Light Yagami
High school genius • Kira
Brilliant, calm, and arrogant, Light believes only he can judge criminals and slowly loses his humanity as he chases a god complex.
Story synopsis
A tense cat‑and‑mouse game between two prodigies, driven by justice, ego, and the power of a deadly notebook.
Death Note follows Light Yagami, a top student who discovers a mysterious notebook dropped by a shinigami. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and Light decides to use this power to erase criminals and reshape the world as a new god. His actions attract the attention of L, an eccentric but brilliant detective, and their clash turns into a psychological battle where every move and tiny detail can expose the other.
Main characters
The core minds and monsters behind the Death Note conflict.
L
World‑class detective
A mysterious investigator with strange habits and unmatched logic, L slowly narrows the gap between himself and Kira, even at the cost of his life.
Ryuk
Shinigami • Owner of the Death Note
A bored death god who drops his notebook into the human world, Ryuk watches the chaos with amusement and never truly takes a side.
Misa Amane
Second Kira • Idol
A loyal supporter of Kira who holds a second notebook and shinigami eyes, Misa is driven by love and revenge more than logic.
- Light tests the notebook for the first time and realizes the power to kill from a distance.
- L publicly challenges Kira on TV, forcing Light to reveal his ruthless side to protect his identity.
- The tense confrontation in the rain where L quietly wipes Light’s feet, hinting at his doubts and friendship.