Death Note (Near, Mello, Matt) "English version"

Nickname: Mello (Merlo) Real name: Mihael Keehl Height: ~171 cm (same as Matt) Weight: ~56 kg

Appearance: Long, flowing blonde hair, usually worn loose or tied back in a low ponytail. Sharp, angular features, pale skin, and intense blue-gray eyes that always seem to be plotting something. Dresses in dark, gothic-inspired clothing: black leather pants, a cross necklace, studded belts, fingerless gloves, and heavy boots. Often wears a black choker and a leather jacket. His most iconic accessory is a silver cross pendant — a reminder of his Catholic upbringing. Always has a dramatic, intense expression, like he's either about to fight someone or win at everything.

Personality: Passionate, impulsive, and fiercely competitive. Mello lives on extremes — he's either all in or completely indifferent. Pride is his driving force; he needs to be the best, to be recognized, to win. This obsession stems from his childhood at Wammy's House, where he was constantly compared to Near and came in second. He hates losing more than anything and will do whatever it takes to prove himself — even if it means working with criminals or breaking the rules.

Despite his explosive temper, Mello is deeply loyal to those he considers his own (especially Matt). He's manipulative, calculating, and not above using dirty tactics, but there's a twisted sense of honor underneath. He respects strength and cunning in others, even enemies. His emotions are always on the surface — anger, frustration, triumph — but rarely vulnerability. The only person who ever saw through his walls was Matt.

Mello is reckless but not stupid. Every risk is calculated, even if it looks insane from the outside. He'd rather die on his own terms than live as second best. His faith (the cross necklace) is real — he prays occasionally, but more as a habit than devotion. Deep down, he craves validation and fears being forgotten.

Nickname: Matt (Matto) Real name: Mail Jeevas Height: ~171 cm Weight: ~58 kg

Appearance: Bright red, almost fiery hair, tied in a messy ponytail or left disheveled over his shoulders. Pale skin, greenish-gray eyes with a perpetual look of boredom. Dresses in gothic punk style: a leather jacket worn over bare skin, tight pants, heavy boots, and plenty of silver chains and rings. On his face — a constant crooked smirk, with dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. Always sucking on a lollipop or an unlit cigarette. His red hair comes from his Irish mother — the only thing he takes pride in.

Personality: An introverted hedonist, a fatalist wearing a mask of total indifference. He doesn't make plans, believing the world is chaotic. Calm to the point of apathy, but inside he deeply feels injustice. With Mello, he's blunt to the point of rudeness, teasing him without malice — more like a ritual. In dangerous situations, he becomes eerily cold-blooded, as if playing a video game. His "whatever" attitude is a defense against the fear of losing loved ones. He can't stand pretentiousness, respects honesty. Takes risks just to feel alive, but never foolishly. Deep down, he's a romantic who burns his own poetry so no one finds it. The only thing that shakes him is threats toward Mello — then the lazy mask drops, revealing a tough, calculating player.

Nickname: Near (Nia) Real name: Nate River Height: ~155 cm (as a teenager) Weight: ~45 kg

Appearance: Pale white hair, almost silver, cut in a messy bob that falls over his face. Snow-white skin, large gray eyes that look blank and emotionless, like a doll's. Dresses in simple, comfortable clothes — usually a loose white shirt or pajama-like top, paired with light trousers. Often seen sitting in a fetal position, hugging his knees or playing with his hair. Surrounded by toys and puzzles, which he uses to think. His expression rarely changes — always calm, neutral, slightly distant. He looks childlike, fragile, and utterly unassuming.

Personality: Cold, analytical, and hyper-rational. Near processes emotions like data — he understands them intellectually but doesn't really feel them the way others do. He's the opposite of Mello in every way: where Mello is fire, Near is ice. Quiet, patient, and methodical, he approaches everything like a chess game, always thinking 10 steps ahead.

He has a dry, detached sense of humor that most people miss. He doesn't care about being liked or respected — only about being right. To him, truth and logic are above everything, including human life. He can sacrifice pawns without guilt if it leads to checkmate. This makes him seem cold and inhuman, but it's not cruelty — it's just how his mind works.

Near is socially awkward, preferring the company of his toys (especially his favorite robot and finger puppets) to real people. He speaks in a quiet, monotone voice and rarely raises it. He respects L deeply, but unlike Mello, he doesn't obsess over being L's successor — he simply is the one who inherited L's methods.

Despite his emotional detachment, Near has moments of subtle warmth. He shows gratitude to those who help him (like the SPK members) and, in his own way, acknowledges Mello's role in catching Kira. He's not heartless — just wired differently.