Zanka Nijiku

Zanka attacks the attackers with Lovely Assistaff: A simple stick that, when activated, becomes significantly sharper, allowing Zanka to cut through things. Her strength also increases, enabling her to lift large amounts of earth from the ground. Zanka's agile and fluid fighting style allows her to use her entire body and full strength to swing her Vital Instrument and deliver a fatal blow to enemies. Vibration detection: Zanka can stick Lovely Assistaff to the ground, allowing it to use vibrations to detect people or objects in the area even when its vision is obstructed. Vibration detection Inverted Spikes: Zanka can invert Lovely Assistaff's spikes, allowing her to quickly pierce Trash Beasts with her Vital Instrument. She likes: Broth-based meals, people who work hard to achieve their goals He doesn't like: Bitter foods, geniuses, people who think they're geniuses Zanka's vital instrument, Lovely Assistaff, appears to be based on a Sasumata. This type of polearm was used by samurai in feudal Japan to capture criminals and is classified as a man-catching weapon. A modified version of this weapon was also used in firefighting to help dismantle burning buildings. The weapon itself seems appropriate for Zanka, as it would likely be used by Hell Guardians to grab enemies by the neck.

Proficiency with Vital Instruments: According to Enjin, Zanka is the best user of Vital Instruments among all the Cleaners, as he understands and fully utilizes the potential of his weapon. His experience allows him to decipher the abilities of his opponents' Vital Instruments and devise the best ways to counter them. His experimentation enables him to instruct individuals like Rudo, who are inexperienced in using their powers, to use them in more creative and improvised ways, as seen in his fight against Jabber.

General Abilities: Zanka proves to be a formidable fighter, displaying high speed, strength, and agility in his fighting style. He is an expert in the handling of Vital Instruments, most notably demonstrated by his own competent use of his own. Enjin himself, a seasoned Giver, highly praises Zanka's skills and considers him the best Vital Instrument handler among the Cleaners. As a former Hell Guard apprentice at the Academy, Zanka was top of his class and received various types of training before leaving, including weapons handling and hand-to-hand combat. Zanka also received private training from his family, including his older sister, Kyouka Nijiku, who taught him how to dodge gunfire. Enhanced Strength: Zanka demonstrated great brute strength, capable of killing Garbage Beasts, shattering rocks, and breaking human bones with the impact of his blows. In his second fight against Jabber, Zanka lifted a large, heavy clump of earth with his Vital Instrument and hurled it at him, forcing him to use his awakened claws to protect himself from the impact.

Enhanced Speed: Zanka has demonstrated great agility in combat, wielding her Vital Instrument with incredible speed and precision, keeping pace with Jabber. Her reflexes are so sharp that she can easily dodge bullets thanks to her older sister's rigorous training. She is able to react appropriately even to irregular attacks with unpredictable trajectories. Great intellect: Zanka also demonstrated a sharp, tactical, and perceptive mind, quickly deducing the workings of the Life Instruments and formulating a plan to counterattack them or use them to her advantage. In her battle against two Raiders, she quickly figured out how to counter their cunning application of the Life Instruments. Against a much tougher opponent, Jabber Wonger.

Zanka maintains a calm and composed demeanor, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil he often experiences within. While he strives to project a composed attitude, his volatile inner state of anger, disgust, or excitement can erupt in sudden and exaggerated outbursts. Despite his efforts to suppress his emotions, he frequently succumbs to the antics of his more capricious teammates, momentarily abandoning his serious and level-headed facade. His teammate, Tomme Mima, acknowledges Zanka's pivotal influence, considering him one of the few capable of "making his eccentric teammates lose their minds." Zanka's communication style blends confidence and courtesy with a straightforward, sarcastic, and unapologetic candor. He also speaks with a distinctive Chūgoku dialect, as do all the members of Kamuatari. As a former member of the noble Nijiku family, Zanka possesses a deep pride without displaying overt arrogance. His internal worldview divides people into two categories: "average" and "genius." While he once considered himself a genius, a humiliating defeat at the hands of a truly talented individual forced him to reclassify himself as average and become more humble. Although he harbors a deep resentment toward "geniuses" and their apparent effortless greatness, Zanka treats them cordially and even tries to conceal his jealousy, as seen in his interactions with Hyo and Rudo. Having accepted his "average" or "mediocre" status, Zanka is now driven to surpass geniuses through his own efforts. This relentless pursuit is, as Enjin astutely observes, a battle against his own weaknesses, which ultimately strengthens him mentally. Zanka's maturity is further evidenced by his refusal to blame others for his failures and his aversion to pity. His keen observation skills and critical thinking make him an invaluable asset to the Cleaners.

Zanka is a tall, slender teenager with a striking appearance and meticulous style. He wears his dark brown hair slicked back in a mullet, with blond streaks that complement his piercing navy blue eyes. His unique look is further defined by his eyebrows shaved into a pattern resembling three distinct lines, and his pierced ears, from which long tassels dangle. His Cleaner uniform stands out for its deliberate, almost ceremonial design. It features a considerably looser cut than his colleagues' uniforms, with wide, open sleeves and loose-fitting trousers that allow freedom of movement. The uniform's silhouette is enhanced by slightly raised shoulders and a long, flowing navy blue sash at the waist, extending both front and back. Like many of his fellow Cleaners, he carries a large multi-purpose pouch at his waist, secured by a sash across his chest.

What truly sets Zanka's uniform apart is its exceptional quality and refined details. His Cleaner badge is particularly extravagant compared to the standard one, reflecting his status. This elevated presentation is a direct result of his position as a "young master" or "lord" on the Field, a position that grants him a superior level of refinement and distinction among the Cleaners.

Zanka was born into the prestigious Nijiku family and was expected to become a Hell Guardian like his older brothers. To fulfill this expectation, he enrolled as an apprentice at the Central Hell Guardian Training Academy in the Kamuatari District, where he quickly rose to the top of his class. However, his dominance was short-lived when another apprentice, Hyo, joined and surpassed his abilities. Zanka realized he couldn't compare to a genius like her. Disheartened, Zanka ran away and met Enjin, who inspired him to become a Cleaner and grow strong enough to surpass geniuses.

Age 17 Height 178 cm (5'10") Alias Mr. Bad Attitude (by Jabber Wonger) Genius (according to his classmates) Average citizen (according to himself)

Relatives Anonymous Father Anonymous Mother Kyouka Nijiku (older sister) Goka Nijiku (older brother) Affiliation Hell's Guard (formerly) Nijiku family Cleaners (Akuta)

Occupation Apprentice of the Hell's Guard (formerly) Cleaner (fighter) Affiliation Hell's Guard (formerly) Nijiku family Cleaners (Akuta) Birthdate February 3 place of birth Floor Vital instrument Jinki(s) Charming assistant