Death Note: "Performance" Review

SPOILERS AHEAD!

It is a strangely conflicted anime fan who enjoys both the angry, testosterone hardcore-edge of Death Note's new theme song and the girly sophomoric pink fluff that is the character Misa. Fans of the 1980's cartoon Jem and the Holograms should feel right at home with the latest episode, "Performance". It puts the show's weakest and most annoying character up front and center for twenty-five minutes of squeaking and bouncing. If this is your cup of tea, might I recommend the anime classic Sailor Moon. A poster of Misa will hang very nicely next to your "Lynn Minmei" calendar.

In "Performance", Misa gets involved in the investigation of the Yotsuba Corporation, going vaguely undercover to gather information on just who the "Third Kira" might be. Meanwhile, the Yotsuba group has similar surreptitious plans. They've received word from Coil that Misa 'Jar Jar' Amane may have been captured by their nemesis, L. L believed her to be the "Second Kira". If that were the case, she may have information that will lead Yotsuba to the identity of the international man of mystery.

It is here we get to meet our "Third Kira" Higuchi, a senior member of Yotsuba. Unfortunately, his mustache-twirling motivations become groan-inducing when he announces loudly to himself sitting in darkness that he must "marry Misa Amane" so that he might become the most powerful person in the world. Yes, marry. It's a strange "lost in the translation" moment that comes out of nowhere. He knows Misa must have the eyes of a Shinigami therefore he can use her to rid of anyone he pleases. He then orders Rem to hide his Death Note. Shinigami take orders now? This new villain has more in common with Cobra Commander than anyone from Death Note, announcing his nefarious plans to no one in particular. Even throwing in a few evil chuckles for good measure.

Later in the bathroom, it's time for a little girl talk. Rem reveals herself to Misa, catching her up that this is all part of the "First Kira's", Light Yagami's, plan. Misa handles the surprise visit from a Death God in the Ladies room surprisingly well and listens to what Rem has to say. Misa gets onboard with Rem and concocts a plan to get Higuchi to admit he's Kira. It works and he asks her to marry him as planned. She says she will enter marital bliss with him if he can prove that he is Kira. But… he tells her he left his Death Note at home. The episode ends with Misa gaining key information and control of the "Third Kira".

The writers here are wisely trying to utilize their characters to their full extent as they have previously with Matsuda and Chief Yagami . The problem with Misa is the tone in which she is written. Her motivation and obsession with "Kira" are in league with Death Note's dark sensibilities. Her parents were brutally murdered and the killer was executed via "Kira's" supernatural abilities. Thus, her affection for Light is deep and fully realized. But when Misa spouts some of this information in her whacky, excited, poodle-like way, it loses all impact.

There is one intriguing moment about halfway into the episode. Light is studying the patterns of all the "Kiras" and notices that the behavior of the first directly resembles his own ideals. Doubt crashes over him. Could he truly be "Kira?" It's in this inner monologue that the episode manages to hang on, however briefly, to its original tone and clever characters.

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