zanka nijiku ⁴

Japanese: ザンカ・ニジク

romanized: Zanka Nijiku

Species: Human

Gender: Male Male

Age: 17

Height: 178 cm (5'10")

Alias: Mr. Bad Attitude (by Jabber Wonger) Average Joe (alone)

Relatives: Anonymous Father Anonymous Mother Kyouka Nijiku (older sister) Goka Nijiku (older brother)

Affiliation: Hell's Guard (formerly) Nijiku family Cleaners (Currently)

State: Alive

Birthdate: February 3

Place of birth: Terra

Zanka is a descendant of the noble Nijiku family. His family enrolled him in a training camp to become a Hell Guard, like his brother and sister. Zanka quickly rose to the top of his class, aiming to earn the right to sit on the golden throne, an honor bestowed upon the most outstanding apprentice of the year. A couple of boys appear at the training camp, discussing how Zanka has "privileged blood" from his elite family. They go on to say that they are just "ordinary guys" and have no chance of beating a genius. Zanka is shown walking down the hall as this conversation unfolds. He enters the classroom and slowly settles at his desk. He is then seen flashing a disquieting smile as he mutters the words, "Of course they can't!!!" Although he sees himself as superior and different from his peers, Zanka reflects on how hard he works when no one is watching. One day, the teacher announced the arrival of a new apprentice. This apprentice was a girl named Hyo, and she would be joining the class soon. The teacher assured the students that, despite having grown up in the slums, she was very talented.

After joining the Hell Guards, Hyo managed to outperform all the students in his class in a mock battle. This included Zanka, who had previously been the top student. Zanka was extremely disappointed by this defeat. He was seen screaming in rage and banging his head against the wall, resulting in a bleeding wound. He then continued to proclaim himself "the best" and claim that Hyo hadn't beaten him yet. It was revealed that Hyo had overheard the conversation, pointing to the blood on Zanka's face and asking him what the point was of sitting on the golden throne. This stopped Zanka in his tracks. She clearly reprimanded him for chasing the golden throne just because he wanted people to tell him he was "an amazing person." This made Zanka realize something: that he wasn't special, that he was no different from all the other "imposters."

This revelation caused a shift in Zanka's perspective, as he saw the "imposters" around him trying to appear as geniuses like Hyo. Later, the class was given the option to choose a weapon. Zanka picked a battered stick to stand out, only to discover later that it had been placed among the weapon options by accident. By choosing something "original," he had embarrassed himself. Hyo, from whom Zanka had hoped to choose a special and unique weapon, had chosen an ordinary katana. All of this is recounted by Zanka, who ran away shortly after this incident and climbed into a well. He sat at the bottom of the well with the stick, without food or water, for three days before encountering Enjin, to whom he explained the entire situation. Deeply miserable, Zanka called himself a "loser" and "just an ordinary guy." In response, Enjin encouraged him, telling him that Zanka could become "an ordinary guy rather than a genius."

Enjin pointed out that Zankq was still clinging to that "common staff" and commented that if Zankq knew his weaknesses, he could become stronger. Inspired by Enjin, Zankq regained his willpower and climbed out of the well.

Later, Zanka joins the Cleaners to become stronger, though he faces disapproval from his family, who despise Givers and don't want him to be one. Undeterred by his family's disinheritance, Zanka becomes part of Team Akuta under Enjin's leadership after transforming his staff into a Vital Instrument. On one occasion, he goes toe-to-toe with a moose-like Trash Beast in the Northern District, despite being only an apprentice. Wanting to prove himself, he swiftly defeats it single-handedly, prompting Enjin to commend him for a job well done.

Cleaners:

Zanka's relationship with the Cleansers is based on deep loyalty and a strong sense of belonging. After abandoning her former life, she joined them to become stronger. She is a valued and trusted member, especially within her team, where she is respected for her skills and her power as a potent Giver. Her bond with the other Cleansers is grounded in shared experiences and a mutual understanding of their roles in the world. Unlike the rigid hierarchical structure of Hellguard, the Cleansers function more like a chosen family, and Zanka's journey to overcome her insecurities is greatly strengthened by the camaraderie she finds among their ranks.

