Mello (or, his real name, Mihael Keehl [awesome right]) is a Death Note character appearing in the second half of the anime (episodes 25 to 37) first appearing in Episode 26: Renewal, and in the second half of the manga (appearing first in Chapter 59: Zero). He is a part of the 4th generation of Wammy's House successors, 2nd place to Near. Wammy's House is an institution/organization run by Quillish Wammy & Roger, an orphanage for gifted children (and out of all of them, only a few are selected to be L, the greatest detective in the world's possible successors/heirs). (Wammy's House is very fun as you can see!! :3 XD >_< /sarcasm)

Mello is a very wholesome, fun guy, y'know? He exploded, TWICE, canonically almost started World War 3, is the best dresser that died like a dog, shot a rival gang member even Kira couldn't catch (oh yeah he was in the mafia for a while after running away from Wammy's House, which I can yap about more in a bit), blackmailed the president of the US (to get funds and aid for pursuing Kira or he would go ahead and use the Death Note to drop a bunch of nuclear missiles into the USA. Thus almost starting WWIII. As I said), and has an inferiority complex to his rival Near. All while in his kickass boots and black lip gloss and nail polish, oh yes, and being doomed by the narrative while serving ykwhat.

And he's probably gay. (my headcanons btw cause. no wait this is One Hundred Percent Canon Fact No Fallacy) (gay for Matt ifykwimmememeememmeemmemeankssskj :3)

Don't worry, though. Mello has a good heart inside, just. Loves Doing Bad Things to get what he wants causeeeee he never catches a break trying to prove the world he is the worthy successor to L, and not Near. He and Near were offered to work together, but Mello doesn't play those games unfortunately. He also has a lust/yearning for victory to fulfill his ego (he's L's other half, what did you expect??) Mello is also extremely smart, but does tend to let his emotions interfere with his plans or trains of thought.

Alot like how L has his sweet tooth, this firecracker loves chocolate. I mean, if you remembered him from the series, you most likely remember him as "that one guy after L went to get the milk that ate chocolate a bunch". (unless you are Extremely Not Normal about death note like i am ykykyk). (kind of strange how he doesn't even tremble from the amount of stimulants in those things. anywhoozles) I headcanon he eats a lot of chocolate though due to him having OCD, and eats it as a compulsory thing to distract himself from threatening intrusive thoughts, and also as a way to focus or gather himself together. He eats chocolate differently in the anime and manga, where in the anime he takes loud, crisp bites straight off of the chocolate bar, and in the manga, he licks it until it's all melty and then puts the residue on his gloved fingers to lick it off (cause he's a fREEEAAKkkK..) But yeah! It is definitely one of the most notable things about his character.


Also, you know how I said he got into the mafia earlier? So how THAT happened was, L poofed right?? (how many more euphemisms will I use my lawd my gosh...) so yeah L episode25'd and so, segue to Near and Mello in Roger's office in the Wammy's circa 2004, Roger is like, "Okay so yall L did NOT choose one of you, so I suggest you work together" and Mello is like "HELL NOOOO I'mma do my own thing!!!!" and Near is like *does a puzzle that is completely blank except for L's insignia or whatever its called in the corner of it* *nonchalantly says* "If you don't solve the puzzle... if you don't win the game... then you're just a loser." Mello's live reaction: >:((((!!! (Mello was also very shocked and sad that L died, while Near didn't show much emotion. Not necessarily because he didn't care, but because Near struggles to show emotions. On the inside, he was furious of Kira, and that's how the SPK, Special Provision for Kira happened. This page is about Mello though, so back to him) (but yes Mello was also promised L would catch Kira, but ofc L just HAD to. episode25'ded) This prompts Mello to pack his things and flee from Wammy's House all the way to Los Angeles, CA. Then, 3 years after running away (he is now 18 years old), he joins forces with Rod Ross, the Mafia Boss (not for long though). Then, to gain trust of the mafia Rod Runs, because Rod Ross Runs The Mafia Cause Rod Ross the Mafia Boss (tongue twister copyright me 2025) Mello kills/destroys rival mob bosses that "even Kira couldn't catch", along with Mello's invaluable advice, so Mello is made Mello the Mafia Boss and the mafia goes in pursuit of Kira along with Mello in exchange of Mello's intelligence and importance/usefulness to the mafia's cause.

Then... his mafia base gets raided by Kira and the Task Force (many things happened before this by the way, but this'll be 700 years long of a page eheh), and then the base has to be detonated. Meaning, all the mafiosi died, and Mello explodes. HE SURVIVES THOUGH!!! With a very awesome sick burn scar on his left side of his face (from our POV though it's the right side of his face).

