is known to be a stereotypical bad seed; having a spotty attendance record, doing poorly in class, and picking fights with many other students. He also smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol in the manga.

He dies after saving a small child from being struck by a car, which is something the guardians of the afterlife did not predict. Koenma allows Botan to becoming Yusuke's guide for the Ordeal that he must undergo in order to be brought back to life, as well as help show him that he is actually a good person. He is then forced to become a Spirit Detective who protects the human race from demons. He deeply cares for his childhood friend Keiko and tries not to get her involved with the spirit world. Towards the end, he proposes to Keiko and promises to come back.