Death Note is a series that has seized a place in the hearts of all people worldwide. This series has some of the most intense characters, makings it one of the most thrilling series to watch. This series does not require any introduction or a brief, as people have watched this series hundreds of times during their leisure time, and it’s difficult to find, but the web is filled with many unexplored shows like Death Note.
Death Note series is also called one of the most revolutionary anime ever released on this planet. It has wholly ripped apart all of its competitors in the market. It also changed the whole meaning of anime, as the storyline of this series is very thrilling yet emotional. While the speculation for Season 2 is among fans, there is no concrete information for the same from the directors.
Table of Contents
Toggle40. Touta Matsuda
Touta Matsuda is the hot-headed yet incredibly powerful NPA detective in Death Note. At first, he’s a comic relief character, but Matsuda makes himself known with daring, if precarious, action—such as brazenly infiltrating Yotsuba. His unflinching devotion to justice, even in the ubiquitous Kira, gets him a lot of love from fans. His most notable moment? Going against Light Yagami at the end of the battle, showing he’s not dumb but a hero who has a good sense of morality. Not intelligent, but his courage and heart are two of the best in the series.
39. Kyosuke Higuchi
Death Note’s Yotsuba Kira, Kyosuke Higuchi, is the embodiment of corruption through power. Unlike Light, who operates on a long-term basis, Higuchi is rough, irresponsible, and selfish to the extreme. He uses the Death Note as a means of corporate manipulation, taking out his competition with not even a moment’s hesitation. His downfall is maybe the best moment in the show, illustrating that Kira’s power is as evil as the mind that commands it. While he’s far from the smartest villain, Higuchi’s sheer arrogance and over-the-top desperation in his final moments make him one of Death Note’s most entertaining antagonists.
38. Shuichi Aizawa
Shuichi Aizawa is the dependable, no-nonsense detective who keeps the Death Note Task Force earthed. Where others get caught up in Light and L’s cat-and-mouse game, Aizawa is one of the most level-headed and moral characters. His withdrawal from the Task Force, briefly suspecting L’s tactics, is a testament to his moral compass. In contrast to Matsuda’s rashness or Near’s cold-bloodedness, Aizawa acts on a strong sense of duty, making him one of the most realistic and human characters in the show. His commitment to justice, no matter how far-fetched the hope, makes him an unheralded hero of the series.
37. Hideki Ide
Although Death Note Task Force members generally stay in the shadows, Hideki Ide’s authority silently operates behind the scenes, but cynicism is a priceless asset to the team. While unlike some of the other task force family members, Ide is not oblivious to loyalty to L or the establishment—he condemns their actions and even refuses to assist L at first. This level of independence makes him one of the saner characters in a world of extreme ideologies. Though he has no glamorous role, his logical approach and uncompromising commitment to justice make him an indispensable part of the Task Force’s mission to defeat Kira.
36. Sayu Yagami
Sayu Yagami is no major character in Death Note, but she definitely adds an emotional depth to the Yagami family. She is Light’s younger sister and the innocence which he loses on his path to becoming god. Her agonizing abduction by Mello is one of the saddest moments in the series, and it traumatizes her when Light himself is strangely unmoved. Sayu is a poignant reminder of the real victims of Kira’s narcissism—the innocent bystanders around him who are suffering because of his. She may not be a prodigy or a fighter, but she is the sole one whose personal involvement in making the stakes personal makes her indispensable to the story.
35. Kiichirou Osoreda
Kiichirou Osoreda is not even a minor character in Death Note, but his presence alone shows just how far the fear of Kira can trickle. A scoundrel of low rank, Osoreda is an unwitting instrument for the masterful manipulation by Light Yagami. Treated to a fabricated hijacking on the pretext of his rescue, he is actually eliminated at the whim of the Death Note. A minor but significant role, it shows how easily criminals are manipulated and used up by the justice of Kira. Osoreda is the symbol for the hopelessness of the people trapped in Light’s web, so his death was a chilling scene to remember from the show. Even if he was a supporting character, his death is the best example of Death Note’s hero’s cold-blooded brilliance.
34. Stephen Gevanni
