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It's been a while since I last read the actual manga so I have forgotten how shocking this entire story was. I know many people were upset about this development but you have to admit that it does achieve the feeling of a total meltdown that the author intended. I actually had a chill when the successive death tolls happening just as I was when I saw the JSDF invading NERV in The End of Evangelion. One thing that I also forgot to mention was that while I like both Light and L, I also have little to no emotional attachment to either of them so I can pretty much watch the series for the story and enjoy the twists and turns that the author make. I think one's enjoyment for this particular twist will depend on whether or not you are attached to the character. As a side note, I like how the look of this episode relies heavily on the three basic colours that the series often: Blue, Red, and Yellow.
The episode begins with a flashback to the time where Watari was taking a young L to an orphanage. In the present time, L approaches Watari who asks L what's wrong. Later on, L finds out that there is a part of the note that has been tear off so he wonders if a person will die if one writes that person's name in the little piece of paper. Rem, however, tells L that she doesn't know since she never used it like that. L also wants to know if Shinigami only eats apples but Rem tells him that is not true. Because the Shinigami world is fairly dead, usually there's nothing to eat. As a result, the Shinigami don't need to eat. Upon seeing Light back in the hotel, L tells the guy that he's finally free so he should go out of here. L points out that Misa came to see him but he barely spent a few minutes talking to her. In response, Light tells L that he hasn't seen the end of Kira incident yet so he doesn't feel like he can love while the situation is like this.
Another flashback shows Light asking Misa to judge the criminals because he's not in the position to do this just yet. He then asks Misa to make a new world with him. Cut to a scene of Misa walking in the present time wearing a goth-lolita costume while singing a creepy gothic song. As she does this, a flashback shows criminals fall to their death. The next day, the group receives people of 16 dead people which happened after Higuchi's death. Upon hearing the news, Rem realises that this means the person who killed these people are Misa. L thinks that the death happened right after Misa was released but Light reminds him that Misa doesn't have anything to do with this. Upon hearing this, L tells them that if there is another notebook and someone else is using it then he will capture that person. The only thing that makes L doubts about this is the fake rule which states the those who doesn't use the note after 13 days will die and both Light and Misa are still alive.
Light uses the opportunity to put a doubt in L's mind whether he can convict someone who writes in the notebook as a mass murderer. Matsuda, on the other hand, believes that if they can't make the knowledge of the notebook official then they should destroy it. Aizawa agrees with this and tells them that the upper management of the police would probably push for something close to this. L thinks that if the murderer of the notebook is recognised, at the very least if they can't get capital punishment, they would make the murderer write their own name in the book. Rem is shocked to hear this sand realises that the one who's been killing the convicts right now is Misa. Since the notebook has been revealed, no matter what happens from now on, the one who will be caught as Kira will be Misa. Rem realises that Light is confident that Rem will save Misa's life. However, in such situation, the only way to save Misa would be to write L's name in the book.
However, if Rem were to kill L, then he would certainly die for meddling with Misa's lifespan. In addition to this, if Rem were to disappear, everything will be beneficial for Light. Later on, Light is seen walking towards the rooftop of the building and finds Ryuuzaki standing in the middle of the heavy rain. When Light asks L what he is doing, L pretends as if he can't hear Light so Light has no choice but to approach the guy in the rain. When he gets closer, L tells him that he's been hearing the sound of bell but Light can't seem to hear anything. L also asks Light if he's ever told the truth ever since his birth. After a few moments of silence, Light tells him that while he lies from time to time, he believes there is no one who only tells the truth. When the two returns inside, L decides to wipe Light's feet with his towel and offers to massage it as well as atonement. However, this causes the water on L's head to drop into Light's leg so Light wipes L's hair with his towel.
L then tells Light that he's sad because they will soon part ways. Their conversation, however, got interrupted when L's cellphone starts to ring. L decides to return to the investigation team and tells Watari that he intends on using the notebook in an execution. L's plan is to find a criminal who has at least 13 days until their execution. When the others object with this idea, he tells them that if after 13 days they don't die, then they will be absolved of their execution. At this point, a decision was made and Rem's eyes glow red as he disappears from the room. All of a sudden the electricity in the room got turned off and inside his room, Watari suffers from heart attack. Before his death, however, Watari manages to press the button for data deletion. L who sees this flashing in front of his monitor tells everyone that he's instructed Watari to delete all information he currently holds if anything unexpected should happen to him.
This causes the rest of the group to realise that Rem has gone. Unknown to them, Rem is now writing someone else's name in a hurry. As soon as he does this, L falls over from his chair. It only takes a fraction seconds for the others to realise that Kira finally gets L. Light immediately tries to catch L's dead body. As his life in the orphanage flashes before his eyes, L sees that Light's expression turns from a complete shock to one of twisted delight. L then closes his eyes and passed away. Light then starts getting in hysteric, telling everyone that L is dead and their turn is next. Everyone panics upon hearing this, thinking that they will be dead as well. After 40 seconds, however, no else dies so they can't help but wondering why this is the case. Light immediately goes into overacting mode, wanting to look for Rem but his true intention is to secure the Death Note that Rem was using.
Upon entering the room, Light finds Rem remains along with the Death Note. He decides to hide the note before calling everyone to see the remains of Rem. By the time the rest got into the room, however, the only thing that they can find is Rem's remains. Because the remains are just sands, however, they have no idea what happened in the room. Light then feigns anger and tells the others that he promises to continue L's investigation to avenge his death. Both Souichirou and Aizawa immediately back his intention to continue the investigation. On the other hand, Matsuda is afraid that they're going to get kill if they continue with the investigation. In response, Light tells Matsuda to get off the investigation if he's afraid to get killed. With that said, Matsuda suddenly changes his mind. In the aftermath, Light tells himself that all of his obstacles finally disappears. With this, Light is sure that he's going to become the God of the new world.
Impression:
It's interesting how the writers decided to add the biblical-like allegory into the story. I am not even sure if it's supposed to mean anything. If I remember correctly, in the bible Jesus washed the feet of his disciples the night before he got crucifixed. While doing this, he was perfectly aware that one of his disciples will betray him and hand him over to the Roman empire. It seems the basic idea works here but instead of washing Light's foot, L dries the guy's foot, knowing well that Light is about to send him to death soon. As a side note, there is a slight sexual tone coming out of this scene what with Light gasping a little bit every now and then. For a moment I thought the scene was written for the yaoi fans or something. The scene is also a brief moment in which Light looks like he feels sorry for what is about to happen. Speaking of that, I wonder if the decision to kill L was intentional right from the start or something that happens along the way.
What I meant by this is that, as an author, sometimes you have the basic idea when writing a story but not the entire detail. Maybe the author didn't originally plan to kill either Light or L but to let both characters naturally fight it out as additional elements were added into the story. These elements can either benefit them or put them in a difficult situation. However as the plot goes on, the addition of Rem and her feelings for Misa ended up becoming an advantage for Light no matter how many twists the author tries to put into it. I suspect the Yotsuba arc was a last-ditch attempt to save L's life but it didn't work so well. Therefore, as an extention of natural plot growth, the author has no choice but to kill L. But then again, maybe the author sees killing L as something that is necessary for the plot progression. Because it shows that Light is a dangerous character and that L under-estimated Light's intelligence and carefully-crafted machination.
