The Brilliance of Death Note's Potato Chip Scene (Yes, Really)

it's the most talked-about scene in one of the most talked about anime ever made. But what makes it work so well?

Validate me!

In the depths of his Mother's Basement, Geoff Thew creates videos analyzing the storytelling techniques of anime and video games. He has been named the number one Worst YouTube Anime Reviewer by The Top Tens.

[amiqai]

this 16-minute video about a 30-second scene is exactly how my literature teachers expect me to write in the test

[sfxakt]

I just watched a 16 minute video about a 20 second scene

[megatronyoutube]

"Ryuk goes into apple withdrawal"
Just think for a moment how mad this sentence is

[milotic]

I love that L looks like he woke up at 4 am in his pajamas. in a crowd of people in full suits. It's hilarious to me.

[visheshkumar]

When an English teacher watches anime for the first time

[cuthalion]

Death Note somehow made writing names in a book and death by heart attack the most intense things ever.

[Abhi-zmyh]

Just watch me teacher, I do my homework with my right hand while I search for answers on my phone with my left hand!
I'll take a question... AND GOOGLE IT!!!

[heysaacha]

The real geniuses are the creators of this anime. They gave to bust their brains to make these two characters intelligent and keep the unfolding of the story structured.

[nugget.]

“I’ll take an overused joke...”

*“and recycle it!”*

[meganuwu]

i aspire to be as intelligent as the writers of deathnote

[solconcept]

I never laughed when I watched this scene, my initial reaction was pure awe and curiosity

[lovely-gtox]

*writes my name on my notebook so I know it's mine*

*realizes it's my death note*

[DylansLappalterCopium]

TV Reporter: "He is a Murderer named..."
Light: *"WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN!"*

[xeni]

Ok but how did I not really appreciate how absolutely BRILLIANT this show was written?! So many plot twists and literally every tiny detail is crucial to the ENTIRE storyline...

[kakyoin]

just watch me mom, i’ll do my math with the right hand, and google the answers with the left.... i’ll take my test.... and CHEAT IT

[nebbiio]

Fun fact: he only wrote two names during this scene lmao

Edit: GUYS OMG LET ME CLARIFY THIS: I’m aware that his intention was not to mass murder, nor does he kill a lot of people a day. I’m only finding this funny because of how dramatic the scene played out to be, when in reality he wrote two names in the notebook. Stop bashing me lmao

[t.b.]

Death note was the first anime I watched. Went into it blind and saw the light.

[aboodi]

Light: I'll take a potato chip... And eat it!!
Ryuk: I'll take a death note... And yeet it!!

[Rivenlore]

this show did a really good job of portraying a really smart mc, and yet showing his downfall in a way that felt really natural. I enjoyed scenes like this that showed how intelligent Light and L were. this was a truly great scene

[solidzack]

I'll take a potato chip...





And put it back because I've had eaten enough chips for today and need to watch for my health.