Top 10 Best Death Note Characters

Death Note made 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 so unlike any other character of person. He's himself. He's so awesome. He deducts cases what otherwise a general sleuth would take a year to solve in just a week. 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', its most definitely gonna be L. The series got a little messed up when L died though.. I wish he lived on and solved the case himself. Anyways, 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 ...more

L is quite simply the best character in Death Note. He's definitely the most likeable character in Death Note. He always manages to outsmart Light without anyone else at his disposal (unlike Light, L does not have a Shinigame following him all the time). The very first time we saw L was when he cleverly made a fool out of Light by finding out where Kira could possibly be. Gradually, he finds out how Kira must know the name and the face of the person to be killed and all the secrets of the Death Note without even realizing what he was dealing with. Simply put, L is the best that there is. Peace.

L is the best character in Death Note! He deserves to be number 1. He did die but that doesn't mean he lost. He just didn't have enough evidence to prove that Light was kira. And those fools who worked with him thought that Light was innocent. Despite his looks he is very smart and funny. He is also a huge pervert though. But he is just the type of character that anyone would like.

L is the best character in the show! as well as being an hilariously cute oddball (and loving cake a lot - relatable) he's also a genius detective and able to outsmart Light on several occasions. its true that he died but he died because Light had help from Rem the Shinigami and still L saw it as a possibility and took immediate measures by sending all information to his successor Near. He's also funnier than Light and has shown to be more compassionate than Light (not hard to do) and have respect towards his co workers.

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 the questions that 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.

A very flawed character, he is a villain but the heart of the show. Death Note is not what it is if not for him. You live with him on the journey from a supposed hero to anti-hero to the full-fledged, cold-hearted villain. That very final scene where he walks the street in the sunset bleeding to his death, and sees the mirage of the good-hearted and bright-minded boy from all those years ago walking to his home from the school, I couldn't take it anymore. It may not be the idea you agree on what he plants on his mind, but the downfall of such a young person to that path is what wrenches your gut.

He should be at the top of this list, especially since he's my favorite character in the series due to my agreement with him. All of his haters really piss me off they see him only as a bad guy. And that's worse than pathetic.

But I see Light as an anti-hero and L as an anti-villain. Therefore, I'd like to see Light use the Death Note on all of his haters, especially since they're self-righteous and hypocritical goody-two-shoes who see him in black and white while I see him gray.

As crazy as it sounds, I didn't see Light as the villain in death note. His ways may not have been correct-but he was so well conceived that I found myself constantly rooting for him. He felt so complex and real, and SO smart! I also really loved Matsuda, and Ryuk. I never really knew what to think of L, and was honestly surprised to see him as number one- and MAN did I hate Misa and Rem-No one could really be as great of a character as Light!

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 favourite 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 ...more

Ryuk lightened up the show in a big way. Sure Ryuk on Team Kira who is responsible for using the Death Note to kill people. But what dark anime can't have a bored, wise-cracking, comedic and loyal Shinigame who loves to apple as a sidekick. Besides no anime is complete without a sense of humour.

He's so funny. Plus he's responsible for what happens in the show. All of it. Yeah go Ryuk my man.

Should be no. 2 just because of his laugh!

Matsuda is an extremely funny character! I don't understand why the others think he is annoying, he sacrificed himself many times, even though he knew he could die. Love ya Matsuda!

He supported everyone through 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 how in the series. Iran, he did things that he knew could have cost him his life. And he shot Light Yagami/Imagay several times! Best death note character in my opinion!

I was rooting for him since episode 1 but felt certain that he would die a heartbreaking death that would make me ball my eyes out. This show is incredible.

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 is too smart and she figured out Kira's case faster than he had expected
She's not only smart but is also really kind-hearted and caring. But I don't like how most shonen handles female characters. In battle shonen, females are reduced to housewives right after they got married and never foight since, whilst in Death Note, Naomi immediately stopped being a FBI agent to become a housewife after SHE was engaged. What?

The best female character from Death Note. I just hope that Death Note Another Note gets an anime adaptation. Naomi is my second favorite character from Death Note. I just don't understand why she is below Misa.

The BEST Death Note female character. Not stupid and obnoxious like Misa, and not self centered like Kiyomi. She really should have been around longer..

My second favourite in the series after L. It's sad that she died so soon! Can't believe people actually voted for MISA instead of her.

