View source for Max

{{samename|[[character of the day]] from [[AG049|Maxxed Out!]]|Max (AG049)}}
----
{{CharInfobox
|color={{emerald color}}
|corecolor={{emerald color light}}
|bordercolor={{emerald color dark}}
|name=Max
|jname=マサト
|tmname=Masato
|slogan=no
|image=MaxAG.png
|size=150px
|caption=Max
|age=yes
|years=7 (as of [[AG003|debut]])
|colors=yes
|eyes=Black{{tt|*|Prior to Best Wishes series}}, Dark Brown{{tt|*|Best Wishes series onwards}}
|hair=Oxford Blue
|gender=Male
|hometown=[[Petalburg City]]
|region=[[Hoenn]]
|relatives={{an|May}} (sister), [[Norman]] (father), [[Caroline]] (mother)
|trainer=no
|game=no
|leader=no
|team=no
|brain=no
|anime=yes
|epnum=AG003
|epname=There's no Place Like Hoenn
|enva=[[Amy Birnbaum]] <small>([[AG003]]-[[AG145]])</small><br>[[Kayzie Rogers|Jamie Peacock]] <small>([[AG146]]-present)<br>
|java=[[Fushigi Yamada]]
}}
'''Max''' (Japanese: '''マサト''' ''Masato'') is an aspiring [[Pokémon Trainer]] and a former {{ashfr|traveling companion}} of {{Ash}}. He is the younger brother of {{an|May}} and the son of [[Norman]] and [[Caroline]]. He made his debut appearance in ''[[AG003|There's no Place Like Hoenn]]''.

==History==
Max first appeared in ''[[AG003|There's no Place Like Hoenn]]''. He was inside the [[Petalburg Gym]] when {{an|May}} returned home with {{Ash}}. When he saw Ash, he claimed that he was the [[Gym Leader]] and questioned Ash about the [[Silver Conference]], saying that he had watched the tournament live when Ash was a participant and was not impressed with his performance. As the two began to bicker over how Ash could have won his battle against {{jo|Harrison}}, May arrived with her parents and revealed that Norman was the actual Gym Leader instead of Max. Max watched the match between Norman and Ash until it was interrupted by {{TRT}}. He went after Team Rocket and fell for their pit traps when he found {{TP|May|Torchic}}. Later, he decided to join Ash and May when they were setting off to [[Petalburg Woods]].

[[File:Max and Tommy.png|thumb|left|220px|Max and Tommy]]
In ''[[AG005|In the Knicker of Time!]]'', Max went off to find [[Nicholai]] when he insulted Norman after defeating May. He brought along a pile of {{Berries}} which attracted the {{p|Zigzagoon}}'s attention. They got angry when Max ran out of Berries and Ash, May, {{an|Brock}}, and Nicholai arrived to save Max. When Nicholai led the Zigzagoon away from the group, Max apologized for his actions earlier.

Max took a liking to {{OBP|Katrina|AG011}}'s {{p|Poochyena}} in ''[[AG011|A Bite to Remember]]''. Seeing that Katrina owned three {{p|Mightyena}}, Max attempted to get Poochyena to [[Evolution|evolve]]. He {{pkmn|training|trained}} it with May's Torchic but was unsuccessful due to Torchic attacking both Max and Poochyena. Max then ran off with Poochyena after Ash told him that some Pokémon are happy the way they are. When Poochyena was caught by Team Rocket, Max encouraged it to bite through the net to free itself and the other Pokémon as well. Afterwards, Poochyena was able to evolve into Mightyena.

In ''[[AG015|Gonna Rule the School!]]'', Max spent a day at [[Roxanne]]'s {{pkmn|Trainer's School}} where he battled against {{OBP|Tommy|AG015}}'s {{p|Magby}} using a {{p|Poliwag}}. He used the strategy in increasing Poliwag's defense as much as possible with {{m|Defense Curl}}, but this backfired when Magby's repeated attacks began to wear Poliwag down.

