Nate River, known by the alias 'Near', is a highly intelligent young detective and one of L's successors in the anime and manga series Death Note. He leads the Special Provision for Kira (SPK) in the United States and is characterized by his calm, analytical mind and childlike demeanor. Near plays a crucial role in the latter half of the series, ultimately confronting Light Yagami and orchestrating the plan that brings the Kira case to a dramatic conclusion.