Max, May’s younger brother, joins Ash, Brock, and his sister on their journey, proving resourceful and sharp-eyed. He relies on his trusty PokéNav for navigation, though its limits become apparent in isolated regions. When dehydration strikes him in scorching, arid terrain, the group scrambles to secure water. Driven by curiosity, he investigates odd water formations, stumbling upon a wandering circus family renowned for Water-type Pokémon spectacles.

There, he engages playfully with their Buizel, revealing his inquisitive side. Max displays a keen understanding of group dynamics, especially amid tensions over safeguarding Manaphy’s egg. As the mission to protect Manaphy and locate the Sea Temple unfolds, he aids evacuation efforts during the temple’s catastrophic flooding, collaborating with Brock and Lizabeth to prioritize safety.

His sibling bond with May shines through shared exhaustion and moments where he leans on her for backup. Though secondary to Manaphy’s story and May’s central role, his contributions bolster the group’s crisis responses—deciphering ruins, countering Phantom’s schemes, and pooling ingenuity to navigate escalating dangers.