Death Note: L Lawliet (INTP)

Ti:

“It’s not a sense of justice. Figuring out difficult cases is my hobby. If you measured good and evil deeds by current laws, I would be responsible for many crimes. The same way you all like to solve mysteries and riddles, or clear video games more quickly. For me too, it’s simply prolonging something I enjoy doing. That’s why I only take on cases that pique my interest. It’s not justice at all. And if it means being able to clear a case, I don’t play fair, I’m a dishonest, cheating human being who hates losing.”

“I don’t think I could have been wrong about that.”

“Light, please make Misa stop talking.”

L from Death Note lives in a world of gray. He’s not driven to take down criminals out of a sense of justice, but rather for the sake of the puzzle or the mystery. That is what appeals to his Ti. He openly admits that he’s willing to step over rules and moral boundaries in order to win. L also avoids absolutes as much as possible. For instance, while believing Light could be Kira, he’s unable to commit to it beyond stating a probability; and when completing a test to prove Light’s guilt or innocence, L is still unable to commit to the results, merely stating that Light is “in the gray.” He’s shown hesitating a lot, and using qualifying statements like “I think.” He doesn’t tend to get forceful or even really assert himself, like when he asks Light to make Misa stop talking rather than giving her the order like a Te might. L makes his statements in a very apathetic and nonchalant way. A great example of this apathy can be seen when L informs Captain Yagami that if he (L) were to die in the next few days then Light Yagami is definitely Kira.

L’s Ti is also shown in the way he hones in on inconsistencies and obsesses over small things that don’t appear to make sense. For instance, L is quick to realize that there must be a second Kira due to the inconsistencies in the new Kira’s behavior. He also is shown getting very confused when he can tell that both Light and Misa are telling the truth, yet all the evidence is pointing to their guilt. His Ti is deeply bothered by his inability to make sense of this.

Ne:

“There are many types of monsters in this world. Monsters who will not show themselves and who cause trouble; monsters who abduct children; monsters who devour dreams; monsters who suck blood, and… monsters who always tell lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance. They are much more cunning than other monsters. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart. They eat even though they’ve never experienced hunger. They study even though they have no interest in academics. They seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such a monster, I would likely be eaten by it. Because in truth, I am that monster.”

“Ryuzaki’s just not the type to say things directly. You know that.” – Captain Yagami

“Sometimes, the questions are complicated – and the answers are simple.”

L is very Ne oriented, and it shows in the way that he thinks. In contrast to Light, L thinks and plots out every different possibility. There are several moments in the show where he is mulling over and weeding out different possibilities. He judges different scenarios against what he knows and what his logic dictates to make sense. Of course, he in many instances is shown considering possibilities that are highly unlikely, which is what allows him to realize that Light can kill people in a supernatural way.

L doesn’t try to account for just the most likely solution; he entertains them all, which is why he’s shown waffling between possibilities a lot, unable to settle on any particular one. Due to his tendency to consider all possibilities, he can usually produce an answer or suggest a course of action on the spot, when confronted with a new situation, question, or scenario. After all, L has already figured out in advance what he might do if this situation were to arise. In fact, you frequently hear him make comments like, “Yes, I thought you would say that” or “I had taken into account that this might happen.”

Like many Ne users, L has a tendency to not state things directly, which Captain Yagami points out. He also has a tendency to explain everything he knows and how he knows it, which is very Ne/Si. For instance, after laying a trap for Kira which allows him to narrow down Kira’s location and abilities, L explains to Kira via broadcast everything he had done and exactly what he had learned from it.

Si:

“I don’t sit like this because I want to. I have to sit like this. If I were to sit normally, my deductive skills will immediately be reduced by roughly 40%.”

Si manifests for L in a few different ways. One particular example is the peculiar and specific way that he sits. He has also tested out different things and has created habits and behaviors that he believes will bring him the most benefit. In addition, his Si is shown in the way that he recalls different details and readily spits back pieces of information that his mind has stored away. His Si allows him to easily specify what the exact inconsistencies are in varying instances throughout the show. He doesn’t just recognize that there is an inconsistency (Ti) but he can immediately state exactly what that inconsistency is (Si).

L is also hyper cautious almost to the point of paranoia. Si is part of what is driving these behaviors. Si desires to be sure of things before acting upon them trying to subvert as much risk as possible. Si is also part of the reason why L feels the need to entertain his many different possibilities.

Fe:

“No matter how gifted you are… You, alone, cannot change the world.”

L’s inferior Fe comes out in the way he generally lacks sympathy, and never displays any kind of emotion, unless he’s faking it for some reason. In fact, he usually appears emotionless upon observation. Throughout the entirety of the investigation, L makes some rather harsh statements (in his own apathetic way), especially to Captain Yagami, considering the fact that he’s openly investigating the man’s son. However, L rarely, if ever, expresses sympathy or appears apologetic for his behavior. He is also shown to have a general disregard for social norms, like in the way he dresses inappropriately casual to give his speech at the school.

Later, Light also helps L come to a personal realization by pointing out that L wanted Light to be Kira. L seems surprised by this, and then eventually admits that it is true, which could potentially be another general indication of inferior Fe and lack of Fi.