Kabane Kusaka is a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid raised under abusive conditions in Deer Village by his aunt, who exploited him for labor and derisively named him "Dorotabo" due to his kemono-related odor. His parents left him with a rare Life Calculus stone that suppresses his ghoul instincts and thirst for flesh, suggesting they did not abandon him callously. After aiding detective Kohachi Inugami on a case involving mutated animals, Kabane learned of his hybrid nature and joined the Inugami Detective Agency in Tokyo. He searches for his parents while assisting with kemono-related cases.

Physically, Kabane possesses a short stature, pale skin, black hair, and red eyes. His kemono transformation manifests a horn on his head, darkened skin, enlarged veins, and a disproportionately enlarged arm, with his eyes turning fully red featuring blue-green centers. Initially clad only in bathhouse clothes, he later adopted practical attire like a skeleton-print hoodie and sweatpants provided by the agency.

Kabane exhibits alexithymia—difficulty identifying and expressing emotions—stemming from childhood neglect. He is blunt, socially naïve, and initially struggles with concepts like friendship or love, often interpreting language literally and displaying minimal self-preservation instincts. Through his work at the agency and bonds with colleagues like Shiki, Akira, and Kon, he gradually develops emotional awareness, protective instincts, and a stronger sense of self. He forms a personal moral code, refusing to kill unless necessary and showing empathy for all living beings, frequently rescuing insects as he identifies with their will to live.

His abilities derive from his ghoul heritage: potent regeneration and immortality allow him to recover from severe injuries like decapitation or full-body incineration, though confined spaces can inhibit regrowth; his head remains conscious and communicative when separated. He possesses superhuman strength, demonstrated by dismembering mutated deer, and complete pain immunity due to lacking pain receptors. He can strategically detach and control body parts, such as using a severed arm to escape traps. He also employs the Totsuka Technique, a vibration-based palm strike amplifying his strength tenfold, learned during training in Yashima Village.

The Life Calculus stone remains central to his existence, curbing his kemono urges. Discovering other calculi exist, he begins collecting them, theorizing they may relate to his parents' fates. His investigations lead him into conflicts with antagonists like Yoko Inari, who seeks the calculi for domination. Kabane's journey involves reconciling his human and kemono identities while protecting his found family at the agency.