I have been thinking about this for a few days now, and I'm still at the same conclusion. I can't wait for DN 60 to come out. On re-reading DN 59 I'm once more struck by Misa's brilliance (idiot savant is still brilliant, so there.)

( DN60: Mero and Nia )

So, I caught up to Death Note (sort of, let's just say I read #55 and few other chapters). There really is nothing to say than L and Raito's (sorry, 'Light') genius is -really- scary, and from the way things are going the series seem to be winding down. I don't want the series to end, even though it would be good for the story if it end when it should (will not think about Hikaru no Go). But if this series does end in 8 (or 9) volumes I'm gonna be damn impressed. I don't remember any popular Shounen title ending before volume 20.

( So, #55 )

My PERFECT ending for this series would be L, Raito and Misa walking into the sunset (well skipping into the sunset, but I'll take walking). But it will NEVER be. NEVER! cries*

( a few endings I can see happeneing )

DN 38. This series make me love it more AND more each week. Raito shows us his temper, L shows us his moves. Really good kick. Does anyone know what sort of martial art L did, or was it just something random that he picked up? Anyways, L had the most disgruntled look in this chapter. His cheeks seem to bulge out more than usual when he is stuffing his face full of cake. Actually, he remind me of a chipmunk. Don't ask.

But dude, Raito can do the throw really well, and L's kick! OMFG! L's KICK!

Their choice of fighting style does say a lot about their personality, even if the fight did deteriorate into a punch up -_-;; Hmm, maybe I should stop analysing it, but I CAN'T help it. NOT when Raito is a close body contact type of fighter, and L is teh long range type. It says a lot. It -really- does. Or the fact that L eventually get annoyed enough to get into close contact and attempt to punch Raito's face in ^^;; It's sort of cute.

I have read way too much shounen fight series NOT to analyse a character's fighting style (and the psych text books about body language doesn't hurt). It's fascinating. Now, if L suddenly pick up some sort of long range weapon, and Raito picks up some form of magical gauntlet, we can have DEATHNOTE: SHOUNEN FIGHT SERIES!

Oh. The mind bleed.

Okies, off to edit Mkt. Plan, and then SLEEP!

Much more coherent now. So, summary and thoughts.

( DN 36 summary )

( my reaction and thoughts )

I'm getting logs! Honest to goodness understand it! Too bad about the other three chapters that I'm confused on -_-;; What doesn't kill me make me stronger... or something.

worldserpent, I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind. Probably not -_-;

Death Note is eating my brain. ARGH!! Anyways, on a purely psychological front Raito definitely belongs to the Cluster B personality disorders. He has enough symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder to be classified as one, though there does not appear to be the presence of Conduct Disorder at a young age. However, the presence of Conduct Disorder can act as an early warning sign but does not need to be present in order for an individual to develop Antisocial Personality Disorder at a later date. The following are the criteria for a person to be diagnosed with Antisocial personality disorder. I'm using the DSM-IV criteria because that's the set of criteria that's the most widely used (Australia follows this), though I understand Europe have a slightly different set of criteria.

Diagnostic Criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder

A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 18 years, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

B. The individual is at least 18 years old (under 18 may suffer from Conduct Disorder)

C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 years.

D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode

SEE!! Raito can possibly fit into several disorders under the Cluster B disorders. I tend to lean towards Histronic and Narcissistic personality disorders.

While talking to amei, somehow ended up discussing what sort of classes Raito and L would take in University. Having no idea on how the Japanese University system works I'm sort shooting in the dark here. But yeah, my two cents.

I personally think Raito will do -everything- he can get away with. Meaning science, philosophy, possibly human bio (med), psychology and maybe a literature unit. Because Raito have to reflect the perfect student but still manage to be normal. He need to be perceived as a highly intelligent individual with a bright future. Thus, all his units will be hard and interesting, but he also -need- to be seen as a normal young adult. Meaning he'll need to seem at least slightly indecisive about his future. I can see someone asking him what he want to do for his future, and Raito replying that he doesn't know, at the present time he just want to try everything and see what he'd more interested in. Because Raito is cunning, and Raito need to seem normal while brilliant.

So, I see him graduating with a Med degree and maybe a Minor in psychology, because Raito need to be at least interested. Law and literature will be too boring and useless to him. Well law does provide him an avenue to be in a position of power, Raito is not the type that works in the light. He -needs- to be the guy controlling the puppet. Raito feel pride and absolute conviction at his actions but Raito doesn't want to be found out, because working from the shadows is fun, and this fits with his vision of a world of absolute Justice.

Anyways, Medicine and psychology. Medicine gives Raito the opportunity to study the human body, psychology allows him to study the mind, and while Raito is efficient at both at present time, he can improve. Manipulation will be much easier. In addition, Raito is methodical, and if things does not fall into his plans Raito tend to get very, very angry, to keep it short Raito is an utter control freak. The one thing that he want to control more than anything else seem to be humanity as a whole. And seriously, Raito is the type that will get a hard on from controlling an individual -without- utilising the Death Note.

[EDIT: As for L, well, L will probably do all the classes that Raito does just for the pure mind-fuck value. I also have this pet theory that L probably have several degrees under his belt already, and one of them will have to be psychology. No one notices everything about another person (cataloging body language in such a methodic manner) without some form of training, even if he is a genius.]