Stephen Gevanni isn’t as familiar a name as L or Near, but as an agent working within Death Note, he emerges as one of the top agents. As second in command for Near, his precision abilities for spying and counterfeiting go far in unraveling Light’s falsehoods. The skillful skill Gevanni has at replicating the handwriting of Mikami and being able to trail his whereabouts is sheer genius and aids greatly in Kira’s final demise. While he lacks the mind games of the main players, his quiet efficiency and reliability make him an unsung hero. Without Gevanni’s precision, Near’s plan wouldn’t have worked, proving that sometimes, the best detectives are the ones who work behind the scenes.
33. Takuo Shibuimaru
Takuo Shibuimaru, aka “Shibutaku,” may not be a major player in Death Note, but his death is one of the most significant. In dying first as a test victim in the Death Note for Light Yagami, Shibuimaru’s destiny sets all else in motion. His unanticipated coronary strike while walking home awakens the populace to the sinister potentialities of the book. If he is nothing but some run-of-the-mill hood, his fate becomes fixed in the consciousness of others—his death affirms new standing for the previously bland student as now Kira. Though he can little-but-nothing see, Shibuimaru does have a epoch-defining contribution to offer. He is the first domino to fall in a series of events which would change the world forever, and as such, he is a significant, if tragic, figure in the story.
32. Anthony Rester
Anthony Rester isn’t flashy like Near or L, but in Death Note he is a extremely skilled tactician. Rester has military training and calm professionalism as Near’s second-in-command in the SPK. As others play cat and mouse, Rester deals with the grunge of keeping up with Kira, and that is why he is an integral part of Near’s triumph. His serenity in the face of crises and perfect execution of Near’s plan is testament to his character. Although he is known as a master detective like his superiors but not one himself, his strategic mind and single-minded assistance make him one of the most underrated yet effective characters in the series. Rester is the evidence that intelligence does not exist only in thinking—it’s also doing.
31. Shinigami King
Shinigami King is the Death Note’s most mysterious character, reigning supreme over the realm of death with unmatched authority. Although he is only on-screen for a short time, he looms large over the story, reminding us that even death gods have rules to follow. His decaying, disturbing appearance adds to his aura and makes him a figure of horror and fascination. As the creator and enforcer of Death Note regulations, he ensures that even rogue Shinigami like Ryuk don’t cross certain lines. Though he does nothing himself, his presence raises interesting questions about the source of the Death Note. He is not the most dynamic character, but as the highest authority of the Shinigami, his subtle power is absolute.
30. Lind L. Taylor
Lind L. Taylor has the shortest role in Death Note, but his selfless sacrifice is the stuff of legend. As L’s decoy, his on-screen taunt of Kira is a stroke of genius, teasing Light into posturing and showing that Kira’s ability is not infinite. His death is one of the show’s earliest plot turns, showing that L is always greater than one step ahead. Taylor’s hubris in proclaiming Kira “evil” just before he perishes makes him a true warrior of justice. Though he is not a detective himself, his brief but crucial contribution is never to be forgotten. His bravery and rebelliousness make him a character that one cannot forget, proving that even pawns can bring down kings. His fate is tragic, but his impact on Death Note is undeniable.
29. Wedy
Wedy, the cryptic and genius thief in Death Note, brings much-needed dashing spymanship to the series. A top agent for L, she is an infiltration and espionage mistress and an irreplaceable resource that no one can ever spare. No one can outmatch her capacity to infiltrate heavily guarded places, and she carries out missions with a facility that appears automatic. Her talents are lost when Light Yagami kills her off with his position as Kira. Wedy’s death, and Aiber’s, is a chilling reminder that anybody can be killed in the Kira world. Her existence is tied very briefly, but she adds some exciting, almost James Bond-like spice to the detective element of Death Note.
28. Reiji Namikawa
Reiji Namikawa is one of those frequently overlooked characters in Death Note, but he’s an intriguing part of the jigsaw. He may not engage in the back-and-forth intellectual battle challenges of L or Light, but he contributes to enriching the universe of the series. Characters like Reiji make us realize that Death Note isn’t just about geniuses and gods—also about ordinary individuals trapped in the middle. While he does not have one defining moment like everyone else, his presence is all part of the rich tapestry of a Kira-shaped world. In a series where each act has consequences, even supporting characters like Kida add to the sweeping narrative.
27. George Sairas
