I love Light. I just love him. I was once told that "Light fangirls are all shallow or clinically disturbed because how could you possibly like a raging evil psychopath unless you just liked him because he's pretty?"... Well
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I agree with you about using the Death Note at first. It's like Light says, it's human nature to want to try it out. Curiosity. I think there is a lot about Light's character for people to relate to.
I come up against this question all the time - "how could you possibly like Light so much when he's a raging evil psychopath"? It takes me by surprise, because fiction is full of villains who develop huge followings for a reason! Outside of the real world where we all have to live, I've always instinctively sided with the bad guys. They're more interesting. They move the plot. Frequently, they do things we wish we could do, if only for a moment.
So I love Light dearly, and I love him not because I think he isn't evil, but because he's evil. I'm definitely a fan of Light-as-Kira, too; Yotsuba Light has grown on me, but originally he bored me rigid. I know why people argue that Light isn't actually evil, but if you step back from his perspective and take a look at what happens, the story's rather timeworn - arrogant genius takes over world using secret artifact, while various people try to stop him and eventually succeed. "No, Mr L, I expect you to die!" He gloats. He's got a line all his own in evil grins. He bumps off his followers
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I would post my own response to this thread, but I believe you've said it all for me. I love villains and evil characters; they fascinate me because they are so diabolical. As a villain and for all the reasons you just listed, I adore Light. Regardless of why he did or did not take up the mantle to be a god, in the end he is a diabolical, conniving, and often over the top bastard...and I love him for that. If there's one thing I dislike about Light is his self-denial that he is a bastard no matter what horrible things he does but you are absolutely right that that makes him so fascinating. I am not a fan at all of the idea that Light is a sweet boy and Kira is an evil side of his personality because that takes all responsibility away from Light and denies that he is at this state. He knows this is who he is even if he tries to wrap it in a pretty package and try to give it a good motivation. I just like my Light wholly evil.
Oh, Light knows he's a very bad boy, make no mistake. At the start, he's so horrified to be called evil that he freaks out all over poor Lind L. Tailor - who might even have survived if he hadn't come out with that, as I read the scene! That would have screwed L over a bit, mind. By the time Soichiro's dead, you have that scene at the window, where he stares into the distance and talks about how Kira knows he's a murderer, but will sacrifice himself to save the world.
The thing about the theory that Light is a sweet boy and Kira is his dark side is that all of us have dark sides like that. Calling Light's "Kira" distances it in a way that's not really appropriate - he might be known to the world as Kira, but the evil he does, the corruption he exemplifies, that's still all Light. He's complicated and wonderful, and right up to his father's death (and, arguably, almost to the very end) he can be concerned for those few people he loves, he can be kind, he can be thoughtful. He does love people, and the world. He means well, and he
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*Amused* It's surprising that Matt's death was used as the main example of why fans could hate Light, instead of L's death which is the most important.
I think it was when Light killed Raye Penbur that I realized he was not living up to his own ideals. Raye was just a good cop. And on top of that, he kills Naomi, because she could reveal his identity as Kira. Those deaths, to me, were way more pivotal in revealing Light's character than the death of Matt (who we only saw briefly before he died, and by then, the body count was huge).
And of course, while I love Raye and I love Naomi, I think that is one of my favorite parts of the series: the tension and the camera angles are great. Raye seeing Light as Kira on the train before he dies is so tragic. And sadly, it makes me like Light more for his intelligence and ability to play the game. Even though it is an evil game.
My reasons for liking Light (and any other character) come straight from the anime/manga/movies. I don't read many DN fanworks, so it doesn't influence me.
In terms of Light, while I disagree with his ideals, he is intelligent, calm under pressure (we only see him freak out twice - Lind L Taylor & at the end), the way he deceives people is admirable, and yes, he is attractive.
I think Light somehow have a huge connection to my position as a human being right now (being the first-class student, parents are proud etc.) so there's no way I could say that I don't like him. It's nice when I get to relate to him in a way, and probably to not repeat the mistake he has done? Like when I suddenly feel all proud and stuff I'd be immediately pulled back to earth because "Uh oh I don't want to end up like Light.".
Even better, if I don't study I could even think like this- "Light studies every day. Why are you still slacking off?" Funny as it is, but I'm sure he has created a huge influence in me. Supposedly I am a long-time L fan, but the truth is Light mostly have more of the connections with me and thus the theory: "If I love L, but I'm Light, then LxLight exists!" Hahahaha jk jk.
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So I love Light dearly, and I love him not because I think he isn't evil, but because he's evil. I'm definitely a fan of Light-as-Kira, too; Yotsuba Light has grown on me, but originally he bored me rigid. I know why people argue that Light isn't actually evil, but if you step back from his perspective and take a look at what happens, the story's rather timeworn - arrogant genius takes over world using secret artifact, while various people try to stop him and eventually succeed. "No, Mr L, I expect you to die!" He gloats. He's got a line all his own in evil grins. He bumps off his followers ( ... )
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I am not a fan at all of the idea that Light is a sweet boy and Kira is an evil side of his personality because that takes all responsibility away from Light and denies that he is at this state. He knows this is who he is even if he tries to wrap it in a pretty package and try to give it a good motivation. I just like my Light wholly evil.
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The thing about the theory that Light is a sweet boy and Kira is his dark side is that all of us have dark sides like that. Calling Light's "Kira" distances it in a way that's not really appropriate - he might be known to the world as Kira, but the evil he does, the corruption he exemplifies, that's still all Light. He's complicated and wonderful, and right up to his father's death (and, arguably, almost to the very end) he can be concerned for those few people he loves, he can be kind, he can be thoughtful. He does love people, and the world. He means well, and he ( ... )
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And of course, while I love Raye and I love Naomi, I think that is one of my favorite parts of the series: the tension and the camera angles are great. Raye seeing Light as Kira on the train before he dies is so tragic. And sadly, it makes me like Light more for his intelligence and ability to play the game. Even though it is an evil game.
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In terms of Light, while I disagree with his ideals, he is intelligent, calm under pressure (we only see him freak out twice - Lind L Taylor & at the end), the way he deceives people is admirable, and yes, he is attractive.
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Even better, if I don't study I could even think like this- "Light studies every day. Why are you still slacking off?" Funny as it is, but I'm sure he has created a huge influence in me. Supposedly I am a long-time L fan, but the truth is Light mostly have more of the connections with me and thus the theory: "If I love L, but I'm Light, then LxLight exists!" Hahahaha jk jk.
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