Touta Matsuda

Touta Matsuda (松田 桃太, Matsuda Tōta) is a young member of the NPA and the Japanese Task Force.

Matsuda, once the well-meaning but inexperienced detective, begins to embrace the power of the Death Note with an initial, hesitant belief that some criminals deserve to die. This conviction gradually intensifies as he starts to see himself as a righteous judge, much like Light did. However, Matsuda's descent is marked by erratic behavior and emotional instability.

His transformation is fueled by a twisted sense of justice, where he believes he's cleansing the world of evil. This belief becomes obsessive, leading him to justify increasingly heinous acts in the name of his skewed morality. His actions, initially hesitant and guilt-ridden, become more ruthless as he rationalizes each death as necessary for a better world.

As Matsuda's sanity unravels, his relationships suffer. His bond with his former colleagues deteriorates as they witness his drastic change from a naive cop to a manipulative, ruthless figure. His interactions become strained, and he isolates himself emotionally.

Matsuda's journey into madness is marked by a desperate need for validation and recognition. He craves acknowledgment for his actions, viewing himself as a hero rather than a villain despite the mounting atrocities.

Matsuda has black hair and brown eyes. His hair hangs over his ears with bangs that hang primarily above his right eye. After the time skip his hair is shorter, though there is more hair covering his forehead. He has fair skin and is of average height.

"Matsuda, you idiot" became a recurrent phrase throughout the anime. Multiple members of the Task Force have said it: Ryuzaki has said this on numerous occasions, and Light says it after he is shot by Matsuda in the final episode. In the anime, certain characters take on stylized hair colors while the viewer hears their thoughts; Matsuda's color is yellow.

“You guys hit at the same time. Just call this one a draw.” (Crazy) “Why are you looking at me? It's not me.” (Number Two) “W-what? Is this the matter of winning or losing?” (Prediction) To Light (in the anime): “What was it all for then?!What about your father, what the hell did he die for?!” To Light: “You drove your own father to his death... now you're trying to turn it the other way around, saying they are the fools who got tricked?” (Intent to Kill) To Light (in the anime): “You drove your own father to his death...and now you're saying we are the fools?!” (Episode 37) To Yotsuba Group: “It's time for Matsui Taro! Showtime!” (Episode 19)