#Matsulight

[smallsinger5901]

thinking about Matsuda in the epilogue. The manga epilogue chapter, set a year after yellowbox, where Matsuda and Ide discuss Light and Kira, even though the world’s mostly gone back to pre-Kira. And it’s clear from Ide that Matsuda’s theories around what happened on the 28th come up a lot. Matsuda thinks that Near used the notebook on Mikami, and that he fed Mello the information he needed to manipulate him into kidnapping Takada and proving the notebook as fake. And it’s so, so painfully clear that Matsuda is desperately clinging onto anything that would make Light seem more sympathetic. That all the cards were stacked against him, that Near was secretly evil and self-serving too, that maybe Light didn’t even have a choice in what happened at Yellowbox. Because, as Ide said, Matsuda cared about Light. More than the others. He’s wracked by guilt over what happened- who wouldn’t be? Matsuda’s light-hearted, optimistic personality he even managed to keep during the whole Kira case is reduced to a facade, a mask of his old self. He’s depressed. He’s angry. He’s grasping at straws to justify the past five years of his life spent devoted to and admiring a serial killer who saw him as nothing more than the dirt beneath his boot. Someone he thought he could trust. Someone he literally risked his life to protect, when he told Mello he was acting as L, so prevent Soichiro from having to expose Light’s identity as L. Kira may be evil, but Light was good, right? So Kira couldn’t be truly evil, because Light wasn’t; couldn’t be.

i’m thinking about Matsuda in the epilogue.

[totheidiot]

there is an appeal to shipping matsulight because i just know that light would hate it if he had a crush on matsuda. he makes the realization that he is attracted to matsuda and. it makes him want to chew glass. he watches the matsuda try to pull open a door that obviously has push written on it and he wants to break something so badly. he is like. "no way i want this dumbass. somebody sedate me." and making light mad is always a valid reason to do just about anything.

[russiantapo4ek]

this handsome bastard has made older men fall in love with him

[katzeni]

I was watching NPMD and the song, ‘Nerdy prudes must die’ had me thinking.. what if Light came back from the dead as a vengeful spirit and started knocking everyone from the task force off musical style lmao

the scene with Richie specifically reminded me of Matsuda. Go watch NPMD if u haven’t!!!!!!! It’s on YT!!!

This was super rushed , I apologise ☠️🙏

[lyfjaeiru]

Cute smiles ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

[shiniganigans]

I love MatsuLight like you guys have NO idea 🛐

[palant1r]

haha what if the character who was metaphorically haunted in the ending was literally haunted haha

[iknowwhereyousnoozeatnight]

get his ass, matsuda

[dicenote]

I made some art based on @palant1r's incredible fic, metempsychosis. Seriously, if you haven't read this, you should. This fic literally changed me- I don't wanna give away anything, but you absolutely ought to read it, especially if you are a fan of Matsuda and/or MatsuLight.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (this is another thing I adore from the fic, it's such a smart idea and it adds so much to the story!)

Matsuda's position and clothes look a little strange. Why do you think the artist chose to depict him in this way?

What do you think is the significance behind the objects placed around Matsuda?

Please give at least a sentence-long answer to each question and respond to two of your classmates.

[acerbicapplecoffee]

[grimalkinmessor]

Fic Rec time because why not: Death Note Edition ✨

These are some of my favorite DN fanfics and I figured I'd share them with you :3 Even if you've probably already seen some of them.

I am also a multishipper so this going to LONG. Buckle in 🚀

Gen

Five Days by Shadow_of_Quill

Rated M. Noncon Warning. Several instances throughout the week where people don't keep their hands to themselves around Light.

Despite the serious subject matter Light deals with it in a very Light™ way. This is the origin of a few of my angstier Light headcanons.

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This Is How I Disappear by TzviaAriella

Rated T. MCD Warning. After an international tribunal condemns nineteen-year-old Light Yagami to death, the Kira Task Force must come to terms with the fallout of the case–and with Light’s surprising last request.

I'm pretty sure everyone's read this one at some point. It's a classic. Everybody's GOTTA read this one at least once. Angsty but it's hhhhhhHHHHHH 🙏 So good.

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And This Is All There Ever Was by Min Daae

Rated T. MCD Warning. In which Light has confessed, in order to win.

