Lâs Death/Lightâs Reaction
I think Iâm gonna start this blog by showing and discussing the different ways the actors handled this scene. It feels very different from actor to actor and itâs really such a pivotal moment. An important thing to note is that Iâm most comparing their performances to Light and Lâs original cannon characters. Not that Iâm saying anything is wrong with new interpretations of the characters, I really love it actually. But for a base comparison I reference the original characters. Now, letâs get to it!
 -In the Japanese productions, L (Teppei) remains very somber and âcoolâ for lack of a better word. And although in the 2017 version where you can see L upset by the realization that there is nothing he can do he still doesnât panic. You can see he is resistant to move the gun away from light but I think he accepts his fate pretty readily. His final monologue is eerily calm this leaves the audience with a foreboding feeling of whatâs to come for Light.
-In the 2015 Korean productions Junsu takes a very different approach. He shows how disturbed his is very outwardly. He physically shows attempts to keep the gun pointed at light with his arm trembling as he tries to resist whatâs been written. In a stark contrast to Teppeiâs final monologue Junsu is very shaken. His final words are delivered why heâs at the verge of tears. While I think itâs a very powerful performance I do think itâs more out of character compared to the L we know from the Manga and anime.Â
We again see very different performances between actors when it comes to Lightâs reaction of this moment.Â
-Uraiâs 2015 performance is very focused on L. He in fact never takes his eyes off of him. I think this is more true to the source material seeing as L died with Lights eyes locked on him. Then with a gentle touch he sends L to the ground, it seems like a final goodbye to me.
-Uraiâs 2017 performance is similar to what we see in the 2015 Korean production. Uraiâs attention quickly shifts from L to his watch. Counting down the seconds to his death. Then he takes a creepier approach to knocking L down. He places his hand on Lâs chest, taking a moment to look at him one last time, then knocking him down with a slap.Â
-Kakizawaâs 2015 performance is the least âLightâ like in my opinion. It feels to me like he canât quite believe his plan is working. He keeps his hand on Lâs arm for the majority of the moment. only letting go right before L pulls the trigger. Then he stares, mouth gaping, at whatâs just happened. I think heâs feeling so overwhelmed with victory that heâs speechless. That to me is what feels a little out of character from the source.Â
-Kakizawaâs 2017 performance. Itâs incredibly similar to Uraiâs 2017 interpretation with watching his watch and placing his hand on his chest. Kakizawaâs is a bit interesting however as at the beginning of this moment he takes a beat to whisper Lâs name into his ear when saying goodbye it feels very personal and again kinda creepy. He then shifts the mood by turning his back to L while watching his watch. He appears very pleased with himself though out this whole moment, which is something we havenât seen as much in the other Japanese performances.Â
Kwang-hoâs 2015 performance. This one feels the most out of character for both Light and L to me. But with that said itâs also currently my favorite interpretation. Lightâs confidence is palpable in this one. The only emotion heâs feeling is success though heâs not presenting it in a âhappyâ way. Heâs very rough with L treating him like a toy. He forces Lâs arm to his head then pushes him to the side like heâs already bored of the scene. In addition to being impatient and glancing back at L when it seems to be taking a while he also seems annoyed at Lâs cries, rolling his eyes when he hears it. He ignores Lâs final words and counts the seconds down. This is the âcoldestâ of all the Light variants weâve seen. Then however something funny happens. the shot rings out and Light continues to have his back turned to L, he appears to be waiting to hear Lâs body hit the floor. He turns back to see L still standing there frozen. Then he checks his watch again to make sure everything is correct, only then looking L up and down confirming he is actually dead. I love how this give one final emphasis on how strange L is, even in death. Then unlike Urai and Kakizawa, Kwang-ho he grabs Lâs shoulder and actually pulls L to the ground. The comedic feel of this does a good job distracting the audience from Lâs final warning which is think is a good touch.
Okay. I think thatâs all on that for now. Unfortunately despite the existence of some video boots and some really good audio boots of the 2017 Korean production nothing from this scene has surfaced. If/when it does, you can bet Iâll talk about it.Â
I know I can be pretty long winded but maybe someone will enjoy reading this anyway. Iâll try and post some gifs comparing these different shows soon, but again (learning curves). Anyway, if anyone is reading, thanks.
jacobvanloon
snowghoul
kaledo-art
2087
turnnoffyourmind