A Japanese manga series originally written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The series primarily centers around a high school student who decides to rid the world of evil with the help of a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it.
Death Note first began as a manga series first serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump from the first issue in December 2003 to May 2006, with 108 chapters in total. The series has been published in its entirety in 12 graphic novels in Japan. Death Note was eventually licensed for North American publication by VIZ Media, and the first English language volume was released on October 4, 2005.The series has been adapted into a pair of live-action films (released in Japan on June 17, 2006 and November 3, 2006 respectively), and an anime series which commenced airing in Japan on October 3, 2006. A novelization of the series, written by light novelist Nisio Isin, was released in Japan on August 1, 2006.
Main article: Plotline of Death Note
Light Yagami is a brilliant, but bored, high school student who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground in the year 2003. The Death Note's instructions claim that, if a human's name is written within it, that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the Death Note's authenticity, believing it is just a prank. However, after experimenting with it and killing two criminals, Light is forced to admit the Death Note is real. After meeting with the true owner of the Death Note, a Shinigami named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the new world" by passing his judgment on criminals.
Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira"(derived from the Japanese pronuncation of the English word "Killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a race to prove mental superiority between the two begins.
Main characters
Light Yagami
Light Yagami (Kira) (夜神月, Yagami Raito?) Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (where possible the voice actors of the anime series have been credited).
The main character of Death Note, Light is a brilliant but bored 17-year old student. When he finds the Death Note dropped in the human world by Ryuk, a Shinigami, he decides to use it to kill all criminals, his ultimate goal being to cleanse the world of evil to create a utopia and to be the God of this new world.
L (エル, Eru?) Voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi
L is the world's top-rated detective, tasked with tracking down and arresting Kira, and Light's nemesis. His disheveled appearance masks his great powers of deduction and insight. L has many quirks, such as sitting in an odd manner and snacking on sweets in the middle of meetings. He often takes drastic strategies to confuse and force his opponents, and on several occasions he has willingly disclosed several of his weaknesses to Kira at the risk of his own life in the hopes that he would lure him into a trap.
Misa Amane (Kira No. 2) (弥海砂, Amane Misa?) Voiced by: Aya Hirano
A girl with an immense crush on Kira. She is a famous model, and tends to wear Punk Lolita clothing. She is immature and has a tendency to refer to herself in the third person (calling herself "Misa-Misa") in an attempt to be cute. Misa is totally devoted to Light, and she once said that she loved him "at first sight". Light, however, only views her as an asset to his plans because of her Death Note and her "Shinigami Eyes" (that she obtained at the cost of half of her remaining life span). These "Shinigami Eyes" give Misa the ability to know people's names by looking at their faces, thereby giving Kira an edge in his battle against his enemies. Misa read in the newspapers that the murderer of her family was punished by Kira, explaining her total devotion to him, regardless of whether she thinks of his actions as good or evil.
Mello (メロ, Mero?)
Mello was an orphan who grew up with Near in Watari's shelter for gifted children. He was also a primary candidate to become L's successor. Similar to L's fondness for sweets, he is often seen eating bars of chocolate. Contrary to Near, Mello, although quite intelligent, often lets his emotions get the better of him.
Near (ニア, Nia?)
Like Mello, Near was one of the candidates to become L's successor. He too shares a similarity to L: much like L played with things such as sugar cubes and forks, Near is seen playing with toys and his hair throughout the series. He offered to join forces with Mello to fight Kira. When Mello turned down his offer, he gained the support of the US government and formed the Secret Provision for Kira (SPK).
Shinigami (The Death Gods)
Shinigami, or their formal name Death Gods, are demon-like characters who live in the Shinigami Realm. To increase their life-span, the Shinigami write the names of humans in their Death Notes. However, because of the fact that the Shinigami realm is incredibly dull, this act is usually laughed at, and thus done in privacy. Shinigami cannot be killed by physical methods, such as stabbing or shooting, but must follow a strict set of rules if they want to live.
Ryuk (リューク, Ryūku?) Voiced by: Shidou Nakamura
The original Shinigami who dropped the Death Note in the human world, which Light would pick up. Acting out of pure boredom, Ryuk begins the story of Death Note on a whim. Perhaps neutral by nature, Ryuk often refuses to aid Light and instead enjoys watching him struggle for his goal. The most important facet of Ryuk's character is that he is not Light's friend. He acts for his own interests and entertainment and often fails to tell Light key details about the Death Note.
Rem (レム, Remu?)
The female Shinigami who first gives Misa her Death Note and "eyes." Similar to Ryuk, Rem possesses two Death Notes; however, she purposely gives a Death Note to Misa Amane. Rem inherited her second Death Note from Jealous and thought it only right to pass it on to Misa. Oddly enough, Rem inherits Jealous' love for Misa as well and is prompt to defend Misa even at the cost of her life.
Jealous (ジェラス, Jerasu?) Voiced by: Ken'ichi Matsuyama
Jealous only appears in a flashback during volume 4 when Rem explains a method to kill a Shinigami. In the flashback, Rem recalls Jealous watching over a younger Misa Amane in the human world. Surprised by his concern, Rem eventually looks over his shoulder and witnesses what should have been Misa Amane's last moments on Earth. Apparently infatuated with Misa, Jealous used his Death note to kill Misa's destined murderer. Moments later, Jealous himself turns to a pile of sand and rust as punishment for extending a human life. 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
Shidoh is a Shinigami that came to the human world to retrieve the Death Note that Ryuk stole from him. After discovering his Death Note was in the hands of Mello, he reveals himself to Mello and informs him of its secrets. Known amongst the Shinigami for his utter stupidity, Shidoh proves himself true to his reputation.
