My Boy Zanka Nijiku

He IS green enough. Trust.

[zanka-pilled]

About Me

I am but a humble fan of Zanka Nijiku from the Gachiakuta manga/anime.

I made this blog purely to go crazy about him, especially with the new panels of him looking goofy and to rant about how much I love him.

[ghost-kings-court-jester]

I have more of these!!

[zanka-pilled]

How are all of these so perfect

[arialityy]

The idea of Jabber projecting his desire for someone just like him onto Zanka is so juicy 🤤🤤🤤

I don't think Jabber's assessment of Zanka (and his "brutality") is necessarily wrong because he became obsessed with him specifically for a reason, and I do firmly believe that Zanka wouldn't be too hard to push into becoming a worse person. But also, Jabber is lonely. He's lonely and has no one to match him the way he'd like, and whatever he saw in Zanka made him believe that Zanka could give him what he wants. But.... he might be exaggerating it. Like, what does he really know about Zanka other than he's strong, angry, and holds back? I'm sure Jabber could figure out exactly why Zanka is "holding back" if he bothered to, but really his assessment of Zanka comes from seeing him beat him over the head one time 😭 after their second fight, Jabber seems to lose interest in Zanka. (Though he stays for a while presumably in hopes that Zanka will get back up :()

I do think whatever caused his obsession is true, but I also think there's a chance there's healthy dose of projection onto Zanka going on there

[zanka-pilled]

Kind of reblogged another post and talked about this but any excuse to rant/analyze Zanka is good enough for me!

I think Jabber is correct in assuming Zanka is a sadist, partly due to Zanka’s inferiority complex, partly family history/trauma. However, I do also think Jabber is projecting the idea that Zanka is “just like him”.

The key difference between the two of them are their morals and the way they view others in relation to themselves. The assumption that Zanka would become a worse person because of Jabber feels incredibly out of character for him. Of course he’s an asshole sometimes (hence Mr. Bad Attitude) and hates losing, but overall he’s a very good and kind person.

When teaching Rudo, he’s patient in figuring out exactly what Rudo needs to improve his skill and doesn’t shy away from what Rudo needs in order to use his vital instrument. Not to mention thwir first meeting where Zanka immediately understood that Rudo grabbed Lovely on accident and started yapping about her because it was an accident.

After the trash beast arc, when it’s revealed that Remlin didn’t actually cast the correct spell on Zanka, he was completely relaxed about the whole thing. I think everyone would’ve understood if he was upset at not having the fail safe (i honestly wouldve gotten pissed in his shoes), but he just laughed it off and reassured Remlin. He didn’t pin any of the blame on her and focused on his own failings.

Of course both Jabber and Zanka look up to people who are stronger. But (and this where opinions on people come in) Jabber focuses on what that stronger person can do for him and Zanka focuses on what he can do for them (with a lot of gray area).

Jabber is very much self-centered in that he only seeks out personal enjoyment. If he isnt entertained or doesnt get a good fight, its not worth it. He sticks with the raiders and does boring missions in order to appease Zodyl and get a good fight.

Zanka, on the other hand, is a major people pleaser. He seeks validation from others he looks up to. In the case of Enjin, compliments. His time at hell guard, the golden throne. Wanting to be seen as someone special or important doesnt make Zanka a bad person, especially considering his kindness and understanding for those around him.

Sure, his politeness at times could be a way for him to manipulate a situation and get what he wants, but when first meeting Rudo, Zanka had no real reason to just start yapping at Rudo the way he did so his forced politeness is likely reserved for professional scenarios.

I do really like how you mentioned Jabber was lonely, though. Of course, people are social creatures. Most of us seek out peers we can relate to and spend time with. Jabber seeks that comfort out through violence. His world view is likely so skewed that anyone he sees as or thinks could be an equal he thinks has the exact same motivations and desires as him.

Zanka is also lonely. Not in that he cant find peers, but because he fears he isnt actually on the same level as them. He tries to make himself worthy of that companionship through strengthening himself.

I do believe that the two of them will have a bug impact on each others lives. Duh theyre foils. Parallels galore.

