List of Death Note characters
A list of characters in Death Note.
Japanese names are in the Western order, with the given name before the family name. Template:Spoiler
Main characters
Light Yagami
(夜神 月 Yagami Raito)
Light Yagami is the main character of Death Note. An extremely smart young man who possesses the Death Note which was given to him by the Shinigami Ryuk. Light was constantly trying to evade suspicion by the detective L while maintaining his identity as Kira (Japanese pronunciation of the word "Killer" which also holds the meaning of "light"), with the goal of cleansing the world of criminality. Light at times seems to display some traits associated with Antisocial personality disorder as well as god complex due to his newfound ability to act as judge, jury and executioner. The fact that he is a genius also adds to the notion that he is fit to judge humanity and steer it on a proper moral course.
When L was finally able to corner him, Light put his master plan in practice. He temporarily gave up his Death Note to Ryuk, having his memories about his time as Kira erased from his mind. Rem, by his instructions gave it to another person; Kyosuke Higuchi of the Yotsuba group. Unaware of the fact that he was the original Kira, Light accepted L's offer to join his team to hunt down Kyosuke. When Kyosuke was finally arrested, he regained his memory of when he was the original "Kira" when he touched the retrieved Death Note, and proceeded with his plan, disposing of Higuchi, and forcing Rem to kill Watari and L. [ Light Yagami was later nominated by L's investigation team (not knowing that he is the Kira) to act as "L", as they can't expose the death of the real "L". He also took over the role of L's assistant, Watari. However, his undercover as L wasn't quite a secret to the United States' president, the SPK and Mello's gang at all. Light joined the Intelligence Department of the Japanese Police Force in April, 2009, and thought that no one could stop his plans at that point, until Near and Mello appeared before him, trying to accomplish what "L" could not; to expose Kira's true identity, and bring him to justice.
In the end, however, the combined efforts of Mello and Near prove to be more than Light can handle, and he is forced to reveal himself as Kira. In the final clash between Near and Light at a warehouse which Light lost the battle to Near, Ryuk fulfills his promise to write Light's name in his Death Note, thus ending Light's life.
L Lawliet
(エル・ローライト Eru Rōraito)
The genius detective tracking down Kira, L was rated the world's greatest detective. He suspects Light initially, and decides to join Light's university under the pseudonym of "Hideki Ryuuga" for investigative purposes. He requests that the task force refer to him as "Ryuuzaki" for discretion. His disheveled and languid appearance masks his great powers of deduction and insight. He has a number of quirks, such as sitting in an odd manner, eating only confectioneries, and holding items very delicately. L stayed in England for five years before he moved to Japan, and during that time he was the champion in tennis for the England Junior Cup. L also secretly assumed the identities of the world's 2nd and 3rd best detectives, something only he and the Kira Investigation Team members know.
L had deduced that Light was Kira since their first encounter, but could not accuse him without any concrete evidence. Even when all evidence apparently proved his theory to be incorrect, and even when Light could not remember his deeds as Kira when he renounced his Death Note's ownership and willingly dedicated himself to collaborate on the investigations, L still suspected him. However L could not prove his guilt, and in Chapter 58, Light tricks Rem into killing L for his own personal gain, making her believe that she must kill him for the sake of Amane Misa's life. L's last sight before death is Light triumphantly smiling over his defeated rival, and in his last moment he confirms to himself that he had been right all along.
Although L could not shake the conclusion that Light was Kira, Light was the only person L had ever identified or connected with, and he openly stated on one occasion that even though it would hurt his pride to admit that he had been wrong, he had hoped that he would be. Ironically, despite Kira being L's opponent, at the core, Light and L shared many things in common. Calling Light his first and only friend, it can be speculated that this attachment may have hindered L in his investigation. Furthermore, L could have presented his conclusions publicly at any time, and with his reputation, had them taken seriously. However, L tended to second-guess everything he was presented with, and was extremely meticulous and analytical. It could be said that L was in some ways too intelligent.
