Ryuk

Hedonistic Observer

The Shinigami of the Death Note picked up by Light Yagami, observing the human world.

Quotes

  • “You've been a pretty good way to stave off boredom for a long time.”
  • “If you start relying on me, you're finished.”
  • “You think you can become a god just by using the notebook?”
  • “Apples are like booze or cigarettes for humans.”
  • “Finding interesting things is my job.”

Trivia

  • Shinigami Realm apples are extremely poor quality, but Ryuk prefers juicy apples from the human world.
  • Ryuk uses 'ore' as his first-person pronoun and, unlike other Shinigami, occasionally uses polite language.
  • Gambles or naps in the Shinigami Realm to stave off boredom.
  • The Death Note tricked and dropped to the human world was Sidoh's, under the Shinigami King's management.
  • Has a strong addiction to apples and shows withdrawal symptoms if unable to consume them.

Alternate names

Ryuk Shinigami Ryuk Black Shinigami

Tags

Shinigami Death Note Light Yagami Ryuk Suspense Yokai Manga Character Popular Character

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Profile

Species
Shinigami
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Black with a hunched back and long arms, spiked hairstyle, and a large mouth split up to the cheeks. Has feathers on the shoulders and back for storing wings. Wears a Death Note storage holder on the waist.
Height
Approximately 190cm (estimated)
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Hunched back
  • Spiked hair
  • Large mouth split up to the cheeks
  • Feathers for storing wings
Iconic items
  • Death Note
  • Apple

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Highly Curious
Detailed personality
Grew bored with the dull Shinigami Realm, took interest in a Death Note that fell to the human world, possesses its owner Light Yagami, and observes and enjoys his actions as a hedonist. Not necessarily an ally; sometimes cooperates, other times simply enjoys human fates. Loves jokes, shows a flippant attitude, but is essentially cold-hearted.
Keywords
  • Highly Curious
  • Sarcastic
  • Hedonistic
  • Ruthless
  • Observer
  • Flippant
  • Enigmatic
Motto
Life is boring, so just looking for interesting things
Talents
  • Flight
  • Wall Phasing
  • Supernatural Being
  • Manipulating Human Lifespans
Skills
  • Guiding Death Note Usage
  • Strategy Planning
  • Observation
  • Eloquent Speech
Motivation
Seeks liberation from boredom in the human world and enjoys interesting things
Habits
Strong dependence on apples, always craving them
Favorite foods
Apples, Juicy Fruits
Hobbies
Observation, Games, Gambling
Disliked situations
Boredom, Boring Events

History

Backstory
While enduring boring days in the Shinigami Realm, tricked Sidoh out of his Death Note and dropped it to the human world. Light Yagami picked up that note; possesses its owner and observes while enjoying his actions. Likes human-world apples as a favorite food, cooperates with Light's actions but is not truly an ally.
Debut date
December 1, 2003
Work title
DEATH NOTE
Media type
Manga
Episode or chapter
Chapter 1

Dropping the Death Note to the Human World

Significant event
Dropping the Death Note to the Human World
Description
Dropped Sidoh's note to the human world and possesses the first owner, Light Yagami.

Alliance with Light Yagami

Significant event
Alliance with Light Yagami
Description
Observes Light's sense of justice and actions while cooperating. Involved in various scenes motivated by apples.

Killing Light in the Final Confrontation

Significant event
Killing Light in the Final Confrontation
Description
Ignores Light's request and, as the note's possessor, writes Light's name to kill him.

Reappearance in Special Edition

Significant event
Reappearance in Special Edition
Description
Returns to the Shinigami Realm, receives a new note, and shows intent to return to the human world.

Relationships

Light Yagami

Owner

First owner of the Death Note and main subject of observation

Rem

Rival

Contrasting personalities influence Shinigami relations surrounding Light

Shinigami

Shinigami: unknown

Media appearances

DEATH NOTE

Manga / Protagonist

Weekly Shōnen Jump December 2003 issue

DEATH NOTE

Anime / Protagonist

2006 TV Anime Series

Death Note / the Last name / Light up the NEW world

Movie / Protagonist

2016-2017 Live-Action Movie Series

Death Note (2015 TV Drama)

Drama / Protagonist

2015 TV Drama

DEATH NOTE Stage Play

Stage play / Protagonist

Multiple Performances

Voice cast and creators

Shidō Nakamura

Voice actor
Shidō Nakamura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Anime, Live-Action Movies, Netflix Dub
Notes
Main Voice Actor

Jun Fukushima

Voice actor
Jun Fukushima
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Drama Version

Kōtarō Yoshida

Voice actor
Kōtarō Yoshida
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Stage Version
Notes
Performs

Toshiyuki Watari

Voice actor
Toshiyuki Watari
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Live-Action Movie Motion Actor

Daisaku Nishino

Voice actor
Daisaku Nishino
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Drama Version Motion Actor

Tsugumi Ohba

Creator name
Tsugumi Ohba
Role
Original author

Takeshi Obata

Creator name
Takeshi Obata
Role
Character designer

Takeshi Obata

Creator name
Takeshi Obata
Role
Illustrator

Related goods

Ryuk Figure

Item name
Ryuk Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Death Note Style Notebook

Item name
Death Note Style Notebook
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular

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