I think Zanka will change in that he gains more faith in himself through Jabber’s insistence of strength as well as Zanka’s own desire to beat his ass. Jabber will either have accomplished satisfaction and obtained an equal that entertains him, or it becomes a rolls reversal where Jabber gets beaten and Zanka ultimately becomes the stronger if the two. This could lead to Jabber desiring for true equality between the two of them (or not i just think itd be interesting if that were the case).

I genuinely believe Jabber will only have a positive impact on Zanka’s character because of how they each react to certain things. How Zanka will affect Jabber is up in the air for me because it could go so many different ways I feel.

[arialityy]

Yeah agreed! I've spent a lot of time analyzing Zanka but I don't really like him so I'm kinda biased towards him being an asshole lmao (because really if we met irl I would not be able to stand him)

Yeah, while their relationship isn't healthy in the slightest, Zanka and Jabber are capable of having a positive influence on each other and that's what makes it interesting imo. Now Zanka defeating Jabber wouldn't break Jabber's worldview since Jabber doesn't seem to believe in the concept of genius– there's weak or strong and he definitely doesn't often give a second judgement, but Jabber isn't someone who strikes me as not believing in hard work, especially since he himself admitted he's only this strong from continuously fighting stronger and stronger people.

Anyway, I don't entirely agree with the people who say Zanka's desire to beat Jabber into the ground is exclusively bad. It is a symptom of his own toxic worldview, and Jabber represents breaking your own body in pursuit of strength. But the thing about these two is that Zanka was fighting to prove a point to Jabber (and get his "approval"), but he already had Jabber's approval prior to their second fight. How he might need to fight to get it back, but his arc doesn't have to be Zanka fighting Jabber so Jabber understands the strength of average people, it should be Zanka understanding what he already has through Jabber. That's where their potential positive influence on each other lies. At least for Zanka. We really don't know with Jabber

[zanka-pilled]

Off topic but you disliking Zanka despite analyzing him a lot is so funny to me lol. Like yes, he sucks but hes so interesting type if thing.

I definitely agree that the positive impact despite toxicity is what makes their pairing so fun to think about. In a very fitting way it’s like using bleach to burn away any grime to reveal the perfectly clean surface underneath. I did completely forget Jabber said he did work hard to get to that point my bad. But it foes show how Zanka is really caught in his own head about his abilities. How he thinks hes the only one that suffers for strength while it comes easily to others.

[arialityy]

The idea of Jabber projecting his desire for someone just like him onto Zanka is so juicy 🤤🤤🤤

I don't think Jabber's assessment of Zanka (and his "brutality") is necessarily wrong because he became obsessed with him specifically for a reason, and I do firmly believe that Zanka wouldn't be too hard to push into becoming a worse person. But also, Jabber is lonely. He's lonely and has no one to match him the way he'd like, and whatever he saw in Zanka made him believe that Zanka could give him what he wants. But.... he might be exaggerating it. Like, what does he really know about Zanka other than he's strong, angry, and holds back? I'm sure Jabber could figure out exactly why Zanka is "holding back" if he bothered to, but really his assessment of Zanka comes from seeing him beat him over the head one time 😭 after their second fight, Jabber seems to lose interest in Zanka. (Though he stays for a while presumably in hopes that Zanka will get back up :()

I do think whatever caused his obsession is true, but I also think there's a chance there's healthy dose of projection onto Zanka going on there

[zanka-pilled]

Kind of reblogged another post and talked about this but any excuse to rant/analyze Zanka is good enough for me!

I think Jabber is correct in assuming Zanka is a sadist, partly due to Zanka’s inferiority complex, partly family history/trauma. However, I do also think Jabber is projecting the idea that Zanka is “just like him”.

The key difference between the two of them are their morals and the way they view others in relation to themselves. The assumption that Zanka would become a worse person because of Jabber feels incredibly out of character for him. Of course he’s an asshole sometimes (hence Mr. Bad Attitude) and hates losing, but overall he’s a very good and kind person.

When teaching Rudo, he’s patient in figuring out exactly what Rudo needs to improve his skill and doesn’t shy away from what Rudo needs in order to use his vital instrument. Not to mention thwir first meeting where Zanka immediately understood that Rudo grabbed Lovely on accident and started yapping about her because it was an accident.

