"JUMANJI" is the name that usually applies to the mysterious board game of unknown origins, but also an inner dark fantasy world that exists within the seemingly ancient wooden board game and video game, both of which are fifth-dimensional, intelligent entities which seeks to lure players into its clutches. The variable lands of "JUMANJI" are usually set in harsh, jungle environments but also contain marshes and swamps, arid deserts, arctic tundras and civilisations built by varied cultures.
Overview
In the original 1981 book, the "JUMANJI" board game has players that find the game start in the deepest, darkest jungle and rolling the dice to move their tokens to gradually reach the goal-space, "JUMANJI" itself, a city of golden buildings and towers that acts as the end space on the game-board.
Located in the game board's crystal ball centre, "JUMANJI" is primarily a deep, dark jungle realm, but also has mountainous regions, arid deserts, icy wildlands, and even volcanic hellscapes. Weather also plays a pivotal role in the natural world, tending to be hostile with matters of catastrophic consequences for anyone and anything unable to adapt to survive. Statues depicting animals are located in remote places that tell history or serves a game point for solving gameplay.
Some native tribes and ancient civilizations are known to existed and constructed habitable villages and cities. Establishments like Trader Slick's Shop or the Bazaar allow travelers and community to congregate for business, social interaction or time passing. Accepted currencies for payment of goods include "JUMANJI's" own Central Bank paper bills, decorated in various jungle animals as well as more valuable forms of payment like antique Victorian gold coins of a by-gone era or even precious stones.
Wildlife
While humans exist in "JUMANJI", their populations are tiny compared to the domination of the realms most prominent species: Animals. Large or small, predator or prey, "JUMANJI's" animals are traditionally known to display a highly aggressive nature for the sake of their own survival and to enable a more fantastic gaming experience. The natural world consists of mainly animal species that can be identified as being African or Asian in the real world, but some creatures are also inspired by folklore or unique to "JUMANJI" itself. Some creatures are mechanized or steampunk killing machines such as those created by Professor J.S. Heinrich Ibsen. As evidenced in the game's crystal ball, any type of local vegetation can grow faster than bamboo, and even spawn harmful species of hostile plants that act as natural traps.
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Origin?
Although the exact origins of "JUMANJI" have never been specific in any media, there are some instances as depicted in the animated series and the Columbia films to suggest that the "JUMANJI" land may actually take place on an island on Earth. Comparable to the island of Themyscira of DC comics or Skull Island of King Kong media, "JUMANJI" appears to be an island that hides away from human knowledge, except by chance or by those who know how to find it.
- In "Eye of the Sea", Captain Squint offers to let Alan, Judy and Peter sail with him out of "JUMANJI", only to discover that he never intended to sail out of "JUMANJI", leaving Alan to drift back to the mainland.
- In "Air Judy", Dottie McGrail managed to crash land in "JUMANJI", and believes she's landed in Bermuda. The episode ends with her having made her way back to the outside world, flying past Brantford School, in New Hampshire.
- In "Night of the Hunters", sometime before Alan played "JUMANJI" and was taken into the game, Van Pelt was the only hunter in the jungle until his rival Ludwig Von Ritcher was apparently able to enter "JUMANJI" from outside the game.
- In Welcome to the Jungle, Smolder Bravestone and Mouse Finbar's backstories state that Bravestone saved Finbar from a warlord in the jungles of Peru, before they travelled to "JUMANJI" with Ruby Roundhouse and Shelly Oberon, after Nigel Billingsley sent them a letter asking for aid to break the curse on the Jaguar Shrine, and the latter to solve the Mountain Fortress plight.
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| Books | Novel • Film novel • Zathura | |
| Media | 1995 film • TV Series • Zathura: A Space Adventure • Welcome to the Jungle • The Next Level | |
| Games | Board Game • Jigsaw • Trading Cards • LCD Game • PC Game • PS2 Game • Mobile Game • 2019 Game • Fluxx • Stickers • The Curse Returns | |
| Jumanji Picture Book | ||
| Characters | Judy • Peter • Mother • Father • Mr. Budwing • Mrs. Budwing • Danny Budwing • Walter Budwing • Guide | |
| Animals | Rhinoceros • Monkey • Lion • Tetse Fly • Python | |
| Weather | Thunderstorm • Monsoon • Earthquake | |
| Objects | Board Game | |
| Locations | Jumanji Realm • Brantford | |
| Jumanji 1995 Film | ||
| Brantford Characters | Alan Parrish • Sarah Whittle • Judy Shepherd • Peter Shepherd • Sam Parrish • Carol Parrish • Carl Bentley • Nora Shepherd • Martha Shepherd • Jim Shepherd • General Angus Parrish • Caleb Sproul • Benjamin Sproul • Mrs. Thomas • Billy Jessup • Ralph Smigel | |
| Antagonists | Van Pelt | |
| Animals | Rhinoceros • Elephant • Monkey • Crocodile • Lion • Bat • Mosquito • Spider • Pelican • Zebra | |
| Vegetation | Pod • Purple Flower | |
| Weather | Monsoon • Earthquake • Quicksand • Tornado • Thunderstorm | |
| Objects | Jumanji (board game) | |
| Locations | Jumanji Realm • Brantford • Parrish Mansion • Parrish Shoe Company • Sir Sav-A-Lot • Brantford Pawnshop | |