# Death Note (manga)

Death Note (デスノート) (December 2003 – May 2006) is a Japanese manga series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. In it, Japanese high school student Light Yagami discovers a notebook belonging to a Shinigami, or god of death, that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages, in accordance with certain rules. Succumbing to the temptation to use it to kill criminals, and later anyone whom he deems unworthy of life or who threatens to uncover his secret, Light becomes the serial killer "Kira" and starts to see himself as the "God of the New World".

## Quotes
### Vol. 1: Boredom
#### Chapter 1: Boredom

    Light: Somebody has to do this!! This world needs to be cleaned up. Jut suppose I gave the notebook to someone else, could they do it? Nobody would have the guts... But I do... I could do it... Not just that... I’m the only one who could do it. So I'll do it!! I’m using the Death Note... to change the world.
    Light: I'll make this a world inhabited only by people I decide are good!
    Ryuk: You do something like that, the only one left with a bad personality will be you...
    Light: What are you talking about, Ryuk? I'm a serious, straight-A student... a model teenager. And I... will reign over a new world.
    Ryuk: [to himself] I was right. Humans... are fun!!

#### Chapter 2: L

    Light: Me... evil...? I am righteous!! I'm the hero who's liberating people from fear. I'm the savior who's going to be like a God of this perfect new world! Those who try to fight me... They're the evil ones! You are too damn stupid, L... If you'd been smarter, this could've gotten interesting... [writes down the conman's name, thinking he was L, thus falling into L's trap]
    L: Evidently, you aren't able to kill me. So there are people you can't kill. That's a valuable clue. Now I'll give you some information in return. Although it was announced that this was being televised globally... it was actually broadcast only in the Kanto region around Tokyo. The plan was to broadcast live to other areas in turn but that is no longer necessary. You are in the Kanto region of Japan, Kira.
    L: Kira, it would interest me greatly to know how you carry out your murders... but that's something I can find out after I catch you!
    Light: Send me... to die, he said... L...
    L: Kira...
    Both: [in unison] I'm going to find and dispose of you, if it's the last thing I do!!
    Light: I'm...
    L: I'm...
    Both: [in unison] Righteous!!
    Ryuk: So, you're both trying to find someone you know nothing about... Not their name, face or anything else. And whoever is found first, is out. Dead...
    Light: I'll win.
    Ryuk: Hyuk hyuk hyuk. I'm watching this contest to the bitter end.

#### Chapter 3: Family

    Ryuk: Watch out, Light... That Death Note in your drawer... if she touches it, well, anyone who touches it can see me.
    Light: [to himself] Now he tells me something crucial like that... this damn Shinigami...
    Sayu: Hey, you were reading this magazine? Isn't it kinda dirty? Oh, I know. Is this why you locked your door?
    Light: Hey, you. I was looking at the articles about Kira and L.
    Sayu: Oh, yeah. You're going to be a detective when you grow up. So you're studying for that, too. Wow.
    L: This is clearly a challenge directed at me.
    Light: I'm walking on a tightrope here... if I blow it... Kira... will have to kill his own family.

#### Chapter 4: Current

    Light: [to Ryuk] My sister would have a heart attack just from seeing your face.
    Light: Behind the scenes, L will be spying on the police... and the police will be trying to track down L!! So L is not going to be found... by me. The police will take care of that for me. And then I'll eliminate him.
    Light: [sarcastically] What's better, having a small fire in the house or getting the death penalty? Huh?

#### Chapter 5: Eyeballs

    Light: [to Ryuk] I told you, don't talk to me outside my room... People can't hear you, Ryuk, but they can hear me.
    Ryuk: [to Light] I'm neither on your side nor L's side in this.
    Ryuk: These last couple of days... This guy's been following every step you take. He doesn't see me, of course, but I feel like I'm being watched...
    Light: Yeah, that is a pain in the butt. I'll get rid of him for you really soon, Ryuk.
    Ryuk: Give me half of your remaining lifetime, and you can have a shinigami's eyes.
    Light: And with those, I can look at anyone and know what their name is... Hmm...

#### Chapter 6: Manipulation

    Ryuk: [referring to Light] Even though I'm a Shinigami, he's never been afraid of me or tried to kiss my butt.
    Light: If I could have your wings instead of your eyes, I might have seriously considered a deal... To have wings and fly at will through the skies... It's godlike, isn't it? It's a dream human beings have had since antiquity.
    Ryuk: If you sprouted wings and started flying around, people would notice you... The cops would catch you just for that.
    Light: I was just joking, Ryuk. Still... if I kept cutting deals on eyes and wings and stuff, next thing I know I'd be a real Shinigami myself... That would be pretty interesting, too.
    Ryuk: Don't worry, Light. Even without doing that... you're already a fine shinigami.
    Light: It's a little early... But I'll try a few anyway. Take whoever answers.
    Ryuk: Try a few...?
    Light: Girls. This might surprise you, but I'm pretty popular with the ladies, Ryuk.

