It is the 1950's. The war is over and the economy is growing rapidly. While the rich become richer, a great number of people are still at the bottom of the social pyramid and have to work their fingers to the bone to survive. On the other hand, the Ghost Tribe and spirit-monsters live in their own world. Although existing well before humans, they're forced to move deeper into the backwoods as urbanisation grows. In such a society, Kitaro was born in a graveyard as the last of the Ghost Tribe. His eerie appearance has made him known as Hakaba (Graveyard) Kitaro. Torn between the Human world and the Spirit world, Kitaro tries to find his place in the world.