The character often referred to as Gara is more accurately known as Gacchan or Gatchan, a small winged creature who becomes an enduring member of the Norimaki household in Penguin Village. Gacchan originates from a mysterious egg that Arale discovers during an accidental trip to the prehistoric past using one of Senbei Norimaki’s inventions. Believing the egg to be a dinosaur fossil, Arale brings it back to the present, where it eventually hatches to reveal a bizarre and adorable baby-like being.

In terms of personality, Gacchan is largely non-verbal, communicating with simple expressions like cupi cupi, and is driven by a singular, insatiable appetite that seems to know no bounds. This creature will consume almost anything placed in front of it, from ordinary food to inedible objects like beer bottles, though it notably refuses to eat rubber. Despite this destructive potential, Gacchan is portrayed as innocent, playful, and deeply bonded with its found family, particularly Arale, whom it follows on many adventures. The creature exhibits a childlike curiosity and loyalty that largely overshadows its more alarming inherent traits.

The role Gacchan plays in the story evolves from a simple foundling and source of chaos to a significant cosmic element. At first, Gacchan is simply the new strange pet and sibling to Arale, creating comedic situations with its eating habits. However, it is later revealed that Gacchan is not an earthbound dinosaur or monster but an angel sent by God with a specific and terrifying mission: to multiply, consume all matter on corrupt planets, and leave them barren and destroyed. In this context, Gacchan was intended as an agent of cosmic sterilization, but its destiny was inadvertently altered by Arale. By removing the egg from its original prehistoric context, the chain of events that would have led to its catastrophic replication was broken, and the kindness found in Penguin Village caused it to forget its destructive purpose entirely.

Regarding its key relationships, Gacchan is closest to Arale, who acts as a sibling and primary companion. The creature also lives with Senbei Norimaki, the eccentric inventor who accepts Gacchan into the family despite his characteristic reluctance. In crossover appearances, such as in the Dragon Ball series, both Arale and Gacchan demonstrate a pure heart, as they are able to ride the Flying Nimbus cloud.

Gacchan undergoes notable development throughout the series. Physically, the creature has the ability to seal itself in a cocoon, from which it emerges having duplicated itself, creating two identical creatures where once there was one. The most significant development, however, is the revelation of its divine origins and apocalyptic purpose. The irony of its existence is that a being designed to end worlds becomes a cherished member of a small, absurd community, ultimately forgetting its mission entirely thanks to the influence of Arale and her friends.

As for notable abilities, Gacchan possesses several remarkable traits beyond its legendary appetite. It has the power of flight, thanks to its feathered wings, and can move at high speeds. Its antennae are not just decorative, as it can fire powerful energy beams from them. In addition to these offensive capabilities, Gacchan possesses superhuman strength that, combined with its beam attacks and flight, makes it an extremely powerful being, though it is almost always used for comedic or innocent purposes rather than malice.