Fake L Trick

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Fake L Trick

Trick information
Series: Death Note
Trickster: L
Target: Light Yagami
When: Death Note, Chapter 2
Match: First Kira Investigation

The Fake L Trick is a Trick in the Death Note manga series, played by L on Light Yagami in Chapter 2, as part of the First Kira Investigation.

Summary

L realizes that, before the high-profile murders that Kira became known for, there was a hostage situation in Japan that ended when the hostage taker died in a way that matched Kira's MO. Identifying him as Kira's first victim, and from the fact that the case was only reported within the country, he concludes that Kira is located in Japan. To confirm this hypothesis, L organizes a television broadcast through Interpol to address Kira. Although he has them announce it as a live international broadcast, it is actually aired only in Japan, and only in one region at a time, starting with Kanto, the most populous one.

In the broadcast, L has a death row criminal named Lind L. Taylor, whose arrest and trial was not publicized, appear claiming to be L, challenging Kira and denouncing his acts as evil. This enrages Light and baits him into killing the fake L by writing his name on the Death Note. Taylor's death during the Kanto broadcast confirms to L that Kira a) is an actual person, b) has the power to kill remotely at will, and c) is located in the Kanto region of Japan.

L then takes over the broadcast, revealing the trap and taunting Kira to kill him. When Light is unable to do so due to not knowing L's true name and face, this additionally confirms to L that Kira's power has certain limitations.