Mello is Near's rival and they both split ways after L's death due to his problems with being second to Near. Mello decides to find Kira his own way by joining a gang and using less conventional methods, including the kidnapping the Director of the Japanese Police, to find Kira before Near. Mello also relies on information leaked from an informant in the SPK. Mello likes chocolate bars, and usually can be seen eating one. The scar on the left side of his face was caused by the explosion he triggered when cornered by the Investigation Team, which Light Yagami ordered to attack Mello's gang. His real name is Mihael Keehl.
After Mello escapes from the attack conducted by Light, he meets Near and gives him information on the rules of the Death Note in exchange for his only photo left in the world, which was in Near's hands. Mello tricked Mogi into meeting Near in New York, so in thanks, Near found a round-about way of letting Mello know what Aizawa told Near. With the same information, Mello also comes to the conclusion that Light is Kira.
In one part of the story, Mello was spying on Misa while she was in the US, whereas a friend of his identified as Matt, was spying on the Japanese Police team. During chapter 98, Mello kidnapped Takada (whom Lidner instructed to get on Mello's bike), rode off and handcuffed her to himself. However, in chapter 99, he dies when Takada writes his name on a piece of the Death Note, as per Light's instructions