This one is technically lawlight, but it feels very gen to me so I put it NEAR the lawlight list. I love Light being a spiteful shit and this is him being spiteful to the very end. This man will do anything to win.

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Lawlight

Polarity by Writeous

Rated T. Some people are born with soulmarks: small, colorful images tattooed onto your skin that represent the people who would prove most important in your life. By all accounts, soulbonds are supposed to be beautiful, something to be cherished and revered over the course of your life. Light Yagami grows up with a bold, typeface L on his hand and a soulmate that hates him.

I'm obsessed with this fic. OB. SESSED. It only has one chapter so far but I love the dynamic on this one. I love soulmate aus but specifically the grittier ones. It has a MCD warning but as of now it's not applicable yet. Highly recommend.

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Time Speaks by aSmallMoon333

Rated E. In his first life, L died in the arms of his greatest enemy.

In his brief second one, he died alone.

And in his third, too-long life, L died anticipating finally getting even with the man who'd won their game one too many times.

And Light Yagami? If he'd known this is what picking up the Death Note would bring....well, he'd probably still have done it anyway.

This fic? Superb. Spectacular. I reread it at LEAST once a month. It has lodged in my brain and rots everything else around it I am so obsessed. L and Light are so unhinged and in love and petty and I love them. MCD warning, obviously, but it doesn't stick. This was my first fic back into the DN fandom and honestly I think it should be everyone else's too 🙏 My friends tell me they're getting back into DN and I immediately recc them this fic.

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louder then bells by relic_crown

Rated M. No one has ever seen Light’s soul, but it haunts his dreams as a monster: eyes bloody as sunrise, feathers tasting of citrus and sharpie fumes, breath hot as summer and twice as brutal. At first, he thinks the notebook itself is his soulmate. Then he tells himself Misa can be enough.

L ruins everything. For the first time, someone sees Light’s soul, and through his eyes Light knows it must look monstrous – why else would L be hunting him over it?

A soulmate/His Dark Materials AU—can you tell I have a thing for soulmate AUs? I adore the vibes of this fic, from the mystery of Light's soul, to L's distinct creepiness, to how Light views Kira :) I cannot explain that last bit to you, you're just gonna have to read it.

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Slow to Boil by TrashKing

Rated E. L has loved Kira since he knew there was a Kira to love. Unfortunately for him Light Yagami doesn’t quite understand the whole process of being seduced so L will have to take the frog in the pot approach to taming this beast.

I have a kink for L having a Kira kink, and this is one of my favorites to read when I have my 'I Need L To Be Obsessed With Kira' cravings. Very fun read, highly recommend ✨

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The Many Forms of Blessings by TrashKing

Rated E. Light was taken in by Wammy House after he lost his family in the accident. Now eighteen he finds it’s a tradition at the house that the best of every generation meet the mysterious creature who lives in the catacombs under the estate; L. Light is reluctant and that unease proves well placed when it’s revealed the graduates L likes never leave the underground.

And THIS fic is the one I circle back to when I get my 'I Need L To Be Obsessed With Light' cravings :3 Dark and beautiful in that Beauty & The Beast/Leda & The Swan way. I really love Light's characterization in this fic, as well as the darker take on the Light Grows Up In Wammy's trope.

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Rabbit Holes by TrashKing

Rated M. L Lawliet, head programmer and engineer for W&W Cybernetics, arrives at Tokyo-3 to fix a malfunction that killed eight people. The problem is that 'malfunction' turns out to be a newly sentient super computer called Kira. L disconnects him from the rest of the installation to begin a historic interrogation, but Kira might not be as defanged as L believes.

If you can't tell by now I am trash for TrashKing's fics—I can't help it I'm straight up in love with their Light. I would recc literally all of their fics but we don't got time for that, there's over fifty. This fic is fluffy and funny and really interesting, and it was a super fun read! I liked the inclusion of Ryuk and Light's very wholesome and yet still very Light™ reactions to human experiences :)

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Into The Grey by Kratos_Aurion

Rated E. Light is a young, hot, reclusive Omega who follows all the rules and does it all right. Except when he's sneaking out to capture criminals as the vigilante only known as Kira. L will always and forever be the world's greatest detective, but the Alpha might have a little competition in the Kanto region of Japan.

In a world just barely free of Omega oppression, these two geniuses find themselves in a race against the clock and each other.

