Gorouta Kumashima, nicknamed "Kuma" for "bear," resides in Springdale's Blossom Heights neighborhood and is a classmate and close friend of the series' primary protagonist. His parents work in construction. Kuma sports a rough, thuggish look featuring aggressive eyes with dark rings, a cheek bandage, and casual biker-style attire. This exterior belies his true nature: a gentle, friendly, boisterous personality marked by loudness, clumsiness, a lack of athletic skill, and gluttony.

Kuma wields a Yo-kai Watch, enabling him to see, interact with, befriend, and battle Yo-kai. His best friend is Edward "Eddie" Archer, his partner in Yo-kai endeavors. Other human connections include Annabelle "Annie" Clarkson, whom he escorts to school due to their shared neighborhood; Madeline "Maddie" Archer, linked through Eddie; and classmate Lulu Kane, seated beside him, with whom he shares an implied romantic interest. Among Yo-kai, companions include Roughraff (sharing a gruff exterior and soft interior), Frostina (aided against troublesome school Yo-kai), and Elder Bloom (connected via flower incidents). His key adversary is Negatibuzz, repelled to protect Roughraff and Annie.

In narratives, Kuma functions as a recurring supporting character, often sparking encounters with new Yo-kai when he or others are "inspirited." His role remains secondary, with minimal individual story arcs or development across official media. His birthday is March 23rd, coinciding with World Bear Day. In English adaptations, he is known as Barnaby "Bear" Bernstein.