Ash's Muk: Difference between revisions

enva1=[[Michael Haigney]] <small>([[EP030]]-[[AG133]])</small><br>[[Tom Wayland]] <small>([[DP182]]-[[BW123]])</small><br>[[Carter Cathcart‎‎]] <small>([[SM042]])</small><br>Unknown <small>([[JN068]]-Present)</small>|

java1=[[Unshō Ishizuka]] <small>([[EP030]]-[[SM042]])</small><br>Unknown <small>([[JN068]]-Present)</small>|

'''Ash's Muk''' (Japanese: '''サトシのベトベトン''' ''Satoshi's Betbeton'') was the ninth {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that {{Ash}} {{pkmn2|caught}} in the [[Kanto]] [[region]], and his tenth overall.

[[File:Muk Grimer EP030.png|thumb|left|220px|Muk in its debut]]

In ''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]'', Ash and {{ashfr}} were traveling through [[Gringey City]], which was in the midst of a power failure. The local power plant was being overrun by the mysterious {{type|Poison}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} {{p|Grimer}}. After the swarm was located, the Grimer's leader, a Muk, came and challenged the group. However, the vast numbers of {{p|Magnemite}} and {{p|Magneton}} in the city combined attacks to clear out the Grimer, leaving only Muk. With the aid of {{AP|Pikachu}} and a {{p|Magnemite}} that was following it due to an electrical build up, Ash defeated and captured the Muk. It was then immediately sent to [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] because its stench was so rancid that it could seep through the {{i|Poké Ball}}. However, Muk's horrid smell seemed to have disappeared by its later appearances as neither Ash, nor anyone around him, was affected by it.

Muk reappeared in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-ké Corral]]'' when Ash, {{an|Misty}}, {{an|Brock}}, and {{Gary}} visited Professor Oak's Laboratory.

Muk's first {{pkmn|battle}} was in ''[[EP077|The Fourth Round Rumble]]'', where it was selected for use in the [[Indigo Plateau Conference]]. After [[Jeanette Fisher]]'s high-level {{p|Bellsprout}} had trounced {{AP|Bulbasaur}} and {{AP|Pikachu}}, Muk made a surprise appearance as Ash's third Pokémon. Muk easily absorbed Bellsprout's physical moves and {{m|Razor Leaf}} and then simply smothered it with {{m|Body Slam}}, winning the match for Ash.

In ''[[EP102|The Mystery Menace]]'', Ash used Muk to help him and {{Tracey}} find Misty, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}}, and {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, who was kidnapped by a giant {{p|Bulbasaur}} in the sewers of [[Trovitopolis]]. Muk and {{AP|Kingler}} also offered to fight for Ash in the Orange Island Championship battle against {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}} in ''[[EP111|Hello, Pummelo!]]'', but Ash chose {{AP|Tauros}} instead.

Muk was reunited with Ash when he returned home in ''[[EP115|A Tent Situation]]''. Muk insisted on fighting {{TRT}}, and Ash ordered it into battle instead of choosing Bulbasaur. Muk managed to resist {{m|Razor Leaf}} attacks and a {{m|Poison Powder}} from [[James's Victreebel]]. {{TP|Jessie|Lickitung}}'s {{m|Lick}} was even less effective, wiping Muk's face ineffectively to the point of causing pleasure instead of damage. It was then put to sleep by {{m|Sleep Powder}}, but awoke after Gary intervened and drove Team Rocket away.

In ''[[EP145|A Farfetch'd Tale]]'', Muk crowded into Ash's screen with Kingler, Tauros, and {{AP|Snorlax}} to wish him luck for his next Gym battle with [[Whitney]].

Muk's only other major battle was when Ash called it up from Oak's Lab in ''[[EP270|Can't Beat the Heat!]]'', along with Tauros, Snorlax, and {{AP|Heracross}} in order to fight {{Gary}} in the [[Silver Conference]]. It was sent out originally to fight {{TP|Gary|Blastoise}}, and the two fought to a stalemate, with Muk's {{m|Sludge Bomb }}deflected by {{m|Rapid Spin}} and Blastoise's physical attacks absorbed into Muk's body. Ash pulled Muk for his {{AP|Bayleef}} quickly after. It was sent out to fight {{p|Scizor}} later, who dodged a Sludge Bomb easily. Muk absorbed both {{m|Quick Attack}} and {{m|Metal Claw}}, but Scizor was able to throw Muk using the latter attack, ultimately defeating it with {{m|Swift}}.

In ''[[HS04|Showdown at the Oak Corral]]'', Muk was seen crushing [[Cassidy]], [[Butch]], and all of the stolen Poké Balls. It was also seen crushing Tracey when he opened the door to Oak's Lab for {{Delia}}.

In ''[[SM042|Alola, Kanto!]]'', Muk was sent out of its Poké Ball so it could be compared with its [[regional form|Alolan Form]]. It immediately smothered Ash upon seeing him.

In [[JN068]], Muk reunited with Ash during his visit to Professor Oak's Laboratory with [[Goh]], smothering him on sight.

[[File:Ash and Muk.png|thumb|250px|Muk showing affection for its Trainer]]

Ash's Muk is an extremely happy and affectionate Pokémon. It is particularly affectionate towards {{an|Professor Oak}} and as a recurring gag first seen in ''[[EP050|Who Gets To Keep Togepi?]]'', it would always smother the Professor whenever Ash would make a call to the [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|lab]].

[[File:Ash Muk Jessie affection.png|thumb|left|220px|Muk loves humans and it's not too particular what kind]]

Muk's affection also extends to its {{pkmn|Trainer}}, second in enthusiasm only to {{AP|Bayleef}}, despite only having fought for him on three occasions. Muk obligingly crushes Ash in excitement whenever Ash returns to the lab or summons it to his party. Its affection also extends to complete strangers, as was seen when it completely ignored [[Jessie's Lickitung]] in order to hug [[Jessie]], also smothering [[James's Victreebel]] in excitement. It also smothered [[Professor Birch]] upon meeting him in ''[[AG133|The Right Place and the Right Mime]]''. Professor Oak suggests that Muk's overwhelming displays of affection is simply because it loves humans.

Muk differs from most of Ash's other Pokémon in that it is a defensive Pokémon, with a low attack power and a small moveset. It has never been shown to be damaged by a physical attack, with its opponents' [[move]]s always absorbed by its sludge body. Despite being quite powerful and good in battle, it has only ever defeated one opponent: [[Jeanette Fisher]]'s {{p|Bellsprout}}.

[[Ash Ketchum (EToP)|Ash]] caught Muk off-screen and later used it as his last Pokémon in his {{pkmn|battle}} against [[Jeanette Fisher|Jeanette]] in ''[[ET12|Welcome to the Big Leagues]]''. Jeanette's {{p|Bellsprout}} had no chances of using its techniques against Muk's slimy body, and Ash won the battle.

* ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'' is the only [[series]] in which Muk has not appeared.

* Out of all the Pokémon that Ash has obtained in their evolved forms, Muk has been in his possession the longest, excluding Pikachu, who didn't have a pre-evolved form at the time.