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. Notably, L uses the alias Hideki Ryuga specifically when enrolling as a college student to get close to Light Yagami, not to infiltrate the Kira investigation itself.

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.