#AND I THOUGHT MATSUDA'S ROUTE WAS FRUSTRATING

[tecchan]

Mitsugi squatting everywhere is the only highlight of this damn game

[natasha-in-space]

So i saw you are into death note and im gonna share this with you. I think yoosung and matsuda (from death note) are literally the same guy in different universes like- they are just so so similar. They both are youngest in their groups and think differently from the rest of the said groups, very emotional characters and are mainly driven by emotions, their said groups also have the tendency to put them down and make fun of them, worsening both of their already low self esteem. But they both are also very optimistic when it comes to people and are always trying their best to do good. They both are also ready to help and contribute in whatever way they can whilst they can be very reckless as fuck. And most importantly they both are extremely loyal to the people concerned and take betrayal very seriously. Like Matsuda shooting Light was purely out of the feeling of betrayal he had after discovering that he is not a good person which makes it so compelling

Also i love love love yoosung and i also love matsuda ALOT as well. Matsuda might not be one of the supersmart characters like L or Light or Near but he is a very important character in Death Note actually, his innocence, his optimism he sort of adds "colors to the black and white world" in the plot.

Anon, you got me rewatching some scenes from the anime, and now I cannot unsee it. That last confrontation with Light got that much more painful in my eyes now, ouch... No, but you are definitely right! I know some folks find Matsuda to be annoying, especially as he's not nearly as 'smart' as the rest of the cast, but I always loved him! He's a great guy, has a heart of gold, and is ready to act when needed. Not to mention that he's literally me if I ever got put into the same situation. I don't think our last confrontation with Light would be nearly as heartwrenching if it wasn't for Matsuda of all people shooting that shot.

And it fits Yoosung so much??? Oh my God, I never even thought of that before???

Okay, but can we talk about the fact that they both get their thoughts and feelings often brushed aside simply due to them being the youngest? 'Cause that's a big part of Yoosung's struggles for sure. It sucks and frustrating when your input barely gets a passing glance just because you are young, and you 'will mature in time'. I think they both strive to prove themselves to others, and that part of them can be played to their and weaknesses depending on the circumstances. I feel like Matsuda and Yoosung would be great friends to vent about their problems to each other, haha.

Oh, oh, but who is Light? I sure know it fits Rika best, as both Yoosung and Matsuda trusted Light/Rika wholeheartedly and admired them as people. I think we see Yoosung's reaction to the truth best in V's route. The denial, the hurt, the anger... It's all there. And we do see a brief confrontation between them at the party. It's brief, but it's there. To realize that the person you've trusted and admired for so long is someone so drastically different from what you've thought if them... it's painful.

But, in some ways, it could fit V as well. Yoosung's relationship with Jihyun is complicated to say the least... it could be good and bad for both of them depending on the story, which I think is very interesting.

Long story short: Matsuda and Yoosung need to be besties.

[dracrownian]

Some of my thoughts, without retreading ground we've already covered. In case you're interested.

I've come around to "Scotch was a sniper in the BO" because it opens up the possibility of sniper due Scotch & Rye, even though I think Hiro deserved his own speciality

So, fun fact. My pet headcanon for Scotch's specialty (aside from sniper duo Scotch & Rye) was that it was more along the lines of hacking. IDK, I just like that for him. So maybe he plays sniper partner to Rye, and with Bourbon, he a bigger part of the intel gathering/disruption side of things.

I think Rei would look great with knives, but that's not really worth dying for, is it?

Okay I know I said I wouldn't talk about things we've already talked about, but yes. Rei with knives. Please.

Moving on.

so today's crack theory is that Bourbon wears contact lenses. Maybe they're superspy contact lenses that block him from being identified in iris scans. And also this would explain (partially) how he was so comfortable dressing up as scar!Akai-

I am legitimately surprised that Gosho hasn't gone that route yet tbh. Yeah I saw that image of the three different Rei faces and was very confused by Bourbon's eyes look so much brighter. I accept this crack headcanon-

(See? See this is the problem, I'm trying to rationalize it again. Can't have pure, unadulterated crack in this house.)

I mean. I can't hold that against you, you've seen what happens when ideas stick in my head too long. You're in good company.

Do you want an excerpt from a wip on that?

Always. And now I'm curious which WIP this is (and if it's one I'm aware of).

If one asked him, though, under duress and the influence of a truth serum, he'd probably say the worst thing he's done is to drag Hiro along with him right down into hell.

Yeah. Yeah that's true. It isn't his fault (Hiro wanted to be a police officer before he ever met Rei), but that doesn't mean he doesn't blame himself for it.

