Summary
The author and illustrator of Death Note has created a captivating manga series with a dark gothic art style and deep philosophical themes. The series features complex characters like Light Yagami and Teru Mikami, exploring themes of power, morality, and divine retribution. The illustrations throughout the volumes cleverly represent key moments in the story, adding layers of meaning and enhancing the reader's experience.
Book Death's author, under the pen name Tsugumi Ohba, collaborated with illustrator Takeshi Obata to create one of the most infamous supernatural horror anime of the 21st century. The series details the story of genius high school student Light Yagami, the bored Shinigami Ryuk, and the power of life and death in just a few written words. This mystery drama is praised for its gripping rivalries, shocking twists, recognizable soundtrack, and profound themes and motifs.
While incorporating these devices, Takeshi Obata's gothic art style flourishes on the manga covers for the supernatural crime thriller comic icon. Spooky and romantic elements combined with Christian religious imagery to visually portray the story's themes of justice and 'God's punishment'. Sometimes the artwork evokes a sense of fear and suspense, other times it exudes a holy beauty. The cover is a comprehensive and metaphorical look at the philosophical manga that fans still love to this day.
10 Worship and Destruction
Episode 11 “Spirit of Harmony”
Volume 11 highlights and visually introduces an important character foreshadowing the end of Death Note. Teru Mikami stands on the left in a dark suit and with a scheming look on his face. The Death Note hangs in his hand while the ghoulish figure of Ryuk crouch behind him on the right. The illustration is heavily shaded, the lighter areas giving way to the creepy skeleton figures and gothic script of the Death Note rules, which is repeated on all the volume covers.
Despite appearing late in the story, Teru Mikami becomes an important character in the story's conclusion. Criminal prosecutor and follower Kira is another great character to portray the descent into madness for power and wrong intentions. While Light uses him as a proxy to ward off suspicion, Mikami enthusiastically takes up his position as if given a sacred mission. This cover highlights him, hiding his dark and scheming nature as he holds the tool of his 'mission' in his hands. Ultimately, Mikami's death differs between the anime and manga, but both depict his never-ending loyalty to Kira despite the consequences.
9 Is Closing
Episode 10 “Delete”
Both of L's successors are seen on the cover art for volume 10. Near's face is on the left with Mellow's on the right, both with serious, devoted expressions on their faces. A dim light is above, his body glowing and pointing towards the top of a white cross. The lines that separate the two gifted children create a visual parallel to their strained relationship and divergent paths despite their shared past and future goals.
Likewise, the placement of the protagonist's body atop the cross symbolizes both his supposed divine position as well as how he connects yet separates Mellow and Near. Obata skillfully layers his key motifs in Book Death illustrationThe series deftly sketches out characters, messages, and their connections with overlapping meanings. Fans cannot help but admire the author and illustrator's skillful, multifaceted art that makes the series an undisputed icon.
8 Bored Shinigami
Episode 3 “The Hard Run”
Volume 3 is a vibrant blue for Shinigami, keeping with his cool color palette. While darkness is the dominant element of the manga cover, vibrant and complementary colors are used to create different optical interests. Similar to most covers, there is a crosshatch pattern in the background, highlighting the image in the middle. Despite being a simple composition, the artwork is anything but simple, with visible texture in the rough background, overlapping bones as well as Ryuk's limbs, metal chains and belt, and feathered collar.
This is the second cover to feature Ryuk, but the first to give him his own solo flowers. Although his portrayal adds to society's grief and fear of the Kira disaster, and encourages horror to satisfy his own boredom, his character has become a fan favorite. Perhaps it's because of his interesting design and goofy attitude or his apathetic betrayal of Light's downfall, This innocent shinigami has become a Book Death idol.
7 False Superiority
Episode 6 “Give and Take”
Volume 6 is colored in soft tones, contrasting with the ominous figures in the middle. Gorgeous pinks and purples highlight the shinigami, Ryuk and Rem, who crouch in the lower half of the drawing. Light, dressed in a simple outfit, stands on the gods of death and is backed by a light blue background with writing. Obata effortlessly incorporates pleasing colors and intricate textures into this visually appealing cover.
Despite his heinous crimes and clever evasion of the law, Light's character is never portrayed as “hidden” or “shameful”. Through both text and illustration, There is a wonderful contrast between the protagonist's “holier than thou” attitude and the despicable ways he carries out his definition of justice.. He is drawn with an image of himself in mind, explaining his hypocritical attitude. Power and punishment are the main themes of the story, and through the images, readers can see how power and judgment are distorted as the series progresses.
