The Second Kira
A pop idol turned vengeful god, willing to die for the man she calls her true love.
The Second Kira is a title assumed by Misa Amane after she receives one Death Note from Rem, later acquiring Light Yagami's discarded note through their alliance. While Light was the original god of the new world, Misa's assumption of this mantle allowed the legend of Kira to survive in the public eye during his absence. Her tenure is marked by a frantic desire to prove her worth as an equal partner to Light and a willingness to sacrifice her own life for his cause.
- Character
- Misa Amane
- Role
- Second Kira / Accomplice
- Affiliation
- Kira (Light Yagami's faction)
- Shinigami Ally
- Rem
- Status
- Alive (Eventual Imprisonment)
Lore & Background
Her role shifts dramatically when she is captured by the task force under suspicion of being the First Kira. Rem, bound by Shinigami rules regarding extending human lifespans, sacrifices herself to kill L and Watari after Misa's life was threatened, not due to a pact that 'if Light dies, Rem dies.' This leads to Misa's temporary erasure from existence via memory wipe orchestrated by the Task Force to catch Kira and stop the killings, rather than to protect Light. Ultimately, her love for Light proves fatal to her own freedom, leading to her imprisonment in a high-security facility where her memories of being Kira are wiped.
In Their Own Story
The spotlight hits Misa's face, blindingly bright, but she doesn't blink. In the silence of her dressing room, far from the screaming fans outside, she holds the black notebook. Her hands tremble, not from fear, but from a desperate need to do something for *him*. 'I'll catch them all,' she whispers to the empty air where Ryuk sits, grinning in the shadows. The pen moves across the page with practiced speed, a name scrawled down, another life extinguished. It is a dance of death performed by an idol, all for the sake of a boy who has become her entire world.
Reader's Guide
The Second Kira represents the emotional volatility that contrasts sharply with Light Yagami's calculated methodology. Misa Amane enters the conflict not as a mastermind, but as a devoted follower whose love drives her to commit murder on a global scale. Her possession of two Death Notes grants her unique abilities, including the Shinigami Eyes, which allow her to see names and lifespans instantly. However, this power comes at a steep price: trading half of her remaining lifespan for each use. Despite this sacrifice, she remains eager to utilize the notebook to clear Light's name or eliminate his enemies. Misa's tenure as Kira is defined by her capture and subsequent manipulation by Rem. Her willingness to trade her life for Light's safety highlights the tragic nature of her character. She serves as a crucial plot device that forces Light into a corner, eventually leading to his downfall when he attempts to regain control without her.
Did You Know?
- Misa Amane is the only human in the series to possess two Death Notes simultaneously, though she received them from different sources: one from Rem and Light's discarded note later acquired via their alliance.
- Humans trade their own lifespan for Shinigami Eyes; Misa made this sacrifice herself, while Shinigami like Rem do not make such trades.
- The public believed the Second Kira was a separate entity from the First until their connection was revealed.
- Misa's memories of being Kira are eventually wiped by the task force to catch Kira and stop the killings, not to protect Light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is officially known as The Second Kira?
The Second Kira is Misa Amane, a pop idol who received a Death Note from the Shinigami Rem to continue Light Yagami's work. She adopted this title to maintain the public perception of Kira while Light was forced into hiding.
What role does The Second Kira play in Light's plan?
Misa serves as a decoy and active enforcer, using her own Death Note to kill criminals and draw L's attention away from the original Kira. Her presence allows Light to operate safely while keeping the legend of Kira alive in the media.
How does The Second Kira's story conclude?
Misa is eventually arrested by Near's task force after her identity as a Shinigami user is exposed, leading to her imprisonment for life. She survives but loses her memories and connection to Light until his final defeat.
Why is Misa Amane considered crucial to the Kira legend?
Her willingness to sacrifice her own lifespan for Light's cause demonstrates an extreme devotion that fuels her effectiveness as a killer. Without her public actions, the world might have suspected Kira had vanished or died during Light's absence.
What motivates The Second Kira to kill so aggressively?
Driven by an obsessive love for Light Yagami, Misa kills anyone who threatens him to prove she is his equal partner. Her frantic need to validate herself often leads her into dangerous situations that jeopardize the entire operation.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Death Note universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record