Hideki Ryuga

Lore & Background

L uses the alias Hideki Ryuga (流河 旱樹, Ryūga Hideki) as one of several pseudonyms, alongside Ryuzaki, Eraldo Coil, and Deneuve. The latter two are names for which L has developed reputations as the second- and third-best detectives in the world. L is a very discreet and secretive individual who never shows his face to the world, instead representing himself with a capital L in blackletter font. His real name, L Lawliet, is only revealed in the guidebook Death Note 13: How to Read. L is presented as an enigmatic, nameless, highly-intelligent, cunning and globally-esteemed international consulting detective. He is actually a tall, disheveled and gaunt youth in his 20s with a pale complexion and visible dark circles around his eyes. He is a socially-inept, awkward and somewhat misanthropic recluse with many notable quirks and eccentricities, such as holding things with his index finger and thumb, crouching instead of sitting, mostly walking around barefoot, scratching his ankle with the toes of the other foot, and having an unnatural affinity for sweets, cakes, candies, dairy foods and confectionery foods. He is seen exclusively eating these foods but this diet has no apparent effect on his health and physiology.

In Their Own Story

At the start of the series, L carries out his own investigation of a series of mysterious serial-killings across the globe, all of which are carried out by an apparent supernatural serial-killer known as 'Kira', which is the Japanese transliteration of the English word 'killer'. After deducing that the serial-killings are all connected and perpetrated by a single mastermind and are sourced from Japan, L allies himself with the Japanese police force and assists them in investigating the murders. Although he strongly suspects the series' protagonist, Light Yagami, a high school genius and the son of detective superintendent Soichiro Yagami, one of the primary members of the Kira investigation allied with L, to be Kira's alter-ego, he is unable to prove his theory, due to lack of evidence, but nonetheless remains suspicious of Light and carefully observes him throughout the series. The majority of the series' initial focus is on L and Light's complex, cerebral and intricate psychological mind-game of cat and mouse, as both use their wits and intellect in an attempt to outdo the other and expose them. Though L comes very close to exposing Light as Kira, he is eventually killed by Rem before he can do so, but before his death his suspicion is confirmed that Light is Kira. Although L's death regresses the Kira investigation's progress, he had prepared a contingency plan.

Reader's Guide

L's fighting style has been described as similar to capoeira. However, Obata has denied considering this when drawing L's fights, saying that he was thinking of the most effective way to kick someone whilst handcuffed. He added that if the style resembles capoeira, then this 'adds another element to it' and 'that makes me happy'. When designing color illustrations, Obata assigned specific colors to the main characters to help 'get the atmosphere right'; gold was assigned to L. In the anime adaptation, L is voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi in Japanese, and by Alessandro Juliani in English. He is portrayed by Kenichi Matsuyama in the live-action film series, by Kento Yamazaki in the TV drama, and by Lakeith Stanfield in the American film.

Did You Know?

• L's name was chosen by writer Tsugumi Ohba, who considered 'I' and 'J' before settling on 'L' after careful consideration.
• L's design, including the black bags under his eyes, was inspired by Devilman's Akira Fudou, according to artist Takeshi Obata.
• L's voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi specifically requested lines be added to emphasize L's vulnerable side, especially regarding his relationship with Watari.
• L's real name, L Lawliet, is only revealed in the guidebook Death Note 13: How to Read.
• L's fighting style was drawn by Obata thinking of the most effective way to kick someone whilst handcuffed, not intentionally as capoeira.