The ending of Death Note saw Ryuk, the Shinigami who brought the Death Note to the human world, writing Light Yagami’s name in his notebook, leading to Light’s demise. This act often raises questions among fans: Why Did Ryuk Kill Light? Couldn’t he have waited? Was there another way? Understanding Ryuk’s motivations requires delving into his character and the established rules of the Shinigami realm.
Ryuk’s Boredom and Shinigami Nature
Ryuk’s primary motivation throughout Death Note is boredom. He explicitly states in Chapter 01 that the Shinigami Realm is a dull and monotonous place, which is why he dropped a Death Note into the human world in the first place – simply to alleviate his boredom by observing the chaos and entertainment it would create.
When Near and the SPK cornered Light, and it became clear that Light’s reign as “Kira” was over, Ryuk’s source of amusement vanished. Light, confined and facing exposure, was no longer providing the entertainment Ryuk craved. From Ryuk’s perspective, the game was over, and the exciting period he had been enjoying was coming to an end. Staying in the human world without any further amusement held no appeal for him.
The Shinigami Rule: The First Owner’s End
Beyond boredom, Ryuk’s actions are also dictated by the rules of the Shinigami world, specifically Rule LXIV. This rule segment, as highlighted in the original manga, outlines the conditions under which a Shinigami who brings a Death Note to the human world can return to their own realm. Rule LXIV states:
The following situations are the cases where a god of death that has brought the Death Note into the human world is allowed to return to the world of gods of death.
1. When the god of death has seen the end of the first owner of the Death Note brought into the human world and has written that human’s name on his/her own Death Note.
2. When the Death Note which has been brought in is destroyed, like burned, and cannot be used by humans anymore.
Alt text: Ryuk, a tall, grinning Shinigami with feathered wings and sharp teeth, observing the human world in Death Note anime.
This rule clearly indicates that a Shinigami is obligated to witness the death of the first Death Note owner they introduced to the human world and, crucially, write their name in their own Death Note. This appears to be a necessary condition for a Shinigami to return to their realm after their task is complete. While the exact reason behind this rule is not explicitly explained, it is presented as an unavoidable obligation for Shinigami like Ryuk.
Why Not Wait for the Notebooks to be Burned?
One might argue that Ryuk could have waited to see if Near’s plan to burn the Death Notes would come to fruition. If all Death Notes were destroyed, Rule LXIV, point 2 suggests, Ryuk could also return to the Shinigami realm. However, Ryuk did not know Near’s plan. From his perspective, Light was captured but still possessed the Death Note, and could potentially remain in that state indefinitely.
Furthermore, even if Ryuk had known about the plan to burn the notebooks, waiting would not align with his character. Ryuk is impulsive and acts based on his immediate desires. He isn’t portrayed as patient or empathetic. He saw no personal benefit in waiting and no reason to prolong his stay in a now-boring human world. His primary goal was to escape boredom and return to his own realm, and writing Light’s name was the most direct and certain way to achieve this, fulfilling Rule LXIV, point 1.
In conclusion, Ryuk killed Light not out of malice or any personal vendetta, but due to a combination of his inherent Shinigami boredom and the binding rules of the Shinigami world. His actions were pragmatic and self-serving, driven by his desire for entertainment and his obligation to return to his own realm after the “game” with Light had concluded.
