Kuzco

Lore & Background

Kuzco is the young emperor of the Incas, whose name is a reference to the ancient city Cusco. In *The Emperor's New Groove*, he is turned into a llama by Yzma, who intends to poison him to claim the throne. Presumed dead and lost in the jungle, Kuzco teams up with Pacha, a peasant farmer and village leader, who helps him turn back into a human and regain his dignity and throne. Throughout the film, Kuzco is initially portrayed as arrogant, callous, and spoiled, but his journey with Pacha helps him change into a genial and mature young man.

Reader's Guide

Kuzco's significance lies in his character arc from a self-centered emperor to a more compassionate ruler, a transformation central to the buddy-film dynamic of *The Emperor's New Groove*. The character's popularity led to appearances in Disney theme parks' Adventureland, the television series *House of Mouse*, and its direct-to-video film *Mickey's Magical Christmas*. In the spin-off series *The Emperor's New School*, Kuzco continues his education and growth, with his name and story remaining a recognizable part of early 2000s Disney animation. His legacy includes being a rare Disney protagonist who is initially antagonistic, providing a comedic and redemptive narrative.

Did You Know?

• Kuzco is voiced primarily by David Spade, with J. P. Manoux voicing him in spinoff media.
• Kuzco has occasionally appeared in Adventureland at Disney theme parks.