Tsutomu, a human elementary school student, first encounters the Yokai Patrol after supernatural entities attack him at school. Following this rescue, he becomes a recurring human ally to the group, frequently witnessing or experiencing yokai incidents around his school and neighborhood.

In the original 1973 series and manga, he actively assists the Yokai Patrol by reporting strange occurrences like classmates losing their faces to the yokai Menkui or a teacher turning violent under Dokuro's influence. He volunteers as bait during investigations, confronting threats such as the sleep-inducing Madoromin and the face-stealing Menkui. His personal life includes residing with his family and dating Harumi, while often enduring comical mistreatment from his teacher Tobatiri.

The 1973 anime's final episode sees Tsutomu transformed into a gold statue by the yokai Daikinkai alongside others, with his restoration left unresolved.

In the 2011 series *Ghastly Prince Enma: Burning Up* (Meeramera), Tsutomu's role diminishes. He features primarily in Episode 6, where Fukurashiko's inflation ability swells him into a spherical form, triggering uncontrollable gluttony that leads him to consume massive quantities of potato chips. After deflating, he retains a significantly overweight physique. His presence fades in later episodes, with Harumi assuming his position as the Yokai Patrol's primary human associate.

Tsutomu does not appear in the gender-flipped parody *Dororon Enpi-chan* or the darker *Demon Prince Enma* OVA series. Crossovers like *Dynamic Heroes* and *Mazinger Angels* include the Yokai Patrol but omit him.