Alias: Kira. Real Name: Light Yagami. Birthday: February 28, 1986. Zodiac: Pisces. Blood Type: A. Height: 179cm. Weight: 54kg. Nationality: Japan. Likes: Justice. Dislikes: Evil. A flawless, top-tier individual who is handsome, brilliant, and athletic. He possesses excellent communication skills, outstanding acting ability, and sociability, making him naturally popular with the opposite sex. Furthermore, he is dexterous and not a stereotypical grind-student, but flexible and quick-witted. Despite these high specs, he felt his abilities were wasted and was bored with the monotony of daily life. Due to his extraordinary nature, he tends to look down on those inferior to him. While he has no interest in romance, he does seem to have affection for his family, humanity, and the world. Having lived without failure, he has almost no 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 family of police bureaucrats, he is well-bred and economically wealthy. He has a good relationship with his parents and sister, enjoying a harmonious home life. Possessing a top-class intellect, he was always ranked first in national mock exams and was admitted to To-Oh University, the most prestigious in Japan, as the top student with perfect scores in all subjects.

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. After her parents were killed by a burglar, she lived with her sister (in the movie version, she had a brother who was killed by the same burglar), but she became interested in Kira after he killed that burglar. She works as a model for teen magazines. She has also expanded into the entertainment industry, gaining popularity under the nickname "Misa-Misa," and works as a TV personality and actress. She eventually managed to make 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: United Kingdom. Blood Type: Unknown. Personality: Hates to lose. Likes: Sweets. Dislikes: Socks. The world's greatest detective, known as the "shadow top" of global law enforcement and the "final trump card," holding immense influence within the ICPO. A genius who has solved numerous difficult cases almost entirely through solo investigations, his achievements are so great that even the FBI cannot defy his instructions. On the other hand, his investigative methods can be perceived as arrogant, which led to backlash from many Japanese investigators during the Kira case. He is a significant eccentric, as is common with geniuses; unlike Light Yagami, who is (at least outwardly) extroverted, L cares little for cooperation with those around him. L describes himself as "childish and hating to lose," a trait he shares with Light. Under his own sense of justice, he shows strong hostility toward Kira. 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 worn-out jeans. He is always barefoot and hates socks. When going out, he wears shoes by stepping on the heels while remaining barefoot. He speaks politely.

Alias: Mello. Real Name: Mihael Keehl. Birthday: December 13, 1989. Blood Type: A. Height: 171cm. Weight: 52kg. Nationality: United Kingdom. Likes: Chocolate bars. Dislikes: Those superior to himself. One of the candidates to succeed L, raised at Wammy's House, an orphanage in Winchester, Hampshire, England. He was ranked No. 2, second only to Near. He is characterized by a blonde bob cut and sanpaku eyes that somewhat recall L's. His gaze is not particularly friendly. While his intellect is inferior to Near's, he possesses a drive for action that surpasses Near and even L. He has an active and bold personality. He is a competitive individual who shows thorough rivalry toward those 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 proceeding fairly during a trade for the Note and hostages, or mourning the sacrifice of his comrades. He is known for his eccentric and stylish clothing made of black enamel material. After L's death, he left the orphanage, yielding the position of successor to Near. Subsequently, with the goal of "catching Kira before Near and becoming number one"—in other words, "eliminating those who stand 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: United Kingdom. Likes: Puzzles, toys. Dislikes: Kira. A boy raised at Wammy's House in Winchester, Hampshire, England, which trains successors for L. Like Mello, he is a candidate to succeed L. He is characterized by white hair and white clothing. While he speaks politely to everyone, he is also quite sharp-tongued. Compared to Mello, he excels in intellect, observation, and composure, but lacks his drive for action; he himself states that "individually we cannot reach L, but together with Mello, we can surpass L." Although Mello always directed hostility toward him, Near seems to have a favorable opinion of Mello, generally believing what he says and remaining unfazed even when Mello threatened him with a gun. Much like L stacking sugar cubes, Near is often seen assembling things or playing with toys.

The Shinigami following Light.