Rei is cripplingly lonely, struggles to make new connections, and eventually, his job will not be enough to stave off the dark hours of night.

Yes. Yes. This is something I think about a lot. And I know the movies aren't canon, technically, but I tend to treat them as canon when it suits my needs, and especially in terms of characterization, but. M25 gets me every fucking time. From the way he personally goes after the guy who killed Hagi and Matsuda (a trap that he walked into, but he was never going to do anything differently), to being locked in that bomb-proof prison of his own orders (presumably), to his smile when he's telling Conan he'll blow up. Ugh.

Had to go looking for the post I made about it because it just kills me, but specifically this screenshot:

Like. What is that face. That's not even his "that's that kid I'm fond of" face, because he's literally talking about being frustrated by the case or something.

That man is not okay. I just need him to have some friends again (and I don't mean the 17-year-old).

Anyway. Uh. Sorry for rambling at you??

For the character ask game thing: Rei. Obviously. 1, 2, 12, 15, 16. I tried to limit myself and not just say "all of them" but if you want to answer more of them, go for it. <3

For this ask meme

Oh dear, you've given me a lot to think about (thank you, I like thinking)

✨🔪Rei🗡️✨

1. Canon I outright reject

Alright, so. I'm actually good with most of canon. Not because I'm such a big fan of it, but because of my tendency to overthink things and go "okay, but how can this still work."

We'll get to what I think doesn't work in a moment, but first I have a bone to pick with Aoyama's word of god, aka his answers in the interviews. My gripe is mostly that I think he doesn't think his answers through (in the cases where he doesn't just give a non-answer).

Some I can work with. I've come around to "Scotch was a sniper in the BO" because it opens up the possibility of sniper due Scotch & Rye, even though I think Hiro deserved his own speciality (and also Aoyama is never going to show us Scotch sniping, so that's just a waste of potential).

Some I am undecided on. Aoyama refuses to give us answers on Rei's family, even though it would be quite relevant for his character (someone with a family that supports him would not be so cripplingly lonely). I hope Aoyama won't botch that, but I will hold my judgement until then.

Some confuse me. What do you mean, Rei wanted to keep Sherry (who he recognised as Elena's daughters) alive, but give her to the BO?? Wouldn't it be a great source of intel for the PSB??

An then there's the things I just can't get behind. Aoyama means to tell me that the whiskey trio didn't exist, that Rei's outrage and betrayal at seeing Rye over Scotch's dead body was...born in the moment? That Rei decided on making revenge his whole personality based on...nothing prior? That he and Vermouth accurately recreated Akai from a grainy bodycam video? I can, of course, read Rei as that kind of instantly obsessive guy who doesn't actually know Rye. But it's just no fun, that way, so I refuse. It's better if there was a simile of trust that could be broken.

Now, ignoring word of god and returning to actual canon, we're not quite there yet, but when it comes to the way things are going atm, I fear we might eventually head for a ship I have no good feelings about: amua*u. I'm certainly biased, but Rei deserves better than to have a girl who doesn't actually know his true self, not his name, not his face; better than the microaggresions and racism that when he calls her out on, she defends herself with "I'm not as smart as you, bleh"; someone who doesn't say she hates spending time with him because it will get her bullied online. Rei deserves someone who will stand by his side, keep up with him, and loves him for who he is. This girl is not that, and if it comes to it, I will reject this ship. But for now, this is only a hypothetical, and I really hope Aoyama will reconsider.

(Actually, while I was thinking about this, I figured out something that is canon, but that I outright reject: Rei's "crush" on Elena. I believe that he loved her, but that he saw her as a mother figure, and he's most certainly not still pining over her, shut up Matsuda.)

2. A canon or headcanon hill I will die on

Uh. Okay. What's a hill I could comfortably die on when it comes to Rei. Something that is mildly controversial, perhaps. Um.

I think Rei would look great with knives, but that's not really worth dying for, is it?

Hm.

I had a whole paragraph written about how I would like to see a more nuanced take on Rei, and not exaggerate things as much for comedic purposes, but I'm also guilty of that, so that would be quite hypocritical for me to say. And I try not to be that person.

Instead, I'll just stick with my guns. Rei definitely tops more often than Akai- /shot

12. Crack headcanon

Oh god. Hm. I mean. I think my beloved Demon Lord Rei (hail) counts as a crack interpretation of the character?

I don't really have crack headcanons lying around, if anything I usually go for the crack treated seriously approach and make an AU out of it. See also: way too many words on the sweater AU, which started with the crack take of Rei stealing Akai's sweaters.

