Near
Also known as: Nate River, N
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.
Popular Near 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.
L
12k works
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fanfics feature Near?
Near appears in 4k+ works on AO3, making them one of the most popular characters in the Death Note fandom. You can browse all Near fanfiction using the Fanfict Reader app.
What are the most popular Near ships?
The most popular Near ships include Mello/Near. These pairings feature prominently in AO3 fanfiction.
What tropes are common in Near fanfiction?
Near fanfiction spans many genres and tropes. Use Fanfict Reader to browse and filter stories by your preferred tags.
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