Gonta, also known as Gonta of the Falcon Forest, is a tanuki, or Japanese raccoon dog, who plays a significant role as a leader and a figure of militant resistance. He is a character defined by his hotheaded and pugnacious nature, often acting as an antagonist or anti-hero within the group due to his aggressive and uncompromising stance against humanity.

His personality is marked by a quick temper and a love for argument, frequently threatening violence against other tanuki who oppose his plans. He is a combative individual who cannot tolerate laziness in others, believing that direct, forceful action is the only solution to the community's crisis. Despite this tough exterior, he is not single-minded; his aggressive resolve can be softened by distractions, most notably the mention or presence of human food such as hamburgers. He can also be somewhat hypocritical, as he is known to get bored easily and even doze off during important meetings. Underneath his pride and selfish demeanor, he holds respect for powerful figures like the elder Oroku and the Transformation Masters.

Gonta's primary motivation is the survival of the tanuki race and the protection of their forest home from urban development. He represents the faction that believes the only effective way to stop the humans is through direct, violent confrontation. He accurately observes that the developers are relentless and that more passive tactics like hauntings would quickly lose their effectiveness against human greed. Frustrated by debate and what he sees as inaction, he is driven to take matters into his own hands, ultimately seeking to eliminate the human threat entirely rather than find a way to coexist.

In the story, Gonta initially leads the Red Tanuki army in a conflict against Seizaemon's Blue army, a civil war fought over dwindling resources. He is convinced by Oroku to unite with the other tanuki against their common human enemy, becoming a key leader and the most outspoken proponent of a violent counterattack. His role becomes increasingly central as he grows impatient with the slow process of relearning transformation magic and the failed strategies of elaborate ghost parades. When the tanuki cause a fatal accident that kills three humans, Gonta is the mastermind behind the operation, though he himself is severely injured in the incident, suffering fractures that take nearly a year to heal. Later, after a theme park president steals credit for the tanuki's grand illusion, a furious Gonta leads a small, zealous group on a final, desperate attack against the human construction workers and police. This assault results in the death of his entire squadron, symbolizing the tragic futility of a purely aggressive approach against the forces of modernization.

Gonta's key relationships are defined by conflict and contrast. He has a wife named Otama, who is docile and doting, constantly worrying about his safety but also possessing the strength to rebuff his advances. His most significant counterpart is Shoukichi, a younger, more thoughtful tanuki who respects Gonta's ideas but represents the opposing philosophy of finding a positive way to coexist with humans. While Shoukichi argues that hurting humans is excessive and that adaptation is necessary, Gonta dismisses this as weakness. Despite their clashes, the narrative acknowledges that Gonta's harsh assessment of the humans' relentless nature was largely correct. He also follows the wise elder Oroku, whose authority he respects enough to temporarily rein in his more extreme impulses.

Gonta undergoes a subtle but tragic development. Initially a brawling leader of a faction, he channels his aggression into the united resistance. His character arc is not one of softening but of radicalization. After suffering a major injury and witnessing the failure of more moderate plans, he becomes increasingly desperate and isolated in his beliefs. His development culminates in a final, doomed charge against the humans, suggesting that while his passion and loyalty to the old ways are powerful, they are ultimately unable to adapt to a changing world.

In terms of abilities, Gonta is a capable fighter and a leader of warriors. He possesses the fundamental tanuki skill of transformation, though he prioritizes its use for aggressive, physical confrontations and intimidating spectacles rather than subtle illusion work. He is shown to be physically resilient, surviving a severe accident that caused multiple fractures. His primary notable ability, however, lies in his raw determination and his capacity to inspire others to follow him into battle, even when the odds are hopeless.