Kronk

Kronk Pepikrankenitz is the dim-witted, absent-minded, muscle-bound henchman of Yzma, the royal adviser to Emperor Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove. He also starred as main character in his own film, Kronk's New Groove, and is a recurring character in the TV series, The Emperor's New School. In all of his appearances, Kronk is voiced by Patrick Warburton. Although he is dim-witted, he is shown to be quite smart.

Despite originally working for the villain Yzma, he is surprisingly well-intentioned and as such would be defined as a characteristic anti-villain. He also has a devil and angel figure who appear on his shoulder as his subconscious, whenever he faces a moral dilemma. They are smaller versions of Kronk, dressed in an angel and a devil costume, and they usually bicker and mock one another instead of helping Kronk with the problem at hand.

He is revealed to be a great cook who can make such things as spinach puffs and fondue, and also has a secret recipe for foie gras. He also knows a variety of recipes and kitchen slang, as revealed in first film when he takes over for the chef. He is capable of incredible superhuman athletics, such as running from a school to his house and back in mere seconds, and climbing a mountain (while having a seat tied to his body with Yzma riding atop). Through the animated series it is learned that Kronk comes from a family of athletic health and fitness advocates. It was revealed in the episode of The Emperor's New School "Oops, All Doodles" that Kronk has a talent for drawing. In addition, Kronk is shown to be Jewish; in the film Kronk's New Groove he fantasizes about marrying Miss Birdwell in a Jewish ceremony, complete with him stepping on a glass.

In The Emperor's New Groove, Kronk is Yzma's henchman, and helps her turn Kuzco into a llama. He almost throws Kuzco over a waterfall, but has a change of heart and drops him on Pacha's cart instead of killing him. He then helps Yzma find him. He is shown as a sympathetic character through Yzma's abuse of him and his ability to "speak Squirrel."

In the sequel, he is head chef and owner of a restaurant called Mudka's. He is pleased with his new position, rather than his position with Yzma. However, Yzma eventually tricks him into helping her with a fake "youth potion" to con money out of elderly villagers. He develops a love interest, named Birdwell, and his father, Papi (voiced by John Mahoney) is introduced.

In the animated television series, Kronk plays the role of hero, sidekick, villain, or a combination of these roles in varying episodes. He is Yzma's henchman and also Kuzco's classmate. Though he frequently helps Yzma with her schemes, he just as often helps Kuzco get through them. As a running gag, he can never remember that Principal Amzy is really Yzma, and as a result, thinks he is in trouble when Yzma calls for him. Also a running gag, whenever Yzma tells Kronk to pull the lever to access the secret lab, he constantly pulls the wrong one and as a result, Yzma constantly gets hit by random objects. Like Kuzco he appears to have a crush on Malina and is often in competition for her affections with him.

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