Who Is Kira in Death Note? Light Yagami and the Kira Identity Explained

Kira in Death Note is mainly Light Yagami. After Light finds the Death Note and starts killing criminals, the public gives the unknown killer the name Kira.

So, who is Kira in Death Note? The direct answer is Light Yagami, the genius student who uses the Death Note to judge people and create what he believes is a better world. However, the name Kira later becomes connected to several other Death Note users and followers as well.

On KunManga, readers can follow Death Note character guides, manga timelines, and anime explainers before revisiting major figures like Light, L, Misa, Near, and Ryuk.

This guide explains who Kira is, why Light becomes Kira, who the Second Kira is, why L hunts him, and why the Kira identity becomes bigger than one person.

Spoiler warning: This article discusses major Death Note plot points, including Light’s identity as Kira and later Kira-related characters.

Quick Answer: Who Is Kira in Death Note?

The quick answer to who is Kira in Death Note is Light Yagami. He is the original and main Kira.

Kira Identity	Character	Role in the Story
Main Kira	Light Yagami	The original Kira and main user of the Death Note
Second Kira	Misa Amane	A devoted Kira supporter who also owns a Death Note
Yotsuba Kira	Kyosuke Higuchi	A temporary Kira connected to the Yotsuba Group arc
X-Kira	Teru Mikami	A later Kira follower chosen by Light
Later Kira figures	C-Kira and a-Kira	Characters connected to Death Note side stories

The simplest answer is this: Light Yagami is Kira, but the name Kira later becomes a symbol used by other Death Note users and supporters.

Why Is Light Yagami Called Kira?

Light Yagami is called Kira because people do not know his real identity. After criminals begin dying in strange ways, the public starts calling the unknown killer Kira.

Light accepts the name because it helps him become more than a normal person. Kira becomes a symbol of fear, judgment, and twisted justice.

At first, Light tells himself he is removing evil from the world. Over time, he becomes more obsessed with being worshiped as a godlike figure.

This is the core of who is Kira in Death Note: Kira is Light’s secret identity, but also the public image he builds through murder and fear.

Who Is Light Yagami Before Becoming Kira?

Before becoming Kira, Light Yagami is a brilliant student with strong academic ability and a polished public image. He appears calm, responsible, and talented.

That makes his transformation more disturbing. Light does not look like a typical villain when the story begins. He looks like someone who could have had a bright future.

When he finds the Death Note, he gains the power to kill by writing names. Instead of rejecting the notebook, he decides to use it.

That choice turns Light from a gifted student into Kira.

What Does Kira Want?

Kira wants to create a world without crime by killing people he believes are evil. Light believes that fear of Kira will stop people from committing crimes.

At first, this sounds like a form of justice to his supporters. But Death Note slowly shows that Light’s idea of justice is dangerous because it gives one person absolute power over life and death.

Light does not only kill criminals. He also kills people who threaten to expose him.

This is why Kira is not a hero. He becomes a murderer who hides behind the language of justice.

Is Kira the Villain of Death Note?

Yes, Kira is the main villain figure of Death Note, even though Light is also the main character. This is one reason the series feels different from many other manga and anime stories.

The story follows Light closely, so viewers understand his thoughts and plans. But understanding him does not mean the story approves of him.

Light becomes increasingly manipulative, cruel, and obsessed with control. His idea of justice becomes more about ego than morality.

That is why the answer to who is Kira in Death Note is not only “Light Yagami.” It is also “the identity Light uses to become judge, jury, and executioner.”

Who Is the Second Kira?

The Second Kira is Misa Amane. She receives a Death Note and becomes one of Light’s most important supporters.

Misa worships Kira because Kira punished the criminal connected to her parents’ murder. When she discovers that Light is Kira, she becomes deeply devoted to him.

Unlike Light, Misa has the Shinigami Eyes, which allow her to see names and lifespans. This makes her extremely useful to Light.

For Misa’s later fate, read does Misa die in Death Note.

Is Misa the Real Kira?

