Mello ("M") is a character who appears after L's death to challenge Kira/Yagami Light. Mello was raised along with Near at Wammy's House, an orphanage made by Watari. L grew up in this orphanage, supposedly. The orphanage is dedicated to picking the best of the best to be L's successor. Near and Mello were chosen by L before his death, but he had yet to pick one of them. Near went to America and formed the SPK (Special Provisions against Kira). Mello and Near had always been competing, and Mello saw the Kira case as a way to win against Near.