Death Note Volume 4 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata continues the dark psychological battle between Light Yagami, L and the mysterious second Kira.
Two Kiras are now active.
L still suspects Light of being the original Kira, but he also needs Light’s intelligence to investigate the copycat.
L therefore asks Light to join the investigation team and pretend to be the real Kira so they can contact the second one.
Light agrees because joining the task force gives him access to valuable information.
But his plan becomes much more complicated when he discovers that the new Kira is nothing like he expected.
Death Note Volume 4 delivers clever strategies, supernatural mystery, psychological suspense and an important new stage in the battle between Light and L.
Why Read Death Note Volume 4?
Death Note Volume 4 expands the conflict beyond Light and L.
Until now, Light has been able to understand the behaviour of Kira because he himself created that identity.
The arrival of a second Kira changes everything.
Light can no longer control every action associated with Kira.
Someone else possesses similar supernatural power.
That person may make decisions that place Light in danger.
This new situation creates one of the most exciting developments in the series.
Two Kiras Change Everything
The existence of two Kiras creates a serious problem for the investigation.
L needs to determine whether the second Kira is connected to the first.
Light has a different problem.
He needs to understand the new Death Note user before that person reveals information that could expose him.
In Death Note Volume 4, Light finds himself investigating another Kira while secretly being Kira himself.
This creates an unusual psychological situation.
He must help L without helping him too much.
Light Joins the Task Force
One of the biggest developments in Death Note Volume 4 is Light’s closer involvement with the investigation.
L asks him to join the task force and pretend to be the original Kira while attempting to contact the copycat.
For Light, this creates both opportunity and danger.
Being close to the investigation gives him valuable information.
He can understand what L knows.
He can observe the direction of the case.
But being close to L also means he is being watched by one of the world’s most intelligent detectives.
Every conversation becomes dangerous.
Light Yagami Versus L
The rivalry between Light and L remains one of the strongest parts of the series.
Both characters are brilliant.
Both are highly suspicious.
Both attempt to predict the other’s next move.
Death Note Volume 4 makes their relationship even more complicated because they are now working together more closely.
L still believes Light could be Kira.
Light knows that suspicion has not disappeared.
This means cooperation becomes another form of psychological warfare.
The Mysterious Second Kira
The second Kira introduces a completely different personality into the story.
Light has always approached the Death Note strategically.
He carefully considers how his actions might affect the investigation.
The new Kira behaves differently.
That unpredictability creates new risks.
Light must decide whether this mysterious person could become useful or dangerous.
Death Note Volume 4 makes the second Kira central to both the supernatural mystery and the psychological battle.
A Dangerous New Relationship
VIZ’s official description hints that Light’s contact with the new Kira develops in a surprising direction, creating a new personal complication for him.
This adds another layer to the story.
Light is used to manipulating situations through logic.
Personal emotions are harder to control.
Someone who admires Kira may become valuable.
But they may also become unpredictable.
The combination of supernatural power and emotional attachment creates new dangers.
Psychological Suspense in Death Note Volume 4
Death Note Volume 4 continues to prove that physical battles are not necessary to create intense suspense.
Information is the real weapon.
Light needs to understand the second Kira.
L needs to understand Light.
The task force needs to identify whoever is responsible for the new killings.
Every character possesses different information.
That imbalance creates tension.
A single conversation can reveal too much.
A single mistake can change the entire investigation.
Justice and Morality
Justice remains one of the central themes in Death Note Volume 4.
Light believes his actions can create a better world.
L believes Kira is a murderer who must be stopped.
The appearance of another Kira complicates the debate.
What happens when more than one person gains the ability to decide who should die?
Does sharing the same power mean sharing the same sense of justice?
The manga encourages readers to think about how dangerous absolute power can become.
The Power of the Death Note
The supernatural Death Note remains at the heart of the series.
The notebook gives its user the ability to cause the death of a person whose name is written inside under its rules.