I also want to mention that I like the flashback to L's past that were added into this episode. For example, L's little talk with Watari at the start of the episode was a good prelude to him asking the old man to delete all information should something happens to him. The flashback of L being in the orphanage was also interesting. I thought that if L was in an orphanage, then I assume he has little access to delicious foods, especially sweets. This could be the reason as to why he always craves sweets. On that note, L's background during his time in the orphanage will also be useful when we go into the next arc because it ties L's past with that of two new characters. Unfortunately, I am not sure if next week's episode will actually show these characters since the preview suggests that it will be a recap episode. Feel free to talk about it though just as long as you put spoiler tag if the subject matter hasn't been covered by the anime.
On next week's episode: It looks like recap but hopefully that's not the case.
NOOOOOOO!! MY MOST FEARED EPISODE!
It's hard to see the character you like the most, dying in both manga an anime version T.T I´m depressed again xD
Rest in Peace L-chan, I HATE YOU Raito! T______T
Sorry I forgot to say something ^^
I don't remember if L says farewell to Raito in the rain.. in the manga >.> I think that's new (?) but that makes this chapter more sad TT_TT
I love your screenshot comments Garten! Rem wants a foot massage too xD
yeah, finally it happened, i remember that i stopped reading DN for a short time after this happened, it was a very tragic vol, Watari, L and Rem, i felt very sad for them but since the most important thing is the story, i guess there's nothing we can do about it, besides, since the beginning i had the feeling that this would happen someday
btw, L looks hot all wet LOL, i think all the added material is good
Hmmm ... I guess this was a big gamble on Light's side.
Because if Rem figured out that he didn't care for Misa and that he planned this as well, Rem could have easily added Light's name in the death note too, along with L's.
Just a thought. :-\
Ah... in the end it had to come. Well I actually cried from only seeing the pictures, but at the same time I am happy because, me, being a yaoi fan KNEW they had to add at lest some little fanservice there... But still I hate Light the same...... A minute of silent for our beloved L.
>>Because if Rem figured out that he didn't care for Misa and that he planned this as well, Rem could have easily added Light's name in the death note too, along with L's.
Still, doing that would have hurt Misa is a big way, a way Rem doesn't want to happen.
WTF is this yaoi shit ? That scene doesn't even exist in the manga, that's just fan service for young virgin girl, plain and simple. Hate fan services on animes.
For shiro ==> Rem nows that if Light dies, Misa will commet suicide. So she won't kill Light.
Now that Rem is gone, is that mean Misa's knowledge of the Death Note will disappear again? And now comes the arc lots of manga readers really dissed at.....
So fan service for "young virgin girl" (versus adult woman, I suppose) is bad, but fan service for big hairy guy (pretty much every single Misa shot) is okay, right?
Anyway, I liked the Jesus/Judas symbolism of the feet washing scene. Then again, we all know those two were totally gay for each other, too.
"but fan service for big hairy guy (pretty much every single Misa shot) is okay, right?"
fan service is always stupid and commercial. The Misa's fan service is totally idiotic. In the manga we haven't any of theses shits. Another reason why manga always beats anime. Only virgin won't say that.
pleaz someone explains me why girls like yaoi. I mean girls really like to see 2 homosexuals together ?
The same way guys love to see two hot girls making out; they're extremely hot!
I thought girls weren't thinking like that...
Sure fan service is in the manga. If you don't know that, you have no understanding of how manga operates.
And yeah. If you can't understand why a girl might find two guys together to be hot ... you don't know a lot about women. I won't say you're a virgin though. A lot of guys somehow manage to have sex without any clue what they're doing anyway. Their poor girlfriends. -_-
"I thought girls weren't thinking like that..."
You would be surprised, my friend.
Anyway, I think we're getting kind of OT here. Sorry, Garten.
"Sure fan service is in the manga. If you don't know that, you have no understanding of how manga operates."
There is no "feet wash" scene on the manga. There is no L's past, only Light who "kills" L, that's all. There is some fanservice about Misa tho, but that's all.
"If you can't understand why a girl might find two guys together to be hot ... you don't know a lot about women."
Some girls told me that she are not excited by 2 mens together. And personnaly I'm not excited by two women together that much, so I wondered.
ps : akira69 = Rasd
Fanservice? I admit, it resembled fanservice, but I think it was intended to mirror the incident between Jesus and Judas before The Last Supper.
But of course, fangirls will misconstrue it to their liking. =/
Yes it's a scene similar to the Jesus' scene before he will die (when he knows about it). But even if fangirls have a great imagination and like to misconstrue scenes or facts to their liking sometimes, I clearly see a real old fanservice. Just me huh...
Darn, I've been dreading this episode...
The author did intend for L to win originally, but the series was extended and so his fate changed.
RIP Lawliet...*tears*
Hmm, the L/Jesus and Light/Judas feet washing thing was an interesting allegory . . . though it seemed a bit weird. Um. Yeah. I'm not a huge fan of yaoi, I'll admit, and so I never saw any "yaoi-like" indications in the manga . . . but even without this scene (whether it was intended to be taken as a hint of yaoi or not), the L/Light fans are already out of control as it is. XD Don't encourage it, Madhouse! lol
¡I want the raw! ;______________;
Raito is the best~
Haha, the anime sure likes to lay the Biblical symbolism (and just plain ol' symbolism) on thick, doesn't it? Even more so than Obata. Anyway.
I'm glad that the animators decided to add a tiny bit of L's past in here. It helps relate L to Mello and Near (who will be coming up soon) better, and it also fleshes out the character a little.
One of my big problems with the manga was that it was basically all plot, plot, plot, and it seemed like (a lot of the times) the characters themselves were pushed to the way-side in order to carry the plot forward. (I for one would've really like some history on Light and his childhood and maybe some of the things that effected his thought processes, and molded him into the sociopathic, arrogant, justice-craving teen we meet at the beginning, etc.) Anyway, to get some back-story here about L, one of the most beloved characters in this series, was a breath of fresh air. ;)
Damn. This is like, much worse than the "You're my first friend" thing. ... . . There wasn't a scene like this in the manga but it's a great scene. I actually teared up looking at the pictures. :(...
Heartless jerk.
Yaoi Rocks.
I've never been a big death note fan, but I knew a few hardcore fans who just dropped DN like a rock when L passed away. Till this day I know some who still hate DN with a passion. I to was sad that L was killed, but in the end it adds more to the plot and it's spirling ending~
Ah yes...the infamous death of L.
Here is what I ticked me off about his death. I'm not mad that he died. However, the way he died was something that made me really angry.
What really infuriates me is how much of a wuss Light is that he is unwilling to even do the dirty deed himself. Instead, he entraps both Misa and Rem to do his work. I wouldn't be so mad about this if the next arc made up for it. But nooo...the next arc was blown out of proportion through ridiculous exaggeration.
If you're going to do something that you started, then end it with your own goddamn hands (pardon my language).
Don't tell me this is strictly a battle of wits because it's not. Someone should smack Light upside in the head or something.
