The grim reaper himself. He is by far the most powerful character in the series. He is a bit of a joker but when the time comes, he's all business. His number is 42-42-564 (shini-shini-koroshi), which literally means die-die-kill in Japanese. He has a special move called a "Direct Noggin Shinigami Chop" (which is normally shown when the Shinigami shows his hand, which is a large, flat, four-fingered hand appearing from his robe). This is both a joke and a real move. He constantly has to put up with Death Scythe's antics when it comes to Maka or her progress. He seems to take on a more playful attitude when talking with his son, Death the Kid (he says he likes his son's three white stripes). Shinigami's soul wavelength is so large that it entirely covers Death city.