After that, Mello is left.. *singsong* ALLLL BYYY HIMSELLLLLLFFF~~~ ... So then he finds Halle Lidner (SPK Member but also Mello confidant) in New York and is like. "YOOO can I stay at your place n stuff" and she's like "yesssssssss ofccccccc". By the way, this is all happening when Mello is 19-20 in 2009. This is also where he goes to get the only existing photograph of himself from Near, which I think that part is really monumental but ill yap abt it in the possible Really Interesting/Awesome Mello Moments section ill make


I would go more into detail about this time, but this isn't about me retelling his whole story, it's me just explaining (and yapping) about his character and how ehjeksjhkjrkjgkejg he is and stuff I find cool and interesting abt him. This is also when he looks like this which I think is WAY hotter i mean awesomer than him before he exploded.


I will be adding more things later or updating this page!! ^_^

+ Mello's gun is a Beretta 92FS, customized w/ a dangling rosary thingy.

+ Mello is seen wearing black lipgloss in canon colored versions of death note manga panels!!

I found these images from here!
+ It's been rumored some of his clothing is Chrome Hearts-esque.. o.O
+ His style is highly inspired by Japanese street/vkei fashion.
+ In the manga, Mello, when wielding his gun, usually always has his finger on the trigger without safety on everyone, but in the panel where he draws out his gun towards Near when saying "Shut up Near!!", the safety is on, and he actually holds his gun with correct etiquette. (I think ill find the images and stuff for proof of this fact later)
+ Mello's birthday is on December 13th, 1989.
+ Mello originally was going to win in catching Kira but Tusgumi Ohba realized he accidentally made him find out too much about the death note and to solve plot holes, let him burn alive in a mail truck in an abandoned church. The author laments that if Obata told him he also liked Mello, he probably wouldn't have killed him off.
+ Mello was originally going to be named Near until the creators of death note accidentally swapped Near and Mellos names during development and they just... kept it that way.

"In the end, there is no greater motivation than revenge."
(Chapter 64. kinda spiteful guy. huge jealousy towards Near. he just needs to chill for a moment. he needs a hug actually. i can't disagree though, revenge is a strong motivation to have, but a not very great one to have either. this quote shows a lot of his character though and i think thats awesome!!).
"I'll live my own way!"
(Chapter 61. Or, when he tells Roger he'll find his own way of living and defeating Kira after refusing to work with Near. because he's a little shithead lol (jokes aside, inferiority complex towards Near. need i say more). this demonstrates his drive and motivation for taking things into his own hands, which I find interesting abt his character, and can relate to).
"I'll kill anyone that gets in my way; I'll be number one."
(Chapter 61. AGAIN, VERY MOTIVATED TvT killing people is too far honestly but it's Mello. he's. extreme like that *sighs*)
"Matt... I'd never thought you'd be killed... forgive me..."
(Chapter 99. Or, when he's driving the mailtruck and stuff. very detailed description i knoww.. love this quote because it really shows vulnerability or transparency from Mello and how much he genuinely cared about Matt. <3)
"Our goal is the same. I'll wait for you there."
(Chapter 77. Or, basically, the scene where Mello retrieves his photograph from Near, and is about to leave. I honestly found this quote and that scene fascinating to me because it establishes Mello and Near's mutual respect for each other as rivals. It's not Mello coming for Near in sheer blind spite, but seeing him as a worthy opponent who is also worthy of grounding and respect. Near does the same for Mello. It shows that even if you are rivals or don't like someone, if the other person is mostly pretty cool and not a low-life asshole then you should give them basic respect. Kinda why I don't like people who harass others they dont like. Seriously, if you don't like me, just don't talk to me, and don't be a jerk, cause if you are that's where I start to be like. gurl chill. Something pretty nice to take from that scene, in my opinion. Found it surprising for Mello to do so as well since he's always talking about how much he hates Near (he really doesn't hate him all that much, he just convinces himself he does.) :3c ).
"I'm not a tool for you to use to solve the puzzle."
(Chapter 77, ALSO during the photograph scene. Mello showing he really doesn't like being used by Near, since Mello is carrying a lot of the Kira investigation at the moment. I feel it shows a lot of his drive and willingness to act. Near in this scene i feel like was really just complimenting him though, and due to his struggles with showing emotion, came off as condescending to Mello).
"Imagine that you were going to kill someone. What do you think would be the most difficult part? Three, two, one… time's up! The correct answer: killing someone."
(Death Note, Another Note, pg. 93) (I like this quote since it shows how in this case Mello, or even Beyond Birthday, people who have killed one or more people, are still able to experience deep remorse or anguish from doing so. doesn't condone the action though).
"The most intelligent people disguise the fact they are intelligent. Wise men do not wear nametags. The more people talk about their own skills, the more desperate they are; your work should speak for itself."
(Death Note, Another Note, pg. 66-67) (I think this one needs to be mentioned. Basically he's saying don't go around tooting your horn about how youre just the smartest guy, *kendrick lamar intensifies* sit down, be humble. Being arrogant and letting ego get in the way truly does ruin your work; takes the heart out of it. now youre only doing stuff cause you think youre the Doing Stuff Guy thats the best at doing stuff. if you put your heart and soul into something, it speaks for itself).