Just like Rane had pointed out, I dropped DN like a rock. I may pick it up because of certain spoilers that people have mentioned intrigued me to find out how it occured. I have 3 volumes left...but it's going to be a excruciating 3 volumes to read due to the godawful plot. As this point on, Death Note anime is dead to me. I'm sorry but Miyano Mamoru was not ready to seiyuu as Light. It was just way too early for him to tackle on such a demanding role, especially with that pathetic attempt in episode 24 where Light was in the helicopter with L.
I know there are people out there who thinks it's one of the best animes out there. That's fine. That's your opinion.
This is mine. Deal with it.
Anyway, I think we're getting kind of OT here. Sorry, Garten.
Don't worry about it. The scene was in the episode so it's still within the confine of the episode/story. Feel free to argue. All I ask is for you guys to not insult each other when the argument gets hot.
NOOOO!!
NOT YOUU ;____;
boy i cried a lot....
scenes that were not forom the manga were really good btw...however...what was with all that foot-rub/"last fanservice" like thing XDD
wtf is L doing with Raito's foot??????that's ridiculous
Awesome, just plain awesome. This is one of my favorite parts in the manga, and it remains that way for the anime. Not only does it kill off a major character, but I love teh transition of how everything moves on into 2009, introducing a new storyline.
noooooo.... L!!!!
whY... he's mY favoriTe chaRacter!!!!
wahhhh T____T
SayouNara L....
Ah, seeing this scene animated is going to be sad because L was my favorite character..
After he died, I actually dropped DN (after reading a little bit of the next arc), but a friend persuaded me and I read the rest too... it wasn't that bad, but it got more and more illogical..
Anyway, I hate Light =.=
Well it's not exactly the same with the manga.
They add flashbacks, some scenes here and there. 9/10
After he killed L, I found myself hating Raito more and more.... But dispite this, I love his wicked-evil-maniac smile ^^
This episode was awesome!
RIP L ..... -.-
It's a very interesting symbolism, the Feet Washing, L and Raito like Christ and Judas, exactly at Holy Week, even if it was proposital or not. And about the yaoi thing, I think some situations like a bit of voyerism when L is watching Raito's bedroom, or when he's watching Raito that was prisoner suspect of being Kira, or even L and Raito chained to each other can be a good yaoi excuse to fandom/doujin, and this situation of feet washing could be too.
Garten:
I think the foot-washing scene is from the Luke's Ch.26 that a sinful woman washed Jesus's foot with her tears and hair, and put scent oil. Or, we cannot explain the scene that water was dripping to Light's foot from L's hair.
Considering as wellthe sound of bell what L heard, I felt L had a presentiment that he would be killed by Light, and he tried to see the truth in exchange for his life.
According to the gospel, Jesus told that her sin has been forgiven already; Light seemed "forgive" him as well, as a friend (of course, their friendship was weird and twisted, though).
when L died, therefore, Light showed his truth, which he had never shown to anybody else in his life as L pointed out, as a proof of their friendship.
(L kept staring Light's face when he died, maybe to find a truth. Light stopped smiling like evil, after L closed his eyes. These scenes can be explained with the interpretation.)
It is just my interpretation, but anyway I think this episode is much better than the original manga, which was filled with many (but less dramatic) monologues. At least, we should think that all anime-original scenes were added under consistent aim. The conversation in the rain, the foot-washing scene, the deletion of L's monologues must be linked.
This episode had some really nice animation! Now if only the other episodes were this well animated...
Bye L, you were indeed an interesting character.
I heard that sweet stimulates the brain, that's from eureka 7 from the scientist guy in the 2nd season. Maybe that's why L keeps eating them and maybe that's why he's so smart. Maybe I should give that a try for exams, or fail miserably and turn fat. ROFL
I was so shocked when L died …
I just never imagined that the author would actually kill a main character!
I kept reading the manga because I thought that L wasn’t really death and it had all been some sort of plan to get Light to confess…^^’
"I heard that sweet stimulates the brain, that's from eureka 7 from the scientist guy in the 2nd season. Maybe that's why L keeps eating them and maybe that's why he's so smart."
Sweets basically keeps your blood sugar level high. It means that you're constantly hyper and up and about. This allows L to continue working without having too much sleep. But it also means that your mood will drop right off the bat after the effect wear off, which explains L's addiction to sweets.
As for this episode, I'm sorry to say it but I think it's a necessary episode. I know people love L but by killing him, the writer shows that Light is not to be under-estimated. He's cunning and will use anyone and anything to reach his goal. The fact that L ends up becoming his casualty shows that this guy is twisted and dangerous and needs to be stopped at all cost.
And thus ends the good half of Death Note.
*sigh* My favourite anime characters always seem to bite the dust. Well, at least Ryuk is still around. -_-
At least the final episode will be good, mwahahaha. Though, I prefer how the live-action movies ended the story.
@ Ccord
Heh, I thought that, too. Or rather, I was hoping for it. Alas.
That was such a beautiful episode. Gothic lolita Misa, singing and looking all creepy... The rain scene... The massage scene... These additions were what made the episode so great, in my opinion. That, and the combination of the beautiful colours and music.
Before I say anything else - I am a L/Raito fangirl. But not (just) because it's "hot". I adore their "battle of the wits", their arguments, their fist fights XD, their rare but sweet moments of possible friendship... so the rain scene and the massage scene were pure delight for me. I thought the rain scene showed something that is very unique to them. I'm not sure what, though. To me, it just felt like a very sad, powerful, and silent scene. I thought the massage scene was more "human", if that makes any sense. While L massaging Raito's foot was adorable (especially when Raito looked away - I swear, if this was a shounen-ai anime, he would've blushed), I found Raito drying L's hair to be more meaningful. I mean, it's Raito. It almost seemed as though he felt sorry for L. Those two scenes were just too bittersweet, especially since L knew something would happen to him.
I really like the Jesus/Judas comparison. I never would've thought of it, since I have little to no knowledge of religious things. It does fit perfectly.
You know, I think most fans of Raito don't mind L at all, while most fans of L despise Raito. (I'm a Raito fangirl myself, but I do adore L. He's my second favourite.)
Oh, dear, the second arc will start soon... Hopefully volume 12 will come out before the anime gets to that point. I'd like to read it before I watch it. T_T
Yeah, that yaoi part thing was pretty bunk. I'm a girl, I hate it. Yuri, ftw!
L died BECAUSE he'd NEVER wash Kira's feet or whatever.
That's the worst OOC shit i've seen in the anime so far.
>>L died BECAUSE he'd NEVER wash Kira's feet or whatever.
I think that's not the case. Isn't it the same like when L claimed Light's his friend? We don't actually know what he meant, was it for real or not, but we can guess - and in my view part of it was an attempt to buy some time, to test if Light had some human feelings and maybe to move his heart. L wasn't stupid, you know (dah, obviously ==") and he knew he had to try everything which could save his life. And yet we can't ever be sure - He may have had some kind of sentiment towards Light, they were only ones who could understand each other - regardless the whole friendship/realtionship(yaoi forever? ==")/hatered/competing/choose what you want.
