Mello - Death Note.

Quotes "No matter what I have to do, I'll get it done before Near." (Chapter 60) "I will live my life my way." (Chapter 61) "I will kill anyone who gets in my way. I will be number one." (Chapter 61) "In the end, there is no greater motivation than revenge." (Chapter 64) "He's terribly reasonable, this new L." (Chapter 64) "When you're near me, you say intelligent things." (Chapter 77) "I am not a tool for you to use to solve the riddle." (Chapter 77) "Our goal is the same, I'll wait for you there." (Chapter 77) "Now it's my turn to use you." (Chapter 79) "Matt... I never thought you were going to die... Forgive me..." (Chapter 99) "I am your narrator, your navigator, your storyteller. To anyone other than one of those two, my identity may not matter, but I am the second-place finisher of the old world, the best-dressed who died like a dog, Mihael Keehl. I once called myself Mello, and that's what they called me, but that was a long time ago. Good memories and nightmares." (Death Note: Another Note) "Imagine you were going to kill someone. What do you think would be the hardest part? Three, two, one… time's up! The correct answer: kill someone." (Death Note: Another Note, p. 93)

Mello states that, during his only encounter with L, he heard three stories: the first about the murder case of LA BB (which later became the subject of a book), the second about the final fight between L and the real Eraldo Coil and Deneuve, and the third about how L met Watari when he was eight years old. Mello's weapon is a Beretta 92FS. Although Mello was absent from the live-action films, L eats several chocolate bars as a tribute to the character.

A small Nendoroid of Mello Mello was one of several Death Note characters to receive Nendoroid versions; however, he was only released in the Nendoroid Petite version. Light, L, Misa, and Ryuk were the only characters to receive main Nendoroid versions, but they were also released in the Nendoroid Petite version.

Upon learning of Takada's kidnapping, Teru Mikami retrieves the Death Note from a bank vault and uses it to induce her suicide by setting the truck on fire and destroying all evidence – unaware that Light himself used a piece of the Death Note to make her commit the same act a minute before Mikami set the fire.

Mikami's initiative, spurred by Mello's actions, requires him to go to the bank a day after he has already been there, representing a sudden break from his usually meticulous habits. This alerts Near's agent, Gevanni, to the location of the real Death Note in the bank, allowing them to seize it, take down Light Yagami, and reveal him as Kira.

During the final confrontation with Light and Mikami, Near recognizes Mello as the most crucial person in exposing Light's plans and consequently causing his defeat. Lidner suggests that Mello may have guessed what Mikami and Light were plotting and orchestrated his own death, knowing it was the only way to reveal the true location of Mikami's Death Note. Near doubts that Mello thought that far ahead, but acknowledges that it was only together that he and Mello managed not only to equal their idol, the original L, but also to surpass him and avenge his death, obtaining the evidence that led to Kira's downfall.

Based on what's in the manga, it's unclear whether Mello discovered that Mikami had the real Death Note hidden, since his activities in Japan are unknown until Takada's kidnapping. The situation was left ambiguous, leaving it up to the reader to decide whether or not Mello intended to die to help Near.

After defeating Kira, Near officially becomes the new L. Later, he is shown eating a chocolate bar, honoring Mello with his favorite snack.

Misa and the Task Force return to Japan, where police detectives intend to investigate Kiyomi Takada, a TV presenter who has become Kira's new spokesperson. Mello and Matt follow them and continue tracking Misa and Mogi. Mello had initially planned to take Misa's Death Note, but decides against it, concluding that she is no longer the Second Kira.

(At this stage of the manga, Mello and Matt's movements are unknown. The next eleven chapters, covering a period of almost two months, focus on Light Yagami's encounters with Takada and the SPK's investigation into Teru Mikami, who received a Death Note and continues the murders under Light's remote supervision.)

Lidner informs Mello about Near's plan to expose and capture Kira. Time is of the essence, and only a few days remain before the plan can be executed. Mello kidnaps Kiyomi Takada, prompting Matt to attack Takada's convoy with a gas grenade. Mello arrives on a motorcycle and offers to take Takada to safety. In the confusion, and with Lidner's assurance, Takada agrees, unaware that it's Mello until it's too late to get off. After a chase, Mello manages to escape Takada's guards and locks her in a cargo truck. While transporting her to another location, Mello sees on his portable television that Matt has been cornered by Takada's guards and shot dead – something he didn't expect and deeply regrets.

Mello forces Takada to undress to get rid of any tracking devices; however, he allows her to cover herself with a blanket. This ends up being her downfall, as she has a piece of Mikami's Death Note hidden in her clothes, and the blanket allows her to conceal it. Since she knows Mello's real name through Light, Takada uses the hidden piece of the Death Note to kill him.

Near hands the photograph to Mello. In return, Mello tells him about the Shinigami and the rules of the fake Death Note. As they part, each ironically promises the other that the race to find Kira first is on. This encounter between the two successors has a profound impact, as the information Near receives from Mello drastically increases his suspicion of Light Yagami.

