Death Note and Dexter

[bitterfig]

I wrote most of this in August but only just got around to finishing it up. I’m currently into Season 3 of Dexter--

I recently watched the first two seasons of the Showtime series Dexter. At roughly the same time I was also reading the manga Death Note (I’m on volume 9 of 12) and I find myself sort of fascinated by the striking similarities

Comments

[lookfar]

Hee. Last year when Tristan read Crime and P for school, he wrote a paper elucidating the similarities between Light and Raskolnikov. Based on the manga, although we've also seen the first live-action movie.

[bitterfig]

That sounds like a really great paper. It's wonderful to see a teenager bringing so much creativity to their schoolwork. I have to admit I've never read Crime and Punishment (I've always been sort of intimidated by the Russian literature canon) but from what I know of it Light and Raskolnikov would make a very interesting comparison.

[lookfar]

And very interesting comments here. I've not watched Dexter, but he sounds like that great character, the sympathetic bad guy. I guess that's called an antihero, eh?

So, is there much violence on Dexter?

[bitterfig]

There is quite a bit of violence on Dexter and the early episodes of first season with feature dismembered prostitutes are particularly ugly. I had a really hard time getting into it for that reason though eventually I got hooked.

[lawless523]

I've only watched a limited amount of Dexter and read a few volumes of Death Note, but I have the same reaction you do: Dexter tries hard to be normal and blend in and has protective instincts; Light is a self-deluded egomaniac.

[bitterfig]

Death Note is one of the better manga series I've read, it's so twisty and turny but I don't find myself identifying with Light at all whereas Dexter has a lot of themes that really resound for me, the idea of keeping secrets from those you love, hiding your true nature and playing a role with others.

[etrangere]

Great comparison, I agree wholeheartedly with your conclusion :)

[sakru909]

Interesting comparison. I've never got the opportunity to watch Dexter, but it does sound pretty good.

If you liked Death Note, I think another anime/manga you might enjoy is Monster. It's pretty violent at times, but very intelligent.

[bitterfig]

I know I've heard of Monster in passing. I'll have to make a point of looking it up.