Zetsubou Billy

The song 'Zetsubou Billy' by the band Maximum the Hormone, which is often associated with the anime 'Death Note' due to its inclusion as an ending theme, delves into themes of despair, justice, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The lyrics are complex, intertwining references to the anime's plot with broader philosophical questions about morality and identity.

The repeated phrase 'Zetsubou za billy' can be translated to 'Despair's Billy,' which may refer to the character of Billy Milligan, known for his multiple personalities. This could be a metaphor for the multiple identities within the 'Death Note' universe, particularly the dual life of the main character, Light Yagami, who leads a double life as a student and as 'Kira,' a vigilante who punishes criminals. The 'eraser rain' mentioned in the chorus could symbolize the erasure of lives by the Death Note, a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. The song captures the relentless and unstoppable nature of the consequences that come with wielding such power.

The lyrics also touch on the theme of judgment, as seen in lines like 'Sabaki hanzai toukatsu to hozaku,' which translates to 'Judgment, crime, and control are all nonsense.' This reflects the anime's exploration of whether it's possible to deliver true justice through the use of the Death Note. The song questions the morality of taking life as a means to an end, and the societal implications of playing god, which is a central conflict for the character of Light/Kira. The repeated references to 'kira,' which means 'killer' in Japanese, emphasize the identity that Light takes on and the public's reaction to his actions.