6 Great Unconventional Detectives
Episode 7 “Zero”
Fan-favorite L appears on the cover of volume 7. He sits in his signature frowning pose, supported by a dark cross with intricate metal trim and soft white roses. He appears less invested and less professional through his character design with his signature casual attire, messy hair, and dark circles under his eyes. It contrasts his genius and his mature intelligence, creating a humorous contrast.
Despite the serious tone of most of the show, L still has his comedic moments with his quirky personality and random statements. Although Light and Misa are his rivals, their relationship becomes almost playful as they spend more time together. Fans love the moral gray aspect behind L.as part of his cat-and-mouse game with Light not only for the safety of the public but also for his own benefit in having a worthy opponent. His noble morals, thoughtfulness, and eccentric attitude make him an interesting 'enemy' to watch.
5 Hopeless Love and Useless Sacrifice
Episode 4 “Love”
Volume 4 is the first and only volume to focus on Misa Amane. She is seen wearing the iconic alt outfit that made Misa a fashion icon, complete with studs, leather, hardware, and layered jewelry. The contrasting turquoise background and stained glass cross make her dark outfit, light figure, and white shinigami companion stand out on the page. Illustrator Obata paid particular attention to Misa's design and feminine nature, choosing to draw her in a variety of outfits
Misa is fun, charming, but also hateful, dividing fan opinion, but she is a great character for readers to analyze and dissect. Although she can be overwhelming in Light's perception, Her character depicts tragedy, loyalty, and hopeful but misguided love.. Readers easily pity Misa as the story progresses, as they learn about her family's death, her trauma, Light's exploitation of her feelings, and ultimately her death, which ultimately solidifies her devotion to Light.
4 Chained by Fate (and Handcuffed)
Episode 5 “Whiteout”
The main characters are featured on the bright green cover of volume 5. L and Light are posed dynamically in front of another black cross with portraits of other characters seen inside. The two are handcuffed together while chains run across the page, linking this illustration to the parallel storyline taking place.
With the manga's endless twists, surprises, and set-ups, being handcuffed together creates another interesting situation as both characters try to outwit each other while being physically tied down. Fans are left breathless as prison time and the changing 'owners' of the death notes don't stop Kira from completing his mission, while L tries his best to decipher and predict the next move. Their relationship is an interesting battle between geniuses.It also serves as a subtle metaphor for good and evil and the different ways individuals express their beliefs.
3 Human judgment
Episode 1 “Bored”
Cover #1 is a beautiful and chilling piece of art to kick off the series. It is cohesively colored with purple and red tones set against a white cross and deep black shadows. The protagonist Light Yagami holds a scythe in his hand, with an ominous Ryuk hovering just behind him. Beneath their feet and high above their heads is a throne of bones, hinting to the reader about the home of the Shinigami and the nature of their relationship.
Death comes from boredom, the welcome poison of power, and a chain of deception and betrayal: Book Death solidified as a passionate and thrilling crime story like any other. Its remarkable world-building and illustrations draw readers into a fascinating moral investigation. For regular readers and new viewers, this series will surprise and delight.
2 Assuming 'God'
Episode 12 “The End”
The cover of Volume 12 is a unique and meaningful illustration of the ending of Death Note. Without color and kept in a matte finish, the drawing gives the appearance of a marble statue similar to historical sculptures. The bright colors and character positions convey a 'holy' aura, as Light stands with his arms spread out in holy reverence. Misa, Mellow, Near, and L are placed around his legs and feet, also showing biblical imagery as their connections slowly wither away.
Crucifixion, equality in death, disciples, holy nature and punishment of sin are all Christian metaphors and symbols that recur throughout the story. The author and illustrator together depict these metaphors through Light's overarching God complex and the 'whitewashed' murders. Yagami's parabolic death and Ryuk's delighted embrace of his end represents the series' protagonist's belated realization as he finds “exoneration” and justice in his own death.
1 Checkmate
Episode 13 “How to Read”
The final volume cover is probably the most recognizable of all. Volume 13 features portraits of Light and L on either side with a bright red apple in the middle. Many characters including the police force, Misa, shinigami, and others are mixed in with the background shading. The monochrome artwork with the only color coming from the two main characters and the iconic fruit draws the reader's eye to the middle.
Although it is an unmistakable work of art, This issue contains only series details, character bios, behind-the-scenes and other side stories for readers to enjoy.. The creators have thoughtfully curated the final issue to provide additional information for fans to explore. For a chance to learn more about the characters in progress, see silly interactions, or get a unique side story not found in the anime, volume 13 is a great addition to the main storyline with a beautiful cover.