The entire Death Note story begins after Light discovers such a notebook dropped into the human world by a Shinigami.
In Death Note Volume 4, the presence of another Death Note user dramatically increases the danger.
Light is no longer the only human influencing events through supernatural power.
Ryuk and the Shinigami
Ryuk remains an important supernatural presence.
His connection with the Death Note introduced Light to a world far beyond ordinary human experience.
The Shinigami elements also create possibilities that traditional investigators cannot easily understand.
L may be brilliant.
But investigating supernatural events without understanding their rules creates an extraordinary challenge.
This helps Death Note Volume 4 combine detective fiction with supernatural suspense.
Intelligence Is the Main Weapon
The series rarely relies on simple good-versus-evil conflict.
Instead, intelligence becomes the main weapon.
Light creates plans.
L searches for weaknesses in those plans.
The second Kira introduces behaviour neither man can completely control.
That makes Death Note Volume 4 especially enjoyable for readers who like strategic characters.
The excitement comes from discovering who can think further ahead.
Trust Becomes Dangerous
Trust is difficult in the world of Death Note.
L does not fully trust Light.
Light certainly cannot trust L.
The arrival of another Kira creates an entirely new trust problem.
Light may need another Death Note user.
But cooperating with someone unpredictable can be extremely dangerous.
This uncertainty keeps the plot moving quickly.
Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
The Death Note manga was created by story writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.
The writing combines mystery, strategy, supernatural concepts and questions about morality.
Obata’s detailed artwork helps communicate the tension between characters.
Facial expressions become particularly important when Light and L attempt to hide what they are actually thinking.
Together, the writing and artwork give the series its distinctive psychological atmosphere.
7 Powerful Reasons to Read Death Note Volume 4
- Two Kiras – A second Death Note user changes the entire investigation.
- Light and L Working Together – Their rivalry becomes even more complicated when Light joins the task force.
- Brilliant Mind Games – Every conversation can become part of a larger strategy.
- Supernatural Mystery – Death Notes and Shinigami continue expanding the story.
- Unexpected Relationships – Light discovers that the second Kira is very different from what he expected.
- Powerful Moral Questions – The story continues exploring justice, murder, power and responsibility.
- Major Series Development – Death Note Volume 4 introduces changes that significantly affect Light’s plans.
What You Can Expect From Death Note Volume 4
Readers can expect:
- Psychological thriller
- Light Yagami
- Detective L
- Ryuk
- Two Kiras
- Second Kira mystery
- Death Note powers
- Shinigami
- Task force investigation
- Strategic mind games
- Supernatural suspense
- Clever plot twists
- Questions about justice
- Dark themes
- Moral conflict
- Psychological tension
Who Should Read Death Note Volume 4?
Death Note Volume 4 is perfect for readers who have completed the first three volumes.
Mystery and thriller fans may especially appreciate the continuing investigation.
Readers who enjoy intelligent characters and complicated strategies may find Light and L’s rivalry particularly entertaining.
The volume is published under VIZ’s Shonen Jump imprint and carries a Teen Plus age rating. It contains 208 pages.
A Powerful Fourth Volume of Death Note
Death Note Volume 4 pushes the series into an exciting new stage.
There are now two Kiras.
L brings Light directly into the investigation.
Light gains access to the task force while simultaneously placing himself closer to the detective most determined to expose him.
Then Light makes contact with the second Kira and discovers an unexpected complication.
The psychological battle becomes more complicated.
The supernatural mystery becomes larger.
And the danger surrounding Light continues to grow.
For readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers, supernatural mysteries and intense battles of strategy, Death Note Volume 4 is an essential continuation of the iconic manga series.
Book Details
Title: Death Note, Vol. 4
Story: Tsugumi Ohba
Art: Takeshi Obata
Series: Death Note
Category: Manga
Imprint: Shonen Jump
Pages: 208
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-0331-8
Release Date: March 7, 2006
Age Rating: Teen Plus












Reviews
There are no reviews yet.