Divinity and its Imitation in the Utopian Visions of Death Note and Parable of the Sower

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of divinity and divine imitation in the anime series Death Note by
Tsugumi Ohba and the novel Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, comparing the philosophies
of their respective protagonists and the success of their utopian visions. Death Note’s protagonist’s
utopian vision become dystopian because of his violent tendencies and pursuit to become a god,
while Parable of the Sower’s protagonist’s utopian vision succeeds because of her trust in others and
her view of god as an ever changing force that people must shape to survive.