Hello, fellow anime fans! Today I want to talk about one of my favorite anime series of all time: Death Note. If you haven't watched it yet, you are missing out on a thrilling and captivating story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Synopsis
Death Note is an anime adaptation of a manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba
and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It follows the story of Light Yagami, a
genius high school student who finds a mysterious notebook that can kill
anyone whose name is written in it.
He decides to use it to create a utopian world free of crime and evil, but he
soon faces opposition from L, a brilliant detective who is determined to catch
him. Along the way, he also encounters other characters who have their own
agendas and motives, such as Misa Amane, a pop idol who also possesses a Death
Note, and Ryuk, a shinigami (god of death) who dropped the notebook into the
human world out of boredom.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Death Note is the symbolism and meaning behind various objects and themes in the series. One of them is the apple, which appears frequently throughout the series. But what is the significance of the apple in Death Note? What does it represent and how does it relate to the characters and the plot? In this blog post, I will try to answer these questions and explore the deeper layers of this fascinating anime.
Apple's Importance Mythologically
The apple is a symbol that has been commonly used in many cultures and religions. It is often associated with ideas such as knowledge, temptation, sin, and death. In Christianity, for instance, the apple is believed to be the forbidden fruit that led to Adam and Eve's expulsion from paradise.
In Greek mythology, the apple was given by the goddess of discord to Paris, which caused the Trojan War. In Norse mythology, the apple was known as a source of immortality for the gods, which they ate to stay young and healthy.
Different Perspectives in Death Note
In Death Note, the apple has different meanings for different characters.
Ryuk
Ryuk, a character from Death Note, has an obsession with apples, which he compares to cigarettes or alcohol for humans. He claims that if he goes for a long time without eating an apple, he will perish, although this is later revealed to be a lie.
Ryuk's love for apples reflects his boredom and dissatisfaction with his life in the shinigami realm, and he takes pleasure in manipulating and teasing humans for his own amusement.
Light
For Light, the apple is a source of power and control. He uses apples to bribe Ryuk into helping him or keeping his secrets. He also uses apples to distract Ryuk from noticing his actions or plans. For example, in episode 8, he throws an apple into the air to make Ryuk look away while he writes down Raye Penber's name in the Death Note.
In episode 25, he gives Ryuk an apple laced with a drug that makes him fall asleep so that he can regain his memories of being Kira by touching the Death Note hidden in his watch. Light's use of apples shows his cunning and intelligence, as well as his arrogance and ambition. He believes that he can manipulate anyone and anything to achieve his goals of becoming the god of the new world.
Misa
For Misa, the apple is a source of love and devotion. She loves Light so much that she is willing to do anything for him, even if it means sacrificing her own life or happiness. She also loves apples because they remind her of Light.
In episode 13, she tells Light that she likes apples because they are sweet and crunchy like him. In episode 26, she bakes an apple pie for Light as a Valentine's Day gift. Misa's love for apples shows her innocence and naivety, as well as her loyalty and dedication. She trusts Light completely and follows his orders without question.