Marie Itami

Marie Itami (マリー・伊丹, Marī Itami) is a character in the BNA: Brand New Animal series by Studio Trigger. She is a Mink Beastman. She is well connected and rooted in the society and culture of Anima City. She comes to Michiru's aide in several instances and helps Michiru acclimate to life in Anima City. She looks like a weasel but is actually a mink.

Appearance
In her human form, she has a brown skin-tone, purple grey dreadlocks, and green eyes. She sports a dark grey sweater, light grey hooded overcoat, brown belt, and blue skinny jeans tapered at the end, and black high heeled boots. For accessories, she dons a pair of green sunglasses over her forehead and large yellow earrings.

In her Beastman form, she has a longer, broader neck, a square face with small outward facing ears perched atop her head. She grows claws on her hands and a long, bushy tail in the back. Her clothes remain the same in both forms.

Personality
Marie's personality is very sly, cunning, opportunistic, and greedy. She seems to be very Machiavellian in nature, often forsaking relationships and connections as a means to an end to reach a goal, usually to the detriment of her peers. She is driven by greed and money as an incentive. In the case of smuggling Michiru to the city, she only agreed to the task when guaranteed monetary compensation from both her client and Michiru. Despite being compensated by Michiru, Marie still abets the theft of her wallet.

Despite all this, she does seem to have a good heart. She comes to aide Michiru during times of need and helps guide her through the harsh society of Anima City. Like a tough parent, she lets Michiru learn bitter lessons the hard way but in the end Michiru adapts for the better. She was indispensable in Michiru's process of acclimating to the city.

Episode 1/Runaway Raccoon
Marie along with two partners depart Anima City for the mainland in search of Michiru. Marie stumbles upon a biker gang harassing Michiru. She interrupts the altercation and asks in a sassy tone for them to stop. She explains that she needs to protect Michiru for one of her clients. The gang doesn't listen and swings at Mari. Enraged, she and her two accomplices transform into their Beastman forms. Her accomplices easily subdue the beast hunters and Mari explains to Michiru that she will escort her to Anima City. She demands payment for her services and Michiru begrudgingly hands over a wad of bills.

They board a boat and Michiru stares off into the distance at Animacity as she reminisces her life as a fugitive. The sun sets and the group arrives in Anima City. Michiru, nervous and on alert, glances around and sees a bright wolf figure on top of a nearby building. Suddenly the lights turn on and the 10 year Animacity festival begins. Chairman Rose gives a brief introduction and the festivities are underway. Michiru explores the festival and bumps into Marie, who distracts her as a monkey steals the wallet and runs away.

Episode 2/Rabbit Town
Just as Michiru is about to catch the Beastman who stole her wallet, Marie interrupts the altercation and the thief gets away. Michiru finally catches on that Mari was an accomplice to the wallet theft. Mari lackadaisically denies the claim and reminds Michiru that she helped smuggle her yesterday. Mari tells Michiru to meet Gram Grandma in Rabbit Town to find her lost wallet.

Trivia

 * The same voice actress, Murase Michiyo, voices from the  anime, a Trigger production also directed by Yoh Yoshinari.