But: yeah, I agree, I'm not sure why it was included in the story. Apart from fanservice's reasons. It did look like some kind of symbolism but it could inserted on any other ground as well. Nevertheless, I'm still going to say this: I liked it. I'd never been a yaoi fan, but somehow the scene worked for me.
On the other note: L's death was perfect. It wasn't corny or melodramatical and the silence instead of his frase (like it was in the manga) seems to have been a good choice.
Now I'm only fearing the rest of the story. Will it bore me to death, in which the manga nearly succeded?
Im shocked to see the comments about the manga being a total bore at the end. I, having read it all, thought it was definently the perfect ending. But there are a few things I'd change myself.
I belive L, in the back of his mind, even though he thought that Light is/was Kira, he belived him to be his first, ever friend. Ls past is something unknown to everyone here except for some info. but as for family and friends, he has none. But I belive L thought of Kira as a friend, which in my opinion was the reason for the whole, foot rubbing seen, which i quite enjoyed. ( Yes, I love Yaoi but that besides the point.) What I don't get, is why they didn't put what L said as his final words into the anime. Which was, after Kira smiled he said, "I knew it...I wasn't wrong..but I.." and then he died. I don't know why they didn't add it, I think it's an important peice and proves that L did care for Light as a friend, and he knew that he had to be kira. That thought never left his mind. The story gets interesting from here on out, but yeah sorry for this rant.
Still some things I know remain certain,
I hate that Bastard Light Yagami
Ls Death Sparked the Next Arch
Misa has to be the most idiotic scape goat of all time.
Ryuk is my best friend ( youll find out why, when Death Note ends.)
The Japanese Task Force is a bunch of idiots. L could've solved this case without them.
"Ryuk is my best friend ( youll find out why, when Death Note ends.)"
Even if you think that you haven't spoïled... You just have...
"The Japanese Task Force is a bunch of idiots. L could've solved this case without them."
Yes, that's why he's dead today.
Frankly, I'm surprised by how some people reacted to this episode. XD
I read somewhere that the whole "you are my first friend" thing was a lie, but I'm not sure.
I liked L a lot, but this just shows that people die in unfair and unexpected ways. Sad though. ;_;
The episode looks highly stylized and pretty. Can't wait to watch it. I think the extra scenes foreshadow L's death a little too much, but it's all good.
T_T
I
LOVE
YOU
L
!
T_T
*sobs*
RIP my most favorite anime character in the world :(
i love the use of the colors in this episode. it made it look so beautiful....and i for once actually like the anime add ins. the rain and foot scene really did make sense. however it was still a shame that they cut off 'you were my first friend' :/
Ah...finally... I was growing impatient
I wonder what the IQ of Yagami Raito is... it's a shame that this world can't have more people like him.
I hope that Near shows up soon!
>>You know, I think most fans of Raito don't mind L at all, while most fans of L despise Raito. (I'm a Raito fangirl myself, but I do adore L. He's my second favourite.)
I never thought of that! Interesting, and probably true. I'm more of a Raito fan than a L fan, but I also think L is great.
Also: I agree with the theory that L was at least partially trying to buy time. I think the added scene also keeps the whole "close yet far apart" theme that characterized L and Light's relationship.
On the whole, I think the manga -> anime conversion has been done well, and the same goes for this episode.
@ Yumegari, 3.14, and N: According to Ohba (in HtR13), L saying that Light was his first friend was a total lie, just to get a reaction, etc. Then again, Ohba said a lot of things post-series which made me sad or disappointed, so I'm considering politely ignoring that. ^^;;
A a different note, something I'd just like to point out about this ep. is that the REAL Jesus/Judas moment of betrayal thing would've been when Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, saying, "Hail, Rabbi!" when he just sold him over to be killed. The whole feet-washing thing is significant and all, but not Jesus/Judas specific, nor was it the whole moral behind the washing of the decipals' feet either.
But, um, yeah. I suppose Madhouse didn't want to go down the "L kissy Light" road, symbolism or not. Hehe. XD
yaoi scene??? im a girl i NEVER liked yaoi.. EVER ... it's just weirddd!! so id like to believe tht the scene there was a jesus judas scene... bt if it was intended to be a yaoi scene... Y??? y??y??? did they do that!!! uughh ruins the anime!! yaoi = sucks. sad that L died tho, he was an interesting character :'(
Yeah, I agree that though the washing of the feet thingy was not in manga, it strucked me a lot. Add to it the rain scene,(sobs)it's really awesome. I was crying after I watched the episode.
I was never a fan of yaoi, so i will stick to the Jesus/Judas principle (and it's actually Lent, nice timing!)
L was indeed a very interesting character, a person loveable till death. Oh I will miss him so much!
I hate that bastard Yagami Light (sorry for the term, i can't think of any more appropriate)
Now my dear L, rest in peace. You're memories will carry on. (that sounds familiar)
@Moi: And THAT'S IT! The kiss IS there! That's was my first thought after seeing Light drying L's hair. Exactly as caring and as false as Judas' deed.
Oh god! I was dreading this episode!
I started crying even as the opening credits were rolling lol.
NO!!! L!!!!
by far the best episode in death note. but i'm afraid that's about it since the preceding events are ordinary flicks of getting to the real Kira (Light). typical yet awesome!
Forgot to mention that L's death is crucial for the development of the story. Take note of the manga storyline. But I'll be dreadful if Light is the one who is "kicked off". He's so cool!!! And I like his sinister side. EVIL...
. Is L's name ever revealed?
. I think his sweet cravings are more linked to his stress level than his past.
When he first came into the picture, he moderately consumed sweets, and the more complex the case got, the more he ate.
. The orphanage scene is probably more linked to what's to come.
Sorry, one more point.
I can't help but think of the footrub scene as fanservice to soften the fans' reaction to L's fate to keep them from dropping the series.
"Please don't hate us (or drop the series)... spare us and we'll throw in one last audacious tender moment between the two."
"The best episode yet!" and "Million thumbs up!"
The author is so genius that this episode makes DN a masterpiece!
Wait! Where's L's famous line, "Yagami Light... So I wasn't wrong, but I..."?
If anyone had to wash *my* feet, they would gasp as well but not out of joy...
I knew L was going to die soon, I accidently spoiled it for myself one day on the web. I was devastated when I read it. (well, as devistated as one could be for a fictional character) But I knew one someone had to prevail over the other.
I'm a big fan of both L and Light, I can't choose one really. When Light first lost his memories I almost lost interest, because what keeps me hooked to the series the the battle of wits between L and Light. but I hung in and was rewarded haha. But I'm actually kinda scared of this new arc coming up, I hope it's up to tabs with the first one. I've herd dome unfavorable comments about it.
That foot washing thing was kinda odd, I think they could of done without it, seemed too out of character.
I also agree with the fact about there not being any details about L and Light's past. It would be interesting to know more about these characters.
I've read all the comments and agree with a whole lot of the arguments and speculations, but I just wanted to point out the one part (although not in the manga) that L asked Light has he ever lied in his life. Just a thought... elaborate.
When I revisted this page I noticed a fair bit of L fangirl drool.
