Death Note (2006)

[デスノート]

Volume 10

Author: Tsugumi Ohba
Artist: Takeshi Obata
Publisher: Jump Comics

Synopsis:
Kira cultists close in on the SPK headquarters. Is this the endgame for Near?

Story/Characters:
I'm pretty sure none of you are expecting Near to buy it this soon, so I won't act like I'm spoiling anything. With Near not only teaming up with Mello but also luring away some of Light's teammates, we have to balance the scales. Enter Teru Mikami, easily the best addition in this arc. We have someone who's arguably even more devoted to Kira than Misa but with none of her airheadedness. About his only flaw is that he might be more zealous than Light himself (or at least not quite so patient when it comes to moving the plan forward). We also bring back Kiyomi Takada, which honestly feels like a rather convenient use of an otherwise forgettable side character (though her connection to Light is key to how things play out). I've stated before that I'm not a big fan of the third arc, but the introduction of Mikami and Takada are a quite welcome shift in the overall dynamic.

Art:
As usual, nothing but good things to say about the art. It may sound odd, but I want to make a special note of Near's finger puppets. There's just something about rendering Kira basically as the Hamburglar with dramatic lighting.

Conclusion:
I'm happier with the direction of the story here than I have been ever since L bought it a couple volumes back and I think that's worth a stronger endorsement. If you haven't been enjoying yourself as much lately, this one might change your mind. I'd say it's worth having.

Rating:
Own It