Poor Mello, he really did not get the credit he deserved. Granted, his ego was almost as big as Light's, but I still wish he had won. Besides, he's a blonde, I have a thing for them.-D.Natasha

Mello is the drive for the force behind Near's assumptions. The brotherly rivalry the two share is a smooth dynamic that 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 then just a Character. His persona, Past, Personality, and the way he was all just really was all tragic and beautiful. I was in awe with the way he never gave up. He's so humble and just all so amazing. I love him so much

Mello is a freakin' sexy badass! Literally everything about this guy stands out, being intelligent, ruthless, badass, and looking amazing, coming from a straight guy! I like Near too, but Mello has everything agianst 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 weird Mello and Near are the 2 halves of L, only Mello is replaceable. Sure Mello have the guts to arrest a defenseless news anchor and defenseless young woman, which I'm sure is an impossible feat ( ;) ) 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 judgement. Near, however, gets the job done. Near is the only surviving L. Matsuda may have pulled the trigger to injure Light, but Near's the one to 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 like he deserves.

Near is one of my favorite characters. Why is every one hating on Near? Yes, he ISN'T L and isn't ever going to be as good as L. He can be over confident at times but still is a pretty important character. He did watch many of his comrades get killed, throw money out to the public, and 'barely do anything'. What the heck are you supposed to do when people are smashing doors to come kill you, jump out the gosh damn window and just hope that you'll survive by landing on top of people? His personality is the type that isn't very open to anyone or anything. You can even call him a kid. Of course all he did was take what he learned from Mello, the notebook, and other resources and put the puzzle together.
I get how you all hate him because he did accomplish the Kira mystery instead of Lawliet. His character isn't what you would expect, a 17 year old who hugs his knees while playing with dice, blocks, action figures, or toys on the floor while at the same time trying to figure out a case ...more

My favorite character. I was a total L fanatic, but then we we're introduced to this antisocial, dependent, emotionally controlled childish detective. I was rooting for him the whole way. He is undoubtedly not only my favorite Death Note character, but my favorite anime character of all time, I don't understand why people hate him so much, but I have a tendency to have the most hated character in any anime be my favorite (cough cough, Minoru Mineta, cough)

I think Near is underrated. Everyone is hating on him, saying L did all the work along with Mello. Well, yes, L did do most of the work for Near. But how did Near win in the end? Just like most of you guys, Light underestimated Near which caused Light to lose. He had all the proper evidence and didn't show his face before that. Plus, he's adorable, though yes, he doesn't beat L. But I think he was a cool character!

I can't say that I like Misa Amane that much but I have to say this. She was blinded by love and she 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.

Why is this annoying brat in the list?

Misa can be an annoying fangirl but she does a lot in the series and doesn't get enough credit.

She is best, I love misa.

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.

This is my list

Go common man!

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 cause I have, for once, never seen his eyes!

Watari is badass grandma! Like, who else can snipe from a helicopter!

He was like Alfred.

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. Helps Near to find out X-Kira(Mikami)

Matt. Now, he only had about three minutes of screentime, but his loyalty to Mello and his dry wit, and even his cleverness, push him to second place for me. What a king, he deserved better.

Look I know that 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.

Please review the list..
There is no one by this name..

He's not a real character..

I have watched Death Note and I have yet to meet this guy that or he is not important

I like the part where Mogi spoke like a lively official manager of Misa Amane.

The main reason she is underrated is because she doesn't receive much screen time. In my oppinion, if Misa had Sayu's personality I would actually like her as a character.

Sayu is so underrated because of how much screening time she gets. But Sayu is very cute and needs more attention and screening time!

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.

She's BADASS. CIA agent, part-time detective, one of the top officers of the SPK! Dayum, lady!

...but uhh...I didn't really like the part where some other blond girl barged right into her room and she still wasn't ashamed of what she's doing (cover yourself, woman! ).

Halle is a former CIA agent who leaks information to Mello so Kira will get caught

Why the hell is he so low? He's literally Kira

Amazing character, extremely loyal, I cannot see why so many people just underappreciate him.

He is such a loyal and faithful person in character. I hate the part where he calls Light God... But I do like the DELETE thingy

He is just too cool for the school and I like him a lot.

Much like light..

He was awesome but underrated...Rip Raye Penber :C

omg reiji namikawa is the hottest guy in death note (sorry L your 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 <3

Because why not