- A book entitled How To Read 13, considered the thirteenth volume of Death Note, was officially released in Japan on Friday, October 13th, 2006, and a variety of previously unknown information about L has been released. His true birth name is L Lawliet (pronounced 'low-light'), confirming the suspicion of some, based on his drastic difference in appearance compared with the other characters and the little that is actually known of his history: that he is either not full Japanese or is not Japanese at all. His date of birth is Halloween of 1979, making him notably older than he appeared to have been, and his date of death is November 5th, 2004. His height and weight are 179cm/50kg (5'10.5"/110lbs.) which would have meant he was severely underweight. His likes and dislikes are listed as sweet-tasting things and socks, respectively.
- It is insinuated that L was a former resident of Wammy's House, one of Quillsh Wammy/Watari's orphanages, as well as a safe haven and educational facility specifically for intellectually-gifted children. Therefore, it can probably be assumed that, like Near and Mello, L's abilities were discovered whilst living there, and that he is most likely an orphan.
- It is a popular theory that L has a neurological condition known as "Asperger Syndrome." Those affected by it could display normal to extremely high intelligence, but have difficulty in conveying and recognizing emotions, and communicating with others both verbally and non-verbally. People with AS may also experience sensory overload or hypersensitivity to the five senses, and tend to develop a variety of odd habits. L's personality, speech patterns, and physical habits exhibit much of the criteria for diagnosis. One analysis on this topic can be found here.
Misa Amane
(弥 海砂 Amane Misa)
A girl who has an immense crush on Kira, AKA Light. She is a famous model, and tends to wear clothing in the Gothic Lolita style. She usually refers to herself in the third person, and tends to be hyperactive. She posed as the "second Kira" to attract the attention of Kira. She decided to devote her life to Kira because he punished the criminal that killed her parents when she was younger. The Death God who follows her around is Rem. She has also performed two "eye trades", cutting her lifespan in half twice, first with Rem, and later, Ryuk (See Special ability of Shinigami eyes).
Misa and Light started to live together after L's death. Actually Light was only with Misa for the Shinigami eyes, having her doing the judgements on criminals around the world with Ryuk as her personal Shinigami. She also provided assistance to Light when he was beside the investigation team in their hunt for Mello. After Near's suspicion becomes apparent, Light instructs Misa to give up her ownership of the Death Note and pass it on to Teru Mikami, the new Kira chosen by him. When she figured Light started to build a close relationship with Kiyomi Takada, she feared that Light would dump her and made a public announcement that she was engaged with him. Shortly after, Near ordered her to be kidnapped and put under surveillance. After he figured that nothing could come from interrogating her, he still kept her captive for a while, only to prevent her to be in contact with Light while he prepared his plan to expose him once and for all. According to Death Note volume 13: How to Read, Misa fell into despair after learning of Light's death through Matsuda and committed suicide. We also learn that the cloaked woman who appears at the end of the manga is not Misa, but that she is simply a follower of Kira.
Shinigami (Death Gods)
Ryuk
(リューク Ryūku)
Ryuk is the Shinigami who dropped a Death Note in the human realm, which was then discovered by Light. It was revealed that Ryuk did it out of boredom, as there was little to do in the Shinigami realm. Ryuk was also found to have tricked the Shinigami King into receiving a second Death Note that would be used by Light, as well as access to the human realm. Ryuk has a great fondness for apples, and will behave unusually if he goes for too long without eating one. He says apples are to Shinigami as cigarettes are to humans. For a time, he was Mikami's personal shinigami. He confirms that he is male in chapter 56.
Ryuk's final role in the manga is to write down Light's name in his own Death Note as he told Light that he would early on in the first volume.
Rem
(レム Remu)
Rem was Misa's initial shinigami. Rem cared deeply for Misa, and was willing to do anything to protect her from harm. Rem died after she was tricked by Light into killing L and Watari to protect Misa. She confirms that she is female in Chapter 47.
Jealous
(ジェラス Jerasu)
Jealous was a Shinigami who developed a sense of attachment with Misa earlier in the story. Jealous saved Misa’s life from the hands of a would-be murderer through the use of his Death Note, killing himself in the process. After his death, Rem handed over Jealous' Death Note to Misa.
Jealous' name is commonly misspelled as "Gelus," which is what Jealous' name was romanized to until Death Note: How to Read 13 revealed the official spelling as Jealous.