#### Chapter 7: Target

    Light: Do you have anything that will prove to me that you aren't the hijacker's accomplice?
    Girl: A-accomplice?
    Light: It's pretty common practice. They make you think there's only one guy, but actually he has an accomplice in the back to keep watch and come to the rescue if something happens... Well, do you?
    Raye Penber: You want proof? Here. [hands Light his FBI ID]
    Light: [memorizes his name, and hands him back his ID] Okay, I trust you, and right now I won't ask why an FBI agent is on this bus.
    Light: [after watching his plan play out perfectly] The Death Note's right on time.

### Vol. 9: Contact
#### Chapter 71: Contact

    Soichiro: No. I'll make the deal for the eyes.
    Ide: Deputy director?!
    Light: [to himself] What?!
    Soichiro: After all, I was the one who handed them the notebook. I thought of killing myself for doing it. If a situation comes up where we have to use the notebook, then I'll be the one to use it, and die 13 days later.

#### Chapter 72: Verification

    Ryuk: Shinigami trust other Shinigami before they trust humans.

#### Chapter 73: Cornered

    Mello: [to himself] I can't let them see my face.
    Light: [referring to Mello] He's unbelievable... Who knows what he'll do next...? I have to kill him here...
    Soichiro: [looking at Mello with the Shinigami eyes] Mello... Mihael Keehl. Your real name is Mihael Keehl.

#### Chapter 74: A Fine Performance

    Mello: [to himself] Damn it... I've got no choice... It's all or nothing... [presses the switch, making the whole building explode.]
    Light: [to himself] Mello's very existence is a danger to me. I've got to kill him any way I can. Once my father regains consciousness, I'll force him to write Mello's name in the notebook if I have to...
    Light: [on his father's deathbed] Come on, Dad! Please don't die!!
    Soichiro: Light...
    Light: Dad! [to himself] Good!
    Soichiro: Light... I-I'm so glad...
    Light: I'm glad too, Dad. Can you move?!
    Soichiro: I still have the eyes. And according to that Shinigami... Ryuk, I can't see the lifespan of someone who owns a notebook. Light, you're not Kira... I'm so glad...
    Matsuda: O-of course he isn't! You were still worried about that?
    Light: [to Soichiro] Don't talk so much. [to himself] That's important too, but there's something much more important right now. Write Mello's name down in the notebook...
    Soichiro: I... I'm sorry... I couldn't kill him after all...
    Light: [to himself] Asking him to write Mello's name down right now is... No, I can get around it... At a time like this, it probably won't be strange if I seem to panic.
    Soichiro: I... I'm sorry... I couldn't kill him after all... Light... I'm counting on you to...
    Light: [to himself] It would be natural if I started to panic right now. There's no time to lose. [out loud] Dad, write his name! Use all the strength you've got left and write his name! Don't let him keep getting the better of you like this!
    Ide: [pus his hand on Light's shoulder] L-Light...
    Light: Come on Dad, do you want to die in vain? Write it, Dad! Hurry up and remember his face! [with begging eyes, places a pen in Soichiro's hand] Dad! [Soichiro drops the pen; his heart monitor indicates that he's died.]
    Doctor: I'm sorry...
    Light: [shouting] Dad! Dad! Don't you die, damn it!
    Ryuk: Those who use the notebook are cursed with misfortune... Well, Soichiro never actually used the notebook himself, and he died believing that his son wasn't Kira, so I guess he was happy...

#### Chapter 75: Acknowledgement

    Light: Near's already bombarding me with questions like it's an interrogation... There's a possibility that he's beginning to suspect me... L.
    Near: The new L is too foolish and Kira is too active.
    Near: I've had my suspicions but judging from the unbelievably convenient deal between Kira and the Japanese taskforce on this case... At the very least... Kira and the Japanese taskforce are connected.
    Halle: Connected...?
    Near: No... If Kira is actually within the task force, then... the new L is Kira.
    Near: Investigations are based upon assumptions. If you're wrong, you just have to say "Sorry."
    Light: Kira will sacrifice even himself to change the world for the better... That is the true justice Kira has chosen ... If Kira is caught, then the world will be in chaos again, but don't think about that. Good... or evil... Everything depends on the results. If we catch Kira, then Kira is evil. If Kira rules the world, then Kira is good ... [to himself] But the world is rapidly coming to Kira's side. Soon Kira will be Justice!

