What I most took from this time reading the series is how stupid Light actually is. Sure, he has an analytical mind in a way, but he does not understand a lot about people. He also completely trusts the police and justice system in telling them who is and who isnt a criminal. He never questions why people do crime, just that some people are "good", others are "bad", and he is the one to decide it (with the help of the police and justice system, who to him seem to be inherently "good").
While, at the same time, he is a complete asshole in his private life, and just trying to follow his plan, without ever wondering if that is what people would want. No thought about the complexity of the world, grey areas, and what really makes people tick. A teenager who has the edgy world view of "humanity sucks!", and then finds a weapon.
And it shows how messing with the gods will only lead to downfall. Or thinking humans could become gods. I really liked Ryuk in the end, the panels with him were so creepy. But he never pretended he was just a cute plaything, he was mostly honest with Light from the beginning. But then Lights (and others) hubris made him think he could be stronger than a god.
There were parts which confused me. I think I wrote about the arc with Mello kidnapping Lights sister and stealing the Death Note felt over the top for me. I also was a bit confused in the finale, who had which notebook and who then faked what. I also needed some time to get over Ls death, I think I liked Mello more than Near.
And I wish there were better female characters. Misa.. up to the end, never got that Light just played with her, never seemed to have any agency other than Light in her whole life.
Takada was similar, the times we saw her, she was obsessed with Light, too.
There was probably just Misora who then also trusted Light too easily, but at least she had smart ideas, and was not taken serious by her husband.
And the woman who was great with security cameras, but mostly off-screen, and then died. I would have liked to see more of her.