In ''[[AG046|Candid Camerupt]]'', Max borrowed [[Ash's Corphish]] during the battle with [[Winstrate family|Vivi]], who had a crush on him. Since Corphish was Ash's Pokémon, Corphish recklessly attacked {{p|Marill}} even though Max wanted Corphish to go easy on Marill. This victory caused Vivi to no longer be interested in him.

[[File:Max and Max.png|thumb|220px|Max and [[Max (AG049)|his doppelgänger]]]]
Max met a [[Doppelgänger|look-alike]] of his who has the [[Max (AG049)|same name]] as him in ''[[AG049|Maxxed Out!]]''. Both of them were fighting when the brown-haired one criticized the green-haired Max about how only skilled Trainers can handle {{TP|May|Skitty}} as he thought that the Skitty was his. Max met up with the brown-haired Max by the lake when a {{p|Surskit}} was dancing around there. May suggested to both Maxes that they should be friends but it resulted in them fighting. When Team Rocket arrived with their goal in catching Surskit for their {{an|Giovanni|boss}}, the green-haired Max and the brown-haired one went off and found Surskit as it ran away. They found it in a new water spring located in the forest. When Team Rocket returned to capture the Surskit, both Maxes worked together to take on the trio and Surskit finished them off. After Team Rocket's defeat, both Maxes became friends and the brown-haired Max promised the green-haired one that he will become a Trainer someday.

In ''[[AG081|Take This House and Shuppet]]'', Max and {{ashfr|the gang}} went to a mansion. He separated from the group after he got into a sibling rivalry with May when they both accused each other of ending up in the mansion. When Max was still upset about May, a {{p|Shuppet}} covered him with red aura and Max noticed it. They played with each other and Shuppet showed Max a secret room containing a playground. Still mad about May, Max had Shuppet play a prank on Ash, May, and Brock by lifting up items in the kitchen when the three were headed there. When Team Rocket was about to get May's Torchic, Max blocked their way until May arrived. Max stood back as May took things from there with her Torchic and was about to get crushed by a falling shelf until Shuppet saved them by lifting the shelf.

Max found an injured {{p|Ralts}} in ''[[AG109|Do I Hear a Ralts?]]''. He took it back to the campsite where {{AP|Snorunt}} successfully cheered it up using [[Ash's hat]] and Max's glasses. Max took Ralts to a [[Pokémon Center]] after Brock pointed out that Ralts was running a {{DL|Pokémon illness|fever}}. While Ash, May, and Brock were battling Team Rocket while they were attempting to steal Ralts for their boss, Max made a run for the Pokémon Center with Snorunt tagging along. Along the way, Max dealt with Team Rocket again but they were stopped by Ralts's friends, a {{p|Kirlia}} and a {{p|Gardevoir}}. Max explained to them about Ralts's condition but Kirlia was about to attack him until Ralts protected him with {{m|Safeguard}} despite being in worse condition. Seeing that Ralts was willing to trust Max, Kirlia and Gardevoir {{m|teleport}}ed away. Max finally arrived in a Pokémon Center and reunited with Ash, May, and Brock. Max was happy to see that Ralts was healed up. However, he was sad to say goodbye to it after it left with Kirlia and Gardevoir.
[[File:Max farewell.png|thumb|left|220px|Max's farewell]]
In ''[[AG171|Pokémon Ranger - Deoxys' Crisis! Parts 1]]'' and ''[[AG172|2]]'', Max went with the group and [[Solana]] to a cave where they found out about a meteorite relating to [[Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime#Deoxys|Deoxys]]. Max was willing to communicate with it and Deoxys took him and {{MTR}} to another dimension. Deoxys possessed Meowth as it explained to Max that it was scared during the space flight. Deoxys then explained to Max about the meteor landing and outer space, and that it was alone without a friend to hangout with. When Ash and his friends arrived in the cave again, [[Ash's Swellow]] and {{AP|Sceptile}}, [[May's Combusken]], and [[Brock's Marshtomp]] signaled their arrival and Max was happy to see them again. When Deoxys battled the group outside the cave, it caused some friction inside the alternate dimension that made Max and Meowth bounce around. However, they were able to get out with the help of May and [[Jessie]]. After the battle, Deoxys possessed Meowth again where it thanked Max for everything and fled off, wanting to explore the planet even more.

