Top 10 Best Death Note Characters
Death Note is an anime series that follows the story of Light Yagami, a teenager who discovers the Death Note - a supernatural notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in its pages.
Death Note introduced two of the greatest characters in the history of anime, but you and I clearly know that L stands out among those two. The other one I'm talking about is obviously Light Yagami. L is so lovable as a character. Everything he ever says or does is unlike any other character or person. He's himself. He's so awesome. He solves cases in just a week that would otherwise take a general sleuth a year to solve. He's also the mastermind when it comes to observation. And he's got amazing psychological knowledge, although he's not very social.
If there's any creation that can stand up to Sherlock Holmes for the Best Fictional Sleuth, it's most definitely going to be L. The series got a little messed up when L died, though. I wish he had lived on and solved the case himself. Anyway, even in the span of 20 episodes, L got to be number 1 on this list, and that's satisfactory. He's deserving of it anyway. And yeah, you can't spell the words love or life without L, and without L, the world is just a word.
Light Yagami is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. They say a show is only as good as its villain. So, it should be no surprise that Death Note is so popular. Light's development throughout the story carries the show. Watching his transformation from an innocent high school student to a ruthless mass murderer with a god complex is fascinating in itself.
What makes Death Note so good is not only Light's clever interactions with L but also the questions it asks: What would you do? Light's answer may not be the correct one, but it shows a possibility that people may have actually chosen. It's a slippery slope, and watching Light's fall is like watching a car crash in slow motion: impossible to look away from.
Ryuk is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. It was obvious that L and Light would be voted as the top two (in that order). They are both beyond genius, making them very appealing characters. Add to that L's eccentricities (his childish mannerisms are very endearing), and it's a done deal. I must admit that when I watched this series for the first time nearly ten years ago, L was my favorite character as well.
I didn't give much thought to Ryuk. He looked cool. He was kind of funny and, along with Matsuda, provided the comic relief. He provided the initial exposition to get the story going, but other than that, he was just kind of there.
Well, I'm ten years older, and I watched the series again. Blake's "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" come to mind. This time my perspective is different. L and Light still have their qualities. They are still great. But Ryuk... he's the best.
He wasn't "just kind of there," he was the true Shinigami. Everything that Light could never hope to be. Light may have been clever, but L was right in that he is childish. Amoral yet not apathetic, Ryuk is now my favorite character.
Touta Matsuda is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Matsuda is an extremely funny character! I don't understand why others think he is annoying. He sacrificed himself many times, even though he knew he could die. Love ya, Matsuda!
He supported everyone throughout the whole show. He always had faith when the others were ready to give up. He is such a wholesome character and an essential part of the show.
Matsuda is the real hero in the series. In the raid, he did things that he knew could have cost him his life. And he shot Light Yagami several times! Best Death Note character in my opinion!
Naomi Misora is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Why would anyone choose Misa Amane over this awesome girl? She's the smartest Death Note female character and is one of the smartest overall as well. The author has stated that she only died so soon because she was too smart and figured out Kira's case faster than he had expected. She's not only smart but also really kind-hearted and caring.
However, I don't like how most shonen handles female characters. In battle shonen, females are reduced to housewives right after they get married and never fight again, while in Death Note, Naomi immediately stopped being an FBI agent to become a housewife after she was engaged. What?
Mello is the driving force behind Near's assumptions. The brotherly rivalry the two share transitions into more of a hatred on Mello's part, while it remains a brotherly rivalry to Near. Also, he's extremely badass.
Mihael was so much more than just a character. His persona, past, personality, and the way it all unfolded was tragic and beautiful. I was in awe of the way he never gave up. He's so humble and just all-around amazing. I love him so much.
Mello is a freaking sexy badass! Everything about this guy stands out: he's intelligent, ruthless, and amazing-looking. I'm saying this as a straight guy! I like Near too, but Mello has everything against him to be better.
