L Lawliet

L is the world's greatest detective in Death Note — an eccentric, brilliant recluse who becomes the one mind capable of matching Light Yagami in their legendary battle of wits.

Background

A mysterious figure who works through intermediaries and reveals almost nothing about himself, L takes on the Kira case because it is the only puzzle worthy of his genius — and quickly zeroes in on Light as his prime suspect.

Powers & Abilities

Ability	What it does
Genius deduction	Reaches conclusions from the faintest clues
Psychological insight	Reads and provokes suspects to expose them
Total secrecy	Protects his identity to stay one step ahead

Personality

Quirky, sweet-toothed and socially odd, L hides a razor intellect and a steely will. His strange habits mask one of fiction's sharpest detective minds.

Relationships

• Light Yagami — his prime suspect and the rival who defines him.

Role in the Story

L's mind-game with Light is the engine of Death Note — a duel of deduction that ranks among anime's greatest.