Ryu's Gang

Ryu's Gang in the beginning of the series.

About
Ryu's Gang consist of homeless people without jobs. They are always on the lookout for the Best Place (The Happy Place in the English manga and The Sacred Hang in the English anime; His gang is known as the Dead Enders in the English anime).

Beginning
The gang first appears at the cemetery, which is their best place during that time. Ryu destroys the tombstone of Amidamaru because he thinks that there is no curse. Manta eavesdrops on the gang's meeting, but gets caught by them and they beat him up because they think that he is the brat(Asakura Yoh) that is tresspassing on his territory. The next day, Yoh comes to the cemetery to avenge Manta. Ryu sends Apache and Space Shot to attack him, but Yoh uses Hyoi Gattai with Amidamaru to defeat them. Ryu them attacks Yoh, but is defeated by him.

Meeting with Tokagero
After trying to 'woo' Kyōyama Anna, Ryu and his gang go to their new 'Best Place' which is the run down Funbari Bowl, where he breaks down and believes the 'Headphones Kid', is ruining his life. Ryu gets possessed by Tokagero who offers him a chance for revenge and kill Yoh. At the same time, Tokagero is wanting revenge on Amidamaru. The possessed Ryu breaks into the museum, and steals Harusame, at the same time kidnapping Manta Oyamada. [6]

He confronts Yoh and Amidamaru, and orders Amidamaru to integrate with his master so they can fight. [7] He tricks Amidamaru into attacking Harusame and fights back with a technique called Tokage Kenpo (Lizard Style). Tokagero mocks Amidamaru saying that the same blade that was supposed to save him will take his life instead this time. After remembering how much Harusame was important, Amidamaru breaks Harusame and Tokagero is surprised. [8] Yoh says that Tokagero had already lost, because of Amidamaru's long life commitment to his friend Mosuke. He tells him that he should rest in peace and move on. Tokagero refuses and says he'll die and Amidamaru with him. Ryu's gang then attack him, and say that they don't want Ryu to become a scumbag, and they'll always be friends with Ryu no matter what happens.

Soon after, Tokagero pulls out a knife and tries to kill Ryu, but the painful stress of two souls in one body makes him unable to control Ryu body, he discover that if he doesn't leave Ryu's body than Ryu will die, but Tokagero pretty comfortable with that. Having no other option, Yoh offers Tokagero to possess him, which he does. After saying it was foolish, Tokagero tries to kill Yoh, but realises that he can't do that and he is lectured again on how important trust is and being alone was painful for him, and after receiving trust from Yoh he doesn't need to take revenge, because he realised that revenge wasn't something he needed in the first place

Shaman Fights in Tokyo
The next morning after the encounter with Tokagero, Ryu repays his debts by becoming the Funbari Inn's chef. His gangmembers help clean the rooms and mow the lawn. They claim that this is their Best Place ever.

Sometime after Yoh's fight with Faust VIII, Manta runs into Ryu. Ryu reveals that his dream is to go to America and to be an apprentice at a sushi bar. He disbands his gang and they end up getting jobs. Ryu and Manta go to Izumo to find Yoh. Before Ryu goes to America, his old gang members write him a farewell card wishing him good luck on his journey as a shaman.

Anime/Manga Difference
The manga has alot of members while in the anime only has Ryu and 9 other members. Some of the members use knives in the manga. In the anime, they use their fist.