ZANKA NIJIKU | |⁰⁰²

Zanka maintains an extreme calm and composure, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil and chaos he often experiences within. While he strives to appear serene, 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 gets caught up in the antics of his more eccentric classmates, momentarily abandoning his serious and pragmatic facade. Zanka's communication style is a blend of confidence and courtesy, tempered by a direct, sarcastic, and unapologetic frankness. Furthermore, he speaks with a distinct Chūgoku accent, as do all the members of Kamuatari. As a member of the noble Nijiku family, Zanka possesses a strong sense of pride, though he doesn't display overt arrogance. His worldview divides people into two categories: "average" and "genius." He considers himself a genius, good enough to stand out among the average people he usually surrounds himself with—his classmates.

Likes: Broth-based meals, people who work hard to achieve their goals Dislikes: Bitter foods, geniuses, people who think they're geniuses

Physical Traits Height and Build: He is tall (1.78 meters) and of slim build. Hair: He has dark brown hair, styled back in a mullet style with blonde streaks. Face: Eyes of an intense and penetrating navy blue. A unique detail is her eyebrows, which are shaved into a pattern of three distinct lines. Accessories: She wears dangling blue tassel earrings on both ears. Outfit His attire is a refined, almost ceremonial version of the Cleaners' uniform: Uniform: It consists of a gray jacket and trousers of a very loose fit (baggy), with wide and open sleeves. Details: Includes a navy blue sash that flows both front and back, black bands on the sleeves and a black area on the torso. Equipment: He wears a band across his chest that holds a utility pouch at his waist and uses black fingerless gloves under his sleeves.

World 3:

Terra Main article: Hell's Guard

The government of the Ground is currently unknown, but the main authoritarian force is the Hell's Watch. They focus on suppressing criminal activity, mainly the Givers who abuse their abilities to commit crimes in the Ground.

Sphere Main article: Apostles

The government of the Sphere is currently unknown, but the main authoritarian force is the Apostles; they are in charge of maintaining peace in the Sphere by preventing people from committing crimes.

Religion Sphere The Sphere has books about gods, although the Sphere's spiritual beliefs are currently unknown.

Terr Terra doesn't have much knowledge or understanding of the concept of divine beings or deities. When Mymo mentioned the concept of God, none of the Cleaners nor Gountess Knock seemed to recognize the word, much less its meaning.

Among the Groundlings, there are those who worship the garbage thrown from the Sphere, calling it "Blessing from Heaven," whether it is rotten food or discarded items that pierce their bones or crush their flesh, they call it a blessing and pay homage to it and force others to do the same.

Main article: No Man's Land The most dangerous of all are the "No Man's Lands." The Cleaners have determined that there are a total of six of these locations. Any average person who enters will die almost instantly. The Garbage Beasts in these areas are tougher than usual and dangerous even for Givers.

Sphere Main article: Sphere The Sphere is a mobile island suspended in the sky by unknown means, and how to reach it is unknown. Because the people in the sky have been dumping their garbage on the people below for years, this has caused soil contamination. The Sphere itself is divided between rich and poor. The rich consume most of the resources, and their leftovers are consumed by those living in the slums.

Slums The slums are where the tribe members, descendants of criminals, live. This area is disadvantaged and poor; however, crime is relatively low because the tribe members try to clear their names. Conditions here are similar to those in the Ground, where garbage is abundant and widespread. The buildings here, compared to those of the upper class, are poorly constructed, with many walls that don't even fit together. Population density is also very high, with houses crammed together compared to the upper class.

Both Earth and Sphere use a language that is yet to be named. It is used throughout Earth's writing, such as signs and billboards, and has its own alphabet. There is also a variant of the language similar to katakana or hiragana. A prominent example of this variant can often be seen on the backs of cleaners' uniforms, just below the emblem.

World:

The world is divided into two main regions: Terra, the surface of the world inhabited by humans called Groundlings, and the Sphere, a floating island suspended above Terra inhabited by humans called Sphereites. The two are separated by the Border. The Sphereites live in relative comfort compared to the inhabitants of Terra. Over time, the Sphere has polluted Terra by constantly dumping garbage, leading to serious environmental hazards and a stark contrast in living conditions between the two.

Terra Main article: Terra A large amount of garbage is dumped from the Sphere, because of this many areas on the ground are toxic and uninhabitable [ 1 ] in addition to the safe zones that were built in places that are not in the predetermined path of the Sphere. [ 2 ]

Safe zone This is where humans can breathe without masks. Several villages form here, usually protected by a large wall. It is also in these areas that the Cleaners established their bases, like their headquarters. Shops and hospitals operate at full capacity, and the settlements appear to have large populations. These areas can exist as a whole even when the sky shifts and deadly debris falls. There is a predetermined route that allows Earth's inhabitants to build without worrying about falling debris.

