Mako is a true, centuries-old tanuki from the forests of Japan who, for reasons known only to himself, has drifted to America and spent several years hidden in Portland’s Willamette park living on scraps. Now, for reasons even more secret, he is hiding inside the same internment camp as Kanta’s family.
Mako is a master shapeshifter and, true to his nature, loves to give humans a good scare. He loves food and liquor, and will do almost any favor for a human if they can get him some. He can be a bit full of himself at times, proud of his centuries of experience, but underneath he just loves to perform, and find a new audience for his powers. He is pleasantly surprised to find a fan and kindred spirit in Kanta, who has only heard about his kind in stories. He occasionally moves about the camp disguised as an old man, but can shift to any other shape almost instantly - either to make a quick getaway, or give a too-curious human a scare. He can also, with a little pick-me-up, create realistic illusions, or send a dream into a human’s mind, but these are tricks he saves for very special occasions. Even with all his secrets he becomes an unlikely and devoted friend and mentor to Kanta.

And if anyone wonders, yes, he is named after the late actor Mako Iwamatsu, who voiced Aku and Uncle Iroh, and I imagine this Mako speaks with the same sly, gravelly voice. Naturally Mako's 'old-man' form resembles the actor, who had a pretty spooky appearance - it was easy to imagine him as some yokai in human form. I also found out the name Mako roughly means sincerity, making it a perfect ironic name for a trickster.