Does Light Yagami die in Death Note? Light’s actions and consequences explained

Death Note is the most loved psychological thriller anime series that retains a huge fanbase all around the world. The series is loved for its peculiar plotline featuring exceptionally smart characters, capable of subduing their opponents by playing labyrinthine mind games.

The story follows Light Yagami, a genius high school student who out of the blue becomes the judge of everyone’s fate after acquiring the 'death' notebook. Although Light resorted to removing evil from the world, he became the very person he hated the most his whole life. By looking at Light’s actions had consequences, the end of Death Note was already predicted by fans.

The only question that still revolves around sporadically in every Death Note fan's mind is: Does Light Yagami die for real at the end of the series?

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Death Note series.

---

Is Light Yagami really dead in Death Note?

Light gets exposed as the real Kira by the combined efforts of Near and Mello. Before Light could write anyone’s name on a small piece of paper inside his watch, Matsuda shoots the latter's right hand. He again shoots Light multiple times, which makes him fall to the ground. However, Light still gets up with the little strength he has and walks out of the vicinity.

Although running away with severe wounds was redundant, he still tried to get away from the place and entered an empty building, where he finally died in the middle of the staircase. But the real cause of Light’s death was a heart attack, not gunshots.

As Ryuk said in his first encounter, he will write Light’s name in his Death Note before the latter dies, whilst explaining the consequences of the notebook. Light is finally dead in the series as the shinigami himself personally wrote the former's name.

Ryuk also tells Light that the human owner of the notebook could neither enter hell nor heaven. Light dying in the middle of a flight of stairs away from everyone's sights insinuated the dire consequences that led to his end. Light’s death symbolizes that his effort to become a God was unavailing because he was just a human being like everyone else, one who just got corrupted by power.

In his last moments, he saw a mirage of himself walking in the opposite direction with the Death Note in his hands. This moment was just his manifested thought, making him remember the day it all started and how life could have been if he had never picked up the book. He became the very cause of his father’s death, who admired him for his genius, his entire life.

Moments before writing Light’s name, Ryuk talks to himself, addressing every word to Light:

“We’ve eased each other’s boredom for quite a while. It’s been quite fun.”

As part of the deal, Ryuk had to write Light’s name. Unlike Misa Amane’s Shinigami Rem, Ryuk didn’t carry any kind of fondness towards Light Yagami. However, he was intrigued and fascinated by Light’s cunningness and infatuation with the notebook.

---

How was Light's death in the manga different from the anime?

Light's death in the manga (Image via Takeshi Obata/Shueisha)

Light is seen becoming more desperate in his final moments in the anime. He calls out for Kiyomi and Asa, who aren't even present there. As Teru stabs himself and everybody rushes to him, Light makes a fruitless escape. He seems to have burst out of his facade as God and dread his fragility as a human. In his final moments, Light imagines his younger self walking past him. Even Ryuk watches him with pity from a distance. He died a sad and lonely death.

However, Light's end in the manga was more humiliating and desolate. Teru didn't commit suicide and Light laid there in a pool of blood begging Ryuk to write the officers' name in the Death Note. Much to Light's surprise, Ryuk says that he will write the former's name instead. He said that he had lost himself compared to the time they first met. So he wrote Light's name and he died away crying and thrashing not wanting to die.

His death in the manga was much more liked by the fans because of the ruthlessness that stemmed from Light's actions. It was more befitting considering he never let go of his false superiority even at the end.

---

Be sure to follow us for all anime and manga news.