Carla Iwata, known in the original Japanese version as Kana Iwata, is a significant supporting character in the Hamtaro anime series. She is best known as the owner of the chubby, sunflower seed-loving hamster Oxnard, who is Hamtaro's best friend. Carla is a young girl, typically portrayed as being in the same grade level as her best friend, Laura Haruna.

Physically, Carla is recognized by her long, dark brown hair and her signature round glasses, behind which are brown eyes. She comes from a family that includes her mother, Cindy, and her father, Conrad. Additionally, she has an extended family with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, including an older cousin who owns a farm. This cousin is the owner of Pepper, a female hamster who is known to have a strong affection for Carla's own hamster, Oxnard.

At the core of Carla's personality is a friendly, supportive, and artistic nature. She is notably a very talented artist, with her skills most prominently featured in an episode titled Courage, Cappy!. Carla often creates detailed paintings and sketches, and her beloved pet Oxnard is a frequent subject of her artwork, demonstrating the deep affection she holds for him. Carla serves a key role in the narrative as the best friend and frequent companion of the protagonist's owner, Laura. The two girls met on the day Laura moved to town following a chance encounter in a small shop involving a hamster-themed stationary set. Their shared and deep fondness for hamsters forged an instant connection, leading them to become inseparable best friends. As a result, Carla and Oxnard are often present alongside Laura and Hamtaro during the human-centric events of the series. Beyond her friendship with Laura, Carla is also good friends with other neighborhood girls, including June, Kylie, and later on, Mindy O'Hara. Her relationships extend to include a subtle crush on Mindy's older brother, Kazuya.