
Thoughts on Ryuk accompanying Light to school?
Thoughts on Light having a sister?
Thoughts on the ICPO?
What are your thoughts on Light remaining anonymous?
Thoughts on Light creating a fake bottom to hide the Death Note?
Thoughts on Light being known online as Kira?
What are your thoughts on Light developing his own fandom from people who agree with him killing criminals?
What are your thoughts on L promising to send Kira to death?
1
u/Holofan4life 14d ago
I was looking at the Death Note rewatch from 10 years ago and I saw a comment that made me think of you. Basically, they said Light is like Oreki from Hyouka if he got the Death Note instead of Chitanda.
2
u/Second_Cour 13d ago
Haha, I would think that Houtarou wouldn't even pick up the Death Note as that's too much effort.
2
3
u/AgentOfACROSS 14d ago
Watching Dubbed
Ryuk just casually floating behind Light while he walks around is really funny.
Light confirms that he just spends all his free time when he gets home writing in his notebook. He needs a better hobby.
And we are now being introduced to our eccentric ace detective L. I love a good ace detective character.
Light’s notebook security system is so over the top it’s hilarious.
By the way, Light, telling people you were protecting your diary by setting it on fire is very suspicious. People are gonna have so many follow up questions.
And now, Light has been given his Kira moniker.
Man, the Kira website is so edgy. I love it. So 2000s.
Hearing Light’s over the top monologues are really funny.
Lind L. Taylor is very handsome.
Oh dear, Light’s ranting about being god again.
It turns out making a man have a heart attack on live TV has immediate consequences.
It is a very big coincidence that there happened to be a Death Row inmate whose name could reasonably pass for being L’s real name.
Anyway it is kind of satisfying to see someone as smug as Light make such a big blunder right off the bat by killing Lind L. Taylor.
Now that we’ve heard L’s real voice I’ll go over his voice actor.
In Japanese his voice actor is Kappei Yamaguchi. Notable roles of his include Usopp from One Piece, Inuyasha from Inuyasha, and Teddie from Persona 4.
In English he’s voiced by Alessandro Juliani. L is his most popular anime role but he’s done voice acting work for western cartoons and has made live action TV appearances. Some notable roles include Kid Icarus from Captain N the Game Master, Berto from Max Steel, and Dr. Emile Hamilton from Smallville.
Anyway this was a good episode. Very good job at setting up the whole battle of minds between L and Light.
Questions of the Day:
What are your thoughts on L and him being established as the person who's going to take Light on?
I think this episode serves as a very good introduction to L.
What are your thoughts on the L decoy where L tricked Light into giving people a better sense of where he lives?
It definitely shows us both that Light isn't as intelligent as he says he is and that L is good at making deductions.