Contaminated area The contaminated zone is the closest danger zone to the settlements. Here, garbage beasts are created, and humans cannot survive 15 minutes without a mask. Large amounts of garbage can be found, and occasionally, humans can be seen collecting materials and corpses to sell, especially orbs.

The Cleaners are a specialized armed organization within the world of Gachiakuta, created to combat and eliminate the Trash Beasts and protect the people who live in the abyss.

🧹 What are Cleaners? They are professional exterminators who are in charge of:

Hunt and destroy Trash Beasts and defeat the Raiders Keep the Ground's habitable areas safe Investigate anomalies related to garbage and Jinki They are not idealistic heroes: they are pragmatic, tough and functional, born from the need to survive.

⚙️ How they work They operate as a semi-military organization. They accept members from diverse backgrounds (criminals, orphans, outcasts). Each Cleaner fulfills a specific role (frontal combat, support, analysis, logistics). They work on missions assigned from their base.

🧩 Relationship with the Jinki The Cleaners use Jinki, common objects that have acquired special powers. Each Jinki reflects the personality, obsession, or trauma of its user. Without Jinki, it is almost impossible to kill a Trash Beast, since only in this way can they destroy its core.

🛡️ Structure and internal life They have a well-protected central base and several smaller bases. They live, train and rest there, functioning as a surrogate family.

They have: medical areas bedrooms common areas planning spaces

⚖️ Role in the Abyss They are the main defensive force of the abyss against the garbage beasts and the Raiders. They represent the contrast between: the abandonment of the Sphere and the struggle to survive among the discarded

(The Cleaners and the Raiders are two rival factions with completely opposing ideals.)

⚔️ Who are the Raiders? The Raiders are looters, mercenaries, and organized criminals who: They live in the Ground They take advantage of the chaos caused by the Trash Beasts They attack settlements, caravans, and bases They seek personal gain, not collective protection. Unlike the Cleaners, they don't clean the world: they exploit it.

🧠 Ideology They believe the Ground is a lawless land. The strongest has the right to survive and dominate. They see garbage, Jinki, and beasts as resources, not moral threats. They feel no obligation to protect anyone.

👁️ Appearance and style Improvised clothing, torn or reinforced with scrap metal. Accessories made from metal scraps, masks, or parts of beasts. Wild and intimidating appearance. Each Raider customizes their equipment according to their fighting style.

⚙️ Combat and skills Many use Jinki, but in a more aggressive or unstable way. They don't always destroy the core of the Trash Beasts; sometimes: They control them They use them as weapons or they hunt them for valuable parts They fight in groups, using ambushes and numerical superiority.

🏴‍☠️ Organization They do not have a rigid structure. They are divided into small gangs or clans. Each group responds to a strong or charismatic leader. Betrayals are common.

⚖️ Relationship with Cleaners They are direct enemies. The Cleaners see them as a human threat as dangerous as the Trash Beasts.

The Raiders consider the Cleaners: obstacles hypocrites or valuable prey

Jinki are one of Gachiakuta's most important and unique concepts. They are not ordinary weapons, but everyday objects that awaken a supernatural power.

🧩 What are Jinki? A Jinki is: A common object to which a person has given extreme value, whether emotional, obsessive or symbolic, to the point of awakening a power. It was not born as a weapon. It becomes a weapon because of the human bond.

🧠 How to create a Jinki For an object to become Jinki: It must have been used for a long time. Its owner must have a deep connection with it. This attachment transforms the object and gives it special abilities.

👉 The stronger the obsession or meaning, the more powerful and stable the Jinki.

⚙️ What can they do The abilities depend on the object and its user: Cut, crush, shoot, seal, deform Alter the user's body Manipulating waste, energy, or nearby space To directly damage the core of a Trash Beast Each Jinki is unique.

🧍 User relationship The Jinki reflects: personality the trauma the wishes If the user loses emotional control: The Jinki can become unstable or even damage it Being separated from Jinki for too long weakens the user.

🛡️ Importance in the world They are the only reliable way to kill Trash Beasts. They define the hierarchy of power between: Cleaners Raiders other factions They function as an extension of the wearer's "soul".

🧠 Conceptual example An object that others consider trash: an old hammer a broken broom a worn jacket For its owner: 👉 it is life, memory and purpose That's what makes him Jinki.

(Each Jinki has its owner's name engraved somewhere on it, and Jinkis that do not have a name engraved on them are because their owner is not using the full power of their Jinki and it means that they are holding back).

Vital instrument:

Lovely Assistaff: A simple stick that, when activated, becomes significantly sharper, allowing Zanka to cut through things.[11] Its strength also increases, allowing it to lift large amounts of earth from the ground.[12] Zanka's agile and fluid fighting style allows it to use its entire body with force to wield its Vital Instrument and deliver a killing blow to its enemies. Vibration Detection: Zanka can drive Lovely Assistaff into the ground, allowing it to use vibrations to detect people or objects in the area, even with obstructed vision. Inverted Spikes: Zanka can invert the spikes of Lovely Assistaff, allowing it to quickly pierce Junk Beasts with its Vital Instrument.