Mello lures Kanzo Mogi of the Japanese Task Force to New York and hands him over to Near and the SPK. Believing Near and Mello are in cahoots, Mogi refuses to speak, but the subsequent phone conversation between Near and Mello, along with other events, leads Mogi and Aizawa to suspect that Light Yagami might be Kira after all. However, they hesitate, as this suspicion is based on trust in Mello, a sworn enemy, and his claims about the false rules. Aizawa finally finds Near and reveals more information about the Death Note. Near convinces Lidner to pass this information on to Mello, with the caveat that he has now identified Light Yagami as the new L and the prime suspect for being Kira. Mello now has the help of Matt, another boy from Wammy's House. They follow Aizawa and Mogi back to Los Angeles, which leads them to spy on Misa Amane and the Task Force HQ. Based on the information provided by Lidner, Mello deduces that Misa is the Second Kira, although she seems so naive that it's difficult to believe Kira hired her willingly. However, he also concludes that her boyfriend, Light Yagami, is L.

Mello heads to New York, where he hides in the home of Halle Lidner, a member of the SPK, who keeps him informed about Near's latest theories regarding the Kira case. Lidner wants Kira captured and seems to believe that Mello and Near are necessary for this to happen, even if they can't work together.

Later, Mello invades the SPK headquarters at gunpoint, intending to retrieve the only existing photograph of him that Near possesses. When Near states that Mello has been of great help in his investigation, Mello becomes enraged and points the gun at Near, saying that he is not a tool that Near can use to solve a puzzle. Near remains impassive under the gun and even encourages Mello to shoot him. Seriously tempted, Mello is convinced to lower the weapon by Lidner, who places himself in front of the gun and warns him that shooting Near will only result in his death at the hands of the other SPK members, leaving Kira victorious, since he would get rid of the only people capable of confronting and defeating him.

Light sends a team of US Army Special Forces, led by Yitzak Ghazanin, to raid the mafia's hideout, but the plan is thwarted when Sidoh helps Mello and his accomplices escape. All members of the Special Forces team are killed except one, who later commits suicide after ingesting a cyanide pill hidden in his tooth. The mafia is tracked down again and, this time, attacked by Task Force Kira, led by Soichiro Yagami, who now possesses Shinigami Eyes after making a pact with Ryuk. During the attack, all but two mafia members die, leading Mello to suspect Kira is behind the attack. He puts the two remaining mafiosos in charge of guarding the notebook. However, Task Force Kira manages to capture them and recover the notebook.

Mello reveals to the Task Force that the entire hideout is full of explosives, allowing him to demand that the Task Force destroy the cameras on their helmets, drop their weapons, and send one of their members to the room where Mello is, carrying a mask and the notebook, which leads to a tense confrontation between Soichiro and Mello.

Although he possesses a Death Note and can see Mello's real name, Soichiro, an upright man and exemplary police officer, gives his enemy every opportunity to surrender, only to be shot and fatally wounded by another mobster, who is later shot dead by Touta Matsuda. Shuichi Aizawa holds Mello at gunpoint, again demanding his surrender, but Mello detonates the bombs, survives the explosion, and escapes. He is left with a deep scar on the left side of his face, above his mouth; the gas mask he wore at the time protected the rest of his face.

Mello contacts Soichiro again and threatens him with the Death Note, saying he will kill him, as well as Sayu, unless he reveals information, such as the real name of the current L, who is Light Yagami, Soichiro's son. The Kira Task Force manages to secure a postponement by revealing to Mello that the new L is Touta Matsuda, but that he only follows the instructions of the other members and is not the true mastermind of the operation. Mello considers the Task Force practically useless due to the little progress made since L's death and, recognizing that Matsuda is not the one giving the orders, decides not to kill him.

Mello contacts US President David Hoope and blackmails him to gain access to satellite surveillance, weapons, funds, and information about the SPK. After discovering that the SPK has reduced its hideout to four locations, Mello changes his location.

Meanwhile, the Shinigami Sidoh, the original owner of the Death Note that Mello now possesses, also discovers Mello's location and manages to get there first. Appearing before the mobsters, the monstrous Sidoh throws them into panic and horror. Only Mello remains calm, and his cold demeanor and penetrating gaze disturb even the Shinigami. Mello makes a deal with Sidoh, instructing him to guard the hideout in case of an SPK attack.

Sidoh reveals to Mello that two rules of the Death Note—including the one stating that the user dies unless they kill someone every thirteen days—are false. Mello begins to theorize that Kira likely used this rule to deceive the Japanese police and make them believe in his innocence (which indeed happened). With knowledge of the Shinigami Eyes, Mello forces Jack Neylon to make the deal with Sidoh.

Over time, Light discovers the location of Mello's mafia hideout by having Misa Amane use her Shinigami Eyes to identify Neylon, a mafia member who currently possesses the Death Note. Light uses another Death Note to have Neylon send him the mafia's location via mail.

Nearly four years after L's death, Mello learns about the Death Note through Ill Ratt, a member of the newly formed SPK who, under Near's leadership, has begun his own search for Kira. Ratt keeps Mello informed about the SPK's plans.