Shidoh
(シドウ Shidō)
Shidoh is a shinigami whose Death Note was stolen by Ryuk. In fact, Ryuk took Shidoh's Note and gave it to Light Yagami, which became Higuchi's note and was finally passed on to Mello's gang (more specifically, Mello's subordinate, Jack Neylon). Since Shidoh has neglected to kill people and extend his own lifetime, he probably did not notice that his Note was stolen. As the end of his lifetime approaches, Shidoh has found Ryuk and has learned that Mello is in possession of his Note. Currently in the manga, Shidoh has found the owner of his Note, Jack Neylon, in the human world. In order to regain his Note, Shidoh has agreed to help Mello's gang against the SPK and L (AKA Light). After Light regained the Death Note from Mello, he returned the note to Shidoh in order for him to stop interfering and return to the Shinigami world.
Investigation Team
Soichiro Yagami
(夜神 総一郎 Yagami Sōichirō)
Light's father, who led the remains of his investigation team under L's command. Soichiro was responsible for successfully retrieving tape recordings of the Second Kira during the first Sakura TV incident, despite his ill health at the time. He is dedicated and determined to arrest Kira at any cost, and he cares for his family very much. Soichiro embarked on a trip to the US to rescue his daughter, who was kidnapped by Mello's organization. He succeeded, but the price for his daughter's life was handing over the Death Note (Shidoh's) they have retrieved from Kyosuke.
Some time after that, he and the other members of the police investigation make a raid on Mello's hideout to retrieve the Death Note. Misa, posing as Kira, sends Soichiro her Death Note and instructs him and his team how to make the raid. Soichiro then makes the eye trade with Ryuk, enabling him to see the names and life spans of humans. Thus, when he finds Mello during the raid, he tells Light that Mello's real name is Mihael Keehl. However, before Soichiro gets the opportunity to write the name on the Death Note, one of Mello's presumed dead gang members shoots Soichiro. He then dies later at a hospital, before he writes down Mello's real name in the Death Note. It is possible that this was his intended death, because of his age and it can be assumed that he did not have long to live after having his remaining lifespan halved as a result of the Shinigami eye trade.
Tota Matsuda
(松田 桃太 Matsuda Tōta)
Matsuda is known as the most outspoken member in the investigation team. He played a crucial role in the investigation of the Yotsuba Group after sneaking into the company's building without the knowledge of the investigation team. By following L's instructions, Matsuda gained the trust of the company's board members, fabricated his death, and served as a temporary decoy to lure the suspect into the Sakura television studio (during the second Sakura TV incident). Despite his excitable, naive personality, Matsuda has managed to stay alive through quite a few dangerous times.
While it is clear most of the Investigation Team is dead set on Kira being the one in the wrong, the criminal to catch, Matsuda wavers on the fence, often speaking his mind without thinking - often asking if Kira is doing a good thing, especially since more and more people seem to be agreeing with what he does. When Matsuda hears Mikami Teru's public announcement to Kira on Sakura TV, he is scared of the intense loyalty, but somewhat supportive and sympathetic towards Kira's followers nonetheless. On a side note, Matsuda has a crush on Light's younger sister Sayu.
Kanzo Mogi
(模木 完造 Mogi Kanzō)
A mostly silent character, Mogi is one of the most dedicated members of the investigation team. Little else is known of him. He remains mostly silent. This silence was marked when he refused to answer Near's questions about the Japanese Investigative Team, even when he was clearly affected by the theories that Near was presenting to him. Later on, he is one of the first members who begins to warm up to Near's theory that Light is Kira. He is also shown to be an excellent actor, showing an excitement and cheeriness completely opposite of his usual demeanor.
In the second arc, Mello demands meeting Mogi in order to investigate about Kira, and tricked Mogi into meeting Near at the SPK headquarter. Mogi is then held hostage by Near until Aizawa arrives to rescue him.
Shuichi Aizawa
(相沢 周市 Aizawa Shūichi)
Aizawa left the team and remained in the police force after L gave the team members the choice to quit, but continues to assist the investigation team when necessary as a member of the police. Upon L's death, Aizawa returned to the investigation team to work under Light. However upon hearing that the 13 days rule (refer to written rules of the Death Note) is fake, he begins to suspect that Light is actually Kira, and contacts Near. Aizawa passes certain information to Near that leads him to deduce Kira's real identity (i.e. Light). However Near agrees to release Aizawa and Mogi afterwards.