I dont mind the Yaoi undertones. I love Yuri though!
wait a sec... how will Misa be caught (which makes Rem want to protect her) if L tries the notebook himself? How does she come into the picture when everyone thinks that she's not Kira because she has not used the DN for at least thirteen days?
I don't care what anyone says, I like Raito as a character. I don't like what he does and I can safely say that if I knew the guy in real life, I'd absolutely hate him, but as a character I find him intriguing to watch/read about. XD
...Yeah, I suck at explaining things.
(SPOILERS ahead. Read at your own risk, but don't blame me, please!)
I loved L's flashbacks in this episode -it finally gives some much needed depth to Ogata's truthfully plot-restricted characters. We finally get to sit back a little and learn a few things about the people behind the masks.
Why does everyone "hate Light" for killing L"? DN wouldn't be half as cool if Light wasn't the way he is! Cheers to Light, for being a sociopath and pillar of coolness!!
The whole Judas and Jesus comparison is smart, I hadn't thought about it. When I saw the scene I got the same feeling though, even though I didn't related it to the Jesus and Judas story. I felt as though it was L's way of saying "Under different circumstances, we could have been friends"or something. Was it just me or was this episode gayer than usual (the whole rain thing etc)? I'm not really attuned to yaoi-stuff, but it was kinda..hell, he gave the guy a foot "massage"! Give us a break! That definitely wasn't in the manga.
I was so glad when I read all these comments! Finally, I realized that I'm not the only one who thinks that L's death signals the end of the good part of DN.
Seriously, I love Death Note -all the mind games and suspense- but I admit that after L's death, the entire Near and Mello arc just bored me to tears! Sure, I think the ultimate ending of Death Note (in volume 12-final chapter) is ideal, but the whole process with Near is just plain pointless. After L's death, Ogata perhaps tried a little too hard to make the plot "intricate" and "cool" and really ended up making it illogical. I think that the more the series progresses after L's death, the more the plot spirals out of control.
I see the reasons why L had to die -it was pretty much inevitable from the beginning, or at least from the moment Misa appeared. I personally think that L's death ( even though he's a main -and my favourite- character ) enriches the story of DN very much and makes it truly mature. If only Ogata had paid more attention to the plot from here on out.
I didn't exactly drop the manga after L's death. I honestly did try to keep up, and eventually did finish it. But I personally found it incredibly boring compared to the L arc. Near is frustratingly disinteresting, compared to L. Even his toy-obsession is a bad ripoff of L's sweet-fetish. Same goes with his rather laughable character design. The whole "successors of L" thing looks as though Ogata was too bored to invent diverse characters, and decided to just "remake" L. She found a recipe that worked with L's character and tried to copy it with Near...she failed, in my opinion.
L's selfish and multi-layered character could foil Light's obsessive god-complex much better than the successors. When people think and talk about DN, it's Light and L that they remember, not Near or Mello. If we take the first part of DN with L and Light, and the final final final chapter of the final volume of the manga, then we have a great series. All the Near and Mello stuff is just over the top, in my opinion.
Personally even though i know that many mentioned that this episode is yaoi, to me, it isn't. it is just like how L seriously treats Light as his friend. From L's movements, it clearly shows that L has the symtoms of Asperger's Syndrome [autism]. So to him, no one is his friend. But Light is like, someone he thought he could be friends with but it ended up in this way that Light really hurt L. I am a L fan seriously, because I really think that the way he deal with the whole Kira thing is really very clever and even though he seems emotionless outside, he has a very caring heart. Whenever I think of DN, I would definitely think of him.
Just wanted to say that in the manga, there is no all the "friendship" between the two. In fact, the author said that L lied when he says Light was his first friend (it was to see his reaction). So stop to think that there is a great friendship with L and Light in real work, because in the manga that's not the case.
Well, I watched this episode last night and I'm still stewing over it.
I'll tell you though, they TOTALLY timed this for Holy Week. I watched L wash the feet of the one manipulating Rem to kill him after attending Mass and hearing about Jesus washing his disciples' feet, including Judas...and Jesus knew he was going to be betrayed by one of them. L likewise seems to expect something.
This was such a beautiful episode, I was amazed. So much symbolism too...
Even the creepy things were beautiful, like when Misa (aka Chuckette) was wandering around like a porceline doll, and the scene flashes to Elf dolls ringing chimes...
That in turn reminds me about the continuous theme of the bells in this episode. I wonder if they signify the calling of L's soul to heaven, or something...I wonder if he actually heard bells on the rooftop too.
Lol, especially because he could hear bells but not Light shouting right next to him.
Perhaps he planned to dry Light's feet and thus got him wet on purpose...but who knows.
Darn, I wish I could write an essay on this rather than the one I have to write on that loser Milton!!! There's so much here I'd like to explore, just in this one episode...
It was such a surreal episode. I was kinda freaked out in the beginning, when they were showing the images of the Whammy House orphanage, and when Misa was walking around in her gothic lolita clothes singing. That was really weird...
But then it was nice when L and Light had a heart-to-heart moment in the rain. About the bells- I saw an anime about a shinigami once, and in it, people heard a bell chime if the shinigami was around, and they were about to die. It might be related... it was called Shinigami's Ballad. She was different from the shinigamis from DN; she was human and very pretty, and carried a huge scythe.
^_^ I'm sort of a yaoi fangirl, so I got really excited at the foot drying thing. I believe there is a biblical reference there, too. All of DN seems to have semi-biblical references, w/ "I'm going to become the God of a new world!" and whatnot.
I really liked L; I'm gonna miss him in the remaining anime episodes. His sucessors are ok, but they're just not the same.
Oh, I'm sad!
Well, I love L and Raito, but I didn't want L to die...
It's so unfair!
T.T
REMU NO BAKA!
Personally, I don't think that they added that L massages Light scene in the anime for fanservice OR to add some biblical reference to the story (Ohba's already added too many of them).
I think (and I know some people agree) it was just a last attempt by L to be close to someone because, as he said to light "I'm distant in all my relationships...".
He had also said earlier in the series, even if it was only to get a reaction out of Light, that he was L's first friend. That seems more meaningful to the series than yaoi or biblical references, doesn't it?
Yeah, it does seem kind of naughty when Light gasps here and there as L massages his foot as Garten said, but at the end of it all, he tells light "I'm sad" and when Light doesn't understand, he says "you'll understand soon".
L didn't seem entirely prepared to die, but I think he knew it was coming, so the foot massage and conversation in the rain were definitely L's last tries at making friends or actually connecting with somone on a personal level (even though it is his worst enemy).
Poor L. It almost seemed that Light forgot about what he was doing there for a second and really considered L as his friend... so maybe L didn't die in vain?
okay....so....for some reason, i am strangely attracted to that creepy goth song misa sings. anyone know more about it?
It seems that collective thinking changes as society does... if this episode would have been aired ten or twelve years ago when awareness of homosexualism wasn't a common thing among fans, I am sure the religious context of the foot drying scene would definetely have been the main issue....
As a Catholic I must say that for me that scene meant two simple things that are related to the story behind Jesus.
First, Jesus sacrifices himself to save human beings and with this act (and the resurrection) he becomes God turned into man...
In DN, L is the sacrifice that'll help Light to become god of the new world to be created.