VIGILANTE 👏 LIGHT 👏 I love this little scheming bastard. I love the twists and turns this fic takes and the persistent aura of dread and danger. I also just like it when L and Light bicker and fight and they do that a lot in this fic. A lot. It's great. I can't explain what else I particularly like about this fic without spoiling it, so you're just gonna have to read it.

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Extrajudicial by Boo_Yeah

Rated M. L knows that Light Yagami is guilty. And he is forced to accept that he will never be able to prove it.

So, just this once, he decides to break his principles and go above the law. He kidnaps Light and takes him to Wammy's house.

He's sure that having the kids interact with a real-life mass murderer will be a very educational experience indeed.

Or: Light is Kira, L is sick of how easily manipulated the police are, and he secretly wants to see what will happen if he forces Light into a domestic situation with children just as intelligent as he is.

I am a person who really enjoys L Wins AU, so L yoinking Light from Japan just to hide him away in Wammy's to try and redeem (?) him all while Light kicks and screams is something that just speaks to me personally 🙏 L just wants to not kill his friend and Light just wants to continue to commit crimes, top tier story on God.

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Animal Games by tsukinoyagi

Rated T. Gone Girl AU. L has moved his lovely, vile, entirely batshit husband out of their beautiful Brooklyn brownstone into a Missouri suburb, then left him to his own devices. He is under the impression that this is going to end well.

This fic is beautifully written and it scratches that itch I have for malicious antagonism between established lawlight. These bitches are SO toxic and I love them. I really enjoyed the different perspectives just so you can see that both of them are unreliable narrators.

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Terraito

The Gods of The Godless by foreskinsmoothie

Rated E. Noncon Warning. Light was perfect. And now that he’s not, there’s just nothing left for him here, in this life.

After a night that ruined his life, left him crippled and spurred forth multiple failed suicide attempts, Light decides his best course of action is putting himself in the most dangerous situation he can think of and making grotesque gangsters do his dirty work. He slips into the sight of Ryuk, infamous for fucking male escorts, then killing them in a brutal blur. Or so those dark web message boards say.

Light’s fate is in Gods hands… or maybe a creature far crueler has plans for him.

I LOVE THIS FIC. I ADORE IT. It's dark and gritty, but as someone deranged about human (?) Ryuk and his and Light's dynamic, this fic is wonderful. The noncon is not between Ryuk and Light, but the descriptions are explicit so be aware of that. Both Light and Ryuk have my entire heart here no lie.

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Toes, Knuckles, Teeth by TrashKing

Rated E. Ryuk's always been good at bending rules. Shinigami aren't supposed to have sex with humans but, well, by his estimation Light is also a Shinigami.

This fic revolves in my brain at 3x microwave speeds, okay? I am studying this fic like it is the scrolls of old, alright? I hold unhinged amounts of feralness for this fic. It's a smutty little character study, and it has imprinted itself onto the back of my eyelids forever. This fic addresses every reason that I'm so obsessed with Ryuk and Light's relationship. SO GOOD 🔥

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Meronia

what doesn't kill me makes me want you more by neallo

Rated M. “Poor Near,” Mello says, stepping closer and pulling Near’s head back further, tilting her face up as Mello cages her against the wall. “How long have you liked me?”

Near’s heart is kicking against her ribcage so hard it almost hurts, and her ears are burning with embarrassment. She squeezes her eyes shut, unable to hold the blonde’s gaze. “Mello, I...” she tries to speak, hoarse.

“Has it been months?” Mello asks, her voice getting closer as Near feels her lean down. She braves a glimpse through her lashes and watches as Mello bends her head to brush her cheek against Near’s, putting her lips next to Near’s ear. “Years, maybe?” The older girl teases.

Near finds it in herself to squeak out a “yes,” and almost jumps at Mello’s sharp intake of breath.

“Years,” Mello marvels.

A Fem Meronia fic set in Wammy's era where Mello finds out that Near enjoys getting bullied by her—because Near has a MASSIVE crush on her. What more could you possibly want out of life? Amazing fic.

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The Archer Ensnared by jabbernatty

Rated E. Near has two goals: the first, to celebrate Mello’s birthday. The second- a secret. His methods for achieving these? Questionable.

