What’s in that laptop? Fans think the Japanese coach has a Death Note
What’s in Hajime Moriyasu’s notebook? According to football fans on social media, it can only be Death Note.
Japan’s dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup sparked one of the tournament’s most unusual online trends, with supporters reviving the long-running Death Note meme associated with the Japanese coach. As Daichi Kamada’s late equalizer completed a spirited comeback, social media platforms were quickly filled with posts joking that Moriyasu had once again used his mysterious laptop to change the course of a football match.
The joke came after Japan twice came from behind to grab a point against one of the favorites in Group F. Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville put the Netherlands ahead but Japan refused to give up and eventually found an equalizer through Kamada in the closing minutes.
The comeback itself was impressive. The online reaction that followed was just as fascinating.
Fans shared pictures of Moriyasu carrying laptops on the sideline and jokingly claimed he had already written the names of Dutch players on them. Others suggested the manager unleashed the power of the Death Note again after a series of substitutions swung the game in Japan’s favour.
For many readers, however, the obvious question remains: what exactly is Death Note?
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WHAT IS DEATH?
Death Note is one of the most famous Japanese manga and anime franchises. Created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata, the story follows a brilliant student named Light Yagami who discovers a supernatural notebook dropped into the human world by a god of death known as Shinigami.
The laptop has extraordinary capabilities. Anyone whose name is written inside will die if the author knows their face. When Light begins to use the notebook to punish criminals and reshape society, he becomes embroiled in a psychological battle with the authorities as they try to uncover his identity.
The series became a global phenomenon and remains one of the most recognizable anime properties in the world.
Football fans have since adapted the concept into a joke involving Moriyasu.
WHY FANS ASSOCIATE IT WITH MORIYASU
The meme centers on the Japanese coach’s reputation for making game-changing decisions during major tournaments.
Moriyasu has repeatedly shown a willingness to change tactics, trust substitutes and make bold calls when games seem to be slipping away. Over time, fans began to joke that his tactical notebook contained secret instructions capable of changing football matches.
The meme gained attention during previous World Cups and made a comeback after Sunday’s dramatic comeback.
Against the Netherlands, Moriyasu refused to settle for defeat despite losing twice. Instead, he introduced attacking players and encouraged his side to keep pushing forward.
The tactical gamble paid off.
Japan gradually gained momentum as the Dutch retreated deeper into their own half. The pressure eventually produced an 88th-minute equalizer, sparking celebrations on the pitch and a new wave of Death Note references online.
SOCIAL MEDIA LOVES IT
While the joke is rooted in anime culture, it reflects a genuine admiration for Moriyasu’s coaching abilities.
Supporters view the Death Note meme as a humorous way to recognize a manager who constantly seems to find solutions to difficult situations. Whenever Japan mounts a comeback or upsets a stronger opponent, the laptop inevitably comes back into the conversation.
After the Dutch draw social media once again credited Moriyasu with a line decision for changing the outcome of the match.
Of course, there is no such thing as a supernatural notebook. There is only a coach with a reputation for making the right call at the right time.
But after another dramatic Japanese comeback on the World Cup stage, many fans were not interested in a practical explanation.
They were far more interested in what might be written inside that notebook.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
15 Jun 2026 04:27 IST