In the Death Note universe, fear plays a significant role as it serves as a tool for Light Yagami, the protagonist, to manipulate and control others. By instilling fear in people through the use of the Death Note, Light is able to achieve his goal of creating a world free of crime and becoming the god-like figure known as Kira. Fear also drives the actions of other characters in the series, as they grapple with the consequences of the Death Note's power and the fear of being caught or targeted by it. Overall, fear is a central theme that drives the narrative and character motivations in the Death Note universe.