Hirokazu Ukita
(宇生田 広数 Ukita Hirokazu)
Ukita was the first member of the team to depart from the investigation after the team's first direct contact with L. He was killed by Misa, the Second Kira, after rushing to the doorstep of the Sakura television studio during the broadcast of alleged Kira tape recordings (in the first Sakura TV incident).
Hideki Ide
(伊出 英基 Ide Hideki)
Ide wasn't the first member of the team but in the police. Upon L's death, Ide joined the investigation team to work under Light.
Watari/Quillsh Wammy
(ワタリ)
L's assistant who provided logistics to the investigation team. His real name, as well as his original profession as an inventor and founder of an orphanage of gifted children in the United Kingdom, was not revealed to readers until after his death. Watari was also a trained marksman, as demonstrated just before Kyosuke Higuchi's arrest.
In the beginning of the manga, Watari is shown as a man who simply arranges the meetings with L for his clients.
Successors to L
Following L's death, two gifted children were assigned to carry on investigation of Kira. Both characters had previously resided in The Wammy's House, an orphanage founded by Watari in the United Kingdom. Each one's methods differ a lot, but their objective is the same, to prove themselves as the true successors to L, by doing what their predecessor couldn't, exposing and defeating Kira once and for all.
Near/Nate River
Near is the more withdrawn character of the duo, sharing a few behavioral similarities with L. He initially shows no emotions towards L's death, saying L is a loser in the game of tracking down Kira, but later reveals that he and Mello both had great respect for L, wanting to become his successor. It seems that the only thing Near is interested in is solving puzzles of all sorts, and he is usually seen doing so.
Starting with no lead or clue, Near would successfully identify the events unfolding during the arrest of Kyosuke Higuchi, and points out the existence of the Death Note to the President of the United States on 5 March, 2009. With authority from the US President, the SPK (Secret Provision for Kira) is established on 12 March, 2009 to investigate Kira. The SPK consists of selected agents from the FBI and the CIA, as well as Near.
Just like L, Aiber (A) and Wedy (W), Near sometime addresses himself by his initial, "N". Near comes into contacts with Mello after he escapes from the attack conducted by Light and suspects that Light is Kira. From various information he gained from Mello and Aizawa, Near deduces that the new L (AKA Light), is Kira and finds out Kira's real identity (i.e. Light). In thanks to Mello's help, Near tells one of their mutual contacts to let Mello know exactly what Aizawa said.
Compared to L, Near is somewhat even more logical and decisive, claiming that Light is definitely Kira based on little information. However, one can also claim that Near judges on little evidence and pursues hypothetical hunches, which has lead many fans to prefer L over "N". Often using the terms 'winning' or 'losing', he seems to consider the investigation as one of his games. By chapter 91, Near has successfully deduced that Mikami possesses the Death Note, now all he needs is evidence. Near's true name is "Nate River" as found out by Mikami when Near and Light met in chapter 101.
Mello/Mihael Keehl
Near's rival, he and Near split ways after L's death due to his problems with being second to Near. Mello decides to find Kira his own way by joining a gang (assumed to be located in Los Angeles, California) and using less conventional methods, including the kidnapping the Director of the Japanese Police, to find Kira before Near. Mello also relies on information leaked from an informant in the SPK. Mello likes chocolate bars, and usually can be seen eating one. His real name is "Mihael Keehl".
After Mello escapes from the attack conducted by Light, he meets Near and gives him information on the rules of the Death Note in exchange for his only photo left in the world, which was in Near's hands. Mello tricked Mogi into meeting Near in New York, so in thanks, Near found a round-about way of letting Mello know what Aizawa told Near. With the same information, Mello also comes to the conclusion that Light is Kira.
In one part of the story, Mello was spying on Misa Amane while she was in the US, whereas a friend of his, identified only as Matt, was spying on the Japanese Police team. As of chapter 98, Mello kidnapped Kiyomi Takada (whom Hal Ridner instructed to get on Mello's bike), rode off and handcuffed her to himself. However, in chapter 99, Mello dies when Kiyomi Takada writes his name on a piece of the Death Note, as per Light's instructions.
Other characters
Sachiko Yagami
(夜神 幸子 Yagami Sachiko)
Light's mother and Soichiro's wife. She plays a minor role in the storyline, oblivious to Light's ownership and use of the Death Note. When Light was allowed onto the investigation team to 'help' L catch Kira, Light told his mother that he had decided to run away to live with Misa.