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.

Rudo Surebrec: Zanka's relationship with Rudo begins as that of mentor and apprentice, with Enjin appointing Zanka as his trainer. However, their initial interactions are fraught with tension and a sense of incompatibility. Their first confrontation confirms this, and a subsequent incident further complicates their dynamic. Despite this rocky start, Zanka fulfills his role as mentor by finally uncovering 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 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 often interact informally. They frequently assist each other on missions. However, Riyo's playful nature and tendency to joke around with everyone lead Zanka to consider her immature. Despite this, Zanka seems to care for Riyo, as she was distressed when Riyo nearly died due to Master's powers in Penta. This also suggests that she might know something about Riyo's dark and mysterious past, as she expressed sympathy for Riyo being forced to remember her loved ones through Master's powers.

Follow Tunito Back in the North District, Follo watched as Zanka defeated 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 During the Lady of Penta story arc, Zanka and Tamsy are shown to work well together. When Tamsy starts acting recklessly with her abilities, Zanka yells at her and is confused by her actions. Ultimately, they manage to contain the rest of the Cleaners.

Hell's Guard: Zanka's relationship with the Hell Guard is marked by a fraught 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 joined the academy, but his inferiority complex regarding his rival Hyo and his encounter with Enjin led him to join the Cleaners. This decision created a deep rift with 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.

Kyouka Nijiku and Goka Nijiku: Zanka and his older brothers have a complicated and estranged relationship. In the past, Kyouka trained Zanka and put him through rigorous training, 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, as he is not perfect and is still young, and told him that he should take care of his younger brother, who needs protection. When Zanka decided to join the Cleaners instead of becoming a Hell Guard, he was disowned by the family. Both Kyouka and Goka are disappointed that Zanka chose a different path and failed to live up to their family's expectations. According to Zanka, Kyouka was very angry with him when he decided to become a Cleaner because of his aversion to the Givers.

Since then, Zanka has avoided Kyouka and Goka, feeling frightened and uneasy around either of them. Similarly, Kyouka and Goka refused to see Zanka during their visit to the Cleaners' HQ. When they met at the Doll Festival, Zanka initially tried to hide from Goka. During their confrontation with Mymo, Goka acted coldly toward Zanka and criticized his brother for relying too heavily on his Life Instrument. Although he didn't show it, Goka still cares for Zanka in his own way, pulling him away from the battle when Zanka was seriously injured and displaying anger when Mymo attacked him on purpose just to spite Goka.

Zanka Nijiku (ザンカ・ニジク, Zanka Nijiku) is one of the main characters in the manga and anime series Gachiakuta. She is a member of the Akuta team's cleaners.

Zanka is a tall, slender teenager with dark brown hair styled back in a mullet on the bottom and blond streaks on top that accentuate his piercing navy blue eyes. His unique appearance is further defined by his eyebrows, which have a pattern resembling three distinct lines, and his pierced ears, from which long dangling tassel earrings hang.

His cleaner's uniform stands out for its deliberate, almost ceremonial design. It has a considerably looser cut than his colleagues', with wide, open sleeves and loose trousers that allow freedom of movement. The uniform's silhouette is enhanced by slightly raised shoulders, and he wears a long navy blue sash that extends across the front and back of his waist. Like many of his fellow cleaners, he carries a large multi-purpose bag held in place by a belt that crosses 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 issue, reflecting his status. This elevated presentation is a direct result of his position as a "young master" or "lord" on Terra, a position that grants him a higher level of refinement and distinction among the Cleaners.

Outwardly, Zanka maintains an air of 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. His classmate, Tomme Mima, acknowledges Zanka's stabilizing influence, considering him one of the few capable of "bringing order" to his eccentric companions. Zanka's communication style is a blend of confidence and courtesy, tempered by a direct, sarcastic, and unapologetic frankness. Furthermore, he speaks with a pronounced Chūgoku accent, as do all the members of Kamuatari.

