Yuusuke Urameshi, a troubled fourteen-year-old delinquent, spends his time engaging in reckless behavior and causing problems for the adults in his life. He frequently gets into fights with his rival, Kazuma Kuwabara, and bullies his childhood friend, Keiko Yukimura. However, in a split-second decision, Yuusuke sacrifices his own life to save a small child from an oncoming car.
After his death, spirit guide Botan intervenes and shows Yuusuke how his loved ones are affected by his passing. He is moved by the devastation he has caused his mother, Keiko, and even Kuwabara. Because of his heroic act, Koenma, the ruler of the Spirit World's son, offers Yuusuke the opportunity to come back to life.
As a newly appointed "Spirit Detective," Yuusuke is tasked with solving a series of increasingly difficult paranormal mysteries. Along the way, he befriends and battles demons like Kurama, a beautiful fox spirit, and Hiei, a hostile demon. As dark powers threaten their world, Yuusuke and his companions must fight to protect everything they once took for granted.