George Sairas, the president of the United States in Death Note, is the physical manifestation of the political authority Kira creates in the world.
Unlike the progressive leaders of other stories, Sairas is a man completely paralyzed by fear. Instead of standing up to Kira, he kneels and allows Light to decide world power structures. His cowardice is maddening and compelling, showing how even world leaders can be pawns in another’s game. Sairas shows that Kira’s power extends far beyond Japan—it can topple governments. He is not on the central stage, but his loss to Kira is one of the scariest moments of the series, proving fear is greater than justice more often than not.
26. Nori
Nori is a supporting character in Death Note, but she leaves a lasting impression. As the dedicated housekeeper of Misa Amane, she is one of the few characters who genuinely cares for Misa without ulterior motives. Her own good nature is a welcome respite from the manipulation and deceit that run throughout the series. Where everyone else sees Misa as a pawn, Nori finds her to be an individual, which makes her a welcome oasis of actual kindness. She does not have a major contribution to make to Kira’s fight, but her dedication to Misa shows the few moments of humanity remaining in a world gone mad with power. In a story filled with betrayal, Nori’s loyalty is a quiet but powerful statement.
25. Shiori Akino
There is no death note original manga series with Shiori Akino, but in the live-action version released in 2006, she plays a big role of making Light Yagami human.
Shiori is an innocent girl who does not resemble Misa and falls into Light’s plan. Her gruesome death at Naomi Misora’s hands, manipulated by Light himself, is one of the shocking moments that testifies to the full moral deterioration of Light. He is willing to sacrifice even those he supposedly cares for, proving there’s no line he won’t cross. Shiori’s character emphasizes the cost of Kira’s reign, making her one of the most heartbreaking figures in the Death Note universe. She also asserts that love in Light’s world is yet another manipulation tool.
24. Roger Ruvie
The keeper of Wammy’s House in Death Note, has a minor but meaningful role in bringing the world’s greatest minds. Roger, the protector of geniuses L, Near, and Mello’s development, is the mysterious institution that brings forth geniuses. His composed, even-keel attitude stands in contrast to the intense warfare between Kira and the Task Force. Even though he doesn’t specifically work on the case of Kira, his tutelage allows Near to continue the work of L. In a world where the strongest weapon is the mind, Roger is the behind-the-scenes mastermind for some of its strongest players. He may not be the front-runner, but without him, Death Note’s legendary detectives would never have existed.
23. Matt
Matt only appears briefly in Death Note, but his impact is lasting. As Mello’s second-in-command, he introduces a laid-back, video game-attuned vibe to the show that is the polar opposite of the high-stakes, life-or-death soap opera. Matt is an extremely capable agent who handles surveillance and assists Mello with ease. His final stand against Kira’s soldiers is legendary and tragic—lit a cigarette as he marched to his own demise. His snarky attitude and smirking grin make him one of the coolest characters on the show without even trying. While he is no Mello or Near in terms of being a prodigy, Matt’s style, charm, and dedication make him an instant fan favorite for a career that’s so short-lived.
22. Kida Masahiko
Kida Masahiko is a relatively minor character in Death Note, but his entrance adds another layer to Death Note’s complex world of Kira. Although he doesn’t add much to the overall picture, he keeps in mind that quite a number of people are unknowingly caught up in Kira’s trap. Such characters add to the reinforcement of Death Note’s world by showing us that with every world-altering thing there are millions of unnoticed people affected by Light’s war against his enemies. Though he only shows up briefly, he serves to enable the escalation of Death Note’s complex plotting in which even trivial details might be helpful towards a larger purpose.
21. Ms. Mikami
Ms. Mikami, Teru Mikami of Death Note’s mother, is the series’ saddest supporting character, maybe. Though she doesn’t take part directly, her disdain for Teru’s rigid sense of justice leaves permanent impressions in his mind. Teru, Kira’s eventual most ardent supporter, comes to hate her for not believing in his right-and-wrong ideas. Her presence in his life and her counter-ideology indirectly form him into the committed follower of Light Yagami. Though she is never spoken of, Ms. Mikami symbolizes the unseen parental factors involved in making a fanatic. Within a run of novels concerned with excesses of morals, she represents an index of those unnoticeable wars that seal a man’s destiny.
20. Light Yagami

