why does shinigami (God of Death) have to eat apples?

Question

I see that Ryuk (shinigami) in Death Noth series always asks Light for apples. Why does he need to eat apples?

Answer 1

I have no idea where the comics and animation connection comes from, but I'll take a stab using my interest in religion from an attempted objective, sociological standpoint.

Shinigami is the Japanese term for the spirit of the Death (conceptually, spiritually, ect.,...)

The latin language can be said to have been taken by Shinigami. My Grandparents that have passed can be said to have accepted it to be their time to be transformed by Shinigami. One second ago was taken by Shinigami and replaced by a new moment. Death is an extreamly diverse concept and can apply to just about anything. Death of an idea, a language, a person, etc.,...

As for the Apple. Well, to me that sounds like a reference to or an allegory for the tree of life and death in garden of eden. Apples out of nowhere in literature and art that can't be explained directly in the story line through other means seem to refer to 'THE Apple' often enough to jump to that conclusion.

So, putting them together, I picture the apple that Shingami hold to be the apple from the tree of life and death. Adam and Eve eat from the tree of knowledge - perhaps knowledge of good and evil, but also of life and death. If you aren't aware of your own mortality - you need to eat from the tree of knowledge for that right? Then you don't think at all about life and death, rather you might say "There's a difference?" So once the tree of knowledge is eaten from, now you are aware and don't want to die. Die = bad, Life - good so death is seen as evil.

So there sits shinigami holding the apple that can keep you alive - Perhaps what Judaeo Christian systems would refer to as one of the aspects of God - the aspect of death can symbolically either feed you - keep you alive or not - kill you. Similar really to the grim reaper - he can either not cut you - keep you alive or he can cut you down - kill you. You (symbolicly Adam and Eve) are now aware that God has power over you - you accept and love God for this - you are 'saved' or you resent God for it and you 'are taken by the devil for turning you back on God.

Before you can see shinigami or the grim reaper (same thing, different interpretations) you have to be aware of your mortality to begin with.

Seems to me its just one of those similarities that happens time and time again between different cultures belief systems. They all are trying to communicate the same thing. The difference is in the words chosen, the symbolism used and the characters involved. Kind of a combo of Japanese and Judeo Christian thinking. Still gets the same idea across non-the-less - life is wonderful and short - are you happy life is wonderful or pissed off life is short?

Answer 2

Death Note

Answer 3

I don't think ALL shinigami likes apples. Ryuk tried it and he did like it. But that's just him.

Answer 4

whoa! what an answer u had there, Justin ^^;

but if it's about shinigami in deathnote, then like tiny said, it's not something a shinigami has 2 eat, but since ryuuki tried it once & then he addicted to apple, like jessa said, if he doesn't eat apple he'll twist his body or something, it's like cigarettes (or drugs) - if you never try then it's fine to live without it, but once you try then you'll be addicted & need it

Answer 5

Because in the manga Ryuk said something like if he doesn't eat apples he'll go into withdrawals... and he'll twist his body... something like that. He says that apples are like liquors/cigarettes in the human world..

Answer 6

An apple a day keeps the Reaper away.

Answer 7

BECAUSE FOR HIM... ITS VERY ADDICTIVE... (like an alcohol for humans)

Answer 8

because he's hungry!!!