Evil Must Be Punished: Apocalyptic Religion in the Television Series Death Note

Abstract

Death Note, a contemporary anime television series, tells the story of one student who kills thousands of criminals around the world in an effort to make the world a better place for those who are righteous. The series has enjoyed worldwide popularity, particularly in Japan and the United States. Upon examination, it is clear that the morality of Death Note is strongly influenced by apocalyptic religion. A common fixture of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, certain forms of apocalyptic religion emphasize God's judgment on the wicked. Apocalyptic religion has had a very real influence throughout history, especially in the United States. The series' enthusiasm for apocalypticism and the creators' ambivalence about the morality of the story are troubling and a potential cause for concern.

Notes

¹Since the focus of this article was on American apocalypticism, the English dub of Death Note was examined. The manga (Japanese comic) version of Death Note was used to supplement details changed or left absent in the anime.