Kenichi Matsuyama

Kenichi Matsuyama performs under a stage-name spelling of his first name written in katakana rather than kanji. The choice sets his professional credit apart from the standard kanji spelling used by most Japanese actors.

One standout credit beyond Death Note is his lead role as Toru Watanabe in the 2010 film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. It's one of the more literary, character-driven roles in his filmography, distinct from the detective he played in Death Note.

Matsuyama played L Lawliet in the 2006 films Death Note and Death Note 2: The Last Name, then reprised the character in the 2008 spinoff L: Change the World. His performance, built around the character's odd posture, sweet tooth, and blunt manner, became the definitive live-action take on L and introduced the character to audiences outside Japan.

Matsuyama has worked in film since the early 2000s, building a career around unconventional character roles. That range set him apart from other actors of his generation in Japan.

Kenichi Matsuyama was born in 1985 in Japan. He is internationally recognized for his portrayal of L in the Death Note film series.