is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from April 2009 to December 2017, with its chapters collected in 40 volumes. The series follows Sakura Mamiya, a girl who gained the power to see ghosts after an incident as a child, and her classmate Rinne Rokudo, a boy of mixed human and heritage who helps lingering spirits finally pass on to be reincarnated.
The manga has been licensed in North America by Viz Media, which simultaneously released the manga chapters online in English as they were serialized in Japan until March 2011, and in Australasia by Madman Entertainment. A three-season anime television series adaptation, produced by Brain's Base, aired from 2015 to 2017. The manga has had 3 million copies in circulation.
Plot Sakura Mamiya is a high school student who gained the ability to see ghosts after being mysteriously spirited away for one week as a child, though she recalls little about the incident. This ability causes her distress since others cannot perceive the spirits she encounters. At school, she meets Rinne Rōkudo, a frequently absent classmate who works as a . His role involves helping earthbound spirits resolve their lingering attachments so they can pass through the wheel of reincarnation—a massive red wheel visible in the sky. Their interactions frequently involve assisting these troubled spirits while navigating the challenges caused by Sakura's supernatural perception.
Characters Main characters
(PV), Kaito Ishikawa (anime) Rinne Rokudō is a first-year high school student of mixed human and heritage, distinguished by his red hair. After his human grandfather's death, he moves to the human world despite opposition from his grandmother, Tamako. Due to his father Sabato's theft of his savings, Rinne lives in poverty, residing in an abandoned school clubroom. As a , his human blood necessitates expensive tools, though he owns only the , a robe rendering him invisible to the living and granting ghosts physical form. Rinne befriends Sakura, whom he deeply cares for, often prioritizing her safety. He clashes with Tsubasa over their differing methods of handling spirits and rivalry for Sakura's attention, finds Ageha's persistent romantic advances exasperating, and resents Sabato for his deceitful nature. Physically, Rinne closely resembles his father.
(PV), Marina Inoue (anime) Sakura Mamiya is a first-year high school student known for her twin braids. As a child, she was spirited away to the ghost world but was rescued by the Tamako, leaving her with extrasensory perception. Typically calm and reserved, she rarely expresses her emotions, though subtle hints suggest she develops feelings for Rinne. While unaware of Rinne and Tsubasa's affections, she occasionally displays jealousy. She prioritizes helping others and acting justly. Her mother is a homemaker, and her father works at a bank.
(PV), Hitomi Nabatame (anime) Rokumon is a black contract cat, a supernatural being that assists in exorcising evil spirits while also spreading curses and ill omens. He typically appears as a small black cat with a human-like face but can shift into a monstrous form to intimidate humans or a cute kitten to beg for food. Initially, he arrives in the human world as a demonic cat, frightening Rinne and Sakura's classmates. Though claiming Tamako sent him to partner with Rinne, the truth emerges—he was dismissed and seeks Rinne's support. They eventually form a contract, with Rokumon covering his own expenses. He shows no particular fondness for Tsubasa.
Family
Tamako is Rinne's paternal grandmother, a who maintains a youthful appearance and insists on being called "young lady". Fifty years earlier, she fell in love with a dying man and struck a deal with a death priest to extend his life by fifty years in exchange for performing ten times the usual duties—a burden that would pass to her descendants if she failed. She once rescued Sakura from a Damashigami, inadvertently granting her the ability to see ghosts. After her husband's death, she lost her right to remain in the human world, though she continues supporting Rinne from afar. She owns a black cat named Kuroboshi.
Sabato Rokudō is Rinne's father and Tamako's son. As president of the illegal Damashigami Company, he steals souls before their natural lifespan ends—a practice Rinne strongly opposes. During Rinne's childhood, Sabato frequently stole from his son's savings and incurred debts in Rinne's name through forgery. Known for his womanizing ways, he maintains relationships with numerous women while showing particular affection for Ageha's sister, his secretary. Sabato employs underhanded tactics to pressure Rinne into inheriting his business so he can retire. His financial irresponsibility and unethical behavior create constant conflict with his son.
Mrs. Mamiya is Sakura's mother, a cheerful woman, known to get carried away when cooking and makes/buys too much food. She always stays at home as a housewife while her husband works at a bank, and she is unaware of her daughter's ability to see ghosts. She was a student of Sankai High School like her daughter, and a member of the Broadcasting club with an old friend named Otobe who had a crush on her.
Otome Rokudō is a high-ranking who is Rinne's mother. She had been missing for many years because she was accidentally pushed into the Wheel of Reincarnation when she tried to get rid of something, and reincarnated, first into a fish, then a canary, then anteater before becoming an elementary school girl named Ichigo.
Humans
Miho serves as student council secretary and is friends with Sakura and Rika. Despite her fascination with horror stories, she scares easily like Rika.
Rika is Sakura and Miho's superstitious friend. At some occasions, she finds herself mixed up in a haunting through no fault of her own. Her first brush with the occult comes when she inherited a haunted phone number that has been floating around for many years. Her last name is revealed in the anime to be Momoi (桃井).
