L
Also known as: L Lawliet, Ryuzaki, Eraldo Coil
The world's greatest detective, a barefoot, sugar-fueled insomniac who crouches on chairs and solves impossible cases under a single letter. He handcuffs himself to his prime suspect, calls him his first friend, and means at least half of it.
Popular L Ships
Other Death Note Characters
Light Yagami
13k works
A bored honor student who found a notebook that kills and appointed himself god of a new world as Kira. His cat-and-mouse war with L — equal parts chess match and mutual fixation — built the template for every genius-versus-genius anime since.
Mello
6k works
L's volatile second-ranked successor, a chocolate-snapping Wammy's House orphan who joined the mafia rather than work beneath Near. His scar, his rosary, and his partnership with Matt fuel a fanon presence far larger than his page count.
Near
4k works
L's first-ranked successor, a white-haired child who solves the Kira case with toy robots, finger puppets, and zero sentimentality. He inherits the title but admits neither he nor Mello could surpass L alone — a thesis fic has been arguing about ever since.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fanfics feature L?
L appears in 12k+ works on AO3, making them one of the most popular characters in the Death Note fandom. You can browse all L fanfiction using the Fanfict Reader app.
What are the most popular L ships?
The most popular L ships include L/Light Yagami. These pairings feature prominently in AO3 fanfiction.
What tropes are common in L fanfiction?
Common tropes in L fanfiction include Fix-It. Use Fanfict Reader to filter and find exactly the type of story you're looking for.
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