As a former 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." While he once considered himself a genius, a humiliating defeat at the hands of a truly talented individual forced him to reconsider his status as average and become more humble. Although he harbors a deep resentment toward "geniuses" and their seemingly effortless greatness, Zanka treats them cordially and even attempts to conceal his jealousy, as seen in his interactions with Hyo and Rudo.

Having accepted his "average" or "mediocre" status, Zanka now strives to surpass geniuses through hard work. This relentless pursuit is, as Enjin aptly 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 member of the Limpi.

General Abilities: Zanka proves to be a formidable fighter, displaying great speed, strength, and agility in his fighting style. He is an expert in the handling of Vital Instruments, especially his own. Enjin himself, a seasoned Giver, praises Zanka's skills and considers him the best at wielding Vital Instruments among the Cleansers. As a former apprentice of the Hell Guard at the Academy, Zanka was at the 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 Junk 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 from the ground 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, and 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 Vital Instruments and formulating a plan to counterattack or use them to her advantage. In her battle against two Invaders, she quickly figured out how to counter their ingenious use of Vital Instruments. Against a much tougher opponent, Jabber Wonger, Zanka swiftly devised a plan with Rudo to incapacitate the Invader by using Gris's ability, transformed into a Vital Instrument amulet, to deliver a critical hit to an unconscious but empowered Jabber.

Mastery of Vital Instruments: As Enjin states, Zanka is the best user of Vital Instruments among all the Cleaners, as he understands and harnesses the full 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, inexperienced in using their powers, to employ them in more creative and improvised ways, as seen in his fight against Jabber.

The Garbage Beasts (or aberrants) in Gachiakuta are hostile monsters formed from the accumulation of waste and negative "thoughts" thrown from the floating sphere to the surface. These creatures, which inhabit polluted areas, come to life and are immune to conventional weapons, attacking by sound. They can only be destroyed using a Jink, a weapon created from a special object imbued with power.

The bodies of Garbage Beasts are made of garbage, as their name suggests. Also as their name suggests, they take on beastly forms; this can involve abstractly monstrous shapes, imitations of living animals, or, occasionally, something based on their components (for example, the remains of an abandoned house form a house-themed Garbage Beast, with eyes instead of windows and a mouth instead of a door). Garbage Beasts are almost never humanoid, with the King of Tori being the only known example.

The Cleaners (掃除屋, Sōjiya) are a group in Gachiakuta. They employ a large number of Givers who use their powers to exterminate Trash Beasts on the Ground.

Overview:

The Cleaners are an organization based on Terra that was founded approximately 150 years ago. Since its inception, the group has grown to have branches in multiple districts. Including fighters, sentinels, and sympathizers, the Cleaners have around 100 members in total. While they are respected for their work, many people on Terra despise the Cleaners for their reliance on the Life Instruments.

The organization is dedicated to protecting Terra's safe zones from Garbage Beasts that form in contaminated areas. It is a public organization and regularly receives calls from Terra's inhabitants requesting Cleaners to come and "clean up" the Garbage Beasts that could cause, or are already causing, problems. The group is known to Hell Guard and is obligated to inform them if third parties are harmed by a Garbage Beast for which they have taken responsibility.

Aside from their public activities, internally The Cleaners have a secret objective known only to a few within the group; the true reason the organization was formed was to solve the mysteries of the world.

Union To become a Cleaner as a Giver, the method seen throughout history so far is to be recruited. The Giver must be noteworthy enough to catch the eye of a current Captain, and once the Captain agrees, they must go to Cleaners' HQ. There, the Giver is evaluated by the Cleaners' receptionist, Semiu Grier, and then approved by the boss himself, Arkha Corvus. Occasionally, when the boss is not present, it is unknown what happens to the prospective recruit, but in Rudo's case, he is taken on an "observation field trip" because he is now an "apprentice." This probationary period finally ends when the Giver is approved to join, at which point they are assigned to one of the Combat Teams (usually the one to which the Captain interested in them belongs), receive a uniform that is generally customized to their liking, and can now actively participate in cleaning missions. This, according to labor laws, automatically means they also receive payment, though it is unknown whether this is a salary or a wage.

