Without question, Death Note remains one of the most highly praised stories to come from anime. With its popularity, it’s no wonder that fans continue to recreate characters in their own artistic works. Ryuk, Light Yagami’s spectral guide, continues to be illustrated in many interesting ways. Ways that would add an interesting twist to the already terrific story from Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata.

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The story lends itself to some intriguing scenarios and deep discussions of morality. Even more striking is the aesthetic of horror that is emphasized by Ryuk’s design. Fans hung on to every dark detail, and very quickly began to mimic and recreate his image with their own twist.

10 An Apple A Day

alexy jackonda_ttx ryuk tattoo design

Alexey (IG:@jackonda_ttx) gets the apple rolling with his tattoo design of the favored god of death.

He makes easy work of the bright colors; the flame-colored mist flickers eagerly around him. Even with his chibi proportions and his big smile, there is still a sense of danger that is portrayed. He definitely doesn’t look very approachable upon a first glance. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get anywhere near those vampire-like teeth.

9 Stay Sharp At All Times

Another tattoo artist based in England, Anthony Moylan (IG: @anthonymoylantattoo) has taken an unconventional approach to show how dangerous Ryuk can be. If his physical demeanor isn’t enough to show how imposing he is, it's the mind games and intrigue in human behavior that make him all the eerier of a character.

RELATED: Ranked: The 10 Most Dangerous Death Note Characters

Anthony takes the shape of the knife and amplifies its danger by skillfully designing Ryuk’s image into it. He has several versions of this idea, each with their own level of fierceness to them.

8 A Different World

anthony moylan ryuk from death note pic collage

Anthony Moylan created another amazing concept that seems to warp Ryuk into an abstract dimension. His original design has him placed front and center, presenting his favorite snack.

As immediate as the flick of a switch, he becomes splashed with colors that seem to envelop him in an entirely new, psychedelic scene. Is this a display of a new set of powers? Or is he lost to another place far from the reaches of humankind?

7  Take Him With You

custom ryuk from death note skateboard deck design by colinecustom (skateboard)

Most fan art today is done digitally. Coline Prudhomme of Coline Custom (IG: @colinecustom) takes a traditional approach, but on a not-so-traditional canvas. Skateboard decks offer a unique space for art to appear. Coline’s take of Ryuk - having him perched and ready to take off - almost seems as if he's ready to fly away and take the board with him.

His beastly physique has him looking ready to be on the move at a moment’s notice. With the empty background, there is even more of the impression that the illustration came straight from the page of a comic.

6 The One Who Laughs

ken ahtzell ryuk from death note fan art

Ryuk has had several funny moments throughout the series, especially when he’s caught begging for apples. In opposition to the humor is how much joy he takes in seeing the pages of the Death Note being filled. Ken Ahtzell (IG: @ken.ahtzell) created a look that appeals to his deeply sinister side.

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It’s easy to compare this to some images of the Joker, who also shares a similarly dark and humorous (read: chaotic) persona. The image illustrates just how dangerous of a character he really is.

5 Caught In A Vaporwave

fan art of ryuk from death note by bridget hackedupforbarbecue

Purple is a difficult color to work with, but Bridget L (IG: @hackedupforbarbecue) makes it look easy with her illustration. This rendition of Ryuk looks as if he appeared in front of the neon lights of a cyberpunk city.

The dark, monochromatic tones work extremely well for this character. The detail of the base of his neck gives the impression of him shredding away, almost as if he is dissolving back into the page. Bridget absolutely captures Ryuk’s inquisitive essence with this drawing.

4 Dipped In Blue

Ryuk of Death Note Ansekenamun Art oil painting in blue

AnsekenamunArt (IG: @ansekenamun) uses oil paint perfectly to create an edge to Ryuk that is very familiar. The empty, apathetic but slightly curious look is captured perfectly in his eyes.

The cool tone creates a sense of friendly calm, which gently juxtaposes with his true intentions of observing the complex wanting of punishment that Light desperately seeks with the Death Note. The color scheme is inviting, but the sudden bright tones of the apple and his eyes also warn the looker that not everything is as it seems.

3 Choose Your Fighter

Maxwell borchardt ryuk from death note fan art

Maxwell Borchardt (IG: @maxwellborchart) brings life to Ryuk in an entirely different way. Fans of video games in the 90s may recognize the style as being extremely similar to the cover art or the fighter’s card for characters in video games like Castlevania or Mortal Kombat.

RELATED: 10 Anime To Watch If You Like Netflix's Castlevania

His use of flesh tones makes him seem much more alive than you would expect. Another noteworthy detail is the skulls embedded into Ryuk’s pen, almost as if to mark the souls he’s taken. If another Death Note game were to be made, this would definitely make for great cover art.

2 Don't Call It An Addiction

Ryuk from Death Note lunging for an apple

At this point, it's a known fact that Ryuk would never think twice at the opportunity of snatching an apple. In one incident early into Death Note, his enthusiasm for the fruit almost caused Light a bit of trouble.

Sveta Pikul (IG: @greenbreen_art) beautifully illustrates Ryuk's obsession. As powerful as he is, he is not afraid to appear desperate for the treat as Light observes with a snarky look. The caption written in blood on the wall captures the skin-crawling mood of this illustration.

1 Straight From The Depths Of Hell

Sterling Tuttle fan art of Ryuk from death note

From where does a god of death emerge from? Sterling Tuttle (DeviantArt: sterlingtuttle) lets his imagination wander with his version of Ryuk. While the background is simplified, it does a terrific job of amplifying his origins of the Shinigami realm.

Even further, his attention to every hard and soft detail of his face gives him a frighteningly realistic look. Sterling is very good at adding variation to the weight of the piece so that there is emphasis even with the few details that are given.

NEXT: Death Note: 10 Pieces Of Rem Fan Art We Adore