An old adage states that people cannot choose their family, but it sometimes applies to coworkers too, especially if your profession is paranormal investigation. After all, not everyone has psychic abilities, training in the art of exorcism, or shikigami at their disposal. The Ghost Hunt series recounts the tale of an eclectic group of experts on the supernatural, as they research hauntings, hexes and hysteria.

A fascination with the unknown is common among High School students, and Mai Taniyama is a little more enthusiastic than most, staying after school to conduct séances with her friends. During one such gathering, her group piques the interest of Kazuya Shibuya, the shrewd young president of Shibuya Psychic Research. And when Mai's curiosity about an investigation results in the accidental injury of Shibuya's assistant, she is quickly put to work as his replacement.

The series wastes little time in introducing the rest of the cast, including a Buddhist monk, a self-styled Shinto shrine maiden, a young Catholic priest specializing in exorcisms, and a famous spiritual medium. Add in the fact that the injured assistant is himself an onmyoji, a mystic capable of summoning familiars, and that Mai may have clandestine powers of her own, and you have a pretty well-equipped squad. Their individual skills and collective teamwork will be put to the test time and again as the cases get creepier and the stakes become higher.

Shibuya's logical deduction is always vital to the resolution of a case, but his aloof demeanor often threatens to derail the progress being made. Because of this, Mai finds herself torn between Shibuya's condescending public persona, and a kinder, smiling Shibuya, who in visions helps guide her to key insights on the group's research. As she struggles with what it all means, Mai quickly earns her place in the gang and the respect of her peers.

The assignments the team takes range from the classic haunted buildings, to a school plagued by curses, to the more frightening realm of monsters. While none of the tales of horror are likely to keep the viewer up at night, they avoid becoming repetitive, and give each of the characters a chance to shine by the conclusion of the series.

The camaraderie between the cast has a certain charm that is reinforced by revelations that for some of them, they are all the family the other has. Such sentiment serves the story well, adding another facet to its appeal.

Overall, Ghost Hunt is a pleasant surprise for those who approach its screening without high expectations. Hardly a strong recommendation to casual fans of anime, it is a fun series for those with a penchant for the paranormal.