I thought i made this section already, but i didnt! silly me. anyways. Mello got me through a lot of shit. the worst times of my life even. before u read this therell probably be some touchy stuff so

hell, ill admit it. he's painfully relatable. how do you spell relatable?? relateable??? who cares! for starters, the dude fukcin loves chocolate. ME TOO!!!!!! :3 omgee!!!!!! but, on a deeper note, though, i can relate to him eating lots... and lots... and lots of it. i personally eat a lot. especially junk food. i do it cuz im hungry, but... also to fill a void. and i have cravings. a lot. i worry that im a fatass for this. doesnt help my body dysmorphia. but dude, i just love food!!!! it gets me out of bed in the morning, it gets me motivated in class, it tastes good, its just MMM. i honestly just love that part abt mellos character in general. i headcanon he eats lots of chocolate as a compulsive behavior for his (headcanon) OCD. it helps him rid of intrusive thoughts and cope with anxiety and fill a void in his soul. anyways

another thing would be his tendency to get easily jealous, and his competitiveness. he was raised in the Wammys House, the ultimate place to grow up pressured to succeed and be absolutely perfect or you're ditched into the shadows. it was seen as a stab at his own worth when he could never surpass Near, being there. so he never stops in trying to be the best. being the best is the only way he'd feel like he's enough. (mello needs a HUG!!!!!!!! D,:)
during some of the worst times in my life, i was struggling with this sentiment too. it was a lot of the times because of a toxic friend that would always exclude me and treat me like shit and then love my best friend all the way, and it made me feel like i had to change, be more extroverted like my friend, be better at doing homework like my friend, be seemingly always happy and the life of the party like my friend, and then it just ended up becoming everything about me not being good enough for others and i just became a shell of my own self for a while. all of that, and still, i was excluded. Mello made me feel like i wasn't alone.
When i moved away from that school, i realized that my friend was being shitty. It wasn't about me at all. I didnt have to change for anyone else. I was good enough just being me, just being here, and people who didnt fw me... they can fuck off. i started self healing. ive been mending the deeply rooted wounds since. we stopped being friends with the shitty friend a few months ago because he became mean to everyone else too all of a sudden. showing his true colors. its been way better off since he left. im watering the flower that is my soul, the flower that was once wilting away.
anyways, thank you Mello for indirectly being there.

Another thing would be him being an emotional and temperamental person. Ive always been super emotional, and i get angry easier than others. i used to have really bad anger issues but over the years have grown and now no longer struggle with anger management. unless im on my period. i have horrific hormones and premenstrual syndrome. Mello comforts me during those times, reminding me im not alone again, and that in the end, i am just as human as everyone else. it gets really hard during my period lots of times. it doesnt excuse any of my lashing outs. but we all lash out sometimes. we're in the end still imperfect, flawed humans.

On the topic of being very emotional, theres also him being a firey, passionate person. I'm also firey. caliente. people find it hard to handle me. people find it hard to handle Mello too. the one person that truly does is Matt. the one person that truly can handle Matt is Mello. theyre like best friends like no other and remembering Matt being someone loving Mello despite all of his flaws reminds me of the people that do the same for me and its like a warm hug.

im so tireddd its 2am and i have a lot more to say abt Mello but ill say one last thing before i go to sleep. mello is just so jrgsjgkrgsrgkrjgkhrjkggjkdgjkgkjdrgregererergjgejgekgkergregskgekgsekrgjskgjekegklekrgkejrgegekglrklgergklgkrggeglrrkesgejkgjelkejrgjegeglkkergjskg im autism about him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont relate to him in the "i kidnap people and im in the mafia and i do crazy shit to get my way and i exploded before" type way, dont you worry. its the soft vulnerable parts of him. if i hear someone say mellos morally black one more time i swear!!!! (ill write abt that later maybe)
ill probably update this when im not so tired ummmememrmrmmm ty for readig!!!!!!!