Simple as that.
Now, if L wanted to become friends with Light because he felt he was going to die... we don't know for sure; L is rather complicated. This brings another point.
Many people say L would never be friends with Light...
*right and wrong*
Right, he would never be friends with anyone in the common or normal sense of that word.
Wrong because he already has a weird set of morals, just look at his definition of Justice and in ep. 25 Light confirms what kind of meaning the word 'relationship' has for L.... 'if it's something that shouldn't be, you shouldn't get involved in the first place' and Light says this and L agrees. Under this meaning and understanding that friendship means to have a relationship with someone, L and Light are friends since both *know* that this should be so L may prove if Light is Kira, and Light may find out L's name to kill him...
I think animators like using fanservice or what i believe the foot drying scene is, topic of discussion, in common words: 'marketing'
I'll stop here. It is rather sad that everyone pays more attention to that scene (as a yaoi fangirl I can say I didn't pay too much attention) instead of the wonderful clues we have of L's true character summarised in "Since you were born, have you ever told the truth even once?", those flashbacks and his relationship with Watari.
So sorry Garten, I wrote too much.
I thought that this episode is indeed one of the best-if anything, HEART BREAKING.
Look, why are people freaking out over yaoi ? It isn't even "real" yaoi. Sure, it could be intepreted as that, or it could be intepreted as religious. That's what anime is all about. A LOT of it is up to interpretation. Don't like it ? Don't interpret it that way. For gosh sakes, it doesn't "ruin" the anime, it was there to flesh out the characters. It wasn't unnecessary.
Frankly, good as it was, the manga had as much emotion as a rock.
The anime did a much better job at stringing in emotions... remember Rem wiping Misa's tear ?
L and Raito in the rain was just.... so sollemn, so sad, so HEARTBREAKING in a very subtle way, because L just KNOWS what's coming next.
To me,
The foot massage thing was really touching. For a moment, I forgot that Raito was some egomaniacal, pyschopath.
For a moment, he seemed human.
That speaks in volumes for me.
So, Ill just sit back, stop bitching about "yaoi" and enjoy whatever they have to offer.
One gripe I have though, is how they omited L's final words.
"So I was right, Kira is Light, but I...."
That scene would have said so much about how L really feels about Light.
L don´t dies, that´s impossible, in the movie "the last name L" is present after Light writte in his note the death of his father, that means the L's death in the anime is only a drama.
This is one of the best, if not the best, episode of Death Note, imo. I really like how the overall feeling of this episode matches the title "Silence". Barely any background music is used before L's death, and the interaction in the rain is really well done. I never got past DN vol 4, so this episode was a pleasant surprise in terms of directing and animation. I never felt any emotional attachment to DN characters either - except maybe a bit of pity for Misa - so to me, L's death is a pretty good plot element.
To L:
The Anime/manga have different plot; so you must watch/read to know what is going to happen.
You are spoiling some facts of the second movie...
Wow, I can't believe this series is already half way through. Only another 27 more weeks to go. Woohoo!!!
So sad, so very very sad. I actually cried a little. I didn't like Light, especially after he tricked Misa, but now I HATE him. >:(
Wish you have a good time in no-where, when you die,Yagami Light.. >:(
Sorry, but no.
Light will never died. A god don't died.
>= )
Sayonara L, nice try indeed, but good bye.
>= )
'The author did intend for L to win originally, but the series was extended and so his fate changed.'
Nooo ~_~ That can't be true...
I'm a huge L fan and so I was of course pretty sad about his death...
And I got really angry because no one seemed to care about his death - everybody was too busy being afraid of dying themselves...
(Well... I can understand that behaviour somehow, L wasn't close to them.. and they could all die... BUT... it's just that I couldn't believe how meaningless the death of a person they knew was to them!) And that not only because that someone was somebody gorgeous like L : P !
I understand that L's death was important for the plot, but I'm also afraid of what will happen now.
I really liked how they played cat and dog with each other and I don't know if there will be anything that exciting again. To be honest I have no motivation to read or watch on... (I will because I read a spoiler about the ending and now I really wanne watch it.)
So I will see if I like the second part of the story - but I think the story was all good till now and I don't really get why there had to be a second part in the first place! Bah!
Despite L's death and the upcoming new story I REALLY liked this episode. The mood, the colours...
Misa's singing, the rain on the roof, the orphanage, the church feeling. Wow.
I'm not a yaoi fan but I don't despise it or something, but first I really wondered about the footwash.
I was like 'Huh? Yaoi Fanservice in DN?!?' It just didn't seem to fit in somehow, you know? But then again it did pretty well.
Now I like it. I don't care if it's supposed to be fanservice or curch symbolism or something completely different (even thogh I like the jesus/judas theory!).
And if you really consider L to suffer from the Asperger Syndrome it's making sense, isn't it?
Because those people have strange ways to show their feelings - like giving a foot massage...? And maybe he wants to show his feelings to his 'only friend' before he dies.
...Or maybe he was just playing for time and he lied about Light being his only friend... *sigh*
Do we really want to know ~.~?
I was missing L's last words somehow because they were like a little satisfaction. (see manga)
To see he was right in the end.
On the other hand I also 'liked' him dying in complete silence. (I don't like him dying in any way Oo!!!) It's fitting but so sad : (
Somehow I want him to scream 'I knew it from the beginning! You f*cking jerk!' but maybe that's just because I'm so angry with Light ^_^" It wouldn't be like L at all...
Farewell L...
Well, let's see what happens next - I hope I can see over L's death and can judge the story uncomitted. (But I will miss L no matter what ._. )
Sorry for talking that much : P I really felt like talking about this >.
Jirr:
"A god don't died"? XXDD Um, yeahhhhh. Anyway, Light isn't a god. He's just a arrogant, self-absorbed, self-important human. AND:
Oh My GoD !!!!
Rem .... No My Fav. Shinigami >
I only laughed at the episode.. I laughed so hard because L died.. I laughed at L's funeral.. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Sorry L fans but.. really, I LAUGHED! When I first read it in the manga, I laughed like a mad man..^^
Go Kira.. BANZAI!
To kageNOhikari:
So you read the manga?
You are right, L's death when compared to Light's is quite simple... laughable if that word exists.
Right?
Now there are rumors about the seiyu cast for the second part... this episode was needed for the plot to go on...
to dlazuli
I concur, i really went WTF when i read it.
After some time, I got an Idea, that L might be faked his death, but didnt write it so, and later, I saw more oppinions like that.
Its because, Rem could kill only watari, and then she died, she wrote L's name but she couldnt kill him, she was starting to die because he killed watari in order to save misa. And L knew what may be happening, so after seeing that watari dies, he also faked a death.
It might be that we wount see L now in some series, but its posible that he will return and will be clear that he faked. Isn't that it makes sense?
@ kageNOhikari
Awww.... that's so mean!!! : p
Don't laugh at him - he had no chance, it's not that he died because he made a mistake or something... >.
@Volition
Me and my boyfriend also wondered about that.
Unfortunately you see Rem writing a second name in the Death Note and why shouldn't she be able to kill L?
