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Death Note - Figures

Despite being shorter than most Shonen Jump series, Death Note left a strong impression on the anime world. A 2007 survey by Japan's Ministry of Culture ranked Death Note as the tenth best manga of all time. Fans and critics alike praise the masterful tension between Lumière Yagami and L. The two characters continually try to outdo each other. Light and L have a considerable fan base, with each side praising the complexity of their characters. As a result, they often end up serving as the subjects of Death Note figurines. While these two characters are the most well-represented, their excellent designs also make Shinigami Ryuk and the young model Misa fantastic subjects. Here are three Death Note figurines that represent the variety available to fans: "Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0," "GEM Series Death Note Light Yagami & L," and "Pop! Animation: Death Note - Ryuk."

Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0 Figure

L's unique design shines in his second appearance in the Nendoroid figure line. L's tousled hair frames his flat black eyes and accompanying dark circles. He wears his simple white long-sleeved shirt and jeans, and of course, he's barefoot. His clothes feature careful sculpting to capture their volume as seen in the manga. The figure comes with three expressions: neutral, thinking, and smiling. Interchangeable leg parts allow fans to pose L in his signature crouching position. Accessories include L's ornate white and red chair and a slice of strawberry cake. Sculpting details stand out on the chair's arms and base, with delicate curved lines contrasting nicely with L's austere appearance. The figure also includes a handcuff accessory to use with the Light Nendoroid to recreate the classic manga image.

Product Name: Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0
Series: Death Threat
Product Line: Nendoroid
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Toytec DTC
Features: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS and PVC figure with optional parts and stand
Height (approx.): 100 mm | 3.9"

Death Note Light Yagami and L Figure from the GEM Series

This figure from MegaHouse's GEM series recreates the cover (adj) of the fifth volume of the manga. Light and L are handcuffed together, their bodies facing opposite directions. Light stands with his legs spread and slightly bent at the knee. His face is turned to the left, looking over his shoulder. L crouches behind him, leaning to the left and extending his right hand in front of him. The sculpting realistically depicts the creases and wrinkles in their clothing. L's shirt collar falls loosely from his neck, exposing his defined collarbones. His jeans wrinkle and gather at his knees and ankles as they drape over his lean frame. Light's button-down shirt looks sharp and professional. The movement lines follow his turned torso with the carefully painted light gray stripes. The connection between L and Light's handcuffs features a real metal chain.

Product Name: GEM Death Note Light Series Yagami and L
Series: Death Threat
Product Line: GEM Series
Manufacturer: Mega House
Features: Set of 2 painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC and ABS figures with stand
Height (approx.):
Lightweight Yagami: 240 mm | 9.4"
L: 150mm | 5.9"
Includes: 2 handcuffs (PVC, metal)

Animation Pop! : Death Note - Ryuk figure

Ryuk still retains his frightening shinigami aura in this cute vinyl figure from Funko. Ryuk stands with his legs spread and bent. He leans forward slightly, nodding to his tall, lanky stature even in chibi form. His yellow eyes are round and pupil-less, matching the Funko Pop! His small, snub nose, bold blue lips, and jagged grin have been simplified but capture the essence of his chilling design. Ryuk's signature outfit retains the most important details, like his bracelet, ring, and the chains hanging from his skull-shaped belt buckle. His retractable wings rest around his shoulders, with individual feather sculpts, adding texture and depth. He holds his favorite fruit, a shiny red apple, in his left hand.

Product Name: Animation Pop!: Death Note - Ryuk
Series: Death Threat
Product Line: Pop Animation!
Manufacturer: Funko
Features: Painted vinyl figure, non-articulated and not to scale

The History of the Death Note Series

One day, high school student Light Yagami finds a mysterious "Death Note," a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written inside. After testing its power, the Death Note's original owner, a shinigami named Ryuk, visits Light. Ryuk tells him he wanted to see what would happen if a human had access to a Death Note and how Light's actions amused him. Light then begins killing anyone he deems morally unworthy of life. The sudden deaths of criminals around the world attract the attention of an international police force. Led by the eccentric Detective L, Interpol is searching for the culprit, dubbed "Kira" by the media. L tricks Light into revealing that he is in Kanto, and Light vows to kill L for interfering with his plans. Light and L begin a game of cat and mouse as they attempt to disrupt each other's goals.

The development of the Death Note series

The Death Note manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. While writing the manga, Ohba and Obata rarely met, but rather with the editor. Ohba created thumbnail sketches outlining the dialogue and basic panel layout. He sent them to the editor, who, after approving them, sent them to Obata for full illustration. The manga began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in December 2003, concluding in May 2006. The series was a surprise hit, inspiring games, novels, spin-offs, as well as film and anime adaptations. From October 2006 to June 2007, Madhouse produced a 37-episode anime series. The anime won Best TV Anime at the 2007 Tokyo International Anime Awards. The series faced controversy and bans after the rise of copycat crimes, particularly Death Note replicas in schools.