Did You know Light Yagami Was Not The First Death Note User?

Most fans believe Light Yagami was the first human to ever use the Death Note, but that’s not actually true. Long before Light's battle of wits with L and his rise as Kira, there was Taro Kagami from the Death Note Pilot Manga. This version came out before the main series and had a completely different tone, story, and even rules.

It introduced a world where the Death Note already existed, and where a kid stumbled upon its power by accident. The Death Note Pilot Manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, just like the main series. But instead of a genius teenager with a god complex, we got a kind-hearted middle school student who never wanted to kill anyone.

Check out our YouTube Short and learn more about the first user of the Death Note.

ALSO READ: Light Yagami Vs L: Who Was More Intelligent In Death Note

Who Was Taro Kagami: The First Ever Death Note User?

Taro Kagami was a simple middle school student who found the Death Note by chance. He had no evil goals or plans to change the world. Unlike Light, Taro didn’t want anyone to actually die. He accidentally wrote the name of his bullies in the notebook, and when he realized how the notebook really worked, he was scared and full of guilt.

This made his character very different from Light Yagami, who quickly embraced the Death Note's deadly power. What makes Taro’s story even more interesting is how emotional it is. He feels bad after using the Death Note and worries about what he’s done. When Ryuk shows up, Taro reacts with fear and regret instead of curiosity.

The Death Eraser: A Forgotten Concept

One of the most shocking things in the pilot manga was the Death Eraser. This small item could erase names from the Death Note, bringing people back to life. That’s a huge deal. If this existed in the main story, it could have changed everything. Imagine if Light had the power to undo a death. That would’ve made him even scarier.

But the Death Eraser never made it into the main series. The creators probably felt it made things too easy or less dramatic. After all, part of what makes Death Note so intense is the idea that once someone’s name is written, they’re gone for good. Still, it’s fascinating to think about how the story might have gone differently if this tool had stayed. So now, coming back to the point, before Light Yagami ever wrote a name, Taro Kagami did it first, becoming the first Death Note user.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2006	8.62	Madhouse	Suspense, Supernatural	Netflix

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