I was poking around on the net and, completely un-Death-Note-related, I came across a reference to Asperger Syndrome. After reading the description, I felt that it really describes L well. I've always assumed that L has some sort of disorder or unusual mental state (and I suspected a type of autism, but didn't know enough about it to make a strong judgement).

This information is taken from OASIS: Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support, mainly the "What is AS?" section.


(emphasis mine)
Individuals with AS can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness. They often have obsessive routines and may be preoccupied with a particular subject of interest. They have a great deal of difficulty reading nonverbal cues (body language) and very often the individual with AS has difficulty determining proper body space. Often overly sensitive to sounds, tastes, smells, and sights, the person with AS may prefer soft clothing, certain foods, and be bothered by sounds or lights no one else seems to hear or see. It's important to remember that the person with AS perceives the world very differently. Therefore, many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area. Because of their high degree of functionality and theirnaiveté, those with AS are often viewed as eccentric or odd and can easily become victims of teasing and bullying. While language development seems, on the surface, normal, individuals with AS often have deficits in pragmatics and prosody. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.


Diagnostic Criteria For 299.80 Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction L's intense gaze, incredibly bad posture, unusual way of holding cups/spoons/cellphones
2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level L declares that Raito is his first friend
3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people) It seems like even L's "spontaneous" social actions (tennis, bonding with Misa) have alterior motives. Has he ever done anything social without having a hidden meaning?
4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity I disagree with this one, since L seems to care about his coworkers. Then again, he coldly allowed Raito to stay locked up far longer than necessary. It's difficult to tell what L is feeling, and what is genuine versus what is manipulative.

B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus L and Justice
2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals L states he can't think properly if he can't have bare feet and sit a certain way. He also has a preoccupation with sweets
3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects L constantly chews on his thumb

C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning Considering how, until recently, Watari was his only companion and he had no friends, I believe his social functioning was impaired. Even now, it doesn't seem like he can truly relate to other people.

D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia
No comment on these last three, since we know next-to-nothing about L's childhood


I'm interested to hear what other people think of my analysis. I don't know very much about psychology (I've tried to stay away from it because whenever I hear about a syndrome, I start wondering if I have it) but I'd like to learn other people's opinions.

As for Raito...pure psychopath, through and through. (heh)