Our theory:
We thought that maybe because L wrote his own name into the other notebook before Rem and wrote that he will day in some days (I don't know the eligibility of the period of time between writing a name and the death) because he knew something would happen to him that day?
Than Rem writing his name wouldn't take effect.
I hope so bad that he faked his death : P
Well, we'll see....
April 05, 2007 | Chris wrote:
If anyone had to wash *my* feet, they would gasp as well but not out of joy...
You made me spit cookie crumbs all over my keyboard! LOL.
So... am I the only one who thinks the foot rub-scene was a Pulp Fiction-reference? -_-
This is totally based on biblical reference. I don't know if anyone noticed, but during the foot rub scene, right before L says 'it's sad that i'll soon bid u farewell' or something like that, the shot panned upwards focusing on the cross-section walkway above them. The shot of the cross- walkway was intended to be THE cross (symbol of Christianity).
I think in reference to L washing Light's feet and then drying it with his hair could also be of a woman who wanted forgiveness from Jesus because she was a sinner. It's when Jesus visits someone's home and then this woman beigns to wash Jesus' feet with perfumed water and tears and drying them with her hair.
This is in the bible, but I can't remember where. I believe it might be in one of the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) because this is when Jesus' life is shown.
Love the captions as always (^_^)
What the fuck? Yaoi is two guys loving each other. This was no love.
L is not dead. The true ending lies within the Live Action. I believe that was the true justice intended.
Here goes my perdictable L fan comment::
Thanks you for L smexy wet cloths scene! x3 (Yeah I think the scene was written for yaoi fans, as well. xD)
Awww~ L. I was attached and hate Light so I stop reading it for a while. I thought Near or Mello were like lame L clones the first time I saw them and thought... meh~
Obviously likes the movie ending better. TT___TT
But I'm a bit excited about the rest of the story. (Since that is were I stopped reading the manga.)
L was my favorite chatacrer.
I wish he didn't die.
Gah!
He was my favorite character!
This is very tragic...
My eyes teared up while I watched this one.
Unpleasent feelings...
So sad...
To sad for me.
Did the author have to kill him!?
I was super impressed with his character.
Everyone who watched this must have felt bad.
NOOO!!
Poor L and Watari... I love them both so much T-T
Does anyone know more about the song that Misa sings in this episode I soooo want it!! On a side note I felt sad when I watched Light show some emotion towards L when he knew he was going to die (maybe guilt/regret??), also I hope >cross fingers
Ah man i loved L, why did he have to die!? I don't like Near & Melo that much, they're nothing compared to L!
Couldn't resist to post, even if some time has passed.
To me, the biblical thing was very interesting. Apart from that, I must add I'm sure the author intended the scene to show both, as you said, sexual connotations and shounen-ai mood (people should also read the difference between shounen-ai and yaoi), because I believe the most popular couple in Death Note is L/Light. To me, Light did felt sorry, I guess both of them were so similar in some ways that if they were reborn and met in different circumstances they would have built a big friendship.
There is a line in Misa's song that was pretty interesting but confusing. Huh, it was something along the lines of "but why am I doing all of this if Heaven has it's doors closed for me already", or something. It made it look like she wasn't happy of what she was doing. But I guess that's wrong, since she is happy by doing anything Light asks.
The other thing that called my attention was the orphanage. It felt like L hearing bells was something awful -even if it was symbolising what was going to happen- , and I wonder if the orphanage was a horrible place. I mean, the flashbacks were creepy.
I really love L!!!!
Why did he have to die?
After watching this episode, I was shocked. I made myself believe that L didn't die. That he just faked his death to win over Light. That part when he talked to Watari, I made myself beleived that they're talking of a plan to overcome L but I was wrong.
Why did the author have to kill L? I've fallen in love with his character and he now have to die? (sobs)
Near and Mello are just clones of L. Near is also intelligent but somehow he lacked that sweet character of L.
My heart aches for my beloved L. I want him to win over Light.
Many people would disagree with me but I still believed that what L said that Light is the first friend he ever had. He may look emotionless but sometime I can feel that he care for Light a lot. He's sweet.
This is what I hate about being attached to a character in an anime. Your heart will break when that character died.
At least Ryuk is still there, my 2nd fave character lol.
i know it's really late but i just finished watching the episodes. the last remaining episodes were really boring now that L is dead. i was really disappointed on how things ended up though i was somehow glad about the Near-Mello arc.
Well, The death note anime is finished, this anime is the best that i could see, in my only spoiling i comment a fact in a second movie because my loved character in the anime was L, Light finally losses good this is just that i like to see
oh my>>>
every time i rememmber this epsoid i cry why???!!! why did they kill L
i wasn't ready but ,
it seems like an other part of the anime has begun
any way we can do nothing but waiting for near to cut kira's neck...
In my personal opinion by killing L the author gave a very wrong symbolism of justice. Raito is a self centered sociopath bent on world domination thence his defeat at L hands whom the author depicted as someone who is a personification of justice would have been much appropriate and fitting not the other way around that made every thing appear quite crude and morbid.
He also represents innocence and Raito darkness and everything that is tainted. I thought the turn the series took from here is rather sickening. Mello and Near are two L's with not even half the personality. Takada and Mikami are just two slightly intelligent versions of Amane Misa.
I don't fathom what the author even tried to pull off after 25th episode or 58th volume. The story just drones on, monotonous to the point that it is nothing but a yawn fest. It would have been a wise decision to end the series at 58th volume but they decided to continue and stretch it needlessly. the end result is one pathetic attempt at endeavouring to make a good manga and nothing but strange and unjust symbolism along with portrayed cruelty.
A waste of time and energy and what not.
"After watching this episode, I was shocked. I made myself believe that L didn't die. That he just faked his death to win over Light."
That happens in the film version - he writes his own name in Misa's Death Note so that he dies 23 days later, then fakes his death on the day that Kira has him "killed"
After Light is exposed, arrested, and killed, L dies after talking to Soichiro.
sigh, I just watched that episode, and then after that I wanted to search google to see if he resurrects,.. sounds like he doesn't sobs..
yeh for me, the first "arc" was the best.. up till light lets his DN go..
and then it was draggy and confusing a bit..
but I started to like light's char...
then later.. when L died the "LIGHT" HAD GONE ... I've lost the urge to see more.. sigh..
L was more light than Light will ever be
I think that the anime made L's death much more painful and emotional for the viewers - the detail about his past and his last "friendship" scene with Light..
and obviously I love the light in general, even my xanga is named that.. but I only like true light, not evil light [lol]
I think the bells L hears were a reference to John Donne's Meditation XVII. "Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee." That Meditation is where that saying is from.
YES FANSERVICE!
man i really didnt like L at first? i was like PSHH and then i saw more of him and was like oh yah hes pretty cool, then i saw me some Yaoi and i was like awww i loveeee him and then me being a dumbass read some comments on youtube and i saw that L had died and i was like WELL SHIT! just when i start liking him!
i was sooooo pissed and soooooo depressed
This makes me wonder more about L. He's so full of mysteries.
By the way, Rem is a SHE
so sad but true l is dead but why l couldnt be someone un important
*sobs* Why did L have to die...?!!?!
Geez, I hate Light. I did in the beginning and I always will.