Just for you though, I saw this

image just now, so today's crack theory is that Bourbon wears contact lenses. Maybe they're superspy contact lenses that block him from being identified in iris scans. And also this would explain (partially) how he was so comfortable dressing up as scar!Akai-

(See? See this is the problem, I'm trying to rationalize it again. Can't have pure, unadulterated crack in this house.)

15. Worst thing they've ever done?

Do you want an excerpt from a wip on that?

Throughout the years, Bourbon works whichever jobs the syndicate demands of him.

Fence, enforcer, honey pot.

Spy.

Torturer.

Executioner.

The list goes on.

Each of them ruins someone's life, some more directly than others.

Among the more insidious jobs, for its false promises of fortune to the desperate and destitute, is working at the casino in Las Vegas.

I like to think that Rei has committed a variety of crimes for the sake of the job. Naturally, he wouldn't feel great about them, but what choice does he have? They're simply necessary to maintain his cover.

When it comes to bad things, there's probably a few that would make the list. Perhaps trying to kill Elena's daughter is somewhere on it. Perhaps he doesn't have compassion for her; Rei, after all, appears to be focused on specific people that hold his attention, not their surroundings.

If one asked him, though, under duress and the influence of a truth serum, he'd probably say the worst thing he's done is to drag Hiro along with him right down into hell. Got him interested in the police academy, and then the PSB, and then this mission.

The price was too high, but Rei only came to realise it after it had already been paid.

16. Deepest darkest secret they won’t even admit to themselves?

Rei is cripplingly lonely, struggles to make new connections, and eventually, his job will not be enough to stave off the dark hours of night. He can work himself to the brink of exhaustion, or even death, but it won't matter. There is only one of him, and so, so many crooks that want to exploit and kill and destroy.

And eventually, if he lives long enough, he'll need to stop and face all his life's mission has cost him. The countless hours of sleep lost because he'd rather work than face the nightmares. The lives of his friends, which he didn't get to see aside from the few times they went to visit graves. The thankless nature of it all, as he works in the shadows to keep the public safe. He can't ever be a Hiro hero, he won't be; the public would condemn him for his deeds.

(It's already started; his hatred for Akai has superseded the mission. If that's gone, too, what will he have left?)

And at this point, at this crucial junction, I hope he finds a new reason to breathe. Because otherwise, I fear he might break down and disappear.

[thestarsanctuary]

Gotta support my fellow melanin babes 😎✨

I was thinking Mello, L, and Matsuda with a punk gn!black S/O who tries to introduce them to their music and general way of life? 👀

DEATH NOTE BOYS WITH A PUNK! BLACK S/O

Pronouns- just you, you, and you.

MELLO

When Mello first saw you he was intrigued. He knew what punk was obviously but actually seeing someone who was punk in person was a different story. The way you carried yourself with confidence and with your individuality oozing off of you, he was a bit smitten. So he asked you out. In the long route even if you said no- he was going to ask again anyways.

After dating for sometime you thought it would be good to reallt explain to him how you were and what it truly meant. What you were for. And you were for non-conformity. You were more politically active than most and constantly stated your disagreements with media and politics today, and even with Mello basically just staring at you- there was no embarrassment or shyness in your tone. You meant what you were saying.

Over time, Mello began to slowly absorb you and your views. ‘Anti-whatever sort of system we live in’ was what he chanted after you had gone on rants about what you believed was truly right in such a system, and it was so adorable because he truly thought that was impactful. So adorable in fact that everytime he said it you stopped everything to coddle him and embrace him. And every time, you were being fooled because he did it on purpose. 1 - Mello, 0 - You.

Now your music was not something that was hard for him to get into. He enjoys seeing you headbang or move in such ways to. Maybe you were playing classic Green Day, Circle Jerks, Misfits, whatever it was there was always something that stuck with him. He enjoyed the emotion involved- he could feel angry or frustrated or just motivated in general through the music.

Sometimes he saw you checking and would honestly be so zoned out watching you. Whether your hair was in locs. Shaved on the sides, or completely shaved off there was something about watching you and your focus on your appearance. He understood that being punk wasn’t just black clothes or objecting any modern rule, of course not. It was a way to reject the political as well as social norms of the world. And Mello loves attention and standing out so he actually started buying clothes like yours too!! He’s not completely punk but he likes trying for you.

L

L is a complicated soul he is. When he first saw you he was honestly confused. Why did you look like that- were you angry? Why were you so stone-faced. And to be honest, it was a little scary to him. Once you noticed him you walked over and for a second he thought you were going to scold him but instead you smiled and held out your hand. “Y/n.” You said, and he felt his heart beat a bit faster. Let’s not focus on that though.