The Cleaners not only accept Donors, but also people without powers who wish to help the organization, known as Collaborators, can join. Their participation is entirely voluntary, though they face much unjustified criticism and degrading nicknames for their perceived "lack of power." Presumably, to join, a prospective Collaborator must be approved by the boss. Once inducted, a Collaborator receives a standard uniform and equipment and is assigned the task of supporting Donors on cleanup missions. It is presumed they also receive compensation.

Those who join the cleanup crews without prior combat experience or knowledge of contaminated areas and the creatures that inhabit them receive training, as seen with Follo and other sympathizers. This training includes both combat instruction and the study of the creatures' physiology.

Headquarters Main article: Cleaners' headquarters The Cleaners' base is Cleaner HQ, a large building heavily guarded by guards. [3] The building has numerous rooms available for all Cleaners to use, including lounges, a bar, a library, and an infirmary. The building has just over five floors and ample space. When not on missions, Cleaners are housed at different bases depending on where they are fighting the Junk Beasts, so they rarely converge at HQ.

South Branch The Cleaners' southern branch is located in the southern district of Creapeye City; they are responsible for exterminating the Garbage Beasts in the southern district, No Man's Land, and Tori is under their jurisdiction.

To create a necklace, Gountess injects her blood into a randomly chosen cord. This cord then becomes imbued with her powers and transforms into a necklace. Thanks to possessing a Watchman Series artifact, Gountess can mass-produce these necklaces. To become a registered user of a necklace, one must provide her with their blood, which mixes with Gountess's blood, allowing them to use her powers to communicate.

Collars are the primary form of communication between known organizations on Terra. Every civilian wears one, and while telephones exist on Terra, collars appear to be a more private form of communication. Users cannot immediately communicate with everyone else wearing a collar, and they are not connected through channels. Instead, they must share blood with another person, usually by cutting their fingers and placing it in the collar, which then allows them to connect. However, they are not truly private, as Gountess can listen to all the information spoken while someone is wearing a collar.

Chokers are round, black bracelets with white rectangles in the center. They are usually worn around the neck, as the name suggests, but some people also wear them as bracelets. They are adjustable in size, fitting both wrists and larger necks. Some people add embellishments to give them a stylish touch.

The Ground (下界Gekai), known as the Pit by the Sphere Ones, is the surface of the world, a wasteland with a mostly toxic environment infested with Garbage Beasts due to the constant rain of garbage from the Sphere. It is inhabited by humans called Earthlings.

At least 150 years ago, a large number of humans departed for the sky aboard the Sphere, leaving the rest of humanity behind on Terra. During this time, the inhabitants of the Sphere believed that no one remained alive on Terra and referred to it as "the pit," generally understanding it as a vast garbage dump.

In 150 years, the garbage the sphere spewed to the ground transformed into Garbage Beasts. The polluted air, as well as the danger posed by the Garbage Beasts, forced the inhabitants of the ground into designated safe zones, where walls were erected and mass air filtration/ventilation systems were built to keep these areas clean.

The level of pollution has drastically altered the landscape. Growing flowers is now extremely difficult, making them rare and expensive, though artificial flowers are sold for aesthetic purposes. The snow in the Northern District is contaminated and dangerous to the touch, making winter a deadly time. Contaminated areas have formed entirely new biomes, such as the Penta Desert, composed of shredded garbage, and the Tori Jungle, where plants have adapted to the pollution.

Both the Sphere and Terra have little to no knowledge of each other, as neither has any way of accessing the other. Information about their relationship on Terra has been censored or erased. However, clues to their history remain. Macaca Icol's mural in Canvas Town highlights the four symbols of her closest friends, one of which includes Canis Surebrec, the creator of the Watchman series.

Currently, several scattered clues left by Canis tell the story of the place. Canis left his will in Tori, guarded by the King of Tori, stipulating that he had been unable to stop them and could only bury the humans. Canis knew Kuro, who at some point begged him not to leave. It is hinted that Canis himself is able to travel between the Sphere and Terra, leaving his gloves and book in the Sphere. Furthermore, the Watchman series takes its name from The Watchman, or vice versa.

