The following are fictional characters from Disney's 2000 animated film The Emperor's New Groove, its direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove, and the spin-off television series The Emperor's New School.
Kuzco
Emperor Kuzco is the 18 year-old emperor of the Incas. His name is a reference to the ancient Incan city of Cusco.
Kuzco is initially portrayed as an arrogant, callous and spoiled narcissist, but has a sense of charm and style. For example, when he is shown beautiful girls in hopes one of them will be his wife, he rudely insults all of them and continues to sing about himself and be pampered by his servants. Throughout the series, he turns into various animals.
In The Emperor's New Groove, Kuzco is turned into a llama by the duplicitous Yzma, who intends to poison him to claim the throne for herself, following her termination as his adviser. He is presumed dead, and finds himself lost in the jungle. Kuzco teams up with Pacha, a llama herder, who helps Kuzco turn back into a human again, regaining his dignity and his throne. Throughout the film, Kuzco learns the meaning of friendship and sacrifice.
In Kronk's New Groove, Kuzco has a cameo appearance. He occasionally shows up onscreen acting as if he is the director and breaks the fourth wall by talking to the audience. He admits he has changed: 'I'm nice now. Didn't you see the first movie?' However, he remains arrogant; near the end of the film, he shows up in women's clothing, claiming he is Kronk's wife, announcing, 'You like how I weaseled my way into this movie?'
In The Emperor's New School, to remain emperor, Kuzco must to go to Kuzco Academy, a school he instituted and financed; he must pass all his classes, but Yzma and Kronk are out to thwart him. If he fails even one class, he will not be emperor, and Yzma will take over the empire. In the series, Kuzco develops a love interest named Malina.
In the episode "Father O Mine", Kuzco's real father appears in a flashback. He is a strong, muscular man, and was emperor before Kuzco. According to Kuzco and Yzma, he was lost at sea on a trip when Kuzco was just a baby, thereby granting the throne to Kuzco, who in turn is shown to share two things with his father: a llama birthmark and the same necklace. In another episode, it is revealed that Kuzco has a fear of frogs, after a traumatic childhood experience with them as a baby. In another, it is discovered that Kuzco's favorite food is Mudka's Meat Mug which is the only thing he orders. In "Graduation Groove", Kuzco completed school and got to be emperor again; having grown attached to Pacha's family, he lets them move into the palace with him, and hires both Pacha and Kronk to be his advisors. Kuzco and Malina also become an official couple and are happy to spend the rest of their lives together.
Kuzco rarely appears at the Disney Parks mainly due to the film's disappointing box office results. He is mostly found in Adventureland. He also featured in the television series House of Mouse and its direct-to-video film Mickey's Magical Christmas.
Pacha
Pacha is an overweight farmer residing in the countryside of the Incas. He was a character added during the production process that completely revamped the story. The original role to assist emperor-turned-llama Kuzco was to be female, and a potential love interest for the discourteous teen. The major overhaul of story made the film a buddy movie, with Pacha and Kuzco having to work through the adventure together. His name is possibly a reference to Incan emperor Pachacuti but it also means "earth" in Quechua, the language of the Incas.
Pacha is a friendly peasant and family man, and a subject in the narrow-minded Emperor Kuzco's kingdom. His courage, reliability, and value of both friendship and family helps Kuzco change into a genial and mature young man. Pacha is married to Chicha, who is pregnant with Yupi when first seen. During the time of the first movie they have two children: their daughter, Chaca, and their younger son Tipo. Yupi is born before the movie's final scene and appears in all spin-off material.