Dexter Morgan and Light Yagami
When I was in college, there was a lot of talk about Ohba and Obata's Manga, Death Note. I decided to give it a shot and became addicted. I caught a couple of episodes of the anime on Cartoon Network, but read through about 2/3 of the manga. (I lost interest after one of the characters died). Now I am addicted to Dexter. I have only two episodes left in season 4. Sometime over the weekend I realized that Dexter Morgan has quite a bit in common with Light Yagami.
Both characters...
After googling the two characters, I quickly noticed I was not the only one to compare the two characters. In this WoWRiot blog post, I found more comparisons:
Both serial killers...
While I am very aware they are not exactly alike (SPOILER i.e. Dexter has never killed cop chasing him and Light has), I find the similarities striking. Each season of Dexter acts like a different "book" where as all of Death Note is just one story. Also, even though each character has similar relationships (i.e. father, sister, girlfriend, "imaginary" friend, etc.) they play very different roles in each series. I love a good cat and mouse game and both series execute it successfully. I think if you like one, you will most likely enjoy the other. Another series that comes to mind is Monster, which is also another highly recommended story of a chased serial killer with super intelligence. (Though, it is from the perspective of the one chasing the serial killer.) In my own little nerdy world, Dexter would cross paths with Light Yagami and Dr. Tenma.
Light Yagami and Dexter Morgan also have suspicious-looking faces! ^o^
Both characters...
- are serial killers who bring death to those who they have deemed bad to make the world a better place
- are closely connected to the police department and are sons of good cops
- have sisters they care deeply about
- have (pretty, blonde) girlfriends they obtain with the (initial) intention to use them
- have super intelligence
- have someone who is also intelligent hunting them
- have "imaginary" friends (Dexter's are Harry Morgan/Dark Passenger and Light's is Ryuk)
- have internal struggles
After googling the two characters, I quickly noticed I was not the only one to compare the two characters. In this WoWRiot blog post, I found more comparisons:
Both serial killers...
- have secret, unbreakable codes they must follow
- end up participating in the investigation to find themselves
- practice media manipulation
- meet a second, similar serial killer
- actively modify and manipulate police files
- have been under video and human surveillance for durations in their respective shows
While I am very aware they are not exactly alike (SPOILER i.e. Dexter has never killed cop chasing him and Light has), I find the similarities striking. Each season of Dexter acts like a different "book" where as all of Death Note is just one story. Also, even though each character has similar relationships (i.e. father, sister, girlfriend, "imaginary" friend, etc.) they play very different roles in each series. I love a good cat and mouse game and both series execute it successfully. I think if you like one, you will most likely enjoy the other. Another series that comes to mind is Monster, which is also another highly recommended story of a chased serial killer with super intelligence. (Though, it is from the perspective of the one chasing the serial killer.) In my own little nerdy world, Dexter would cross paths with Light Yagami and Dr. Tenma.
Light Yagami and Dexter Morgan also have suspicious-looking faces! ^o^