One of the leading death note characters, light Yagami, is the alias of Kira. Light Yagami is one of the most handsome humans in this series. He is just busy in his own life. If we talk about the entire personality of Light Yagami, he is one of the most anti-social personalities in this series.
Girls all over the world loved this character, and he surprisingly became the crush of many girls worldwide. People believe that this character has got everything that the main character of any series needs to have.
Handsome and popular Light is undoubtedly one of the most crucial characters of this show and that of our list. You should look out for his character while watching this series.
19. Misa Amane
Misa Amane is one of the only people in this series who is regarded as one of the best female characters of all the death note characters. She was one of the most compelling death note characters who made a place in the heart of the people.
She has some of the most fantastic personality traits, making her beautiful with a brain. Unlike Light, she is one of the biggest serial killers in this show, which is just the opposite of just his analytic side. All these personality traits make Misa Amane a great character in a strong sense.
This entire series has got many glimpses of her included in it. People have loved this show, and she was one of the biggest reasons for the show to get hit. Takeshi Obata has created this character with total dedication, and people have rated it as 8.7 out of 10, which is pretty cool, isn’t it?
18. Soichiro Yagami
Soichiro Yagami is one of the most talked about characters in this series. He was the light’s father who played an exemplary role in this show series. He has a very eccentric personality, making him one of the people’s favorite characters worldwide.
The personality traits of him and his son sound familiar, and why not, as they share the same genes. Light dynamic powers are just the results of the hard work done by his father. In his final moments, he asked his child to stay brave throughout his life and never lose any battles.
He loved his son very much, which is visible on the show. People have rated this character highly. They have ordered him 8.2 out of 10 ratings. Both of them shared a genuine bond which made the viewers go emotional.
17. Kiyomi Takada