THIS. FIC. THIS ONE. Near is my favorite levels of unhinged and this is so in character for me. I enjoy it a lot. If you haven't figured it out by now I enjoy romantic antagonism and problematic relationships and this fic has both 😍

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we will be better than i was by sahwen

Rated M. AU in which Mello swallows their pride and works alongside Near. Things aren't as different as one might expect.

Nonbinary Mello, domestic-edging meronia, and tragedy mixed in with funny shenanigans. The way this written is just,,,so pretty?? I'm in love with it. 10/10 it has everything.

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Matsulight

metempsychosis by palant1r

Rated M. MCD Warning. After the warehouse — it will always be "the warehouse" to him, a vague noun as a substitute for years of betrayal — Matsuda wakes up the next morning faced with a second chance. One day to fix everything, one day to build the January 28 he wants. And that day will repeat for as long as it takes to get things right.

He knows that he can't save everyone. But it would be nice if he could just save someone.

OR

Matsuda gets stuck in a time loop and the situation quickly gets worse.

This fic is a TRIP I tell you, but a very good one. Matsuda's characterization in this is so much fun. This fic is about the journey of grief and all the madness and moral contemplation that comes along with shooting the greatest mass murderer of all time who was also your best friend that you're in love with. Very good read.

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Alive by still_lycoris

Rated M. Light Yagami is a Shinigami. And Matsuda has found the Notebook ...

This is such an interesting idea, I really enjoyed it. Matsuda's moral struggle seems to be a persistent theme in matsulight fics but honestly that's half the fun. Good fic 👌

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Birthdaymassacre

A Secret Note by KeehlingOver

Rated E. What Mello left out of his writings on the Los Angeles BB Murder Cases.

Or, these edibles ain't shi--

This fic is so fucking funny holy shit. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I reread this fic. It's T4T bdaymassacre, what more could you want?

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Aggressive Top by ThePunkRanger

Rated E. Naomi Misora isn’t about to admit that the mysterious detective Ryuzaki sparked something in her, but when he insists that he’s an “aggressive top” she just can’t let it slide. So she does something entirely unprecedented, and invites him over to prove it.

What has she gotten herself into?

Naomi is sick of Ryuzaki's shit, and Beyond has reverse-psychology-ed his head between Naomi's legs 🙏 This one is unfinished but it left off on a cliffhanger that drives me FUCKIN' NUTS BRO. FIRE.

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Playing The Part by ThePunkRanger

Rated E. Someone is kidnapping members of Southern California’s BDSM community, and the world’s greatest detective is in the market for a reliable team to go undercover on his behalf.

It’s been two years since the arrest of Rue Ryuzaki, the serial killer behind the Los Angeles BB murder case, and Naomi Misora has been happy to live her life under the assumption that she’ll never have to see him again. Unfortunately, L has other ideas; ones that involve her pretending to be in a Pup/Handler relationship with the murderer she put behind bars.

I'll be real and say that I wasn't sure about this fic at first, but it's actually very wholesome?? And respectful of the kink community! There's some extra angst in the background with L's controlling tendencies (there are cameras in that hotel room. I feel it in my bones.) and his and B's rough history, but honestly I think that makes it even more interesting. Top tier fic. 👌

[vamphorica]

uhm I saw ur posts ab being able to send writing requests in the asks sooo mabye sum matsulight? If ur cool w/ it obvi no pressure!!

i have never written matsulight – i don't think i had even really considered it as a ship until now – but i wrote this on the bus back from work, and it was really fun!

i hope you enjoy ♡

mist

Touta Matsuda/Light Yagami | 1.3k words | ⚣

Rating: General Audiences

Fandoms: Death Note (Anime & Manga)

Tags: One Shot, Death Note Second Arc, Romance, Secret Relationship, Minor Conflict, Canon Compliant, Pining, SFW, Unresolved Ending

"Sayu will never marry a cop." Soichiro declared, his arms folded tightly against his chest as his wife hummed in approval behind him. Matsuda's gaze hurriedly met Light's, who sat on the sofa with Misa clinging onto his arm. His composure was relaxed, no visible sense of agitation to this rather tired charade the family would enact under the assumption that Matsuda's interests lay in courting their daughter.

"I haven't even asked her out yet..." Matsuda replied with a breezy laugh that accented his anxiety. Sayu stood close, smiling in a sympathetic reassurance that further contributed to his embarrassment as his fingers clawed at his knees. He wanted to rip himself apart, release something internal as a means to escape this interrogation.