#### Chapter 76: Greetings

    Near: [playing with a toy train] I'm scared, so I'm not going to go outside.

#### Chapter 77: Use

    Mello: [irritated] Near. [points his gun at him] I'm not a tool for you to use to solve the puzzle. [Gevanni and Rester instantly point their guns at Mello again]
    Near: Commander Rester, don't make me repeat myself. Please lower your gun. Mello, if you want to shoot me, shoot.
    Mello: The murder notebook. It's a Shinigami's notebook, and people who touch it are able to see the Shinigami.
    Rester: I-impossible.
    Gevanni: Who's going to believe that? A Shinigami...?
    Near: [pauses] I believe him. What advantage is there for Mello in coming up with such a stupid story about a Shinigami really existing? If he were telling a lie, he would tell me a normal — more meaningful — lie. Therefore, the Shinigami exists.
    Mello: Near.
    Near: Mello.
    Mello: [holding a chocolate bar] Which of us is going to get Kira first...?
    Near: [twirling his own hair] The race is on...
    Mello: Our destination is the same. I'll be waiting for you when you get there... [takes a bite of chocolate.]

#### Chapter 78: Prediction

    Near: I think I'm figuring it out... The new L... and members of the Japanese task force... did you see the original L's face?
    Near: I believe Mello over a Shinigami. It's a Shinigami, for God's sake... How could I believe such a thing...? And if my assumption [that the "thirteen day rule" is fake] stands... then Kira is among you, and is making the Shinigami lie.
    Ryuk: [to himself] Wow, this guy's hit the bull's eye...
    Light: [to himself] L's heir, huh...? He's worse than L...
    Near: Then how about this? I'll write Mello's name in the book. ... If Mello dies... and I die thirteen days after writing his name down... Kira wins, and I have no problem with that.
    Light: ... Near, we can't test the notebook whatever the reason. We promise you that we'll take full responsibility for protecting it.
    Near: Very well, as expected. [hangs up and smiles]
    Light: [to himself] Expecting us to say that...? So he said it even though he knew that we were going to reject it...? Then Near's real objective was to get the others to have doubts about me...?

#### Chapter 79: Lies

    Near: [to himself] I have no reason to doubt that this man is truly from the Japanese taskforce ... but it's not impossible. [calls L]
    Matsuda: Hey, it's Near again, and at a time like this.
    Light: Yes, Near?
    Near: Sorry, I called the wrong number. [hangs up]
    Matsuda: Huh?! What? Near just dialed the wrong number?
    Light: What are you doing, Near...?
    Near: [to himself] So, it's not L...
    Near: [referring to Light] Damn it, he's lying through his teeth... [crushes the head of a toy robot.]

### Vol. 12: Finis
#### Chapter 103: Declaration

    Near: Since I had already touched this notebook beforehand... I could see the Shinigami from the moment you entered this warehouse. Mr. Shinigami, nice to meet you. I'm Near.
    Ryuk: [impressed] Hyuk hyuk, nice to meet you. I'm Ryuk.
    Near: Ryuk... until today, I always believed that Shinigami had skulls for faces and carried sickles.
    Ryuk: Hyuk, well, there are ones like that, too.

#### Chapter 104: Answer

    Near: Mello always said he was going to be number one, and that he was going to be better than me and L. But I always knew that I would never be able to surpass L. It could be that I lack the action and he lacked the calm... and even though we couldn't surpass the one we admired on our own... together we can stand with L. Together we can surpass L. And now... we are facing Kira, whom L could find no proof against, the very Kira who L was defeated by. Facing Kira with solid evidence before his very eyes! Let's see you talk your way out of this one.

#### Chapter 105: Impossible

    Near: [picking up his Kira figure] You... are just a murderer. And this notebook here is the worst murder weapon in the history of mankind. If you had been a normal person, and had used this notebook once, out of curiosity... you would have been surprised and scared of what happened, and regretted what you had done. And never used this notebook again. To speak of extremes... I can casually understand those who would use this notebook for their personal interests and kill a couple of people, and even think that they're normal. [squashes the figure] But you have yielded to the power of the notebook and Shinigami, and have confused yourself with a god... You're just a crazy mass murderer. Nothing more. And nothing less.
    Light: Near, you're wrong. I'm the icon of justice now.
    Near: You may be right. Nobody can tell what is right and what is wrong, what is righteous and what is evil. Even if there is a God, and I had His teachings before me, I would think it through and decide if that was right or wrong myself. I'm no different from you.
    [Light looks surprised at this for a moment]
    Near: I believe in what is right, and believe that to be righteous. You are no god. And I feel that the whole idea of you setting the path for all the people to follow is neither peaceful nor righteous. And anybody who claims to be God and kills people from left to right is definitely evil by my standards. But what do the other people here, besides you and me, feel is righteous...?
    [The Japanese Task Force and SPK members do not speak, but are all starting to glare at Light]
    Light: [thinking, contemptuously] A bunch of hopeless fools...

