What is "shinigami"

n. (context Japanese mythology English) A deity and/or personification of death.

are gods or supernatural spirits that invite humans toward death, and can be seen to be present in certain aspects of Japanese religion and culture.

In the manga series Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, are the race of extra-dimensional beings who survive by killing humans to extend their own lives. Shinigami are not responsible for every death that occurs; people will eventually die regardless of whether or not the Shinigami pay attention to them, but a Shinigami can end their lives sooner than intended for their own benefit.