"Well, I think Matsuda is cute!" Sayu chirped. Matsuda felt the heat rise to his cheeks in pure embarrassment, squirming under the weight of an unexpected compliment.

"Really? I think you are too, Sayu!" He wasn't lying – the youngest Yagami was incredibly pretty, the certain elegance to her features reminding Matsuda of her brother's graceful charms. They had both been blessed with a beauty that felt almost alien in comparison to a man like himself, painfully average and self-aware of the fact. Even had he been handsome enough for Sayu, she was far too young for him, and his priority lay elsewhere.

The priority in question spoke up suddenly, "I think it is time I escort Matsuda to the station, he will be late getting home, otherwise." Light disengaged from Misa, his gaze still trained on Matsuda as he stood up. His expression betrayed no emotion that Matsuda could discern, and he too arose from the chair he sat upon, bowing towards Mr and Mrs Yagami. With a prompting nod from Light, the two left the room, shuffling into their shoes before opening the front door to walk out onto the quiet residential street.

It was raining and Light opened up the umbrella he had grabbed on the way out, prepared as always. Matsuda shivered, huddling close to Light as he tilted the umbrella so as to cover their heads. Matsuda hadn't anticipated how dark it had now become, and the streetlights emanated golden haloes leading down the winding road towards the station. Everything had a softness to it, from the houses to the pavement kerb, the rain dampening the sharper edges. It felt like a dream.

"I'm sorry." Matsuda sighed as the two of them began to walk, his shoulders falling as he acknowledged the tension in his back. Light turned his head, raising an eyebrow in curiosity - what for? "I didn't mean to talk to your sister in that way, I guess I just panicked."

"It's best my father assumes it is Sayu that you are pursuing, just as he believes Misa and I are committed to one another. My sister would not genuinely consider you as a potential partner, rest assured." While Light had probably intended the last comment to be reassuring, it still bruised Matsuda's ego. He grabbed his chest, mouthing 'ouch' as he pretended to stumble forward. Light rolled his eyes and continued walking, prompting Matsuda to follow beside him closely. He wished he could link his arm through Light's as he had seen Misa do so many times.

"What about you, Light? Do you see me as a potential partner?" Matsuda admitted he was being a little forward, but their affair had been a rather discreet and tightly maintained thing for some months now. Light had a tendency to schedule his life strictly, with no spontaneity afforded to his daily activities, whether they be for work or pleasure. Matsuda had begged Light to come out drinking with him in the small gay bar that he frequented regularly, but Light seemed almost baffled by the prospect of a date in such a place. He was straight-edge to a fault, and no amount of light teasing from Matsuda convinced Light to break his sobriety in the promise of a good time.

Sighing, Light replied, "Matsuda, you know we can't be public about this. The circumstances we find ourselves in are not forgiving to our situation, and we must be careful to ensure that we don't risk exposing ourselves."

"But you do love me, right?"

Light stopped. The street was approaching a dead end, and the station was to the immediate left. They had little time together before Soichiro would begin growing concerned as to the amount of time Light had spent away from the family home. It had been years since L's interrogation of his son and Misa, but he still maintained some semblance of paranoia that Light was well aware of. It could turn ugly if Light allowed it to fester, and his public display of apathy towards Matsuda would hardly serve to excuse the fact that the two spent more time together than they were expected to.

"Do you need to hear me say it? You know how I feel, I shouldn't have to spell it out for you."

"I want to hear you say it." Matsuda replied, gently, "I need some validation, is that too much to ask for?" Matsuda did wonder if at times he was being ridiculous, if he should simply be grateful for Light's affections, no matter how brief and distant they seemed, and stop expecting so much from him.

The two stood beneath the umbrella, raindrops sliding down the surface. Light placed a hand beneath Matsuda's face, tilting it upwards so he could look into the other's soft brown eyes. He was one of the only men who still believed in Light's innocence, who defended him as others grew suspicious. Perhaps like many others who admired Light, it was this which attracted him, the devotion, but in Matsuda he also found a normality he had been craving. A sense of stability that, however temporary, Light desired to such an extent that he was willing to be honest for once.