You began dating quite fast as he felt no reason to wait. So when you began dating is when he began asking his questions about why you dress like that and why tou style your hair in that way, and you had given him the simple answer.

“I’m punk.”

“....what is that.”

And it’s not that he’s dumb but he’s not all that impressive when it comes to subcultures. I mean he’s a detective- he doesn’t have to be. But since his s/o is one he’ll take it upon himself to research and check his knowledge and make sure it is also the same case with you since he learned not all punk’s have some sort of consensus.

“So you are doing this to show that you go against the way things are now? Like a silent rebellion?”

“Sure yeah.”

It’s simple talks like those that happen all the time because he constantly wants to know more about you, despite being able to ask you himself, he likes surprising you with his knowledge. However he also knows that some things he has to get specifically from you since you’re black and most punk represented in the media is classically white people- he wants to understand your perspective out of all this. Nobody else’s.

When you start playing your music he kind of shuts down? He just stares at you because he’s not too sure if he likes the music or not but he soon warms up to it. He enjoys The Clash the most, he likes most of what yoy play though.

When you talk to him about politics and your beliefs he tries to listen and tie it to his understanding of being punk as well but sometimes he can’t tell if it’s something you believe or it’s a common punk belief, not that it matters, but still.

Overall this is a learning experience he doesn’t mind learning for you. It doesn’t even affect him in a negative way so he has no reason to be against it I mean, he can still kiss you and feed you cake after work so what is the problem?

MATSUDA

Matsuda is just chilling dawg. When he sees you he is a bit flustered, he can’t lie. But he doesn’t mind it, he almost embraces it. Your whole vibe attracted him from the beginning and that was surprising because he usually wouldn’t go for punk people (he hadn’t even seen many in general if at all)

He does get the courage to ask you out after staring at you for lord knows how long, and he’s almost embarrassed at how you just smile so sweetly at him. He totally misjudged your character. Even if it wasn’t on purpose he did subconsciously think you would have a more dominant personality, but that part only truly came out when talking about what you stood for as a punk black individual. Which you did quite often.

Listen- he doesn’t mean to but when you talk about that stuff all he can think about is how attractive you are. Your face, your outfits, your stature itself was so inviting. So he DOES just start kissing you and hugging you- what about it? Not like you mind, in fact you invite it everytime, but it is kind of weird how everytime it happens this is always how it ends.

When you start bringing up trying to introduce him to what it is that you are, it isn’t to convert him but he doesn’t seem to understand that. So be bites his lip and proceeds to say,

“Ah...sorry but um..I don’t think I am fit for that- not that it isn’t cool! You’re very cool and hot and I enjoy you a lot but...I don’t think it’s for me.” He stutters with a clear blush on his cheeks and you have to laugh.

“I just wanted to show you Suda I promise.” You say and he quickly relaxes his shoulders from their hunched up position.

Matsuda is not made for punk music and it’s almost funny. He tried it- he really did. He sat there and listened for an hour but he just couldn’t get into it the way you did, and it was something you expected but that didn’t mean it wasn’t any less cute to watch him try and pretend he enjoyed it with his awkward headbops.

When you talk about politics or the current state of the world and your views it’s very little that he shares his opinions because he cannot seem to want to. I mean there you are- pouring your heart and soul into this topic- especially highlighting how frustrating it is that there is barely any black-punk rep in te media, and he give you a two sentence “I agree” response. It is never happening again is what he vowed and he kept that promise.

All in all, he loves you. He loves your appearence, the way you hold yourself, your intellence, your music, everything. How could he not? There’s no question that no matter what you tell him, he’ll listen with heart eyes and remember it 10 years later, he loves you all the much.

FIN.

~~

Wheeewwww this was a trip and I don’t know why, anyways thank you for supporting me and I am so sorry for the wait bc you were probably waiting FOREVER- anyway I tried my best with the punk concept but it seems that there is no common consensus? So this was very vague sorry :( but thank you for requesting!!

- SS <3

[mikami]

So if Death Note were a dating sim what do you think that would be like? What archetypes/stock characters would the different characters be? What would the protagonist's flimsy excuse for interacting with them be? Would Misa be even more yandere?

I think about a Death Note dating sim every day of my entire life, though my thoughts are usually non-Kira AU crack thoughts more in the spirit of traditional stat-raising sims like Tokimeki Memorial rather than VN-style story-heavy dating games like Dramatical Murder and what have you. I guess you can adapt my idea into something more serious though.

It’d be set as an office-romance type game where you’re a junior detective joining the NPA all fresh. You’ll pursue a minor crime alongside other characters you meet along the way and your choices determine who becomes your main partner in catching the culprit - it’s a light-hearted game, so probably not homicide. Homicide would be more for a serious and darker VN.