At the end of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, May announced that she wished to travel to the [[Johto]] [[region]] alone. This initially upset Max but Ash cheered him up with the promise of a battle between the two when Max becomes a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He arrived home in Petalburg City where he took lessons from his father and helped to look after the Gym Pokémon.

Max received three cameo appearances in the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, triggered by May's brief return for the [[Wallace Cup]] arc; during a flashback in ''[[DP076|A Full Course Tag Battle!]]'' and watching May on television in ''[[DP077|Staging a Heroes' Welcome!]]'' and ''[[DP079|Strategy with a Smile!]]''. He also appeared in the {{series|Best Wishes}}, in a flashback in ''[[BW142|The Dream Continues!]]''.

==Character==
[[File:Max Brock ears.png|thumb|220px|Max pulling Brock's ears]]
In his debut episode, Max was presented somewhat of a know-it-all who was proud of his book smarts. For example, in ''[[AG005|In the Knicker of Time!]]'', Max did not approve of how {{Ash}} had used {{AP|Pikachu}} in {{pkmn|battle}} and spent a portion of the episode lecturing him on what he thought was a better way to command the Pokémon. But despite this attitude, Max was not a close-minded person and was always eager to learn about Pokémon first-hand. He would become particularly excited when he could experience a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}'s [[move]] or [[Ability]], such as {{an|Jigglypuff}}'s {{m|Sing}} or {{p|Sharpedo}}'s {{a|Rough Skin}}.

Over the course of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, Max went under {{an|Brock}}'s tutelage for real-world knowledge of Pokémon and how to [[Pokémon training#Caretaking|care]] for them. He developed a friendly relationship with Brock, though he did adopt {{an|Misty}}'s habit for yanking Brock by the ear whenever Brock saw a pretty woman. Despite getting off to a rocky start with Ash, Max truly admires him and has proven it on numerous occasions. Over time, Max saw how Ash's unorthodox battle strategies could be beneficial, and by the end of his travels through [[Kanto]], Max was no longer criticizing Ash's battling style.

He shares a deep bond with his older sister {{an|May}}, and their bond only grew stronger while they traveled together through Hoenn with Ash and Brock. He is very proud of May's accomplishments as a [[Pokémon Coordinator]], and is always cheering for her when she takes part in a [[Pokémon Contest]]. However, the siblings were occasionally aggressive towards each other, like when Max told [[Harley]] embarrassing stories about May.

[[File:Max DP.png|thumb|left|220px|Max taking care of [[Norman's Slaking]]]]
Another example occurred in the {{pkmn|movie}} ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'', when May asked Jirachi to "get rid of the problem," referring to the large pile of candy in the room. Jirachi, who was reading Max's thoughts, {{m|teleport}}ed May away, which suggests that Max had been thinking that May was the real problem. Despite their arguments, the two siblings care for each other very much.

The question of Max's [[starter Pokémon]] was raised a number of times while he was traveling in Hoenn. Between the Hoenn starters, he said that he would have chosen a {{p|Treecko}}. However, in ''[[AG034|Having a Wailord of a Time]]'', he commented that he could really receive anything. Not knowing who his starter would be led to some of the conflict with his [[doppelgänger]], whose name was also {{OBP|Max|AG049}}, in ''[[AG049|Maxxed Out!]]''. At the end of that episode, he stated that Max is lucky that he already knows the Pokémon he will start his {{pkmn|training}} with.

Max finally did meet his future partner in ''[[AG109|Do I Hear a Ralts?]]'' when he befriended a weakened {{p|Ralts}}. Wanting to demonstrate that he could be responsible for a Pokémon, he took care of it and brought it to a [[Pokémon Center]] with a little help from {{AP|Snorunt}}. When Max and Ralts parted ways at the end of the episode, they promised to meet up again when Max was eligible to be a Trainer.
{{left clear}}
==Pokémon==
Due to not being a [[Pokémon Trainer]] yet, Max is unable to {{pkmn|training|raise}} his own {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. Nevertheless, he has befriended a variety of Pokémon during his travels. He has also occasionally borrowed [[May's Munchlax]], such as in ''[[AG159|Off the Unbeaten Path!]]'' when he needed a Pokémon to take part in the [[Pokémon Orienteering]] being held in [[Potpourri Island]].

