How old is Jake the Dog in human years? Explained

Jake the Dog on Cartoon Network's Adventure Time is one of the two pivotal characters in the show. At the beginning of the series, it is mentioned that Jake, a dog with shapeshifting abilities, is 28 years of age in "magical dog years." But, as the show progressed, it was implied that he started ageing backwards after reaching a certain age.

In episode 2 of Adventure Time: Distant Lands, titled Obsidian, it is implied that Jake the Dog has died, however, the nature of his death or the age at which he died is not exactly known.

The English bulldog (the breed that Jake belonged to) typically has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years, but since Jake was a magical dog, it is possible that his age range at the time of his death was starkly different from what is considered the normal age range for a dog of his breed.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. Please read at your discretion.

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Jake the Dog was 28 years old at the beginning of Adventure Time

As previously stated, at the beginning of Adventure Time it is mentioned that Jake the Dog's age in magical dog years was 28 years. However, as more time passed, it became impossible to trace his age, as Jake was no regular English bulldog but a special one with unique capabilities.

One of the unique capabilities that Jake possessed was shapeshifting, which allowed him to transform from his alien form to dog form, and vice versa, with ease. Another ability Jake possessed was the ability to enlarge and shrink his body and its parts into sizes and shapes of his choice. Additionally, he could also move all his organs to a location of his choice if he wished.

What Jake lacked in combat skills he made up for with his magic skills. He possessed the unique ability to transform his hands into a weapon of his choice, which allowed him an upper hand over his opponents. Additionally, he could also stretch his body to a great degree, which proved beneficial during fights.

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How did Jake the Dog die in Adventure Time?

Jake the Dog's death is something that is never addressed in Adventure Time. The audiences are only made aware of his demise in episode 2 of the original series' spinoff show Adventure Time: Distant Lands. In the episode, while Jake is completely absent from the scene, Finn is seen donning a chest tattoo with Jake's face on it as a way of commemorating his memory.

Furthermore, in episode 3 of the show, when Finn reaches old age and dies, he lands up in the Dead Worlds. Upon reaching there, Finn tries to travel to the 50th Deadworld, where Jake the Dog resides, but faces obstruction from New Death, the son of Death and Life. However, despite all odds, it is implied that Finn and Jake are able to reconnect, but not as mortals.

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A brief synopsis of Adventure Time

A gist of Adventure Time's plot:

"Adventure Time is about two close friends: Jake, a wise old dog with a big kind heart, and Finn, a silly kid who wants more than anything else to become a great hero. These two dudes are all they have in the ways of family. They depend and lean on each other through thick and thin, they trust one another with secrets and look to each other for advice when problems get out of hand."

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Adventure Time is available for viewing on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max, Cartoon Network, and Apple TV Plus.