Alias: Kira. Real Name: Light Yagami. Birthday: February 28, 1986. Zodiac: Pisces. Blood Type: A. Height: 179cm. Weight: 54kg. Nationality: Japanese. Likes: Justice. Dislikes: Evil. A flawless, top-tier individual who is handsome, brilliant, and athletic. He possesses excellent communication skills, outstanding acting ability, and social grace, making him naturally popular with the opposite sex. Furthermore, he is dexterous and resourceful rather than a stereotypical bookworm. Despite these high specs, he felt his life was stagnant and was bored with the unchanging daily routine. Due to his extraordinary nature, he tends to look down on those inferior to him and has little interest in romance, though he does seem to have affection for his family, humanity, and the world. Having lived without failure, he has almost zero tolerance for provocation and is essentially childish and hates to lose. Regardless of his inner thoughts, he maintains a facade of a gentle, serious honor student without flaunting his excellence. His father is the Director of the NPA Criminal Affairs Bureau and the head of the Japanese Task Force. Coming from an elite bureaucratic family, he is well-bred and wealthy. He has a good relationship with his parents and sister, living in a peaceful, blessed environment. Possessing one of the greatest minds in the series, he was always top of his class and ranked first in national mock exams, eventually entering To-Oh University—the most prestigious in Japan—with a perfect score in every subject.

Real Name: Misa Amane. Height: 152cm. Weight: 36kg. Birthday: December 25, 1984. Blood Type: AB. Likes: Light Yagami. Dislikes: Light's enemies. A beautiful girl who idolizes "Kira" as a hero. She lived with her sister after her parents were killed by a robber (in the movie version, she had a brother who was killed by the same robber), but she became interested in Kira after he killed that robber. She works as a model for teen magazines. She has also expanded into the entertainment industry, gaining popularity under the nickname "Misa-Misa" as a TV personality and actress. She eventually even made her Hollywood debut. She wears her blonde hair in a two-side-up style.

Real Name: L Lawliet. Birthday: October 31, 1979. Age: 24–25. Height: 179cm. Weight: 50kg. Nationality: British. Blood Type: Unknown. Personality: Hates to lose. Likes: Sweets. Dislikes: Socks. The world's greatest detective, known as the "shadow leader" of global police forces and the "final trump card," holding immense influence within the ICPO. A genius who has solved numerous difficult cases almost entirely through solo investigation; even the FBI cannot defy his instructions. On the other hand, his methods can be seen as arrogant, which led to backlash from many Japanese investigators during the Kira case. He is a significant eccentric, typical of the genius archetype, and unlike Light Yagami, who is (at least outwardly) sociable, L cares little for cooperation with those around him. By his own admission, he is "childish and hates to lose," a trait he shares with Light. He shows strong hostility toward Kira based on his own sense of justice. He has a thin build and a slight slouch. His hair is long, black, and messy, covering his ears. He always wears a white long-sleeved shirt and baggy jeans. He is always barefoot and hates socks. When going out, he wears shoes by stepping on the heels while remaining barefoot.

Alias: Mello. Real Name: Mihael Keehl. Birthday: December 13, 1989. Blood Type: A. Height: 171cm. Weight: 52kg. Nationality: British. Likes: Chocolate bars. Dislikes: Anyone better than himself. One of the candidates to succeed L, raised at Wammy's House, an orphanage in Winchester, Hampshire, England. He held the No. 2 position behind Near. He is characterized by a blonde bob cut and sharp, sanpaku eyes that somewhat recall L. His expression is not particularly friendly. While his intellect is slightly inferior to Near's, his drive and initiative surpass both Near and even L. He has an active and bold personality. He is a competitive person who shows intense rivalry toward anyone superior to him, especially Near. He does not hesitate to commit crimes to achieve his goals and sometimes acts emotionally, yet he also shows a gentlemanly and conscientious side, such as conducting the notebook-for-hostage trade fairly and grieving for fallen comrades. He is known for his eccentric and stylish outfits made of black enamel material. After L's death, he disappeared, leaving the position of successor to Near. Later, with the goal of "catching Kira before Near to become number one"—in other words, "eliminating those above him"—he joined a high-ranking US Mafia organization led by Rod Ross, bringing the head of a rival boss as a gift.

Real Name: Nate River. Birthday: August 24, 1991. Zodiac: Virgo. Blood Type: B. Height: 155cm. Weight: 40kg. Nationality: British. Likes: Puzzles, toys. Dislikes: Kira. A boy raised at Wammy's House, an orphanage in Winchester, Hampshire, England, as one of L's potential successors alongside Mello. He is characterized by his white hair and white clothing. While he speaks politely to everyone, he is also quite sharp-tongued. Although he surpasses Mello in intellect, observation, and composure, he lacks Mello's initiative, stating that "individually we cannot reach L, but together with Mello, we can surpass L." While Mello always viewed him with hostility, Near seems to have had a favorable impression of Mello, as evidenced by his tendency to believe Mello's words and his lack of reaction even when threatened by Mello with a gun. Much like L stacking sugar cubes, Near is often seen assembling things or playing with toys.