TV-Series
Description
Jet Rink, designated Cyborg 002, is a former American street gang member from the West Side of New York City who was captured and forcibly transformed into a cyborg by the terrorist organization Black Ghost. Before his capture, he was involved in gang conflicts, a life that culminated in him accidentally killing the leader of a rival gang in a switchblade fight while fleeing from the police, which led to his vulnerable state. His name is a reference to the character Jett Rink, played by James Dean in the film Giant, and his origins carry thematic echoes of the musical West Side Story. Black Ghost operatives promised him escape but instead delivered him for cybernetic conversion. In some later storylines, such as the Conclusion: GODS WAR arc, it is suggested that Jet Link is not his birth name but one he adopted.
Physically, Jet is a tall and lanky young man, distinguished by his long, swept-back ginger or red hair and a very prominent, beak-like nose that gives him a bird-like appearance. While lacking the raw strength of other cyborgs, his entire body is designed for high-speed aerial combat. His primary and most notable ability is his cybernetic flight unit, which is built into both of his legs. This allows him to hover and fly at incredible speeds, typically up to Mach 5. He is also equipped with a prototype acceleration unit that gives him a temporary burst of even greater speed, a precursor to the more advanced system used by Cyborg 009, though it is less stable and of shorter duration. Consequently, he is most often deployed for aerial assaults and reconnaissance. This focus on speed, however, means his limbs are more vulnerable to damage than those of his heavier comrades. Beyond his cybernetic gifts, his time on the streets gave him proficiency in street-fighting and marksmanship.
Jet’s personality is a complex mix of brash impulsiveness and deep-seated loyalty. He is quick-tempered, stubborn, and outspoken, often vocalizing his opinions and charging into situations with a rebellious streak that makes him resistant to authority, even clashing with the team's leader, 009, over decisions. Despite this hot-headed exterior, he is fundamentally cooperative, friendly, and laid-back in most situations, acting as a protective older brother figure to his fellow cyborgs. He is fiercely loyal to the team and is always prepared to risk impossible odds to help them. His brash nature can cause friction, particularly with the more pragmatic and war-hardened 004, but their shared history as first-generation cyborgs forges a powerful, if argumentative, bond of respect.
Underneath his confident and rebellious facade, Jet carries significant psychological trauma. He is burdened by a deep-seated guilt over the accidental killing of the gang leader and the friends he left behind, trauma that resurfaces and causes him to panic when he is forced to confront it. This experience, combined with his cybernetic condition, leads to a protective instinct, especially toward children and the innocent, as he seeks to atone for his perceived past failures. In some storylines, his mechanical nature prevents him from donating blood to a dying friend, a harrowing reminder of his lost humanity and emotional separation from the world. As the narrative progresses, he can develop a more pessimistic attitude, grappling with the existential downfall of being a cyborg, yet this is balanced by a strong moral compass and conviction in humanity's ability to endure.
Throughout the various story arcs, Jet’s role is a dynamic and active one, flying headlong into the heart of battle against Black Ghost and other threats. His development is often shown through his attempts to find a place in the world outside of combat. During periods of peace, he has pursued civilian careers, including playing professional American football, working as a Formula-1 racer, and serving as a youth counselor in New York. In the Conclusion: GODS WAR continuity, he works as a private detective to continue helping people on a local scale. One of his most defining moments comes near the end of the original manga’s final battle. After rescuing 009, Jet reveals his fuel is spent, leaving them stranded in the upper atmosphere. Accepting his fate, he re-enters the atmosphere with his comrade, the two appearing to burn up as a shooting star before being teleported to safety at the last moment. His key relationships include a strong bond with 003, Francoise Arnoul, whom he protectively shields, and a deep friendship with a neighborhood boy named Jimmy, whom he mentors and whose friendship helps humanize him.
Physically, Jet is a tall and lanky young man, distinguished by his long, swept-back ginger or red hair and a very prominent, beak-like nose that gives him a bird-like appearance. While lacking the raw strength of other cyborgs, his entire body is designed for high-speed aerial combat. His primary and most notable ability is his cybernetic flight unit, which is built into both of his legs. This allows him to hover and fly at incredible speeds, typically up to Mach 5. He is also equipped with a prototype acceleration unit that gives him a temporary burst of even greater speed, a precursor to the more advanced system used by Cyborg 009, though it is less stable and of shorter duration. Consequently, he is most often deployed for aerial assaults and reconnaissance. This focus on speed, however, means his limbs are more vulnerable to damage than those of his heavier comrades. Beyond his cybernetic gifts, his time on the streets gave him proficiency in street-fighting and marksmanship.
Jet’s personality is a complex mix of brash impulsiveness and deep-seated loyalty. He is quick-tempered, stubborn, and outspoken, often vocalizing his opinions and charging into situations with a rebellious streak that makes him resistant to authority, even clashing with the team's leader, 009, over decisions. Despite this hot-headed exterior, he is fundamentally cooperative, friendly, and laid-back in most situations, acting as a protective older brother figure to his fellow cyborgs. He is fiercely loyal to the team and is always prepared to risk impossible odds to help them. His brash nature can cause friction, particularly with the more pragmatic and war-hardened 004, but their shared history as first-generation cyborgs forges a powerful, if argumentative, bond of respect.
Underneath his confident and rebellious facade, Jet carries significant psychological trauma. He is burdened by a deep-seated guilt over the accidental killing of the gang leader and the friends he left behind, trauma that resurfaces and causes him to panic when he is forced to confront it. This experience, combined with his cybernetic condition, leads to a protective instinct, especially toward children and the innocent, as he seeks to atone for his perceived past failures. In some storylines, his mechanical nature prevents him from donating blood to a dying friend, a harrowing reminder of his lost humanity and emotional separation from the world. As the narrative progresses, he can develop a more pessimistic attitude, grappling with the existential downfall of being a cyborg, yet this is balanced by a strong moral compass and conviction in humanity's ability to endure.
Throughout the various story arcs, Jet’s role is a dynamic and active one, flying headlong into the heart of battle against Black Ghost and other threats. His development is often shown through his attempts to find a place in the world outside of combat. During periods of peace, he has pursued civilian careers, including playing professional American football, working as a Formula-1 racer, and serving as a youth counselor in New York. In the Conclusion: GODS WAR continuity, he works as a private detective to continue helping people on a local scale. One of his most defining moments comes near the end of the original manga’s final battle. After rescuing 009, Jet reveals his fuel is spent, leaving them stranded in the upper atmosphere. Accepting his fate, he re-enters the atmosphere with his comrade, the two appearing to burn up as a shooting star before being teleported to safety at the last moment. His key relationships include a strong bond with 003, Francoise Arnoul, whom he protectively shields, and a deep friendship with a neighborhood boy named Jimmy, whom he mentors and whose friendship helps humanize him.