One of the most important characters of this show, Kiyomi, is one of the most loved anime characters of death note in the world. This death note character met a tragic end when she died due to a heart attack. That heart attack was so sudden that nobody could save her from dying. People were very much emotional after watching this scene.
They felt like they have lost somebody from their family itself. Kiyomi is most of the time referred to as her spokesperson for Kira. She always used to stay with Kira. People have rated this character as 7.8 out of 10, making this death note character a must-watch person.
People have rated it so highly, and it is their favorite character for one reason, the simplicity that this character had in her made everybody fall in love with her. She was a significant part of the human world.
16. Teru Mikami

Teru Mikami’s death note is what this show is often referred to as. This character has everything a good feeling in an anime should have. He is one of the best characters in this whole show. Mikami has a fantastic personality, but his nature is often considered controversial.
Teru has made the ultimate sacrifice in this show. People always forget about the gifts that he has made in his life. But always look at the wrong things associated with him. He was one of the true friends of the protagonist of this show. He has a vital role in anime history, making him one of the most crucial characters of this whole show.
You should look out for this character while watching this show. People have rated this character pretty highly. He has been rated 8.8 out of 10, which is damn impressive. He can be seen in almost all of the seasons of the Death Note series.
15. Raye Iwamatsu

Raye is one of the most suspicious characters in this whole anime. He has played the role of an FBI agent in this show making him a very dangerous police officer.
Raye has got some of the most amazing investigating skills all over the world. He was part of the Kira investigation team, making him famous worldwide. We all know people love watching thrilling and suspense-related characters in anime series. This character has got such skills attached to himself.
This character could be seen till the very end of this series. Raye is a member of this new world operated by the FBI. He is one of the most stoic characters ever seen in any anime series.
People have liked this character on average and thus have rated this character as 7.3 out of 10, which makes him a not-so-great character, but you should never believe in the ratings of your fellow people.
14. Ryuk

One of the most important characters in this whole series.
Ryuk is one of the most giant evils in any anime series worldwide. He is one of the most essential villains of this series. He killed the god complex Light, one of this show’s most intelligent characters.
Ryuk is undoubtedly one of the death note main characters as he has almost taken the graph of success of this anime to such a great height after the visuals of this character came on television. Ryuk is known to be one of the most uninspired death note characters, yet he became one of the most loved characters worldwide.
This guy has comedy and killing skills, making him one of the most challenging characters in the world. Even the death gods feared him. That was the power that he carried. He has been rated 9.2 out of 10 by people, which does not need any sort of explanation. He was often regarded as the shinigami king also by his fans all over the world.
13. Mello
Mello is one of the essential characters of this series. She is known to be a fantastic warrior who can handle any obstacle all alone single-handedly
. Many people all over the world have made her an idol due to the tremendous confidence and skill that she carries. Moreover, she is known to be one of this series’ most beautiful characters.
The character of Mello is created by Takeshi Obata, who is the creator of almost all the essential characters in this show. Takeshi is known to have one of the most creative minds in the whole crew of this series. Thus, he was tasked with creating some of the most unique individual characters of this show and no doubt he has done his work with sheer perseverance and hard work, which is viewable on screen.
He had a fixed supply of money in which he had to manage the production of the show, and he did his work with sheer dedication. So hats off to him for his fantastic work. The other cast member has called him a father figure in this crew.
12. L
L is one of the most famous characters in this show. People have loved the character of L so much that they were totally in love with him even after his character died. He was a fantastic pop star of his generation.
He had also started a channel of his own which he used to showcase his art skills to people. Everyone also loved this show entirely. They have rated this character highly, which is 8.3 out of 10 ratings which makes this character a must to look out for while watching this series.
People were totally in love with the looks that this guy had. Many girls had a total crush on him and wanted to marry him if he existed in this world. He came under the human species in this show.
11. Hitoshi Demegawa

Hitoshi is one of the most evil-minded guys in this series. He is the director and the main head of sakura TV. He is one of the worst villains ever released by any anime series.
People have observed the character of Hitoshi very profoundly, and they figured out that even in his eyes, their cruelty makes him one of the bad-minded guys of any anime series to be ever released in this decade.
However, people still loved his character a lot due to the negative things he portrayed in this series. He has been rated as 8.2 out of 10, making him one of this series’s most loved guys. You should definitely look out for him when you watch this series, in case you missed it.
10. Near

The character of Near is created by Takeshi Obata, who is the creator of almost all the essential characters in this show. Takeshi is known to have one of the most creative minds in the whole crew of this series.
He was thus given the task of creating some of the most unique individual characters in this show, and no doubt he has done his work with sheer perseverance and hard work, which is totally viewable on screen.
He had a limited supply of money which he had to manage the production of the show, and he did his work with sheer dedication. So hats off to him for his fantastic work.
The other cast member has called him a father figure in this whole crew. She is known to be a fantastic warrior who can handle any sort of obstacle all alone single-handedly. Many people all over the world have made her an idol due to the tremendous confidence and skill that she carries. She is known to be one of the most beautiful characters in this whole series.
9. Rem

