Arai Rascal

Arai (新井, Arai) is a supporting character in the anime BNA: Brand New Animal. He is a lemur who is a member of the Bears Baseball Team.

Appearance
In his human form, Arai is a short young man with a high male voice, fair skin, and thick brown hair.

As a lemur, he has ochre-yellow fur and a pale Golden muzzle. His nose is grey, and there are grey-brown stripes on the cheeks and tail. In turn, the tail is quite bushy and long, and the muzzle is short. Small triangular ears inside have a pale pink color. Arai's casual clothes are mint turquoise sweaters and pants, black shoes. He always wears glasses because he has poor eyesight.

During a baseball game, Arai is dressed in white pants and a short-sleeved shirt. There are yellow stripes on the cutouts for the arms and neck and near the buttons. A white baseball glove with a pink rabbit silhouette and an orange patch. Arai has the 25th number, so this number is written on the back of his clothes.

Personality
Arai is a quiet and shy guy. He's a coward and a cheat, and the baseball commentator called him a crook. He is rather reserved and not particularly talkative, but in a tense situation, he can stand up for himself in front of someone equal to him.

Past
According to Jackie, Arai and everyone else had lived in a poor neighborhood since childhood.

The 5th Episode/Greedy Bears
Arai appears as a member of the bear team. First against the Flamingos, and then against the Buffaloes. Just before the game with the Tigers, coach Dante tells Arai that this time he will be a pitcher. The guy was very surprised, but still he had to do as the coach said. Cowardly Arai could not really play for fear of an overwhelming team of Tigers, but thanks to Michiru, the bears were able to win. During the match at Animastadium, Arai, like everyone else, does not even try to play, because if he and the entire bears team lost, they would get money. But Michiru and the coach who came soon inspire the team to play to the end and give it to the full. Although the team is losing, but it was one of the best moments in the life of Arai and his friends. Every other day, they use the money to buy new baseball clothes and invite Michiru for a walk.

Episode 12/Anima-City
When Michiru asked the entire team of bears to turn on the broadcast of the concert in every house. Arai was among those who helped.

Abilities
Arai does not have any notable abilities.

Etimology
There are two possible meanings of Arai's name:
 * 新井 – is the kanji of Arai's name means "new well". The word "well" has long been associated with hope. This means that Arai believes and hopes for a new, bright future.
 * The meaning of Arai's name is "Creator".