Sayu is from the Japanese sa (沙 — sand) + yu (祐 — protection, blessing). A modern American baby name in the broader Japanese anime heritage aesthetic. Sayu Yagami is a foundational character in Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata's Death Note manga (2003-2006) and 2006-2007 Madhouse anime adaptation. The Death Note manga has sold over 30 million copies worldwide; the anime has been broadcast in 70+ countries. Younger sister of the iconic Light Yagami (Kira), daughter of Soichiro Yagami (NPA Chief), and youngest member of the Yagami household. Her foundational kidnapping by Mello (Mihael Keehl) of the Wammy's House successors — used to extort the Death Note from her father Soichiro during the Yotsuba Group arc and the post-L arc — became one of the foundational emotional plot drivers in Death Note. Her foundational psychological breakdown following her release (her trauma rendering her catatonic for an extended period) remains among the most-discussed character arcs in modern psychological thriller anime.
Featured throughout Japanese anime.
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Sayu reduces to four.