Usually in dating simulators you’d only be able to date one gender and friendship the other, but this is my fantasy game, so we get to date either.

So here’s your cast! (Some of them with pictures, because I had those pre-made from an old post, but I don’t have that for all, sadly).

Light YagamiThe main route of the game, thus the character you meet first. Also a junior detective, your assigned partner at the precinct. A princely and athletic type who impresses at everything he tries. He’s popular with everyone and your challenge will be to earn more than his superficial affections. Prove yourself to him with work competence and earn the approval of his little sister! Those are key points to getting his ending.

LHead of Wammy’s Private Investigations, a private detective firm that is investigating the case as rivals to the police. He and Light clash a lot over investigation methods. I honestly don’t know about his route, he is the only character I found very difficult to fit into my concept, orz...

Misa AmaneAn idol working at a movie set that turned into a crime-scene. You meet her fairly early in the game because she’s a witness. She immediately takes a liking to Light and thus continues to show up to your investigations uninvited. If you’re on Light’s route, Misa will act as a rival character. To route Misa, you have to actively go out of your way to be protective of her and play the part of a perfect prince yourself. Some of her CG events involve her dramatic backstory and since this is a dating sim, her route will probably end up dealing with her difficulties letting people in after losing her family so brutally. A more vulnerable Misa overall. Though she has yandere tendencies, it mostly manifests in her sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong constantly. She WILL try to mess up your stats with other characters though, which can make it difficult to hit certain ending requirements.

More under the cut!

NearThe kuudere character. He works for Wammy’s Private Investigations and is on the case as a rival. You don’t tend to meet him at crime scenes as he prefers not to go out, so this is the route that works primarily through phonecalls and the occasional visiting events. His personality is very close to canon. Romancing him involves a lot of acting as his eyes outdoors and cooperating well with him.

MelloThe Bad Boy ™ of Wammy’s Private Investigations. Shows up at crime scenes on a motorbike and has a lot of dislike for the actual police and their methods. In his route you choose to cooperate with him in his more shady schemes to catch the culprit and thus his CG events involve some dramatic heart-pounding crime-drama situations! Getting too many affection points for Near blocks you from achieving Mello’s good ending, as Mello still feels strongly about rivalry.

Teru MikamiProsecutor assigned to the case. You’ll have to be careful to always keep some affection points with him because his disapproval will block your investigation. You need permissions from the man! He’s a nerd-type character, stick up his ass like in canon. Romancing him means sticking to the rules and being persistent - if you’re too passive and nod your head at all he says without taking initiative, you’ll miss actually getting on his route. 

Kiyomi TakadaThe closest thing this game has to an ojou-sama character, though she’s not over the top. She’s the newscaster following the case, so you have regular appointments with her to update her on the progress. It’s a balance act of revealing enough to make her find you nice and cooperative and not revealing TOO much - that would end up compromising your investigation. 

Tota MatsudaThe airheaded best buddy character. He’s been on the precinct for a while and has established himself as the comic relief of the group. To get on his route you’ve got to go on goofy events with him even if those choices might compromise your case some. Once you are on his route it turns more serious and starts dealing with themes of insecurity and proving yourself.

Naomi MisoraRetired FBI agent who returned to her homecountry of Japan and is now your neighbor. Though she doesn’t want to actively participate in criminal investigations anymore, she’ll always have a friendly word of advice for you. Her route is pretty hard to get onto since she appears to be only support cast at first, but choosing the right dialogue options gets you to reveal her frustration with the concepts of morality and passion. Re-ignite a fire in her!

Aiber & WedyCulprits and the secret routes of the game. Focusing solely on the crime instead of your social life allows you to meet one of them at the midway point and continue forbidden meetings through the rest of the game! Salacious! Who of them you meet depends on your seemingly meaningless answers in a personality quiz at the start of the game. The one who you can’t romance in the playthrough appears as a background character very few times.At the end you can elope with them or hand them over to justice! Both are unique exciting endings!!

There are a few different ways you can end the game:Bad End: you neither date anyone nor solve the caseNeutral End: you solve the case but date nobodyNeutral Relationship End: you don’t solve the case but you end up dating a character. You receive moderate happiness.Good End: you solve the case and date a character! GO YOU!...... or you elope on secret route I guess.

Each character has requirements to meet for affection points from the rest of the cast. For Mello, your Near affection can’t be high, for Light you need affection from everyone and be popular, etc.....

And yes, this is just a description of a game I’d love to play, orz.