Jack

Jack

**Jack** has once been on Snowy Isle

**“***Trick or treat?***”**

― Jack, *New Leaf*

**Jack** (パンプキング, **Panpukingu**?, Pumpking)

​, or the self-proclaimed **Czar of Halloween**, is a character from the *Animal Crossing* series who is a specter. He appears once a year for Halloween, from 6:00 PM until 1:00 AM the following day. He distributes spooky furniture, which can only be obtained through him. If you don't give him candy, he pulls a trick on you, which includes: taking your offered item; turning an inventory item into a Jack-in-the-Box; replacing your top with a Patched Shirt or Moldy Shirt; giving you, or replacing your hat and/or accessory with, a Pumpkin Head helmet. The latter two require an empty inventory. He wears a pumpkin on his head which, during Halloween, makes him indistinguishable from other villagers who are also dressed like that and will also ask for candy. Jack, like all other holiday-related characters, was absent from *Wild World*, as was Halloween and candy.

In the July 28th, 2020 Summer Update Wave 2 trailer, he was confirmed to appear in *New Horizons*, in another update set for that Autumn. He officially appeared in the Version history September 30th Fall Update.

## Appearance

Jack has orange pumpkin for head, with hollowed out eyes, a circle nose, and a jagged smile. He wears a dark purple robe, that fades to a lighter purple at the hem and sleeves. He either wears black gloves and boots, or his hands and feet are black. In *New Leaf*, *Happy Home Designer*, and *New Horizons*, he is shorter than the player.

In *Happy Home Designer*, when his house is designed, the player can visit and find him in casual wear. He wears a patched robe instead of a purple one.

## Role

### In *Animal Crossing*

In *Animal Crossing*, he will be somewhere in town during Halloween. Unlike the other villagers, who wear the same clothing as him, he will not chase you. This is the same for Mayor Tortimer, who on the night will give the player a model of Katrina's tent. Upon talking to Jack, he will give the player an item of spooky furniture in exchange for candy. Doing this throughout the event will complete the set.

### In *Wild World*

Jack does not feature in *Wild World*, however, it could be thought that the pumpkin that appears in the Jack-in-the-box item may reference him.

### In *City Folk*

Jack returns in *City Folk*, along with Halloween and Candy. He was announced on the Japanese website for *City Folk*, along with other characters. His role remains the same as in *Animal Crossing*, and he now calls himself the Czar of Halloween. He sends a letter out to players earlier in the month, warning of his arrival, and telling them to have candy ready. Nook's store starts selling candy on the 1st of October.

### In *New Leaf*

In *New Leaf*, Jack reprises his role from previous games. From October 1st to the 8th, Jack will roam around the town until spoken to. Once interacted with, he will ask the player if they want to be his servant. During this time, no other special characters such as Redd, except Joan, will appear and the player won't be allowed to work at The Roost. On Halloween, Jack is far easier to identify than in previous games: although he chases the player like costumed villagers, the villagers' costumes are noticeably different from his. He describes candy and lollipops as his favorite treats, and gives out creepy objects and spooky furniture, the latter of which is now purchasable at stores. When the player gives him lollipops, he will always reward them with a creepy object, though there is a small chance of still receiving them while giving him candy. However, if the player doesn't give him candy, he pulls a trick on them, which includes taking their items, and giving them patched clothing.

### In *New Horizons*

In *New Horizons*, Jack’s role is mostly similar to his role in the previous game. At the beginning of October, Jack will send the player a letter containing his portrait. He visits the player on Halloween day from 5pm to midnight. When first given a piece of candy, Jack will grant the player with the Haunt reaction. Following this first interaction, he will give the player Halloween themed items, his outfit and two DIY recipes depending on how many lollipops and candy he’s given. Like in *New Leaf*, if he’s not given candy, he will play a trick on the player.

After giving Jack a lollipop, he may gift the player a copy of his face or robe. When both are obtained, the player can then dress as Jack and trick their villagers into giving them candy. Each villager can only be tricked once.

## Spooky Series

Main article: Spooky Series
Jack gives a piece of furniture every time the player gives him candy. All the furniture pieces look like pumpkins or Jack O'Lanterns. They are orange and, like all holiday-exclusive furniture sets, score very highly with the Happy Room Academy.

* Spooky Wall
* Spooky Carpet
* Spooky Bed
* Spooky Bookcase
* Spooky Clock
* Spooky Lamp
* Spooky Sofa
* Spooky Table
* Spooky Vanity
* Spooky Wall Lamp
* Spooky Wardrobe
* Spooky Chair
* Spooky Dresser
* Spooky Paper

Jack O'Lanterns, Jack-in-the-Boxes, and Ragged Shirts are arguably considered part of the Spooky Series. There is also a Spooky Shirt, which is not given to the player by Jack, but by Gracie or Wisp.

## *New Horizons*

Jack will give the player these in exchange for candy and lollipops. Jack will not give the player any other Halloween themed items or recipes, as the villagers will give them to the player in exchange for candy on Halloween if they were not purchased from Nook’s Cranny or obtained previously.

* Haunt Reaction
* Jacks Face
* Jacks Robe
* 10x Orange Pumpkin
* Spooky Carriage
* Spooky Carriage DIY recipe
* Spooky Wand Recipe

## Amiibo

 **Request** | **I'll leave it up to you!**

## Trivia

* If a player uses the haunt or scare reaction on Jack, he will respond by laughing.
* His Japanese name, *Pumpking*, reflects his self-given title, which is a portmanteau of "Pumpkin" and "King."
* Many pumpkin characters are named "Jack" through the traditional pumpkin name "Jack O'Lantern". The name comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack. (see references: Here)
* Jack's name could derive from the character Jack Pumpkinhead from the Oz Fantasy novels, a character with a pumpkin for a head very much like the character in this game.
* Certain dialect found within Jack's dialogue may suggest a nod to the character Jack Skellington from Tim Burton's The Nightmare before Christmas, who similarly proclaims himseld to be "King of Halloween", though *Animal Crossing's* Jack proclaims himself to be a Czar.
	+ It is possible that Jack referring to himself as a Czar rather than a King was intentional, so as not to cause conflicts between Disney and Nintendo.
* One easy way to find Jack is to dig holes in front of everyone's house before 6:00 PM so they can't get to the player, or by wearing a matching outfit.
* Jack was seen in a Nintendo Direct as a character to be released in NH future updates along with Pavé, Jingle, and Franklin
* The townsfolk villagers will instantaneously approach the player when trying to obtain candy when they are closer to them. This action is absent when nearing Jack. Seeing if a character comes towards the player when they stand somewhat close to them is a good test to see if they have found the true Halloween king. This method cannot be used in *New Leaf*.
* Jack, Wisp, and Farley are the only non-animal characters in the game.
	+ Jack has the deepest voice of any character in the game.
	+ In games prior to *New Horizons*, Jack had the voice of a cranky villager.
* He is featured on the cover of K.K. Dirge.
* In *New Leaf*, when the player accepts Jack's invitation to become a loyal servant at scaring villagers, he hints that all Halloween-based masks cost exactly 1031 bells. He then remarks about how he likes October 31st.