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 the Ministry of Culture of Japan ranked Death Note as the tenth best manga of all time. Fans and critics praise the masterful tension between Light Yagami and L as the two continually try to outsmart each other. Light and L have massive fan followings, each camp praising the complexities of their characters. As a result, they frequently end up as subjects in Death Note figures. While these two find the most representation, the excellent designs make Shinigami Ryuk and the young model, Misa, fantastic figure subjects as well. Here are three Death Note figures that represent the variety available to fans: "Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0," "G.E.M. 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 disheveled hair frames his flat black eyes and accompanying dark circles. He wears his simple white long sleeve shirt and jeans and, of course, he's barefooted. His clothing features careful sculpting to capture their bagginess 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 trademark squatting position. Accessories include L's ornate white and red chair and a slice of strawberry cake. Sculpting details stand out on the arms and base of the chair, featuring delicate curving lines contrasting nicely with L's stark appearance. The figure also contains a handcuff accessory to use with the Light Nendoroid to recreate the classic image from the manga.

Product Name: Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0
Series: Death Note
Product Line: Nendoroid
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: toytec D.T.C
Specifications: Painted, articulated, non-scale ABS & PVC figure with optional parts and stand
Height (Approx.): 100mm | 3.9"

G.E.M. Series Death Note Light Yagami & L Figure

This figure from MegaHouse's G.E.M. series recreates the (adj) cover from the manga's fifth volume. Light and L are handcuffed together, their bodies facing opposite directions. Light stands with his legs spread wide and slightly bent at the knee. His face is turned to the left and he glances over his shoulder. L squats behind him, leaning to the left and reaching his right hand out in front of him. The sculpting work realistically depicts the folds and creases in their clothing. L's shirt collar falls loosely away from his neck, exposing his defined collarbones. His jeans bunch and gather at his knees and ankles as they drape over his skinny frame. Light's button-down looks crisp and professional. Lines of motion following his turned torso with the light gray pinstripes carefully painted. The handcuffs connection L and Light features a real metal chain.

Product Name: G.E.M. Series Death Note Light Yagami & L
Series: Death Note
Product Line: G.E.M. Series
Manufacturer: MegaHouse
Specifications: Set of 2 painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC & ABS figures with stand
Height (Approx.):
Light Yagami: 240mm | 9.4"
L: 150mm | 5.9"
Includes: 2 handcuffs (PVC, metal)

Pop! Animation: Death Note - Ryuk Figure

Ryuk still retains his spooky shinigami aura in this cute vinyl figure from Funko. Ryuk stands with his legs apart and bent. He hunches forward slightly, nodding to his tall, lanky stature even in chibi form. His yellow eyes are rounded and pupil-less, fitting the Funko Pop! model. His small, upturned nose, bold, blue lips, and jagged-toothed smile have been simplified, but capture the essence of his creepy design. Ryuk's iconic outfit retains the most important details, like his bracelet, ring, and the chains hanging from his skull belt buckle. His retractable wings rest around his shoulders, with individual feathers carvings, adding texture and depth. He holds his favorite fruit, a shiny red apple, in his left hand.

Product Name: Pop! Animation: Death Note - Ryuk
Series: Death Note
Product Line: Pop! Animation
Manufacturer: Funko
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale vinyl figure

The Death Note Series Story

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 Light he wanted to see what would happen if a human had access to a Death Note and how Light's actions amused him. Light proceeds to kill anyone he deems morally unworthy of living. The sudden deaths of criminals around the world capture the attention of an international police force. Led by the eccentric detective L, Interpol searches for the culprit, dubbed "Kira" by the media. L tricks Light into revealing he's 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 try to disrupt each other's goals.

The Death Note Series Development

The Death Note manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. When writing the manga, Ohba and Obata rarely met with each other, instead meeting with the editor. Ohba created thumbnails outlining dialogue and basic panel layout. He sent these to the editor, who, after approving them, sent them to Obata for full illustration. The manga began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in December 2003, ending in May 2006. The series was a surprise smash hit, inspiring games, novels, spinoffs, 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 in copycat crimes, particularly replica Death Notes in schools.

Links

Nendoroid Death Note L 2.0
G.E.M. Series Death Note Light Yagami & L
Pop! Animation: Death Note - Ryuk
Death Note Label
Light Yagami Label
L (Death Note) Label