I'd like to introduce Kunikida Jion, a friend of protagonist Midorikawa Makoto from his days as a hacker and a "counterfeiter" who makes a living by forging official documents. While many of the central characters in INGRESS have some kind of ability or belong to an organization, Kunikida Jion could be considered a representative of the average person.
【INGRESS】Before Introducing Jion Kunikida
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Ingress_the_animation uses the real-life setting of the game Ingress, so we'll start with a basic explanation. Ingress is a smartphone game that has been distributed in over 200 countries and regions worldwide since its official launch in 2012, achieving over 20 million downloads. This is a reality-linked game in which players compete for bases called portals, located at real-world landmarks and historical objects.
Worldview and Setting
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
CERN, the Swiss nuclear research institute that rose to fame thanks to Steins;Gate, has discovered a substance called "exotic matter (XM)" that gives people special powers. Humanity is divided into two factions: the "Enlightened," who embrace XM and seek to use it for human evolution, and the "Resistance," who view XM as a threat and seek to control it.
Sensitives and Ingress's Treatment
People who display extraordinary abilities due to XM are called "Sensitives." Sensitive abilities are amplified within fields connected by portals acquired by the faction selected in Ingress, but are suppressed within fields owned by a different faction. Ingress is distributed worldwide as a game, and ordinary players can participate in territory capture as if it were a normal game.
【INGRESS】Introduction to Kunikida Jion
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Kunikida Jion is a friend of the protagonist, Midorikawa Makoto, from his days as a hacker. Makoto was a sensitive person who could read memories, so he had no friends since childhood. His only friend was Kunikida Jion, a friend from his hacker days. Wanted in Japan, Makoto travels abroad to rescue Sarah, so he asks Makoto to forge a passport for him.
【INGRESS】Jion Kunikida chooses the Enlightened faction
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Jion Kunikida chooses the Enlightened faction. However, he does not belong to any specific organization present in the story, nor does he have special abilities like Sensitives. I'm an average player who enjoys playing Ingress as a game. I'm also an avid player who actively participates in events.
【Ingress】Is Kunikida Jion a caring person?
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
I have a bright and carefree personality. As a "counterfeiter" who makes a living by forging official documents, he seems to have a somewhat weak sense of ethics, but because of this, his attitude doesn't change even when Makoto is on the wanted list, and he can't refuse his friend Makoto's request to help him. Perhaps he's the type who believes in what he believes in more than the law?
【INGRESS】Kunikida Jion's skills as a counterfeiter are top-notch
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Makoto makes an unreasonable request, and he prepares two fake passports in one night. He responds to Makoto's request with the skill of Giovanni, creating two passports in one night. He also provides impeccable aftercare, preparing a disguise set. Although he looks a little shady, his skills as a counterfeiter are evident.
[INGRESS] Kunikida Jion, the representative of ordinary people in the game
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Kunikita Jion is neither "sensitive" nor affiliated with any organization, such as Huron Company or the police. He is a completely ordinary citizen. After Makoto and the others leave for overseas, she has few opportunities to shine, but at the very end, her status as an ordinary person becomes even more significant.
【INGRESS】Kunikida Jion Summary
Ingress the Animation may seem a bit rushed at first, but it's beautifully put together until the end. While Kunikida Jion doesn't have many screentimes, he does have a moment at the end, so I highly recommend watching until the very end!