Despite this, Max has been in a couple of [[Pokémon battle]]s, such as the ones with {{OBP|Tommy|AG015}} and [[Winstrate family|Vivi Winstrate]]. When he battles, he focuses on [[Status move|defensive moves]] such as {{m|Protect}} or {{m|Defense Curl}} instead of offensive, [[damage]]-dealing moves.

===Befriended===
{{MissingInfo|2|enva|java}}
{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Alex
|pkmn=Shroomish
|type1=Grass
|img=Max Shroomish.png
|epnum=AG009
|epname=Taming of the Shroomish
|desc={{p|Shroomish}} is a Pokémon that Max met very early on in his journey. Max met the seemingly unhappy Shroomish while returning from a burger run with Ash. Max wanted to feed it and make friends with it, so Ash gave Max some Pokémon food to feed it. Shroomish was suspicious and used Stun Spore, causing Ash and Max to quickly back away in surprise.

Ash and Max noted that Shroomish was in the city instead of the forest, where its kind normally would live. Figuring that it might have been separated from its Trainer, they decided that they should take it to a [[Pokémon Center]]. Max took out a handkerchief and tied it around the top of Shroomish's head as a gift. The gift made Shroomish very happy. Max picked up Shroomish and they headed off.

After another failed [[Ash's Pikachu|Pika]]-{{TRT}} plan, Shroomish, still in Max's arms, got very distressed and ran off. Ash and Max followed it. Shroomish went into the mansion through a broken window. In the end, Shroomish stayed in the mansion with [[Alex]] who promised to replant the forest.

Shroomish's known moves are {{m|Stun Spore}} and {{m|Leech Seed}}.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Katrina
|pkmn=Mightyena
|stage1=Poochyena
|type1=Dark
|img=Max Poochyena.png
|cap=Katrina's Poochyena
|img2=Max Mightyena.png
|epnum=AG011
|epname=A Bite to Remember
|desc=During their travels, Max met up with {{OBP|Katrina|AG011}} who had a pack of {{p|Mightyena}} and a lone {{p|Poochyena}} which didn't [[evolution|evolve]] with the others. Noting that it shouldn't be left out, Max decided to start training it so it could evolve. After battling with it against {{an|May}}'s Pokémon and a fight with {{TRT}}, it eventually evolved.

Mightyena's known moves are {{m|Tackle}} and {{m|Bite}}. }}

{{TrainerPoké
|main=Jirachi (M06)
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Jirachi
|type1=Steel
|type2=Psychic
|img=Jirachi M06.png
|epnum=M06
|epname=Jirachi: Wish Maker
|vaen=Kerry Williams
|vajp=Tomiko Suzuki
|desc=In the movie, Jirachi awakened for seven days from a mysterious rock while the [[Millennium Comet]] was nearby. Jirachi had been taken by [[Butler]], who was hoping to use Jirachi's powers for his own gain. Butler's girlfriend [[Diane]] realized what he was doing, and informed {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}. They decided to bring Jirachi to its home of [[Forina]].
Unfortunately, Butler followed them and got a hold of Jirachi. Using the {{t|Psychic}} Pokémon, he unwittingly created a fake {{p|Groudon}} which wrought havoc all over the forests of Forina. Fortunately, Jirachi was saved by Ash and then used its {{m|Doom Desire}} to obliterate the false Groudon.

After the ordeal, Jirachi went back to sleep, and Ash and the others continued their journey.

During this time, Jirachi grew attached to Max, and formed a special bond with him. It is believed that Max was the one who enabled Jirachi to emerge from the Millennium Comet. He was sad to see Jirachi leave, but he knew that they would always remain friends.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Emily
|pkmn=Shuppet
|type1=Ghost
|img=Max Shuppet.png
|epnum=AG081
|epname=Take This House and Shuppet
|desc=Max befriended {{p|Shuppet}} in a mansion while he was on his travels. Shuppet was inhabiting the mansion as it has been there for quite a while. After meeting up with Max, they decided to have fun and scare {{ashfr|some people}}. Shuppet is incredibly mischievous but does care about its friends and does defend them in battle. In the end it stayed in the mansion with {{OBP|Emily|AG081}}.