#### Chapter 106: Intent to Kill

    [After Matsuda shoots Light in the hand to stop him from writing Near's name]
    Light: M-Matsuda...? YOU IDIOT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SHOOTING, MATSUDA?! DAMN YOU! If you're going to shoot someone, shoot the others! What do you think you're doing?! Matsuda...! I thought you were the only person who understood me. Kira is righteous! Kira is needed! Shoot! Shoot Near, the SPK members, Aizawa and the others!
    [Matsuda keeps aiming at him, weeping in disgust and betrayal]
    Matsuda: Wh-What was it all for? The Chie-- no, Deputy Director... Deputy Director Yagami... He was your father... What did your father die for...?
    Light: [panting] Dad? Are you talking about Soichiro Yagami? That's right, Matsuda. Overly earnest people with a strong sense of justice like him always end up the loser. Do you want a world where people like him are always made fools of?!
    Matsuda: You drove your father to his death. And now you're trying to change the subject by telling me that he was made a fool...
    Light: A society, a world where people like my father will never have to be made into fools... Soichiro Yagami died to create that. I'm telling you to kill the others so that his death was not in vain! Can't you understand me?!
    [Matsuda only looks angrier; Light tries to continue writing with his finger]
    Aizawa: He's using his blood!
    [Matsuda shoots Light several more times, knocking him to the floor]
    Matsuda: [aiming at his head] I have to kill him! This guy has got to die!
    Light: Mikami! What are you doing? Help me! Write their names down! Kill them! Kill them... that's your job... what are you doing?!
    Mikami: How could I write their names down... in a situation like this... and with a fake notebook... YOU'RE NOT GOD! What the hell is this? Look what you've gotten me into. You're no god, you're just... scum.
    Light: Damn you!

#### Chapter 107: Curtain

    Light: Sucks to be you, Near! The only choice you had was to kill me right away! But now that Ryuk's decided to write your names down, nobody can stop him! It's too late! You're all going to die!
    Ryuk: [writing] No, Light. The only one who's going to die... is you.
    Light: [shocked] Ryuk, you...
    [We see that Ryuk is writing "Light Yagami"]
    Light: You... Stop it! [lunges at Ryuk, only to pass right through him]
    Ryuk: No matter how I look at it, you've lost, Light. I was kind of expecting to see you get out of this one, but if I'm your last resort, you really are done for. You've eased my boredom for quite a long time, haven't you? It was a lot of fun.
    Light: [incredulous and scared] A-Am I going to die?! I'm going to die!
    Ryuk: That's right. In forty seconds... you'll have a heart attack. It's already been decided upon.
    Light: [terrified, losing all composure] I-I'm going to die. N... N... No... I don't want to die. I don't want to die! Damn it! Stop it! I don't want to die!
    Ryuk: You sound so undignified. It's not like you, Light. I told you in the very beginning that I would be the one writing your name in the notebook when you die. That is the rule between the Shinigami who brings the notebook into the human realm and the first human who picks up the notebook. If they put you in prison, who knows when you'll die? I don't want to just lie around waiting for you to die, so it's all over. You should die right here.
    Light: N... No! I don't want to die! I don't want to go to prison either! Do something! I know there's a way out of it, Ryuk!!
    Ryuk: Once a name is written down in the Death Note, you can't do anything about it. You more than anybody else should know that. Goodbye, Light Yagami.
    [The Japanese Task Force and SPK have been watching in silence; Matsuda steps forward]
    Matsuda: Light...
    Aizawa: [holding him back] Matsuda! Stop it. What is it this time, sympathy?
    [Matsuda doesn't reply]
    Light: [screaming] I'M GOING TO DIE IN A FEW MORE SECONDS! NO, I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
    Ryuk: [in flashback] Don't think that any human who's used the Death Note can go to Heaven or Hell. You'll find out about that after you die. There is no Heaven or Hell. No matter what you do while you're alive, everybody goes to the same place once you die. Death is equal.
    Light: NO, I DON'T WANT TO DIE! AAAA-AARGH, I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANT TO GO! [his heart stops, and he collapses] D... Damn it... [dies]