I know L dies. I know that Near called L a loser in what was his first line in the entire anime. But if we use the concept that Mello and Near are the two halves of L, only Mello is replaceable. Sure, Mello has the guts to arrest a defenseless news anchor and a defenseless young woman, which I'm sure is an impossible feat (wink), but Near could just as easily hire someone to do it for him.
L ultimately dies and loses (he does lose because he trusts Light) because of his trust and lapse of judgment. Near, however, gets the job done. Near is the only surviving L. Matsuda may have pulled the trigger to injure Light, but it's Near who put him in that position. If all the L fans stop crying and face the music that L made a fatal mistake, they would all admire Near as he deserves.
Misa Amane is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. I can't say that I like Misa Amane that much, but I have to say this: she was blinded by love and wanted to get revenge. Honestly, she is stupid! But I feel sorry for her. She is a better character than Light. But I gave my vote to L. He deserves it.
Misa can be an annoying fangirl, but she does a lot in the series and doesn't get enough credit.
He sure did represent a typical Japanese father and task force officer. The character was well-developed.
The only truly morally good character.
Most underrated anime character ever.
Rem is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The saddest storyline of all. The character who had true love in her heart, or Shinigami-core if she has no heart, would do anything to protect someone she had been watching for a long time. A friend from the Shinigami realm gave up his life to protect her. In the end, the one she protects is unprotected without her and is used again and again by Light. Rem forever.
This Shinigami had to be kind of stupid, like the one who died saving Misa. I really hate her. I really do hate her for killing Watari and L. Oh! How I wish she would not have brought another Death Note into the world. L would've surely beaten Light then. Darn it. Ryuk was much better, following the typical life of a Shinigami and its behavior. Shinigami are not meant to love humans. Yet, Rem...
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It's probably a sign of being a good detective that he started suspecting Light.
He is a good character. Is he blind or something? Because I have never seen his eyes!
Watari is a badass grandpa! Like, who else can snipe from a helicopter!
Deserved more screen time. He was the most useful person on the SPK.
One of the best agents in the series. Handsome, intelligent, and loyal. He helps Near find X-Kira (Mikami).
Matt only had about three minutes of screentime, but his loyalty to Mello, his dry wit, and his cleverness push him to second place for me. What a king. He deserved better.
Look, I know he only had like two lines, but he was so badass that I can't not love him, you know? Apparently, he had great fashion taste too. I'm kinda sad that he died.
Obviously, no one here is a true Death Note fan if they don't know why Beyond Birthday is important.
I like the part where Mogi spoke like a lively official manager of Misa Amane.
She's BADASS. CIA agent, part-time detective, one of the top officers of the SPK! Damn, lady!
..but I didn't really like the part where some other blonde girl barged right into her room, and she still wasn't ashamed of what she was doing. Cover yourself, woman!
I love this girl - I never knew her name until now. She's so pretty and calm. I love her personality and dedication to catching Kira.
Halle is a former CIA agent who leaks information to Mello so Kira will get caught.
The main reason she is underrated is because she doesn't receive much screen time. In my opinion, if Misa had Sayu's personality, I would actually like her as a character.
Sayu is so underrated because of how little screen time she gets. But Sayu is very cute and needs more attention and screen time!
Kyosuke Higuchi is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Why the hell is he so low? He's literally Kira.
Teru Mikami is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. He is such a loyal and faithful character. I hate the part where he calls Light God, but I do like the DELETE thing.
Amazing character, extremely loyal. I cannot see why so many people just underappreciate him.
He is just too cool for school, and I like him a lot.
He was awesome but underrated. RIP Raye Penber.
OMG, Reiji Namikawa is the hottest guy in Death Note (sorry, L, you're my second fave). Namikawa is just so beautiful - his hair, his eyes, everything.
I think it was episode 20 when he appeared, and I immediately fell in love with this dude. I cried so much when he died! I wish I was his age and he was real.
I love you so much, Namikawa. You will stay in my heart forever.