Touta Matsuda is a supporting character from the manga and anime series Death Note. He is a Japanese police officer who joins the Kira Task Force and does his best to contribute to the case despite his inexperience and lack of competence.
He was voiced in Japanese by Ryō Naitō, and by Vincent Tong in the English dub.
What Makes Him an Ensemble Darkhorse?[]
- While not an important character early on, he's very likable due to his enthusiasm and desire to prove himself. He also acts as comic relief a lot which is appreciated for lightening the mood of the story.
- He's very loyal to his mentor Soichiro and also defends Light when he's accused of being Kira, even though his trust in Light is misplaced. He also acts as an audience surrogate due to his uncertainty about whether Kira is truly evil or whether his actions against criminals are justified or not.
- He becomes more sympathetic due to his frustration over not being able to do much and being overlooked by L. This leads him to get a spotlight episode where he infiltrates the Yotsuba headquarters, and though he gets caught he's able to spy on their meeting and deduce that one of the eight men in the meeting is Kira.
- He's able to trick the Yotsuba executives until he's in a position to get in contact with L without them realizing, then successfully fakes his own death by falling out a window.
- He plays a critical role in the plan to expose Higuchi by giving a TV interview about him, even knowing this could get him killed. This works and Higuchi is arrested.
- He helps the task force raid Mello's hideout and neutralizes two of the mafia thugs, even shooting the Death Note out of one's hand.
- He confronts Light when he's revealed as Kira, calling him out for how he used his own father, and takes Light down by shooting him five times, which is easily one of the most cathartic moments in the show.
External Links[]
- Touta Matsuda on the Death Note Wiki
- Touta Matsuda on the Heroes Wiki
- Touta Matsuda on the Near Pure Good Wiki
- Touta Matsuda on the Love Exalted Wiki