Shuppet's only known move is {{m|Psychic}}.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Ralts
|type1=Psychic<!-- Don't add Fairy because Ralts was a pure Psychic-type at the time. -->
|img=Max Ralts.png
|epnum=AG109
|epname=Do I Hear a Ralts?
|vajp=Ikue Ohtani
|vaen=Ikue Ohtani
|vaen2=Rachael Lillis
|vaen2note=when speaking telepathically
|desc=Max first heard {{p|Ralts}} calling out to him telepathically. He then found it near a lake and it was very sick. Max insisted on taking Ralts to the nearest [[Pokémon Center]], with [[Ash's Snorunt]]. He convinced Ralts's family, {{p|Kirlia}} and {{p|Gardevoir}}, that he would help Ralts. He eventually reached the Pokémon Center, where Ralts made a full recovery from pneumonia. When {{TRT}} tried to steal Ralts, it blasted them away with a powerful Psychic. Afterwards, Kirlia and Gardevoir arrived to take back Ralts, but it did not want to leave Max and wanted to go with him. Max promised that he would return for it when he is old enough to become a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. It has not been seen since.

Ralts's known moves are {{m|Psychic}}, {{m|Safeguard}}, and {{m|Teleport}}.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Deoxys
|type1=Psychic
|img=Max Deoxys {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: H}} mod 2}}|0=Normal|1=Attack}} Forme.png
|cap=Deoxys in {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: H}} mod 2}}|0=Normal|1=Attack}} Forme
|img2=Max Deoxys {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: H}} mod 2}}|0=Defense|1=Speed}} Forme.png
|cap2=Deoxys in {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: H}} mod 2}}|0=Defense|1=Speed}} Forme
|epnum=AG171
|epname=Pokémon Ranger! - Deoxys Crisis!
|desc={{main|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime#Deoxys|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime → Deoxys}}

{{p|Deoxys}} crashed onto the planet and started causing disturbances in the area. When found, it kidnapped Max and {{p|Meowth}} and took them to an alternate dimension. In this time, Max befriended Deoxys and learned that it just wanted to be able to leave and get on with its life. With the help of {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}}, along with [[Solana]], this was accomplished.}}

===Borrowed===
These are Pokémon Max has borrowed either for a battle or an event.

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Poliwag
|type1=Water
|img=Max Poliwag.png
|epnum=AG015
|epname=Gonna Rule The School!
|vaen=Rachael Lillis
|vajp=Shin'ichirō Miki
|desc=Max borrowed {{p|Poliwag}} when he attended [[Pokémon Trainer's School]]. Max found it under a bench and returned it to [[Roxanne]], who said it was {{OBP|Kenny|AG015}}'s, but he was afraid of touching it. Later, when {{OBP|Tommy|AG015}} accidentally stepped on Poliwag's tail, it sparked a fight between Tommy and Max. In battle practice, Max then used Poliwag against Tommy's {{p|Magby}}. 

Tommy began with a {{m|Flamethrower}}, which Max countered with Defense Curl. When Tommy tried again, Max used Belly Drum. With increased attack and defense power, Max chose not to go forward and attack, and on Tommy's next attempt with Flamethrower, it was replied with another Defense Curl - however, repeated hits were taking its toll on Poliwag. Suddenly {{TRT}} attacked, but Max was able to cooperate with Kenny and [[Anita]] to send them blasting off.