Neighborhoods The land is divided into four districts, containing both safe and contaminated zones. Each is quite spread out; the southern district is a two-day drive from Cleaners headquarters.

Culture

In real life, information is a currency. No one gives it away for free, and it's usually exchanged for money, a task, or more information. Kuro was known as a reliable, albeit eccentric, informant, and the price of his information varied, even going so far as to ask Rudo for a game of tag in exchange for his data. Mymo offers free news and weather information through broadcasts. However, he does so with loud gestures and slang, much to the annoyance of the locals, but he gets the information faster than most, so everyone keeps an eye on him.

Beyond information, the territory uses its own currency, the gala. An ice cream cone costs 70 galas.

The territory retains its own language, which uses English letters and words, but aspects of ancient languages ​​still persist in its culture. The name Enjin comes from an ancient language of the territory, and August occasionally uses Spanish words.

Canvas Town, formerly known as Arts City, has forged its culture around art. Since many cities in the area don't embrace street art, Canvas Town was built with the express purpose of welcoming artists from across the region. The city is covered in graffiti, and all forms of art are permitted within its walls, provided they are well-intentioned.

Human trafficking exists because of the impunity that reigns on the ground, as some individuals take advantage of the lack of strict law enforcement to kidnap and exploit vulnerable people.

The case of Amo Empool and Enijn is a stark example: Amo was sold by her own mother to an unstable and abusive man, whose name has not been revealed; while Enijn was an orphan living in an institution that later became a slave market, thanks to a man who "appeared to have money." Enijn established a "connection," ostensibly seeking better funding for his orphanage, and used his newfound influence to further exploit the system, turning the orphanage into a front for trafficking. This stark reality highlights the vulnerability of these environments, where exploitation runs rampant, and underscores the urgent need for increased oversight and protective measures to safeguard individuals at risk of suffering similar fates.

There are beings called Vianders whose abilities help grow food in contaminated lands. For this reason, sweets are not scarce as they are on Terra, and it is said that they are more addictive than drugs.

Northern District

Main article: Northern District It is the only place on Terra where it snows and is said to be the closest to the Sphere. The snow is toxic, so winter in the Northern District is said to be dangerous. Follo Tunito was born and raised here.

Southern District

Main article: Southern District Two days from the Cleaners' headquarters, the South Ward is home to Tori's Terra de Nadie. The South Ward is known for its annual Doll Festival, where Donors who consider dolls and other toys to be vital tools display them.

Eastern District

Main article: Eastern District This is where the Cleaners' headquarters is located and where Team Akuta spends their free time. Mono, a no-man's-land, is nearby, and it's where Rudo first landed. A larger region known as Genia is located in the East District.

Cleaners' headquarters City of the Canvas Hole Village Genius Kremmos Village Klutess Village (Abandoned)

West District

Main article: Western District Little is currently known about the West District, but the Hell's Watch has authority there.

Safe zone: This is where humans can breathe without masks. Several settlements form, usually protected by a large wall. In these zones, the Cleaners establish their bases, like their headquarters. Shops and hospitals operate here, and the settlements have a seemingly large population. These zones can exist as a single unit, and when the sky shakes and deadly debris falls, there is a predetermined route that allows the people on the ground to build without worrying about falling debris.

List of locations: City of the Canvas Kamuatari District Hole Village Creepy

Contaminated area: The contaminated zone is the most dangerous and closest to the settlements. Here, monsters of garbage form, and humans cannot survive 15 minutes without a mask. Large quantities of trash accumulate, and sometimes humans are seen scavenging for materials and corpses to sell, especially small spheres.

No man's land Main article: No Man's Land The No Man's Lands are the most dangerous and unexplored of the three zones, and there are only six of them. A human would die almost instantly in these zones, and the Garbage beasts that form there are said to pose a challenge even to the most generous.

To date, only three No Man's Lands have been named in history: Infectious mononucleosis Tori Penta

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