Ryuk and Rem are Shinigami who possess the Death Note in the manga series Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Ryuk is the first Death Note owner and forms a bond with protagonist Light Yagami, observing Light’s actions in creating a utopian society. Rem is introduced later, with Misa Amane as her human owner, and is more serious and faithful compared to Ryuk. In the manga’s climax, Ryuk and Rem’s allegiances clash indirectly, resulting in the downfall of Light. Their influence and loyalty to their respective human owners highlight their importance in the Death Note universe.

Ryuk vs. Rem: The Battle of Death Note Owners

Introduction

The Death Note manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata features two powerful Shinigami, Ryuk and Rem. These two characters, who own the Death Note, are the central figures in the manga’s storyline. The manga becomes even more interesting as they battle it out to help their respective human owners.

Ryuk: The First Death Note Owner

Ryuk is the first Shinigami who drops his Death Note in the human world, starting the manga’s story. As a Shinigami, Ryuk is incredibly powerful, with the ability to kill anyone by writing their name in the Death Note. He is a cunning and mischievous character, who enjoys causing chaos in the human world.

Ryuk forms a bond with the human protagonist, Light Yagami, who uses the Death Note to rid the world of criminals to create a utopian society. Ryuk, who is fascinated by Light’s actions, becomes an ally to Light, offering him guidance and support while observing the human’s actions.

Rem: The Second Death Note Owner

Rem, the second Shinigami, is introduced later in the manga. Her human owner, Misa Amane, is a famous model who desires to avenge her parents’ murder. Unlike Ryuk, who is fascinated with observing human behavior, Rem is faithful to Misa and only helps her.

Rem is a far more serious and taciturn character compared to Ryuk, but she is equally powerful. She possesses the same abilities as Ryuk and can even kill other Shinigami. Although she does not share Ryuk’s love of chaos, she respects his power and views him as a great Shinigami.

The Battle Between Ryuk and Rem

Ryuk and Rem face a head-to-head battle in the manga’s climax, where their human owners face each other. Light and Misa’s ally, Teru Mikami, confront each other in a warehouse, both writing each other’s names in their respective Death Notes. Light believes that Mikami’s actions will seal their victory for his vision of a utopian society, but Rem intervenes, killing Mikami and herself.

With Mikami and Rem dead, Light’s plan falls apart, and he’s exposed as the Kira killer, leading to his demise. Although Ryuk and Rem never face each other directly in the manga, their respective allegiances clash, with Ryuk prolonging Light’s suffering while Rem helps Misa fulfill her goals.

Conclusion

Throughout the Death Note manga, Ryuk and Rem’s interactions with their respective human owners play a vital role in the story’s progression. Ryuk’s alliance with Light and Rem’s with Misa show the extent of their loyalty to their human owners. The battle between Ryuk and Rem, despite being indirect, highlights how much influence they have on human affairs. They both prove to be equal in power and importance in the Death Note universe.