Armonia Jastin Beyondllemason (Jastin the Jewel Skeleton)
Though only appearing for a brief segment in Volume 8, Jastin provides Shidoh with several scrolls describing the various rules that Shinigami have for interacting with humans. He also informs Shidoh that his Death Note was indeed stolen by the Shinigami Ryuk. Shidoh uses the information to guide his interactions with Mello in the human world.
Investigation team
A group of Japanese police officers, led by Soichiro Yagami, tracking down Kira alongside L.
Soichiro Yagami (夜神総一郎, Yagami Sōichirō?) Voiced by: Naoya Uchida
Light's father and leader of the investigation team, dedicated and determined to arrest Kira at any cost. He cares a lot for his family. It was mentioned in the Death Note volume 13 that Soichiro was the only character who truly represented justice.
Tota Matsuda (松田桃太, Matsuda Tōta?) Voiced by: Ryo Naito
The most outspoken member in the investigation team. Although most of the Investigation Team are adamant that what Kira is doing is wrong, Matsuda wavers on the fence, often speaking his mind without thinking - questioning if what Kira is doing is in fact right. He's also the most easily fooled by Light, who he trusts with absolute certainty.
Kanzo Mogi (模木完造, Mogi Kanzō?) Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai
Mogi is one of the most dedicated members of the investigation team. 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. He collects data quickly and efficiently for the team, and is also shown to be an excellent actor, showing an excitement and cheeriness completely opposite of his usual demeanor.
Shuichi Aizawa (相沢周市, Aizawa Shūichi?) Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara
Aizawa chose to leave the investigation team and remain in the police force, when L offered the investigation team members the choice of quitting and returning to the life of a normal police officer. He continued assisting the investigation team as a member of the Japanese police force after he left.
Watari (Quillsh Wammy) (ワタリ, Watari?) Voiced by: Kiyoshi Kobayashi
L's assistant. He acts as logistics to the investigation team. He founded "The Wammy's House" an orphan shelter for gifted young children such as L, Mello, and Near. Also, as evidenced during the police chase at the end of volume six, he is an experienced sniper.
Hideki Ide & Hirokazu Ukita are the members of the investigation team too. However, Ukita is killed by the second kira in Volume 4.
Other characters
Sachiko Yagami (夜神幸子, Yagami Sachiko?) Voiced by: Ai Satou
Light's mother and Soichiro's wife. She plays a minor role in the storyline, unaware of Light's possession of the Death Note.
Sayu Yagami (夜神粧裕, Yagami Sayu?) Voiced by: Haruka Kudo
Light's younger sister. She plays a minor role in the main storyline, unaware of Light's possession of the Death Note. She is captured at one point by Mello, who uses her as leverage to get possession of the Death Note.
Raye Penber (レイ・ペンバー, Rei Penbā?) Voiced by: Hideo Ishikawa
Raye Penber is a member of an FBI team sent to Japan to investigate the Kira killings. Light devises an ingenious plan that forces Penber to unsuspectingly kill the rest of his team right before he dies.
In the movies, his name is changed to Raye Iwamatsu (レイ・イワマツ, Rei Iwamatsu?).
Naomi Misora (南空ナオミ, Misora Naomi?) Voiced by: Naoko Matsui
A former FBI agent. Engaged to Raye Penber. She was the first character to realize that Kira can kill in other ways than a heart attack. Upon the death of her fiancé she sets off on an investigation of her own to discover Kira's identity. Despite her minimal role in the manga and anime, she is a more important character in the first movie, becoming Light's second-greatest antagonist (L being the greatest).
Kyosuke Higuchi (Yotsuba's Kira, Third Kira)
(The head of technological development in the Yotsuba group, Higuchi is the third Kira to appear. Higuchi is given the Death Note by Rem after she is told by Light to find a corrupt and power-hungry man. He uses the Death Note to increase his own power.
Teru Mikami (Fourth Kira)
Mikami gains possession of the Death Note from Light. Under the belief that Kira is a god, he continues to kill criminals while Light is being watched to drive off suspicions. Mikami has the same concept of justice as Light.
Death Note
A Death Note is a book held by a Shinigami which has the power to kill people if certain conditions are met. All Death Notes follow a long set of specific rules, and the writer revealed a few of these rules with each volume of the manga in Japan.
Rules of the Death Note
Written rules
Before the series began, Ryuk wrote some of them in English inside his Death Note, because he believed that English is the most widely used language in the world. The rules written by Ryuk are the following:
The human whose name is written in this note shall die.
This note will not take effect unless the writer has the subject's face in their mind when writing his/her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.
If the cause of death is written within 40 seconds of writing the subject's name, it will happen.
If the cause of death is not specified, the subject will simply die of a heart attack.
After writing the cause of death, the details of the death should be written in the next 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Also, each volume of the manga has a page containing new rules or possible uses for the Death Note. In the anime series, each eyecatch contains a different rule written in English and Japanese on it, similar to how they were revealed in the Japanese manga.
False rules
In addition to these original rules, Light persuaded Ryuk to add a set of fake rules to mislead L and company.
If the owner of the Death Note does not kill within 13 days of the last entry, he or she will die.
If the Death Note is burnt, destroyed, or otherwise damaged in any way, all those who have touched that Death Note will die.
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