Ryuk, one of the most iconic characters from the renowned series Death Note, is responsible for initiating Light Yagami’s transformation from a top student to a notorious serial killer. His boredom led him to drop the Death Note into the human world, setting off a chain of events that forever changed Light’s life.
Throughout the series, Ryuk serves as a constant companion to Light, driven by his addiction to apples and an insatiable curiosity. Despite his eerie appearance and fearsome nature, Ryuk adds a humorous element to the dark and intense narrative of L’s pursuit of Kira. Who can forget his desperate craving for apples? However, there are many intriguing aspects of this unusual Shinigami that remain lesser-known.
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10. Ryuk Was Inspired by Edward Scissorhands
In an interview featured in Death Note 13, it was revealed that Takeshi Obata, the manga artist, drew inspiration from Tim Burton’s designs, particularly Edward Scissorhands. The influence is clear when comparing the two characters. Both share long, spindly limbs, wild hair, and an overall Gothic appearance. The Shinigami in Death Note also resemble characters from Tim Burton’s works, such as Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and Victor Van Dort from Corpse Bride.
Obata’s admiration for Burton’s unique style shines through in Ryuk’s design. The intricate details and dark, whimsical elements contribute to Ryuk’s memorable look. The design choices highlight the creative process behind the scenes and how external influences can shape iconic characters in anime and manga.
9. Ryuk Eats Apples Because They “Look Cool” with Him
Tsugumi Ohba, the writer of Death Note, explained that Ryuk’s affinity for apples wasn’t rooted in any deep symbolism but rather because they complemented his appearance. Ohba thought the red apples looked striking against Ryuk’s dark body and added to his quirky persona. This aesthetic choice turned into a significant plot element, with apples often being used as a bargaining tool by Light Yagami.
The visual impact of Ryuk munching on apples made for some memorable scenes in the series. While fans speculated about possible religious symbolism, Ohba’s intention was purely to create a visually interesting and consistent character trait. This decision shows how sometimes simple aesthetic choices can enhance a character’s presence and memorability.
8. Obata’s Favorite Scene Involved Ryuk
Obata’s favorite scene in Death Note is the bus jacking incident from episode four of season one, titled “Pursuit.” In this episode, Light Yagami manipulates a drug dealer into touching the Death Note, causing him to see Ryuk. The resulting confrontation between the dealer and Ryuk, who is impervious to bullets, was exactly the kind of dramatic and action-packed scene Obata enjoyed drawing.
This scene showcases the blend of suspense and supernatural elements that Death Note is known for. It also highlights Ryuk’s role as a death god who, despite his mischievous demeanor, remains a powerful and frightening presence. Obata’s enjoyment in creating such scenes adds an extra layer of appreciation for the series’ detailed and dynamic storytelling.
7. Ryuk Kept a Journal About Humans
In Death Note 13, it’s revealed that Ryuk kept a journal documenting his observations of humans. This journal, known as Ryuk’s Human Observation Journal, contains notes on various characters, including their habits and personalities. He even created an interactive quiz in the manga encyclopedia, defining personality types such as “Type E – Stop doing bad things” and “Type G – Try to think on your own for once.”
Ryuk’s journal offers a unique perspective on the characters in Death Note, providing insights that add depth to the story. It also underscores Ryuk’s curiosity and fascination with humans, contrasting with his otherwise detached and playful demeanor. This element of the story enriches the narrative by showing how Ryuk, despite being a death god, finds humans intriguing enough to document their behaviors.
6. Ryuk Was Originally Designed to Look Like a Human Rock Star
Initially, manga artist Takeshi Obata designed Ryuk and other Shinigami to resemble attractive human rock stars. Obata wanted Ryuk to look like a darker version of Light Yagami, but his editors felt that Ryuk’s design was too similar to the main character’s. This feedback led to the scrapping of the rock star concept, allowing Obata to explore a more monstrous and unique design for Ryuk.
While the final design still retains some rock star influences, such as the edgy outfit, Ryuk’s appearance became more fitting for a Shinigami. This creative process highlights the evolution of character design and how feedback can shape the final look of iconic characters. Ryuk’s distinctive appearance is now one of the most recognizable aspects of Death Note.
5. Obata Says Ryuk Is Not to Be Trusted
Before the release of the 2017 Netflix adaptation of Death Note, Takeshi Obata created a piece of original artwork inspired by the film. This artwork featured Nat Wolff as Light Yagami, holding an apple, with Ryuk menacingly looming in the background. The drawing included a warning: “Don’t trust Ryuk. He’s not your pet. He is not your friend!”
This message serves as a reminder of Ryuk’s true nature. Despite his playful and sometimes helpful demeanor, Ryuk remains a death god with his own agenda. He is a force of chaos and should never be fully trusted, highlighting the darker undertones of his character and the series as a whole.
4. According to Obata, Ryuk Is the Easiest to Understand
While characters like L, Misa, and Light Yagami are complex and often unpredictable, Obata finds Ryuk to be the easiest to understand. Ryuk’s motivations are straightforward: he’s a bored Shinigami looking for entertainment. His actions are driven by curiosity and a desire to escape the monotony of the Shinigami realm.
This simplicity makes Ryuk relatable in a way that contrasts with the intricate schemes of the other characters. His straightforward nature provides a counterbalance to the elaborate plots and mind games that define much of Death Note‘s story. Ryuk’s role as an observer who occasionally intervenes adds an element of unpredictability and humor to the series.
3. Ryuk Has a Rare Personality Among His Kind
Unlike other Shinigami, Ryuk is energetic and humorous. The Shinigami world is depicted as a grim, post-apocalyptic wasteland where death gods live a monotonous existence. Ryuk, however, breaks this mold by venturing into the human world and seeking excitement, despite the disdain he receives from his peers.
Ryuk’s decision to leave the Shinigami realm and interact with humans shows his desire to make the most of his existence. His playful personality and penchant for mischief set him apart from the more solemn and resigned Shinigami. This contrast adds depth to his character and enriches the overall narrative of Death Note.
2. Ryuk Only Eats Apples
In the Shinigami realm, the only food Ryuk consumes is apples, albeit shriveled and unappetizing ones. When he arrives in the human world, he finds the apples there to be far more delicious and becomes addicted to them. This addiction is so strong that Light Yagami uses apples as a bribe to get Ryuk to assist him.
Ryuk’s obsession with apples adds a quirky and humorous element to his character. It also creates memorable scenes, such as his withdrawal symptoms when deprived of apples. This unique trait further distinguishes Ryuk from other Shinigami and highlights the peculiarities of his personality.
1. Ryuk Was Difficult to Draw
Takeshi Obata faced challenges when drawing Ryuk and other Shinigami due to their intricate designs. The detailed features of these characters required significant effort to replicate consistently throughout the manga. Obata admitted that he sometimes wished he had opted for simpler designs.
Despite these difficulties, Obata enjoyed the creative process of designing each Shinigami. The effort put into their detailed appearances contributed to the unique charm of the series. Ryuk’s complex design, while challenging, ultimately became a defining feature of Death Note, showcasing Obata’s artistic skill and dedication.
Final Thoughts
Ryuk, the apple-loving Shinigami from Death Note, remains one of the most iconic characters in anime. His unique design, humorous personality, and curious nature provide a stark contrast to the series’ darker themes. Through various design iterations and inspirations, Ryuk has become a memorable character that continues to captivate fans. The blend of humor, intrigue, and supernatural elements in his character makes him a standout figure in the world of anime and manga.
Source: Vocal Media
