08.06.07
The Unattainable Perfect World by Andrew Capuano Spoilers: whole series
Summary:Applies Kantian ethics and other philosophies to evaluate the moral validity and clout (or lack thereof) in Light's actions as Kira.

THE IRONIC URBAN LANDSCAPE OF DEATHNOTE, OR, Kira, the pop sensation! by ningenfucker Spoilers: whole series
Summary:Examines how the parallelisms between L and Light act as a vehicle for the series' social commentary on modern urbanized culture.

08.06.07
Is Misa the Bigger Villain? by serria Spoilers: whole series
Summary: Explains how Amane Misa is actually a more villanous and immoral character than even Light Yagami.

02.05.07
Mr. "Raito" is Mr. Wrong by setsuna Spoilers: none
Summary: Explores the flaws in Light's character and reasoning within in Kira philosophy.

18.04.07
Gothic Elements in Death Note by kayen Spoilers: Whole series
Summary: Examines Japanese Gothic elements present throughout the Death Note series.

28.02.07
Watching the Detective Watching Light (PDF) by nobutterflies Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Explores the implications of gaze theory to Death Note, specifically in analyzing character relationships.

23.11.06
Reading Death Note as a Cautionary Tale (PDF) by nobutterflies Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: This is an analysis of utopian and dystopian themes in Death Note, and how they are used to comment on historical and current events.

06.09.06
All for Love - Women in Death Note (PDF) by nobutterflies Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Female characters in Death Note are relegated to traditional and/or negative roles while being used to further a male-centric narrative. Characterisation and plot action reinforce female inferiority and male superiority/power.

30.08.06
The Power to Kill by Md Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Explores the debate, and arrives at a conclusion, over whether the Death Note or Light's personality had a greater role in developing the persona of Kira.

29.08.06
The Makings of a Murderer by Shaza Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Kira's behavior is compared to and analyzed as that of an ordinary murderer; his actions are argued to fit the profile of a stereotypical serial killer.

18.08.06
Names and Aliases in Death Note (PDF) by nobutterflies Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: This essay discusses how characters in Death Note use names and aliases, and explores how names tie into themes of identity.

09.08.06
The Possibility of a Dual Personality by FFantasygrl Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Examines the extent to which Light's drastic transformation into the murderous Kira reflects a dual personality that separates the two as distinctly separate characters.

13.07.06
Light is Evil, After All by FFantasygrl Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: The author retracts her original opinion that Light is a humane protagonist to conclude that the character and his actions are in fact less justified that one might first think.
Justifying the End by FFantasygrl Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: A rebuttal to common opinion that the Death Note ending arc was weak; argues that the outcome was necessary to both the work's story and symbolic message.

11.07.06
L's Death Note by FFantasygrl Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Speculates the outcome of a hypothetical situation in which L, not Light, receives the Death Note, according to both L and Light's characterizations.

29.06.06
Yagami Light as the Protagonist by FFantasygrl Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Light is justified as an inherently pure, rather than inherently evil, individual who is merely a victim of the Death Note's poweful corrupting influence.

28.06.06
Kira's Message by Flamika Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Focus on Page 106: Investigates Light's behavior near the very end and what it means to the work as a whole.
Light and Near as Opposing Forces by Flamika Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Focus on Page 105: Contrasts Light and Near's characters in their personalities, convictions, and symbolic significances.
Near and His View of Mello by Flamika Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Focus on Pages 99 and 100: A focus on Near, particularly in context of his feelings and opinions on Mell; attempts to uncover the motives behind Near's actions.
Near and Mello Characterization by Flamika Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Examines Near and Mello both as distinct characters and as the contrasting sides of the same dynamic, to place them in the plane of the opposition against Kira.
Series Reaction by Flamika Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Final thoughts on Death Note as a series-- a holistic overview on themes, characters, plot development, and general reaction.

27.06.06
Name Game by Acey Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Analysis on name meanings--and their symbolism--for the four Wammy House children.

22.06.06
L and Asperger Syndrome by v_voltaire Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Inspects to what extent L might reflect symptoms of Asperger Syndrome throughout an assessment of his personal habits and personality.

21.06.06
Yagami Raito/L (Death Note) by Aishuu Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Through character analysis, explores L and Light's relationship and its potential to escalate into romance. (Slash/Yaoi warning)

20.06.06
Manga Analysis Part 5 - Characterization I (Obata Takeshi, DEATH NOTE) by Telophase Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Study on Obata's characterization of Mello through use of manga techniques; focus on visual flow.
Manga Analysis Part 5 - Characterization II (Obata Takeshi, DEATH NOTE) by Telophase Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Study on Obata's characterization of Near through use of manga techniques; focus on composition and line.
Manga Analysis Part 5 - Characterization III (Obata Takeshi, DEATH NOTE) by Telophase Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Continues previous studies on Obata's contrasting characterizations of Near and Mello with investigation on a particularly powerful panel.

19.06.06
Death Note meta :: Fate, and Mythological Correspondances in DN by Moontyger Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Examines the Death Note's role as the only vehicle of free will in a world largely controlled by the forces of fate; also relates mythical and magickal symbols to Death Note characters.

01.06.06
Right to Die by Fu Sakugyoku Spoilers: (coming soon)
Summary: Addresses the symbolic significance of one major character's death and its implications into the end of the series.