Rem has got one of the ugliest looks in this series. She is one of the most strange characters in this whole show. He has got a ghost-like face and body. People got scared when his character appeared on screen for the first time. This character ultimately unraveled one of the biggest mysteries in this anime.
He had direct control over many people who were playing prominent roles in this series, making him one of the most influential characters in this whole show.
Death Note has given many unforgettable characters to the world, and no doubt, Rem is one of those unique characters that the world has received. People have rated this character highly, giving him a whopping 8.3 out of 10 ratings.
8. Watari

Watari is a very famous character in this series. He was primarily seen in the role of behalf speaking. He used to say on behalf of his friend, L.
People have loved this guy and thus have called him one of the best characters of this show. While being of this character was decided by Takeshi Obata, the creator of him. He has been rated pretty highly. People have rated him as 7.2 out of 10 ratings which are not that bad for a character like him.
7. Kanzo Mogi

Kanzo is one of the most silent killer characters in this series. He has got deadly skills as he is a part of the Japanese task force. Kanzo has been working for the Japanese task force for many decades. He has been rated pretty highly by people all over the world.
People have rated this character as 7.1 out of 10, which may seem pretty much low to you, but just have a look at the screen time that this guy has got. With respect to his screen time, these ratings are pretty amazing, guys.
6. Sachiko Yagami

The character of Sachiko is created by Takeshi Obata, who is the creator of almost all the important characters in this show. Takeshi is known to have one of the most creative minds in the whole crew of this series.
He was thus given the task of creating some of the most impressive individual characters of this show, and no doubt he has done his work with sheer perseverance and hard work, which is totally viewable on screen.
He had a limited supply of money which he had to manage the production of the show, and he did his work with sheer dedication. So hats off to him for his amazing work.
The other cast member has called him a father figure in this whole crew. She is known to be an amazing warrior who can handle any sort of obstacle all alone single-handedly.
Many people all over the world have made her an idol due to the amazing confidence and skill that she carries. She is known to be one of the most beautiful characters in this whole series.
5. Takeshi OOI
Takeshi is one of the most underrated guys in this whole series. He could have been one of the most talked about characters in this whole if he had got an ample amount of screen time.
But the creators played a game with his character and gave him very less screen time than what he deserved. Other exaggerated quirks got many more episodes, whereas this potential character got much less time to show his amazing skills to people.
4. Naomi Misara
Naomi is the most amazing characters to be ever seen in any anime, Naomi, was created by Takeshi Obata, who is known for creating some of the most amazing characters in many anime. People from Western countries love this character a lot.
They say that they are able to relate to this character a lot, and they believe that this character had got much more potential in case he got more screen time. But the creators did not provide him with an ample amount of time to prove his worth.
3. Hirokazu Ukita

The character of Hirokazu is created by Takeshi Obata, who is the creator of almost all the important characters in this show. Takeshi is known to have one of the most creative minds in the whole crew of this series.
He was thus given the task of creating some of the most amazing individual characters of this show, and no doubt he has done his work with sheer perseverance and hard work, which is totally viewable on screen. You should definitely look out for this character while watching this series.
2. Halle Lindner

Halle Lindner is one of the most underrated girls in this whole series. She could have been one of the most talked about characters in this whole if she had got an ample amount of screen time.
But the creators played a game with her character and gave her very less screen time than she deserved. Other exaggerated quirks got many more episodes, whereas this potential character got much less time to show her amazing skills to people.
1. Aiber

Aiber, the best con men to have been ever released in any anime series, fiber is no doubt one of the best guys in this series. He had the very amazing quality of making anybody friends with him. This character has been rated pretty highly by people all over the world, as he has been rated 8.1 out of 10 ratings. This character did not get much screen time which decreased her ratings of this character. Else this guy would have crossed the nine mark very easily, he is known for his positive development in this series. The character has been loved and praised highly by the people of Western countries.