"I do love you, Matsuda." Light replied before he leaned in, his lips finding Matsuda's, and he held him in the warmth of the kiss, the rain quiet and the streetlights growing dimmer, as if to afford them privacy in this intimate moment. Matsuda let out a deep exhale through his nose, his eyes closed as he allowed his hands to take hold of Light's hips. There was a humidity to the back of his neck where his collar sat, flustered by this unusual public declaration of love from Light. Matsuda already knew this would be an opportunity he might never have again with Light, and moaned softly against the other's lips in appreciation.

Indeed, Light pulled away, the chill of the evening returning as the two shifted apart, the magic of the night broken as the rain returned to its heavy fall and the streetlights once again became brighter against the blackness of the night. Matsuda trembled as he looked towards the station nearby.

"You best be going now, Matsuda." Light's hand still gripped the umbrella handle without showing any intention of walking alongside Matsuda any further to see him off. Stepping out from beneath the umbrella and into the rain, Matsuda pulled his jacket tight across his chest as he jogged to the building, making his way to the entrance before turning around to see Light had already walked away.

Matsuda knew this was the way it had to be, for Light to return to his perfectly curated world. He would return to Misa, but he and Matsuda would steal glances at one another every few moments when in the office together, careful that Soichiro didn't catch them doing so. Maybe Matsuda could anticipate a hurried embrace in the bathroom stalls if Light felt as though such an effort was possible to execute, but it would realistically be a matter of weeks before Matsuda could expect Light to pay him any meaningful attention.

Drenched, Matsuda tried not to focus on the discomfort of his wet shirt clinging to his back, frozen needles inserted across his skin. Maybe comfort was something to be earned, and he was lucky to even have Light's attention, much less his time. When the Kira case was over, he thought as he stared up at the train timetable, he and Light could be together properly. He had to hold onto that hope at the very least.

[skyborneveggie]

for the character ask game, I'll do a death note one: How about Matsuda..? :)

Matsuda!!! My favorite little guy! I really loved your recent post on him, & it got me thinking about other ways that he and Light are similar... but those thoughts are still percolating...

First Impression: Honestly, for the life of me I cannot remember what I thought of any characters except the two mains. My first experience with Death Note was by watching the anime around 2011-12, and at the time I was underwhelmed & uninvested 🫣.

What I can remember, is that a few years ago I watched some kind of DN analysis video on a whim & the youtuber mentioned how fitting if was for Matsuda to be the one to shoot Light in the end. And my reaction was: who??? I had forgotten everything about him 🫣🫣🫣

Impression Now: Matsuda is best boy who I like to woobify in my head.

Regarding Matsuda's role in the story, I somewhat get the impression that he is supposed to be either an audience surrogate or an author surrogate. Almost everyone else in the story is either all for Kira or all against Kira, with Matsuda being the only named character (at least iirc) that can openly balance the duality of sympathizing with him while simultaneously believing he is a bad person.

(An alternative possibility is that he is supposed to be insurance against edgelords saying "Light is Right Actually," and a way for the author to refute those people directly. But I find this to be 1000x less narratively compelling.)

And of course I feel awful that everyone in the story underestimates him. I just want to scoop him up and tell him it's ok and that he can (sometimes) be a good liar and he can (sometimes) think well on his feet.

Favorite Moment: It's gotta be the end of the warehouse scene. So much so that I compiled all of my favorite panels from it so that I can look at them all together 💔. It's just so heartbreaking to watch the one person who trusted Light entirely, fall apart under revelation of the truth. And cathartic too, to see the depth of Light's betrayal embodied in Matsuda's visceral rage. In a room full of grim and stone-faced people, Matsuda is the only one whose grief flows freely. Light was not in his right mind enough to realize it, but he died with the possibility of knowing that someone had cared about him enough to grieve him, and do so immensely.

Idea for a Story: I've been toying with the idea of a Matsulight and Heathers the Musical crossover au... This won't make any sense unless one is familiar with this show, but I think Matsuda as Veronica and Light as JD makes perfect sense. Especially the ending, when Veronica realizes the full extent of JD's capacity for evil, and finally takes action to stop him... 😭 I can see Matsuda stepping into those shoes. I'm currently filing this idea under "things i like to imagine, but probably won't ever actually write."