No, Misa is not the original or main Kira. She is the Second Kira.

Misa kills people with a Death Note and supports Kira’s ideology, but Light remains the central Kira figure. He is the one who starts the killings, builds the Kira identity, and treats himself as the ruler of the new world he wants to create.

Misa is important because she expands the Kira case. Her actions make L realize that more than one person may be involved.

Still, when fans ask who is Kira in Death Note, the main answer remains Light Yagami.

Who Is Yotsuba Kira?

Yotsuba Kira refers to the Kira figure connected to the Yotsuba Group arc. During this part of the story, Kyosuke Higuchi uses the Death Note for selfish corporate gain.

This arc is important because it shows that the Death Note can corrupt people in different ways. Light uses it to create a godlike identity. Higuchi uses it for greed and status.

The Yotsuba Kira section also changes the investigation because Light temporarily loses his Death Note memories.

That makes the Kira identity more complicated than just one person holding one notebook at all times.

Who Is X-Kira?

X-Kira is Teru Mikami, a later Kira follower chosen by Light. Mikami believes strongly in Kira’s judgment and acts as a tool for Light’s plan.

Mikami is important in the later part of Death Note because Light cannot always act directly. He needs someone loyal enough to carry out Kira’s work from a distance.

Unlike Misa, Mikami is not driven by romantic love for Light. He is driven by ideology and devotion to Kira’s idea of justice.

This shows how Kira becomes a belief system, not only a secret identity.

Does L Know Light Is Kira?

L strongly suspects that Light is Kira, but proving it is difficult. Much of Death Note’s tension comes from L trying to expose Light without having enough direct evidence.

Light and L spend much of the story testing each other. Light must act innocent while secretly being Kira. L must watch Light closely without letting him know every move of the investigation.

This rivalry is the heart of Death Note.

For a major turning point in their conflict, read does L die in Death Note.

Why Does L Call the Killer Kira?

L uses the name Kira because that is the public name attached to the mysterious killer. It gives the investigation a clear target, even before the police know the killer’s real identity.

For L, Kira is not a god or savior. Kira is a criminal who must be caught.

This creates one of the main conflicts of the series. Kira supporters see Light as justice, while L sees him as a murderer.

Death Note becomes powerful because both sides are extremely intelligent, but only one side is hiding behind supernatural power.

Is Kira a Person or a Symbol?

Kira is both a person and a symbol. As a person, Kira is Light Yagami. As a symbol, Kira becomes the idea of supernatural judgment.

People who support Kira believe he can create a safer world. People who fear Kira see him as a killer who controls society through terror.

Light understands this symbolic power and uses it. He wants people to fear Kira, obey Kira, and eventually worship Kira.

That is why the Kira identity becomes more dangerous as the story continues.

Why Do People Support Kira?

People support Kira because crime appears to drop when criminals start dying. To some people in the Death Note world, Kira looks like a force of justice.

However, this support is built on fear. People may behave better not because they are morally changed, but because they are afraid of being killed.

Death Note uses this idea to ask a difficult question: is a peaceful world still good if it is created through terror?

Light believes the answer is yes. The story shows why that belief is dangerous.

Why Is Kira Dangerous?

Kira is dangerous because he decides who deserves to live and who deserves to die without trial, mercy, or accountability.

Even if some of his targets are criminals, Light’s power quickly expands beyond punishment. He kills investigators, manipulates allies, and removes anyone who threatens him.

That means Kira is not simply fighting evil. He becomes the center of a new system where one person’s judgment controls everyone.

This is why Death Note treats Kira as terrifying, not heroic.

Does Light Admit He Is Kira?

Light spends most of the story denying that he is Kira. His survival depends on hiding the truth from L, the police, Near, and everyone around him.

Near the end, Light’s identity is exposed. Once his plan fails, the mask finally breaks and his true self becomes clear.

This final exposure is important because Kira’s power depends on secrecy. Once Light is revealed, the myth of Kira collapses.

The story shows that Kira was not a god. He was a human using a supernatural weapon.

