Death Note, a celebrated manga and anime series, has captivated audiences for years. Known for its complex characters, deep philosophical questions, and moral quandaries, Death Note has earned a spot in pop culture as one of the most thought-provoking stories in modern media. At its core lies a mysterious and powerful notebook—the Death Note—which allows its user to kill anyone whose name and face they know by simply writing their name in the book. However, just as the notebook’s human owners must follow strict rules, the supernatural Shinigami (gods of death) who originally own these notebooks are themselves bound by a series of unbreakable rules.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most intriguing rules that govern the Shinigami in Death Note with Animeking.
10. If Light Gives Away the Death Note, He Loses His Memories
One of the first rules Ryuk explains to Light Yagami, the protagonist of the series, is the consequence of giving away the Death Note. If Light were to relinquish ownership of the Death Note, Ryuk would be obligated to erase his memories of ever having possessed the notebook. While the choice to give away the notebook is entirely Light’s, the result would be dire for him. Ryuk’s warning emphasizes the immense responsibility that comes with owning such a powerful object, as well as the deep psychological impact it has on its owner. Light’s rapid rise to power shows how easily absolute power can corrupt even the most brilliant mind.
9. Ryuk Must Write Light’s Name in the Notebook When He Dies
Upon the death of the human bearer of the Death Note, the Shinigami who originally owned the notebook must write the human’s name in their own Death Note. When this happens, the deceased human will not go to Heaven or Hell; instead, their fate is left ambiguous. For Light Yagami, this means that Ryuk will ultimately be the one who writes his name in the book. The mysterious afterlife of those killed by the Death Note leaves much to the imagination—perhaps they exist in an endless limbo, or perhaps they cease to exist altogether.
8. Ryuk Cannot Kill Another Shinigami
Shinigami are forbidden from killing each other with their Death Notes. Ryuk, like the other Shinigami, is bound by this rule, which adds an extra layer to his boredom. Since he cannot take the life of another Shinigami and finds no pleasure in distant killing, he drops his notebook into the human world to watch the chaos unfold firsthand. His inability to kill his own kind underscores the limits of his power, leading him to seek out entertainment in the human realm.
7. Ryuk Becomes Visible to Any Human Who Touches the Death Note
The moment a human touches even a single page of the Death Note, the Shinigami who owns it becomes visible to that human. This rule plays a crucial role in Death Note, particularly in how Light manipulates others without revealing Ryuk’s presence. The necessity of keeping the notebook hidden from prying eyes and hands adds tension to the story, especially as Light must prevent anyone from accidentally summoning Ryuk by touching the book.
6. Ryuk Cannot Interfere with Light’s Use of the Death Note
Though Ryuk is allowed to offer advice, he is forbidden from directly interfering with Light’s actions involving the Death Note. This rule leaves Light to navigate the complexities of the notebook on his own, relying only on his intelligence and Ryuk’s cryptic remarks. Ryuk’s hands-off approach allows the plot to focus on Light’s strategic mind as he outwits those who seek to capture him. Yet, Ryuk’s ability to freely offer misleading information adds an element of unpredictability to the story.
5. Ryuk is Bound to the Human Realm Until Light Dies
Ryuk cannot return to the Shinigami realm until Light either dies or the Death Note is destroyed. This rule explains why Ryuk stays by Light’s side throughout the entire story, despite having the freedom to go elsewhere. While Ryuk enjoys the spectacle of Light’s cat-and-mouse game with law enforcement, he is also bound to stay in the human world until the notebook’s fate is decided. Ryuk’s continued presence creates a lingering sense of foreboding, as he passively watches Light’s descent into darkness.
4. Shinigami Can Extend Their Lifespan by Using the Death Note
One of the most surprising rules of the Shinigami is their ability to extend their own lifespan by taking human lives. When a Shinigami writes a human’s name in their Death Note, they absorb the remaining years of that human’s life. This mechanic allows Shinigami to live for centuries, if not millennia, by continuously taking human lives. For Ryuk, however, this rule seems to have lost its appeal, further fueling his desire to find entertainment in the human world rather than prolong his existence.
3. Shinigami Eyes Allow Them to See Human Lifespans
Shinigami possess an extraordinary ability: they can see the name and remaining lifespan of any human they look at. This power is integral to their role as gods of death, as it allows them to easily identify and kill their targets. However, the rule that a human must know both the name and face of their target for the Death Note to work introduces a strategic element to the series. Ryuk’s eyes, though powerful, contribute to his boredom, as the act of killing becomes too easy and predictable for him.
2. Ryuk Can Offer Humans the Power of Shinigami Eyes—But at a Price
Ryuk is able to offer humans the same power that Shinigami possess: the ability to see a person’s name and lifespan. However, this power comes at a steep cost. Any human who accepts the power of Shinigami eyes must give up half of their remaining lifespan. This sinister bargain forces characters like Light to weigh the potential benefits of this ability against the unknown amount of time they have left to live. Ryuk’s offer highlights the dangerous allure of power and the sacrifices that come with it.
1. The Death Note Cannot Defy the Laws of Physics
Despite the supernatural nature of the Death Note, it is still bound by the laws of physics. This rule is demonstrated when Light attempts to use the Death Note to make a prisoner escape from jail and travel to Paris within an hour. Since such a feat is physically impossible, the prisoner simply dies of a heart attack in his cell. This limitation adds a layer of realism to the otherwise fantastical world of Death Note, reminding the audience that even the most powerful objects have their limits.