Unpopular Opinion: I haven't been in this fandom long enough to know what would constitute an unpopular opinion yet tbh. But I do sometimes wonder if there is a possible interpretation of DN where events did not happen exactly as they were written because everything is filtered through Light's unreliable narration and subject to his biases. Then I can ask questions such as, are all the police officers in DN really as honorable as they are portrayed, or is it just Light's perception? And, is Misa really as clingy and intrusive as the narrative says, or is it just Light's perception? The way this relates to Matsuda is that I wonder if he is really as undiscerning & impulsive as shown, or if it could be that Light just really doesn't like him and so perceives him as an exaggerated version of his actual character.

The difference between Matsuda and the previous two questions however is that I do like Matsuda exactly as he is written, and prefer him as his silly, cinnamon-roll self.

Nothing I've said in response to this q is really an opinion though, it's more a half-baked thought experiment. Idk if it leads anywhere 🤷‍♀️.

Favorite Relationship: Matsulight, either romantic or platonic. Part of me just feels like their interactions in the finale were sooo heartbreaking that I want to push it even further by introducing more feelings. Another part of me feels like there are a lot of subtle similarities between them that I don't quite know how to put into words yet. Your post mentioned their shared need for approval. They can both be impulsive, they can both be naive. Yotsuba!Light temporarily sympathizes with Kira in a way not unlike Matsuda. Maybe something about Matsuda (and the other task force members) being willing to abandon his societally-approved police career in order to chase what he thinks is right, which is similar to what Light is trying to convince himself that he's doing too. But these are only half-formed ideas...

I do wonder if Light dislikes Matsuda because he subconsciously registers some of the traits he doesn't like about himself being exaggerated in him, namely his need for approval. Perhaps it also bothers him that Matsuda is emotionally open and honest about those perceived flaws, whereas Light tries his hardest to hide them.

I enjoy reading fics that explore the idea of these similarities instead being things they could subtly bond over, creating an emotional incentive for Light to want to manipulate Matsuda over to Kira's side. Successfully or unsuccessfully. I like seeing Matsuda's pain magnified under the turmoil of choice.

Favorite Headcanon: I wouldn't necessarily say this is my favorite, but I do like to imagine that Matsuda's open-mindedness and willingness to acknowledge all truths of a multifaceted situation, would eventually lead to his eyes being opened about the current state of the law enforcement system. And that would set him on a different path. If anyone in DN could do it, I think it would be Matsuda.

Thanks for the ask 💜~~~ As always feel free to disagree with anything I said, I'm pretty new here so I don't know that much & am always open to changing my opinion.

[sashaisnotokay]

Lawtsuda and/or matsulight for the brutally honest askgame

About Lawtsuda.

I’ve read a fanfic, Death Note and Flowers for Algernon crossover, called “Make me smart” («Сделайте меня умным» in original). In that story, Matsuda is being realistic about himself and knows that he is not the brightest. He is on the investigation team, but knows he cannot offer much. He deeply dislikes L, who is, in his opinion, heartless and rude, and who makes him feel even more worthless.

Then Matsuda notices an announcement in newspapers about a doctor needing experimental patients for a surgery that makes people smart.

He goes through that surgery, but instead of becoming as smart as L, which Matsuda expected, he becomes extremely emotionally intelligent. He starts to understand people, their feelings, their relationships, and it makes him see L in a different light.

I won’t spoil any further, but THIS is my favourite version of Lawtsuda. Cold analytical mind and warm emotional mind. Two different perspectives that are capable of communicating and understanding each other. It warms my heart to even write about it.

Usual fanon Lawtsuda is a bit too sweet for me, but I still prefer it to most of other ships.

Now Matsulight.

Kind of cute in fanon, the Dragon and the Hobbit in canon.

It may seem that these two got along in canon, but I don’t believe that was real. It was real for Matsuda (that’s why he was so disappointed and furious in the end), but not for Light.

During the events of Death Note we don’t see Light communicating with other people (except his family) without some kind of reason or ulterior motive (if I remember correctly). Light doesn’t seem to feel the need in another people, let alone in Matsuda, who doesn’t represent any of Light’s core values or interests.

Matsuda values human connections, honesty, selflessness; Light values power, intelligence, being superior.

Honestly, the Dragon and the Hobbit.

[lyfjaeiru]

Matsulight. Drawing based on a frame from the movie wilde (1997) c:

[shiniganigans]

This was a suggestion on IG time ago, someone told me "what if instead of L, Matsuda was the one chained to Light?" And I LOVED IT!!! ❤️ They would get into so MUCH trouble!