Common Raccoon, often referred to by other characters as Arai-san, is a Friend who appears as a major character in the Kemono Friends anime. As a Friend, she is the physical manifestation of a common raccoon brought to life by the mysterious substance known as Sandstar. Her physical appearance reflects her animal origins; she has silver-gray fur that fades to white, with black sections in her hair and a single white patch in her central bang. She possesses two rounded animal ears and a long, bushy tail with the distinctive ringed pattern of her species. Her attire consists of a lavender blouse with puffed sleeves, a white fur collar, and a black bow tie, which she pairs with a black miniskirt and gray tights.

In terms of personality, Common Raccoon is defined by her boundless energy and impulsive nature. She is not particularly wise or given to careful planning, but she makes up for it with a strong will and unwavering commitment to her goals. Her self-esteem is generally quite high, though it can be fragile when things go wrong. She possesses a robust sense of justice and a deep admiration for those who perform heroic deeds. A notable and endearing trait is her distinctive way of speaking, as she frequently ends her sentences with the verbal tic nano da.

Common Raccoon’s primary motivation and role in the story of the first anime season stem from a misunderstanding. She became separated from a beloved park guide's hat she had found and taken a liking to during a Sandstar eruption. Convinced that the hat was stolen from her, she embarked on a determined chase across Japari Park to apprehend the thief. This pursuit leads her to follow the main characters, Serval and Kaban, whom she mistakenly believes to be the culprit. Throughout her journey, her stubborn conviction that she is on the right side of the law drives much of the early conflict and comedy, as she frequently accuses Kaban of being an evil hat thief.

Her key relationship is with the much calmer and more collected Fennec Fox, who almost always accompanies her. Fennec serves as a grounding influence, often providing the information that the impulsive Common Raccoon forgets or overlooks, while the raccoon herself admires Fennec's abilities. The two are rarely seen apart and are considered inseparable friends. Another central relationship develops with Kaban. After a long and energetic chase, Common Raccoon finally corners Kaban and retrieves her hat. However, upon hearing explanations from Serval and Fennec, she realizes her mistake and that Kaban is not a thief. Demonstrating her strong sense of justice and capacity for respect, she sincerely apologizes and returns the hat. From that point on, her admiration for Kaban grows as she learns of her various heroic acts throughout the park, and she becomes a loyal and helpful ally.

Common Raccoon shows notable development from a single-minded and mistaken pursuer to a valuable member of the team. In the climax of the first season, she puts aside her personal quest to help Kaban and the others restore the park's filter and battle a giant Cerulean, the main threat to the Friends. She even rallies other Friends to help save Kaban when she is in danger, proving she has grown from a self-focused character into a courageous and dependable one.

Regarding notable abilities, Common Raccoon does not possess any overt magical or combat powers. Her strengths lie in her physicality and determination. She is an energetic and persistent tracker, able to follow a scent or a lead across great distances. Her impulsive nature means she acts before thinking, but this also grants her a fearless and relentless approach to overcoming obstacles. In the Kemono Friends Kingdom mobile game, she is depicted as a healer who uses water guns to spray bubbles that restore her allies' health and remove their debuffs, showcasing a supportive role that contrasts with her otherwise brash personality.