Pop idol with a dark side

When it comes to Death Note, Light Yagami and L tend to hog the spotlight, but there’s one character who shouldn’t be overlooked—Misa Amane. Whether you’re flipping through the pages of the manga or watching the anime unfold, Misa is a character that stands out. She’s the pop idol with a dark side, the devoted girlfriend, and the wildcard in Light’s carefully constructed world. But depending on whether you’re reading or watching, the way Misa comes across can feel like you’re looking at two different people.

In the manga, Misa is more than just the airheaded, love-struck girl she might initially appear to be. Sure, she’s impulsive, emotional, and completely devoted to Light, but there’s a certain cunning to her. She understands the power she holds as the Second Kira, and while she’s driven by her obsession with Light, she’s not entirely naive. The manga presents her with more depth, showing moments where she exercises her own agency—whether it’s tracking down information, blackmailing Rem, or using her celebrity status to manipulate the media. Her devotion to Light is still obsessive, but there are flashes of self-awareness that suggest she knows more than she lets on.

One of the biggest differences comes in how the anime and manga handle Misa’s darker aspects. In the manga, there’s a stronger emphasis on how dangerous she can be. She’s not just willing to kill for Light; she’s eager. Her unwavering loyalty makes her unpredictable, and the manga plays up this duality—she’s charming and sweet on the outside but has no qualms about taking a life if it serves her purpose. The anime, however, tones this down. Misa is still devoted to Light and willing to kill, but there’s a greater focus on her vulnerability, making her seem more like a tragic figure manipulated by forces beyond her control.

And then there’s her ending. In the manga, Misa’s fate is left ambiguous but heavily implied—after Light’s death, her life loses meaning, and her suicide is suggested in a haunting panel. The anime, however, takes a more explicit approach, showing Misa standing on a ledge, dressed in mourning, hinting at the same tragic end but with a touch more sentimentality.

Ultimately, the difference in Misa’s portrayal between the manga and anime boils down to emphasis. The manga presents her as a more layered, potentially dangerous figure, while the anime leans into her role as a tragic, love-obsessed girl caught in a deadly game. Whether she’s a master manipulator or a pawn in Light’s grand design depends on which version you choose to follow.