Tsubasa Jumonji comes from a family of exorcists. Like Sakura, he can also see ghosts, but often brutally attacks them with "sacred ashes" instead of trying to put them to rest, which can serve to turn them into evil spirits. He initially met Sakura when they were in younger and he began to harbor feelings for her after he realized that she can see ghosts as well. Since his transfer into Sakura's high school, he has tried countless times for Sakura to return his affection and is jealous of the time she and Rinne have spent together, and thus begins joining them on their ghost exploits. Since joining them, he has realized that not all ghosts are evil and has been more lenient towards some. He tends to jump to conclusions, especially when something concerns Rinne and Sakura's relationship. It is hinted that he is Christian.
Ayame Sakaki works at a local shrine and appears timid, though she harbors a powerful vengeful spirit beyond her control. She first noticed Tsubasa when they attended middle school together, but he transferred before she could approach him. Upon reuniting, Tsubasa agrees to date her to contain her spirit, though he remains preoccupied with Sakura. Unable to fully control her supernatural manifestation, Ayame's spirit frequently escapes, requiring repeated interventions. Tsubasa avoids being alone with her, often including Rinne and Sakura in their meetings. She continues hoping for another date with Tsubasa despite his reluctance.
Hitomi Annette Anematsuri works as a homeroom assistant teacher while possessing the Peep Ball, a valuable tool that reveals glimpses of people's past or future. Multiple parties, including Sabato, Kain and Masato, attempt to steal it, but her accurate predictions and Rinne's assistance help her retain it. Descended from a French witch, her grandmother married a Japanese tourist and relocated to Japan. Both her grandmother and mother frequently visit hot springs, leaving her alone. When home, her grandmother disciplines her by striking her head for mistakes.
Non-humans
Masato is a wealthy devil who holds a grudge against Rinne stemming from their childhood at Demon Elementary School. When assigned to collect a dying rabbit's soul, Rinne revived the animal by feeding it, ruining Masato's task. Their rivalry began after Masato attacked with a pitchfork and Rinne retaliated with a crucifix. Though he uses his fortune to gain advantage over Rinne, Masato's plans often fail due to his poor judgment and spelling errors. His elaborate traps tend to be transparent and frequently backfire. Despite his resources, these shortcomings make him an ineffective opponent.
Ageha is a from an affluent family who initially investigates the Damashigami company. After meeting Rinne, she develops romantic feelings for him, though she continues hunting rogue spirits. Her sister's affiliation with Sabato's organization troubles her, particularly when others mention it. Ageha persistently pursues Rinne while growing jealous of Sakura, whom she views as a rival. Her overenthusiasm frequently causes conflicts, including with the more practical Renge, a childhood acquaintance. Ageha owns a black cat named Oboro and reacts strongly to criticism about her family's reputation.
Bijin is Ageha's older sister and secretary of the Damashigami Company. A year before the series starts, she worked as a like her younger sister, vowing to bring down the Damashigami Company. Then, she disappears and sends her sister a postcard, saying that she now has a boyfriend, Sabato Rokudo. Even though he is a ladies' man, she seems to be his favorite. After Ageha uncovers her work as a Damashigami, their relationship becomes more strained because Bijin decides to stay at Sabato's side while leaving Ageha feeling hurt and betrayed by her sister.
Kain is a , an underworld accountant who monitors human lifespans. His mother's financial support of Sabato Rokudō—who borrowed heavily from her—left them impoverished while funding Sabato's illegal Damashigami operations. To protect his family's reputation, Kain secretly hunts rogue spirits, resenting Rinne due to Sabato's fraudulent use of Rinne's seal on loan contracts. Initially ruthless, he disregards collateral damage, even endangering Sakura to reclaim debts. Though he views Rinne as complicit, they occasionally ally against Sabato. Unaware his middle school classmate Renge works for the Damashigami Company, he encourages her ambitions, hoping she attends Shinigami Elite High School. He owns a black cat named Suzu.
Shoma is a grade schooler from a wealthy family. At his first appearance, he paired with Rinne who is supposed to serve as a mentor during their training. He even lives with Rinne for the assignment. However due to Rinne's poverty, he looks down on him, complaining all the while and ignoring Rinne's advice. He is a bit of a glory hound and overestimates his abilities, despite being very inexperienced and even behind his classmates in his achievements. Thus, he takes on too big a task and causes more problems for spirits and his mentor than he actually solves. Furthermore, he is shown to be easily bored and cheeky, e.g. painting his black cat. Later, he meets Ichigo and falls in love with her, unaware that she is the reincarnation of Rinne's mother. He has a black cat named Kurosu.
Refuto is the fourth generation master of the , which has been in business for 4,000 years in scythe sharpening, and the youngest twin of Raito. Because of his inexperience and bad mouth, the shop has fallen on hard times, both he and his twin sister are desperate for customers, and rely on Rinne's help, but their new products mostly end discontinued and their business sometimes end in suspension.