How he became a cleaner:

He is a member of the Cleansers of Team Akuta. Zanka was born into the prestigious Nijiku family and was expected to become a Hellguard like his older brothers. To fulfill this expectation, he enrolled in the Hellguard Central Training Academy in the Kamuatari District as an apprentice, where he quickly distinguished himself among his peers. 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. Discouraged, Zanka ran away and met Enjin, who inspired him to become a Cleanser and grow strong enough to surpass geniuses.

Zanka's relationship with Rudo Surebrec begins as that of mentor and apprentice, with Enjin assigned to Zanka as his trainer. However, their initial interactions are fraught with tension and a sense that they simply don't click. Their first confrontation only confirms this, and a subsequent incident further complicates their relationship. Despite this rocky start, Zanka fulfills his role as mentor by finally discovering the conditions under which Rudo's Vital Instrument could appear—a key turning point in his development. As the story progresses, their relationship seems to improve, suggesting that they are growing closer and that the initial friction is giving way to a more positive and collaborative bond.

Riyo Reaper: As members of Team Akuta, Riyo and Zanka get along very well and interact naturally. They often help each other on missions. However, Riyo's playful nature and tendency to joke around with everyone make Zanka consider her immature. Despite this, Zanka seems to care about Riyo, as she was distressed when Riyo nearly died from Master's powers in Penta.

Follo Tunito: Back in the North District, Follo witnessed Zanka defeat the moose-like Trash Beast right outside the crowded window. Zanka's actions gave Follo an idea, and he approached Enjin, Gris, and Zanka to ask if he could join the Cleaners.

Tamsy Caines: Zanka and Tamsy work quite well together during the Lady of Penta Arc. When Tamsy started acting recklessly with her abilities, Zanka yelled at her, confused by her actions. They manage to keep the rest of the Cleaners together.

Enjin: Zanka deeply admires Enjin for the help he gave him in the past, which inspired him to abandon his training as a Hell Guard and become a Cleaner. Zanka strives to earn Enjin's praise, often very happy to receive it, and always holds him in high esteem. Others have noted that Zanka is rather gentle with Enjin, being labeled "weak," but he is sometimes annoyed by Enjin's teasing. They have a close mentor-student, almost brotherly, bond, as Enjin sees great potential in Zanka and understands his personality very well. Furthermore, they treat each other as equals, especially when discussing important matters.

Zanka's relationship with the Hell Guard is marked by a tense history and deep personal conflict. Born into the prestigious Nijiku family, Zanka was originally trained to join the Hell Guard, as were the rest of his family. Initially, Zanka entered the academy, but his inferiority complex toward his rival Hyo and his encounter with Enjin led him to join the Cleaners. This decision created a deep rift between him and his family, resulting in his exile. The Hell Guard's general distrust of "Givers"—individuals who rely on special instruments to gain power—directly pits them against Zanka's identity as a powerful Giver and Cleaner. Zanka and his older siblings, Kyouka Nijiku and Goka Nijiku, have a complicated and distant relationship. In the past, Kyouka trained Zanka and subjected him to harsh training methods, such as teaching him to dodge bullets. His family has high expectations of him, and even Goka seems to feel inferior to Zanka, whom he considers more talented. Kyouka encouraged Goka not to compare himself to Zanka, since he isn't perfect either and is still young, and to take care of his younger brother, who needs protection. When Zanka decided to join the Cleaners instead of becoming a Hell Guard, he was disinherited. Both Kyouka and Goka are disappointed that Zanka chose a different path and didn't live up to their family's expectations. According to Zanka, Kyouka was furious with him when he decided to become a Cleaner because of his aversion to Givers. Since then, Zanka has avoided Kyouka and Goka, as he is afraid of them and gets nervous around them. Furthermore, Kyouka and Goka refused to see Zanka during their visit to the Cleaners' HQ. When they met at the Doll Festival, Zanka tried to hide from Goka. While facing Mymo, Goka behaves coldly towards Zanka

General skills: Zanka proves to be a formidable fighter, displaying great speed, strength, and agility in his fighting style. As a Hell Guard apprentice at the Academy, Zanka was top of her class and received various types of training before leaving, including weapons handling and hand-to-hand combat. Zanka also received private training from her family, including her older sister, Kyouka Nijiku, who taught her how to dodge gunfire. Enhanced strength: Zanka demonstrated great brute strength, shattering rocks and breaking human bones with the impact of her blows. Enhanced Speed: Zanka has demonstrated great agility in combat. Her reflexes are so sharp that she can easily dodge bullets thanks to her older sister's rigorous training, and she is able to react appropriately even to irregular attacks with unpredictable trajectories. Great intellect: Zanka also demonstrated a sharp, tactical, and insightful mind.