I heard from someone that L dies and I just couldn't believe it. I heard from someone else that Light gives up becoming a 'God'. But I found out the truth and I was utterly shocked. No one seemed to care much about L's death..c'mon he's one of the top detectives in the world! That pissed me off. I cried A LOT. It wasn't fair.
I really loved L and I still do. He's one of my absolute favorite anime characters! ^^
Shikashi..it still makes me cry when I think about L's death.
*sigh* R.I.P L-kun...
Okay, you know what pisses ME off?
HOW ALL OF YOU TURN AN EPISODE DISCUSSION INTO A MILLION ARGUMENTS, MOST CENTERING AROUND PROYAOI VS ANTIYAOI!
Seriously. Get over it.
I'm not trying to sound like a dickface here, seriously. But this is really really immature. Let me break it down for you so you all understand:
Some girls think that guys making out is hot.
Some guys think that guys making out is hot.
Some girls think that girls making out is hot.
Some guys think that girls making out is hot.
Some girls really prefer straight making out.
Some guys really prefer straight making out.
It's a matter of PREFERENCE, for god's sake! Honestly, it's just each person's personal opinion. My personal opinion is that people who hate gays or whatever are prejudiced. That's just my opinion; I'm not telling all you to think it or saying that it's fact or that I'm right and you're wrong or any of that crap.
And I really think some of you are overdoing it with arguing about 'fan service.' Okay here, let me explain something else to you:
MANGA/ANIME IS FAN SERVICE.
Authors/illustrators may write for their own enjoyment or fulfillment up to a point, but the reason mangas and animes get published and shown and created and bought is for the people who are reading and watching them! Everything entertainment-wise is DESIGNED for the fans! That's why it exists! We read mangas to be entertained, and the mangas are written TO ENTERTAIN US. That means all different kinds of people in the intended audience, some of whom may be 'big hairy men,' and some of whom may be yaoi fans. It doesn't matter. It really doesn't matter. It's not a huge deal. The reasons why something may have been changed or put in or taken out is no concern of the reader or watcher, because we can't do anything about it anyway except for hate mail, which is extremely childish and immature. Let the creation be left up to the creator. The anime was made for us to watch it, so watch it. Talk about it. Say what you like and don't like. But don't make it into this huge deal that leads to some sort of cracked up blood fued between sides! Manga-readers vs Anime-viewers. ProYaoi vs AntiYaoi. Lshouldhavelived vs Lshouldhavedied. Misaisaslut vs Misaismyfavoritecharacter. Lightisright vs Lightiswrong.
You can have your opinions, people. In fact, please do. But for god's sake, don't turn them into a war. All this versus is overdoing it.
-sigh- And I would have had a lot to say about the episode, only now I don't have the energy left to type anymore, because the versus issues were ticking me off so badly.
Well whatever. Do as you please.
Have fun analyzing my comment.
Oh, wow... my comment came right after one that -wasn't- discussing yaoi or fan service... o.O... ah, well.
Maybe I will give my thoughts on L and Light after all.
Or maybe not. We'll see.
Well, one thing that I've thought, was that Light might actually be two people: Yagami Light and Kira. As in, they're two different people. Only since the Death Note, Kira has become dominant. I came up with this on account of a very fabulous fanfiction that had the same theory and elaborated on it greatly. It's called 'Friend or Foe,' and it's very well-written. I recommend it. ((For all those that aren't opposed to some very slight hints at shonenai at the end,)) It's sequel, 'Friend or Flame,' is also very fabulous. It has more romance themes in it, though, so anti-shounenai/yaoi people might be opposed. Tsk, tsk.
I kept on hoping Light would shine through Kira. One thing that sort of got me was that Kira/Light never showed any regrets. Like, ever. I mean it's such a huge moral issue, there has to be at least one time in which he doubts himself for it to be realistic. But there wasn't! There wasn't even a hint that he might truly want to be friends with L underneath, apart from the footrub scene. That seems rather unrealistic to me. I'm a sticker for realism, so that sort of gets me.
Hmm, what else? Well, speaking of the footrub scene, I guess, since everyone else is talking about it...
I think that it was rather odd placement, right there in that episode, and at first I thought it might be slightly OOC. But if you think about it, it's really not. It makes sense, and actually adds some realism. I mean, L is a kind person, wants to be friends with Light, and is obviously socially inept. So it sort of makes sense that the only 'peace offering,' so to speak, that he could think of making at that moment would be that. Also, I don't know much about the bible stories, but from what you all say it does sound like it closely matches the Jesus/Judah feet-washing thing. Symbolism, definitely. Everything has to have symbolism, man.
One thing I notice is that while you are all talking about biblical symbolism regarding the footrub, nobody seems to notice the very same regarding Ryuk and the apples. Hello: apples! Apples! Apples! Forbidden fruit, anyone? Especially since it is a Shinigami that loves them. A god of death, apples... come on, don't tell me nobody else noticed that? The subject is suprisingly underdiscussed!
Now what else are people talking about? -scrolls back up to look- ...ah, yes. -sniffle- The one subject that is extremely painful for me to even think about: L's death.
Oh god. I said it. Death.
Noooooooo!!
I love L. I love him. I love him lots. He's my favorite.
Episode 37 was my favorite, because
Well, that's about it for now. Talk to you all later, maybe.
Hmm, the whole feetwashing thing befuddled me, so I'm glad to finally be aware of the probable allusion to Christ after reading over several of the previous comments. Damn, I shoulda thought of that, lol.
Actually this episode confused me a bit, so I looked forward to the manga for clarification only to find this was anime-only. Cause I didn't really get why L was sad at first, and his comment to Watari near the beginning wasn't really explained. (my working believe right now is that L was probably sad that Light was probably Kira and, with Watari's getting the world's leaders together, the 13day rule was going to be disproved).
In respect to the manga, I felt the various additions to be quite interesting, such as the shot of young L, lol. But one thing that really annoyed me was that, correct me if I'm wrong because I really didn't want to rewatch the sequence over again, that L in the anime just fell over and died. In the manga, you can see his thoughts where, as the reader, you know for certain that L saw Light as Kira at the last moment.
But disregarding the comparison and just dealing with the story, I have to agree with many that this was a sad event indeed. But I have to agree with Garten that L's death works and it's fitting given Light's overwhelming advantages which include Rem, Misa, and not to mention the faith of the npa members. It's a shame that many turn away from the story at this point. I felt that one should stick through, and besides, it's true that Near's arc lost some momentum again at the beginning as with the Yotsuba arc, as well as becoming increasingly complicated and unclear (Mello's value in the series' showdown is still quite interesting to think about due to its lack of clarity), but as the series came to a close, the climax was awesome (course, not as awesome as the manga's, lol), and it's a shame that many didn't stay long enough to see what happened to Light.
I dunno bout other people, but I definitely wanted to know that, and it pushed me forward.
[wow, I hope that wasn't too complicated sounding]
Truly L was one of the greatest characters I had the pleasure of knowing and this episode was a beautifully sad tribute to him. I really don't see the 'sexual' undertones between L and Light. I really don't care either. L had tried to test Light by using that friendship line. Yet....I'm fe