Shinigami (死神 lit. "death god" in Japanese. see also kami) is a term originally used for translating personifications of death, such as Death and the Grim Reaper, but later evolved into unique fantastic characters in original works of fiction, such as manga, from Japan. The term "shinigami" may also be used more loosely to refer to any god associated with death. Although death deities have existed in Shintoism, they are usually not referred to as shinigami.

Fantastic characters in art

Various imaginative characters have been named shinigami in Japanese popular culture. Shinigami does not have a single clear definition since it varies from one manga to another. However, they typically have a job of bringing souls to the world of the dead. Shinigamis appear in the following manga, anime, and rakugo works:

• Bleach (manga and anime)

Shinigamis have a job of sending the souls of ordinary ghosts, called "Pluses," to Soul Society, and purifying the souls of bad ghosts, called "Hollows," then sending it to Soul Society as well. They are dressed in black, traditional-looking Japanese clothing and their tool of the trade is a zanpakutō (斬魄刀) which looks similar to a katana. In addition to a knowledge of swordsmanship, they are also usually acquainted with a form of demon arts. Shinigamis themselves were human souls that have separated from the body.

• Death Note (manga)

Each shinigami possesses a book called Death Note — a notebook with blank pages that can be used to kill a person simply by writing that person's name on it. Shinigamis can have wings and a monster-like appearance.

• Descendants of Darkness (闇の末裔 Yami no Matsuei) (manga and anime)

The two main characters are Shinigami working in pairs.

• Full Moon o Sagashite (manga and anime)
• Gegege no Kitaro (manga and anime)
• Gyaatoruzu (manga)
• Shinigami (rakugo)

One theory states that this rakugo is based off of an Italian opera Crispino e la Comare which was in turn based off of Der Gevatter Tod, a German fairy tale recorded by the brothers Grimm. Perhaps the first use of the term "shinigami" in Japanese.

• Shinigami-kun (manga)
• Shinigami-kun no Oshigoto (manga)
• Soul Eater (ソウルイーター) (manga)

Other Japanese death deities

The following are Japanese death deities but are usually not referred to as shinigami:

• Enma (　-ō, -daiō)

Imported as a part of Buddhism, it is originally the lord of death Yama from Hinduism. He judges which dead goes to heaven (or Nirvana) or hell. See Yama.

• Izanami

A goddess in Shintoism, wife of Izanagi.