Since Death Note’s publication, fans of the series have discussed the psychology of Light Yagami in depth. Whether it’s his extreme degree of intelligence, ability to compartmentalize his actions or manipulative tactics, Light has a range of skills that enabled him to become the perfect killer. While the precise number of Kira’s victims, murdered throughout his six-year reign, are difficult to account for, many have estimated that hundreds of thousands perished by his hand. Unsurprisingly, this has led people to question Light’s sanity and how one might determine his psychological profile.

With the recent release of Netflix’s series Dahmer, a newfound interest in psychopathy has arisen. Throughout the years, Light Yagami has often been compared to real-world serial killers due to his cold and calculated approach. While his method of murder may be wildly different from the likes of Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy or Ed Kemper, Light’s behavior in many respects reflects the psychopathic tendencies of these historical figures. However, unlike most typical characterizations of psychopaths, this anime protagonist appears to divert from certain standards. This has left people questioning where Light fits in -- is he a psychopath, or perhaps more frightening than this, just a 'normal' member of society?

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What Is Psychopathy?

Psycho

Psychopathy has been studied for decades, yet despite considerable research, this term and the behaviors that it encompasses remain difficult to define. While psychopathy was included in the first two editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it was replaced in the third edition by antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). However, this diagnosis largely focuses on the behavioral aspects of psychopathy (aggression, impulsivity and violation of others’ rights) rather than personality characteristics like callousness, remorselessness and narcissism. Today, the closest diagnosis to psychopathy is callous and unemotional traits (CU), which are used to determine patterns of behavior that exhibit a disregard for others.

Psychopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls, commonly resulting in persistent antisocial deviance and criminal behavior - Anderson and Kiehl, "Psychopathy: Developmental Perspectives and their Implications for Treatment," 2015.

The DSM-5 lists the following characteristics for callous and unemotional traits:

  • Lack of remorse or guilt
  • Shallow or deficient affect (unemotional)
  • Callous -- lack of empathy
  • Unconcerned with performance (at work or school)

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Lack of Remorse or Guilt

After witnessing the deaths of Kurou Otoharada and Takuo Shibuimaru, Light finally realizes the power of the death note and the consequences of his actions. While he initially considers the value of the human lives he’s disposed of, this thought is only momentary. Light quickly shifts his position from being a perpetrator to a victim by placing blame on those he’s killed for the world’s (his) problems. Light simultaneously elevates his position (fulfilling his narcissism) by demeaning his victims and, through his vision of martyrdom, believes he’s the only person capable of carrying out the task of removing criminals from society.

I killed them both, I killed two men. Those were human lives, it won’t be overlooked. Besides, who am I to pass judgment on others? No, no, wait. Maybe I’m wrong. This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about lately. This world is rotten and those who are making it rot deserve to die. Someone has to do it, so why not me? Even if it means sacrificing my own mind and soul, it’s worth it because the world can’t go on like this.

This scene has been cleverly inserted by Tsugumi Ohba to make the audience question the degree to which Light feels remorse or guilt. While it’s impossible to know the full range of Light’s emotions, it appears that this particular phase of thinking was simply the reaction he believed he should have rather than what he truly felt. Even if this scene does reflect a moment of genuine remorse, it doesn’t take Light more than a few hours to get over this feeling and proceed with his killing spree. Throughout the rest of the series, Light shows few signs of guilt for using the death note, as he has deviated from the standardized ethical code of the society he lives in.

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Lack of Empathy and Emotion

sayu yagami is smiling in the death note anime

Due to Light’s extreme degree of intelligence and level of self-awareness, it’s difficult to gauge how empathetic or emotional he is. While Light shows very few signs of concern for his victims, he has at times displayed affection for his family, colleagues and girlfriend Misa Amane. However, even these relationships are fraught with happenings that suggest Light only considers their well-being if it’s in line with his own agenda. The mask of empathy and emotionality is likely a calculated effort to hide his psychopathy -- a necessary preservation tactic when one considers that he’s often under police observation.

When Light’s sister Sayu Yagami is kidnapped by the mafia, he is unwilling to meet their demands to protect her. Instead, Light’s primary concern is protecting the death note. He does everything in his power to convince his father, Soichiro Yagami, that it’s best for the investigation team to come up with a plan (likely one that doesn’t involve handing over the death note); however, Soichiro remains defiant and leaves Light with no other option than to go along with his strategy.

While visiting his father’s deathbed after having saved Sayu Yagami, Light appears to be more concerned with trying to act like a concerned son rather than genuinely having feelings of regret or sorrow. Instead, Light spends the final moments with Soichiro trying to convince him to kill Mello to further his plans. After his passing, Light’s cries of anguish seemingly have less to do with the loss of his father and more with his failure to dispose of his adversary.

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Unconcerned With Performance

Light In School

However, the callous and unemotional trait that Light Yagami doesn’t fall under is a lack of concern for his performance. Psychopaths tend to have the propensity to think in the short term and often avoid actions that might lead them to work hard. Light has consistently been shown to plan ahead and work diligently. Whether it’s his schooling, extracurricular activities or the jobs he’s undertaken, Light has proven that he’s capable of setting his mind to a task (short or long term) to achieve his goals.

The decision to not endow Light with this trait is likely purposeful. Ultimately, a lack of remorse, empathy and emotionality are all 'positive' attributes in terms of Light’s goal to become the god of the new world. Unburdened by the restrictions of human emotions, Light is able to elevate himself to a distinct position where he can pass judgment on those around him with little consequence for his mental well-being. However, if Light was unconcerned with his own performance, it wouldn’t be long before he was caught. Ridding the character of this classic psychopathic trait enables him to progress through the narrative with a higher degree of believability.

Although Light doesn’t fit all the criteria for psychopathy, he certainly matches enough of these traits to be diagnosed with this condition. While the majority of psychopaths might avoid long-term planning or arduous tasks, there are exceptions to this rule. Notorious serial killers with high IQs have often spent considerable time planning their murders by scouting locations, familiarizing themselves with policing practices and covering their tracks to avoid detection. Therefore, it’s not out of the question that Light can be considered a psychopath, irrespective of his concern with his performance. Whether Light can definitely be viewed as one is still up for debate, but regardless of the term used to describe this character’s psychology, it’s clear that he doesn't function on the same level as the majority within society.