Yusuke Uremeshi is the typical hot-headed street punk; an arrogant and seemingly careless youth, unconcerned with school work or anything of the like. He even has a few run-ins with another local delinquent and his crew of bad-boy followers. One day, he spots a small child playing in the road with a ball. Showing unexpected kindness, he approaches the kid and moves him away from the busy lane, joking around all the while, and then finally taking his leave. Then, when Yusuke turns around, he spots the same boy moving back into the road, with a car headed straight towards him! Without a thought, he runs back and hurls himself at the boy, knocking the child out of the way, and saving the boy’s life. Yusuke, however, is struck dead from the car’s impact.

In fact, this display of bravery was so unexpected, that the officials of the afterlife were caught unaware and were not ready for his death. It is even revealed that the child that Yusuke saved earlier would have one less scratch on his right arm, if not for Yusuke’s unforeseen sacrifice. It is suggested that Yusuke undergo strict testing, in order to, literally, come back to life. Passing each and every test set for him, Yusuke continues to prove himself. Eventually, his life is restored to him, although with some more responsibility this time; he is given his own set of spiritual capabilities and the job of Spirit Detective where he investigates demonic occurrences in the human world, gains new friends and prevents demons and humans alike from gaining ultimate power in all three worlds: Spirit World, Demon World, and Human World.