Poliwag's known moves are {{m|Defense Curl}}, {{m|Belly Drum}}, {{m|Water Gun}} and {{m|Protect}}.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|main=yes
|trainer=Ash
|pkmn=Corphish
|type1=Water
|img=Max and Corphish.png
|epnum=AG046
|epname=Candid Camerupt!
|vaen=Maddie Blaustein
|vajp=Katsuyuki Konishi
|desc=Ash gave Max his {{p|Corphish}} in ''[[AG046|Candid Camerupt!]]''. He used it to battle Vivi Winstrate's {{p|Marill}}. During the battle, Corphish listened to none of Max's commands and went for the offense on the Aqua Mouse Pokémon, defeating it in the process. This caused Max's and Vivi's relationship to break apart, upsetting Max. However, Corphish was there to cheer up Max in the end.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Professor Oak and Birch
|pkmn=Kanto and Hoenn starters
|type1=Kanto
|type2=Hoenn
|img=Max Kanto Hoenn starters.png
|epnum=AG071
|epname=A Six Pack Attack!
|desc=Max borrowed [[Kanto]] and [[Hoenn]] starters from {{an|Professor Oak}} and [[Professor Birch]] respectively, in order to save them from {{TRT}}.}}

{{TrainerPoké
|main=yes
|trainer=May
|pkmn=Munchlax
|type1=Normal
|img=Max Munchlax.png
|epnum=AG159
|epname=Off the Unbeaten Path
|vaen=Carter Cathcart{{!}}Billy Beach
|vajp=Chie Satō
|desc=May gave her brother {{p|Munchlax}} in ''[[AG159|Off the Unbeaten Path]]'' to use in a Pokémon Orienteering Contest. Max was also seen with Munchlax in other occasions other than the contest.}}

==Achievements==
Max has competed in the following {{cat|Pokémon competitions}}:
* [[Pokémon Orienteering]] - N/A (''[[AG159|Off the Unbeaten Path]]'')

==Voice actors==
{{vatable|color={{emerald color}}|bordercolor={{emerald color light}}
|ja=山田ふしぎ ''[[Fushigi Yamada]]''
|zh_cmn=詹雅菁 ''Zhān Yǎjīng''
|nl=Lot Lohr<br>Unknown voice actor ([[M06]]-[[M07]])
|en=[[Amy Birnbaum]] ([[AG003]]-[[AG145]], [[M06]]-[[M08]])<br>[[Kayzie Rogers|Jamie Peacock]] ([[AG146]]-present, [[M09]], ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'')
|ru=Ольга Голованова (Olga Golovanova)
|de=Ute Bronder<br>Solveig Duda
|pt_br=Thiago Keplmair
|pt_eu=Sandra de Castro ([[AG003]]-[[AG092]])<br>Raquel Ferreira ([[AG093]]-[[AG177]])<br>Unknown voice actress ([[M07]])<br>Unknown voice actress ([[AG178]]-[[AG192]])
|es_eu=Beatriz Berciano
|es_la=Diego Armando Ángeles<br>Mara Campanelli ([[M06]]-[[M07]])
|pl=[[Joanna Domańska]]
|id=Ridawati ({{series|Advanced Generation}}, [[M06]]-[[M07]])<br>Jane Leisilla Zahara ([[M08]]-[[M09]])
|it=Federica Valenti
|he=אייל כהן ''Eyal Cohen''<br>עידו דנקנר ''Ido Dankner''
|hu=Ádám Czető<br>Csongor Szalay
|da=Mikkel Følsgaard
|fi=Elise Langenoja ([[AG003]]-[[AG145]], ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'')<br>Unknown voice actress ([[AG146]]-present)<br>Unknown voice actress ([[M06]]-[[M07]])
|fil=Rona Aguilar
|fr_eu=Guylaine Gibert
|ko=김서영 ''Kim Seo-Yeong''
|no=Even Løken Bergan
|cs=Eva Spoustová (movies only)
|sv=Nick Atkinson
|th=ศันสนีย์ วัฒนานุหม่อมชั้น ''Sansanee Watthananumhomchan''}}

==In the manga==
===In the Ash & Pikachu manga===
[[File:Max AP.png|thumb|200px|Max in the Ash & Pikachu manga]]
Max appears in the [[Ash & Pikachu]] {{pkmn|manga}} where he became a traveling partner of Ash beginning in ''[[SP18|The Keeper Of The Tree, Treecko!!]]''.
{{sectionstub}}
====Pokémon====
=====Befriended=====
{{TrainerPoké
|width=80
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Ralts
|type1=Psychic
|img=Max Ralts AP.png
|epnum=SP30
|epname=The Birth Of The Invincible Team, Max And Ralts!!
|desc=Max found an injured {{p|Ralts}} lying down on some grass. He took it to a Pokémon Center where it was raining our and he encountered {{TRT}} and their [[Team Rocket's mechas|mecha]] along the way. However, Max did not give up and still pursued on taking Ralts to the Pokémon Center. After getting it healed up, Max was sad to leave it.