Is Kira the Same as Light Yagami?

Yes, the main Kira is Light Yagami. However, Kira is also the identity Light performs for the world.

Light Yagami is the student, son, investigator, and public face. Kira is the hidden killer, judge, and godlike image he wants people to believe in.

This split is one reason Death Note is psychologically interesting. Light is not only hiding from others. He is also becoming more attached to the role of Kira.

By the end, there is almost no difference between Light and Kira anymore.

What Happens to Kira at the End?

At the end of Death Note, Light is exposed as Kira and defeated. His attempt to become the god of a new world fails.

Ryuk, the Shinigami who originally dropped the Death Note, ultimately writes Light’s name in his own notebook. This brings Light’s story as Kira to an end.

The ending shows that Light was never in full control. He used the Death Note, but he was also part of Ryuk’s game from the beginning.

Kira’s reign ends with Light’s downfall.

Are There Other Kiras After Light?

Yes, Death Note side stories include later Kira-related figures, such as C-Kira and a-Kira. These characters show that Kira’s influence does not completely disappear after Light.

However, they are not the original Kira. They are later figures shaped by the world Light left behind.

This matters because Light’s actions create a legacy. Even after his defeat, the idea of Kira remains dangerous.

Death Note uses these later stories to ask whether Kira’s influence can truly be erased.

Why Is Kira So Famous in Anime?

Kira is famous because Light Yagami is one of anime’s most memorable antihero-villain protagonists. He is intelligent, charismatic, terrifying, and deeply corrupt.

The Kira identity also creates a strong moral debate. Some viewers are fascinated by Light’s logic at first, but the story slowly reveals how far he is willing to go.

That makes Kira memorable because he is not a simple monster. He is a person who convinces himself that murder is justice.

This is why Kira remains one of the most discussed names in manga and anime.

Common Misunderstandings About Kira

One common misunderstanding is thinking Kira is a separate person from Light. In the main story, Kira is Light Yagami’s secret identity.

Another misunderstanding is thinking Misa is the main Kira. Misa is the Second Kira, but Light is the original and central Kira.

A third misunderstanding is thinking Kira is meant to be a hero. Death Note follows Light closely, but it does not present his actions as morally clean.

The clean answer to who is Kira in Death Note is Light Yagami, with later Kira figures appearing because of his influence.

Final Answer: Who Is Kira in Death Note?

The final answer to who is Kira in Death Note is Light Yagami. He becomes Kira after finding the Death Note and using it to kill criminals, investigators, and anyone he believes stands in the way of his new world.

Misa Amane becomes the Second Kira, Higuchi becomes a temporary Yotsuba Kira, and Teru Mikami later acts as X-Kira. But Light remains the original and main Kira.

Kira is not only a name. It is the symbol of Light’s belief that he has the right to judge the world through death.

FAQs

Who is Kira in Death Note?

Kira is mainly Light Yagami, the student who uses the Death Note to kill people and create his own idea of justice.

Is Light Yagami Kira?

Yes, Light Yagami is the original and main Kira.

Who is the Second Kira?

The Second Kira is Misa Amane, a model and Kira supporter who also receives a Death Note.

Is Kira a villain?

Yes, Kira is the main villain figure of Death Note, even though Light is also the main character.

Why does Light become Kira?

Light becomes Kira because he believes he can use the Death Note to eliminate evil and become the god of a new world.

Does L know Light is Kira?

L strongly suspects Light, but proving that Light is Kira becomes the central challenge of their rivalry.

Are there multiple Kiras?

Yes, there are several Kira-related figures, including Light, Misa, Higuchi, Mikami, and later side-story Kiras. But Light is the original Kira.

Conclusion

So, who is Kira in Death Note? Kira is Light Yagami, the genius student who finds the Death Note and uses it to kill people in the name of justice.

Other characters later carry the Kira name or act for Kira’s cause, but Light remains the original and most important Kira.

Death Note is powerful because Kira is not just a killer name. It is the identity Light builds to justify power, fear, murder, and control over the world.