Sayu Yagami
(夜神 粧裕 Yagami Sayu)
Light's younger sister. She also plays a minor role in the main storyline, remaining unaware of Light's possession of the Death Note. She was kidnapped by Mello's people to the United States, but was later returned to her father when Mello's gang got the Death Note from him. Due to being drawn into the Kira investigations, she has been in a state of shock ever since, locked up in her own head, unresponsive to the rest of the world outside.
Raye Penber
(レイ・ペンバー)
Penber is a member of an FBI team sent to Japan to investigate the Kira killings. Light devised an ingenious plan, forcing Penber to unsuspectingly kill the rest of his team before killing himself on 27 December, 2003.
Naomi Misora
(南空 ナオミ Misora Naomi)
A former FBI agent who was engaged with Raye Penber. After her fiancé's death, she went on to search for his killer. Light fooled Misora into revealing her name from her driver's license, and arranged to have her commit suicide on the first day of 2004, to prevent her from informing L that Kira can kill in ways other than heart attacks. This information was not uncovered again until volume 6.
Aiber/Tierry Morello
A professional con-man, Aiber is hired by L for his skills. He was proven helpful in playing the role of Eraldo Coil in the Yotsuba Arc. He died from liver cancer on 7 April, 2005, presumably killed by Kira after L's death. Aiber is also known by his initial "A", just like "L" and other people who have great influence in the organization that hunts down Kira.
Wedy/Merrie Kenwood
Wedy is a professional burglar who was called in by L for her skills, installing bugs in the Yotsuba Group's meeting room to secretly observe the group's weekly meeting. She also provided surveillance on the Yotsuba Kira who was on his way to kill Matsuda during the second Sakura TV incident. She was presumably killed by Kira, dying in a road accident on 10 January, 2005. Wedy is also known by her initial "W", just like "L" and other people who have great influence in the organization who hunts down Kira.
David Hoope
President of the United States. Mello's organisation, with the Death Note threatened the president to aid him in various ways, such as funding, weapons, and even provide information of the SPK. He resorted to L (Light) for the information of the Death Note, only to let L discover that he's under the threat of Mello. Light manipulated him to provide the same assistance as the SPK so that Light is on the same competitive level as (or even on a slight advantage to) Near's SPK. Hoope committed suicide, presumably due to Kira in order to clear his tracks.
Jack Neylon
Jack is one of the gang members of Mello, and he was the holder of the Death Note (which belongs to Shidoh), when Mello's men got the note from Soichiro Yagami. He was involved in drug trafficking and illegal sales of weapons, and arrested 4 times, but was released due to lack of evidences. When Shidoh descended to the human world to retrieve his Note, Jack performed the 'eye trade' with him. Light was unaware of Shidoh's existence and the eye trade, thus resulting the failure of an attack on Mello's gang under his planning.
Teru Mikami
(魅上 照 Mikami Teru)
Mikami is chosen as the new Kira by Light. When Light feels it is dangerous for Misa to keep the Death Note any longer, he instructs her to pass the ownership of the Note to Mikami. Little is known about Mikami yet except that he appears to be a supporter of Kira, and that he studies Law. He has performed an "eye trade" with the shinigami Ryuk. When Mikami's decisions reveal that he can follow the thoughts and ideals of the first Kira, as L could, Light wonders if Mikami will become much-needed help, or a new threat.
As the story progresses it is revealed that Mikami has been bullied at school for his sense of righteousness and therefore wishes to punish those he considers to be evil. Because of this he chose to become a judge and worships Kira as God. He is also extremely bright just like Light, but he seems content to remain a loyal follower in Kira's kingdom, taking the initiative to ask Kira for direction when he does not receive direction, but also making decisions with Kira's ideals on his own.
Compared to Light, Mikami also seems more psychologically unbalanced, muttering to himself, "elimination, elimination, elimination...", with fanatical glee, and a gleam in his eyes as he writes down names in the Death Note. At other times, he seems merely intense and calm. Mikami goes beyond Light in his ambition, wishing to judge the unproductive and those who have committed crimes in their past, even if they have since reformed, which caused Light quite a bit of alarm. However, Light realizes how loyal he is to Kira when Mikami risks exposure by speaking on Sakura TV, publicly announcing that he will do anything Kira commands.