None of Ralts's moves are known.}}

=====Borrowed=====
{{TrainerPoké
|trainer=Max
|pkmn=Corphish
|type1=Water
|img=Max Corphish AP.png
|epnum=SP22
|epname=A Pokémon Battle Against An Entire Family?!
|desc={{main|Ash's Corphish}}

During the battle against Vivi Winstrate, Max borrowed Ash's Corphish where it battled against Vivi's {{p|Marill}} and easily won.}}

==Trivia==
[[File:ORAS Schoolkid M.png|thumb|110px|Schoolkid artwork from Generation VI]]
* Max's appearance may have been based upon the {{tc|Schoolkid}} [[Trainer class]] from {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}.
** The Schoolkid artwork from [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]] closely resembles Max.
** According to [http://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20151225009/index_3.html an interview] with  [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]], Max was created during a conversation with [[Satoru Iwata]]. His glasses are the same model Iwata wore then, and his overall design was based on Iwata's son.
* Although Max took {{an|Misty}}'s role of pinching {{an|Brock}}'s ear when he sees a pretty girl, he didn't start doing that until he saw Misty do it in ''[[AG044|The Princess and The Togepi!]]''. However, he did drag Brock by the pants once in ''[[AG038|A Different Kind of Misty!]]''.
* Max was the first {{ashfr|main character}} besides Ash to have a lead role in a [[Pokémon movie]], as all movies before ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'' had either Ash or a [[character of the day]] with the lead role.
* Max befriending a {{p|Ralts}} mirrors [[Wally]]'s {{pkmn2|starter|first Pokémon}}. Max also finds it sick, which is the reverse of the sickly Wally {{pkmn2|caught|catching}} Ralts.
** This may also be due to two Schoolkids using a Ralts in {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}}.
*Max is the youngest male protagonist.
*He is Ash's first companion who is too young to be a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. The second would be {{an|Bonnie}}, although she does care for [[Clemont's Dedenne|a Pokémon]].

==Names==
{| class="roundy" style="float:left; background: #{{emerald color light}}; border: 3px solid #{{emerald color}}"
|- style="text-align:center"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}}" | Language
! Name
! style="{{roundytr|5px}}" | Origin
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Japanese
|マサト ''Masato''
|Can be taken from 正人, a Japanese given name which literally means ''correct/elegant man'', possibly referring to his intelligence.
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
|Max
|Similar in sound to "Masato". Shares the first two letters with May.
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Korean
|정인 ''Jeong'in''
|From the name 正人 ''Masato'', which can be read as 정인 in Korean Hanja reading.
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Chinese ({{tt|Mandarin|Taiwan and mainland China}})
|小勝 / 小胜 ''Xiǎo Shèng''
|勝 may be taken from 勝人, an alternate spelling of Masato. Can mean "small victory" or "young success".
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Chinese ({{tt|Cantonese|Hong Kong}})
|小勝 ''Síu Sīng''
|Same as Mandarin name.
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Thai
|มาซาโตะ ''Masato''
|Same as his Japanese name.
|- style="background:#FFF;"
|Russian
| Макс ''Maks''
| Transcription of the English name.
|}
{{-}}

==Related articles==
* {{cat|Episodes focusing on Max}}
* [[a:Category:Max|Images on the Bulbagarden Archives]]
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{{Ash and Pikachu characters}}
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{{Project Anime notice|no}}

[[Category:Anime characters|Max]]
[[Category:Ash's friends|Max]]
[[Category:Ash and Pikachu characters|Max]]
[[Category:Anime running gags]]

[[de:Max]]
[[fr:Max (frère de Flora)]]
[[it:Max (anime)]]
[[ja:マサト]]
[[pl:Max]]
[[zh:小勝]]