Jack is one of the three main characters in Ingress: The Animation. Initially, she pursues the protagonists, but later cooperates with them, becoming a character they can call a buddy. She also has a heroine quality, similar to Shirota from Daiguard.
【Ingress】Before Introducing Jack Norman
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Ingress: The Animation is based on the settings of real-life games. So, as background information before introducing the characters, I'll explain a bit about the game and its worldview. Ingress is a smartphone game that has been distributed in over 200 countries and regions around the world since its official launch in 2012, and has exceeded 20 million downloads. It is a game linked to reality, in which players compete for bases called Portals, which are located at real-world landmarks and historical objects, and is the game that inspired Pokémon GO.
Worldview and Setting
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CERN, the Swiss nuclear research institute that has appeared in other works, discovered a substance called "Exotic Matter (XM)" that reacts to the human mind and other elements. Humanity is divided into two camps: the "Enlightened," who accept 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 In-Game Influences of Ingress
Using XM, players with superhuman abilities are known as "Sensitives." Sensitives' 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 also available as a game worldwide, and even ordinary players who are unaware of the existence of Sensitives and XM compete for territory as part of the game.
【INGRESS】Jack Norman's Introduction
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Jack Norman, a former mercenary who traveled from battlefield to battle, is asked by his current employer and partner, Christopher Brandt, to protect a woman. The woman's name is Sarah Coppola. Jack didn't understand why they needed to protect her, a researcher at Huron Corporation, but before he could hear more, they were attacked by unknown assailants and Brandt was taken into custody. Jack took action to rescue Brandt and protect Sarah.
[INGRESS] Jack Norman's ability is the ability to see a little into the future!
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Jack is a Sensitive with the ability "Flash Forward," which allows him to see just a little bit into the future. This ability is primarily utilized in PvP combat, allowing him to detect bullets and giving him overwhelming combat abilities. However, perhaps due to the fate of Sensitives, his abilities are not generally appreciated, and with no place to belong, Jack has lived as a mercenary on the battlefield.
Strong as a former mercenary
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Jack, a former mercenary, has experienced many battles and possesses advanced combat skills. He is skilled in firearms and is also adept at street fighting. His sensitive nature allows him to see a little into the future, making him well-suited for combat. By activating his ability, he can overwhelm multiple opponents armed with firearms.
【INGRESS】Jack Norman chooses the Resistance
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Jack chooses the Resistance. Jack, a former mercenary, is scouted by Resistance scientist Christopher Brandt and becomes his bodyguard. Since Brandt chose the Resistance, it's highly likely that Jack also chose the Resistance.
【INGRESS】What is the relationship between Jack Norman and Christopher Brandt?
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Jack was a mercenary, traveling the battlefield, but was scouted by Christopher Brandt, an XM researcher, and became Brandt's bodyguard. Brandt was an ardent humanitarian, concerned about the misuse of XM and Sensitives for war and profit. Jack sympathizes with Brandt's philosophy and becomes his partner.
Jack is mortally wounded while protecting Brandt
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Jack agreed to protect Brandt, but Brandt was an utmost humanitarian who did not pursue profit. As a result, his life was often in danger. Jack sensed a bomb planted inside the company and tried to protect Brandt, but he was caught in the explosion and fatally injured. However, thanks to Brandt's treatment, he makes a miraculous recovery. However, there's actually a big reason for his recovery.
【INGRESS】Jack Norman is fascinated by Japanese culture!?
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After spending an extended period abroad, Jack visits Japan to protect Sarah. There, Jack experiences the unique culture of modern Japan. Manga cafes with unlimited coffee and manga reading, and a food culture like takoyaki. And when he called Golgo 13 to kill time, it seemed to really strike a chord with him.
【INGRESS】Jack Norman, the Exceptional Heroine
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Jack is a reliable, cool older man character who can be considered the protagonist's sidekick, but he also possesses heroine qualities that rival those of the heroine, Sarah. Sarah's tsundere personality, constant reliance on the protagonist, gradual acceptance of the protagonist, and tragic fate make her an outstanding heroine, even though her appearances become less frequent in the second half of the story.
【INGRESS】A Brief Introduction to Jack Norman's Story!
Source: Ingress © "Ingress" Production Committee
Jack, who was ordered by Christopher Brandt to protect Sarah, begins his mission to protect the detained Brandt and Sarah. However, they face unexpected resistance from Huron and Makoto, making their escape difficult. After Sarah is abducted by Huron from a research facility in Kyoto, Jack begins working with the protagonist, Makoto.
Jack Stays at a Manga Cafe
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Afterward, the two manage to track Sarah's movements thanks to Makoto's hacking. However, because of Huron, they are being pursued by the police, making it difficult for them to leave the country. With the help of Kunikida Jion, they were able to leave the country safely. The manga cafe they visited seemed to be captivated by its excellent customer service and the Golgo 13 they had invited to kill time.
Meeting Hank Johnson in India
After their plane crashed in India, the two were kidnapped by an Enlightened militia. However, thanks to the efforts of Hank Johnson, an Enlightened leader, they were released from captivity. Hank explained to them the history of the conflict between the Azmati tribe, the militia that had kidnapped them, and their rival. The rival group had forcibly seized the Azmati tribe's sacred land for use as a Dark XM mining site, and the Azmati tribe was fighting to reclaim it.
An important story that later involves Jack
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The Azumati tribe has a legend. It says that those who die in the sacred land will be resurrected. The effect of Dark XM is that a person on the verge of death will create a duplicate, similar to a copy of Gantz. These duplicates are called "Simulacra."
The two confront Ryu Tianhua
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The two head to CERN to rescue Sarah, where Ryu Tianhua reveals a shocking truth. Jack's true form has been preserved, having sustained a fatal injury while protecting Brandt. Jack is now a Simulacra, and his limits are rapidly approaching.
【INGRESS】Jack Norman Summary
Based on a video game-themed story, this series has a tense plot with numerous plot twists, and the story unfolds through the three characters of Makoto, Sarah, and Jack. It gets even more interesting from the last three episodes onwards, so be sure to check it out!