Curiously it was Mikami's devotion for Kira that ended in his and Light's demise. When Kiyomi Takada was kidnapped by Mello, Mikami rushed to get his Death Note to write her name down in it, in order to prevent her from being captured by the investigation team and forced to speak what she knew. This action led Near's team to his note's hiding place, foiling Light's plan to gather all of his antagonists in a same place (including Near) before Mikami for him to dispose of them. When they were finally cornered by Near, an enraged Mikami started to blame Light for putting into their situation and claiming that Kira is no god, contrary to what he so fervently believed before. 10 days after he was caught and thrown into jail he apparently dies.
Kiyomi Takada
(高田 清美 Takada Kiyomi)
First appearing in Chapter 31 as Light's classmate and 'girlfriend', Takada is a popular beauty known as "Miss Todai" (Toudou University) or "Seiso Takada" (something similar to "plays hard to get"). Light notes that she is not as shallow as her reputation advertises. She makes a brief appearance by Light's side in Chapter 32, not to reappear in the story until Chapter 85 as an announcer of NHN (parody of Japanese state-run broadcast station NHK) chosen to be Kira's spokesperson to the world. This was not a decision made by Light, but by Mikami Teru, who threatened her as Kira, and knew her as someone "educated, intellectual and civilized, and who [could] send out Kira's words accurately in a calm and straightforward manner."
Light had to figure out how an ex-girlfriend could become an ally, especially since he disappeared from everyone he knew in university, and at one point left his mother thinking he ran off to live with the famous model Misa. Light insinuates that she is more intelligent than Misa, but Near, after doing a background research on the NKN announcer, thinks she only has excellent grades. By Chapter 88, when Light reveals his identity to her as Kira, she states that Light is the only man she has ever respected. That he is Kira only enthralls her more, especially when he asks her to be his queen in the perfect world they only dreamed of when they were in school together. While they talk, Takada is shown slipping off her fur coat, in a suggestion that the two were intimate afterwards. In Chapter 99, Light chillingly writes her name into the Death Note as a suicide by fire, after she tells him that she has killed Mello.
Matt/Mail Jeevas
Matt is a cohort of Mello's, first appearing in Chapter 83. He does some espionage work for Mello and is an accomplice in Mello's kidnapping of Takada. He follows orders without question. Not much else is known about him, other than he, like Mello, Near, and L, is a former resident of Wammy's orphanage. He is shot down in Chapter 99 by Takada's bodyguards. One particularly interesting thing about this short-lived character is that Mello, knowing he was killed, apologizes to Matt before he dies himself (which is odd considering Mello's ruthless nature). In How To Read Death Note Volume 13, his real name is revealed to be Mail Jeevas.
The Yotsuba group
The Yotsuba Group was a secret 8-members group in the Yotsuba Corporation, conducting weekly meetings to discuss key individuals from competing companies to kill, in an effort to maintain business dominance. It was found that a third Kira was amongst the group, in possession of a Death Note that was given to him from Rem.
Members of the Yotsuba Group include:
- Kyosuke Higuchi (火口 卿介 Higuchi Kyōsuke)
- Shingo Mido (三堂 芯吾 Midō Shingo)
- Reiji Namikawa (奈南川 零司 Namikawa Reiji)
- Eiichi Takahashi (鷹橋 鋭一 Takahashi Ei'ichi)
- Suguru Shimura (紙村 英 Shimura Suguru)
- Masahiko Kida (樹多 正彦 Kida Masahiko)
- Takeshi Ooi (尾々井 剛 Ōoi Takeshi)
- Arayoshi Hatori (葉鳥 新義 Hatori Arayoshi)
During L's probe on the Yotsuba Group, Arayoshi was killed by Kira after voicing intentions to leave the group. It was also during this period that Rem would reveal the identity of the Yotsuba Kira, Kyosuke Higuchi, to Misa, which eventually led to Higuchi's arrest, and his death in the hands of Light, on 5 November, 2004.
The remaining six members died of heart attacks on 10 April, 2005. Rumors of Kira's responsibility in the deaths sent share prices of the Yotsuba Corporation dropping sharply.