Initially, Mello convinces the mafia to kidnap Kanichi Takimura, the director of the Japanese NPA, in exchange for the Death Note, which is in the possession of the Japanese Task Force. When Takimura is murdered, an action that Mello recognizes as one of Kira's possible assassinations, he realizes that Kira potentially has access to police information. To increase the pressure on the Task Force, Mello kidnaps Sayu Yagami, the daughter of the NPA's vice-director, Soichiro Yagami. He then forces Soichiro to go to the US and hand over the Death Note, which is placed on a missile untraceable by radar. The missile crashes into the ocean, and the mafia manages to obtain the Death Note before the authorities can track it. During these events, Mello communicates with Soichiro while eating chocolate, a fact that is passed on to Near—Mello's intention was to show his rival that he had defeated him and obtained the Death Note first.

Shortly after, Mello asks a Mafia member to write down the names of almost all the SPK members, not only to seriously hinder Near's investigation and reduce his resources, but also to eliminate the spy infiltrated in the SPK should Near plan to reach Mello through him.

Just as L has a predilection for sweets, Mello is seen eating only chocolate bars, even while talking. In the manga, he is seen licking the chocolate before eating it. Mello also has a habit of bending his right leg while sitting, often with his left leg turned outwards. He tends to alternate between this position and simply crossing his right leg over his left. Another characteristic comparable to L's is his tendency to adopt drastic strategies to confuse and force his opponents, as well as his thirst for victory and need to satisfy his ego. Mello is first introduced in the story as a young teenager at Wammy's House. He is shown playing outside with other children (and hitting one of them in the head with a football), while Near is alone inside, assembling a blank jigsaw puzzle. When the children return inside, Mello is seen holding a younger boy. The manager, Roger Ruvie, then asks him and Near to accompany him to his office, where he tells them about L's death.

Mello is shocked and furious at the news. He discovers that L couldn't choose either him or Near as successor. Roger tries to convince them to work together, but while Near seems willing, Mello refuses, arguing that they never get along and that, in terms of knowledge and skill, Near is always ahead of him, no matter how hard he tries. Calmly and methodically, Mello himself states that Near should be the successor and then flees Wammy House, determined to find Kira on his own.

Some time after leaving the orphanage, Mello goes to the United States, where, three years after escaping, he joins forces with Rod Ross, an influential mobster. He proves his worth by taking down crime bosses that even Kira couldn't identify, and his advice proves invaluable to Ross, who is persuaded to help Mello recover the Death Note.

Mello (メロ, Mero) is the older of L's two successors, raised at Wammy's House, Watari's orphanage for gifted children in Winchester, England. When Roger asks Mello and Near to work together to capture Kira, Mello refuses, pointing out their differences. He leaves the orphanage soon after and eventually seeks help from the Mafia.

Character Although Mello is certainly a genius and more intelligent than most people, the fact that he is only the second most intelligent person in Wammy's House, behind Near, fuels the inferiority complex that defines his character. Mello borders on immorality in his obsession with being the only one to defeat Kira and is willing to do "anything," including kidnapping Sayu Yagami, the daughter of the Japanese Police Director, and orchestrating the assassinations of most of the SPK members. In the manga, after successfully stealing a Death Note, Mello goes so far as to try to blackmail the President of the United States to obtain funds and resources to help him in the search for Kira and to escape Near, threatening to use the Death Note to force the president to launch the United States' nuclear missiles and start World War III. One could argue that Mello isn't trying to defeat Kira out of a sense of "justice," but rather because capturing Kira will prove to the world that Mello is indeed the worthy successor to L as the world's greatest detective, and not just a mere sidekick to Near. As Mello describes his goal in his own words: "I will become number one!"

Death Note artist Takeshi Obata points out in Death Note 13: How to Read that Mello's envy and hatred for Near are one-sided and that Near "sincerely liked Mello." The book states that Mello is not purely evil, citing his genuine concern for Matt's well-being and his apology for Matt's death, as well as his apology to Soichiro Yagami for his responsibility for Soichiro's fatal injuries. The book also states that Mello has a brilliant mind and that he sometimes lets his emotions interfere. Tsugumi Ohba, the Death Note screenwriter, stated that Mello strives hard to achieve everything, unlike Near, whose intellectual gifts are natural.

Just as L has a fondness for sweets, Mello is only seen eating chocolate bars.

Mello is a young man with chin-length golden-blond hair and blue eyes. His bangs fall just above his eyebrows, and he is of average height. Later, he gains a large scar, starting somewhere between his shoulder and waist and extending between his nose and left eye, after causing an explosion in the mafia's hideout to escape capture. Mello is usually seen wearing dark leather clothing. In the manga, he wears a red rosary and a bracelet adorned with a cross. In the anime, however, the cross was altered to be a staff (the horizontal part of the supposed cross is not present). He wears a peculiar belt with cross-shaped buckles. He also carries a weapon attached to his belt which, in the manga, has a cross attached to a chain hanging from the handle.