Originally posted by: SamuraiOdin
Actually, there should probably be a translator's note at that point in the episode. What Naruto calls Gaara's transformed form is a Tanooki (spelling?). A Tanooki is a mythical shape changing creature that can grant wishes. It was translated as "racoon" probably because that is the form that it most commonly takes.
not only that, but someone also mentioned before that in japanese mythology, the tanooki demon thing has more of a "joker-like" personality.....which explains why he sounds kinda goofy, yet in a vicious sorta way