After the trash beast arc, when it’s revealed that Remlin didn’t actually cast the correct spell on Zanka, he was completely relaxed about the whole thing. I think everyone would’ve understood if he was upset at not having the fail safe (i honestly wouldve gotten pissed in his shoes), but he just laughed it off and reassured Remlin. He didn’t pin any of the blame on her and focused on his own failings.

Of course both Jabber and Zanka look up to people who are stronger. But (and this where opinions on people come in) Jabber focuses on what that stronger person can do for him and Zanka focuses on what he can do for them (with a lot of gray area).

Jabber is very much self-centered in that he only seeks out personal enjoyment. If he isnt entertained or doesnt get a good fight, its not worth it. He sticks with the raiders and does boring missions in order to appease Zodyl and get a good fight.

Zanka, on the other hand, is a major people pleaser. He seeks validation from others he looks up to. In the case of Enjin, compliments. His time at hell guard, the golden throne. Wanting to be seen as someone special or important doesnt make Zanka a bad person, especially considering his kindness and understanding for those around him.

Sure, his politeness at times could be a way for him to manipulate a situation and get what he wants, but when first meeting Rudo, Zanka had no real reason to just start yapping at Rudo the way he did so his forced politeness is likely reserved for professional scenarios.

I do really like how you mentioned Jabber was lonely, though. Of course, people are social creatures. Most of us seek out peers we can relate to and spend time with. Jabber seeks that comfort out through violence. His world view is likely so skewed that anyone he sees as or thinks could be an equal he thinks has the exact same motivations and desires as him.

Zanka is also lonely. Not in that he cant find peers, but because he fears he isnt actually on the same level as them. He tries to make himself worthy of that companionship through strengthening himself.

I do believe that the two of them will have a bug impact on each others lives. Duh theyre foils. Parallels galore.

I think Zanka will change in that he gains more faith in himself through Jabber’s insistence of strength as well as Zanka’s own desire to beat his ass. Jabber will either have accomplished satisfaction and obtained an equal that entertains him, or it becomes a rolls reversal where Jabber gets beaten and Zanka ultimately becomes the stronger if the two. This could lead to Jabber desiring for true equality between the two of them (or not i just think itd be interesting if that were the case).

I genuinely believe Jabber will only have a positive impact on Zanka’s character because of how they each react to certain things. How Zanka will affect Jabber is up in the air for me because it could go so many different ways I feel.

[zanka-pilled]

Im genuinely so excited for Gachiakuta season 2!! The teaser dropped, it’s in production, the animation is going to be fire, the music is going to be banging, too lily is going to be hot af, more zanka voice lines, and any other amazing things that i cant remember or think of right now

I also really hope more merch comes so i can spend my money irresponsibly and feed into my obsession of a fictional character

😃

[vlevt]

he's so romantic

[zanka-pilled]

He’s living my dream 😔

[zanka-pilled]

This weekend I went to an anime convention that was being hosted in a local convention center, so it wasn't a super big or well known convention anywhere but my city, but I went with some friends and, of course, had the mission of locating and purchasing any and all Zanka merch I could.

The artist alley was pretty big and took up half of one floor in the convention center. I found a total of 6 items that had Zanka on them. 4 of them were keychains, one was a Zanka-scented candle (it smells really good btw), and the last was a Zanka figure. Likely the only Zanka figure in the entire center.

I know the anime is still pretty new so there isn't a whole lot of official merch, and artists aren't all going to hop on it and make stuff for it, but I just want to own an unhealthy amount of Zanka merch. Etsy and Ebay are my lifelines rn in regards to that goal.

[zanka-pilled]

Gachiakuta Manga Spoilers!!! Ch 172 Part 2

Zanka mention!!! It's so cute that Rudo feels comfortable around Zanka to keep yapping! And the sibling resemblance wins Kyoka some answers as well as us, the audience, a nice lore drop.

Otherwise a pretty uneventful chapter aside from confirming people's theories that the logos on the Canvas Town mural belongs to the apostles. Theories shall continue to grow and I will continue to await Zanka's time to shine.

I do wonder how Kyoka felt about being compared to Zanka. She pretty much ignores the comparison in favor of telling Rudo not to let his guard down. I am an optimist so I like to think that maybe she misses Zanka and being compared to him gives her both a sense of comfort and guilt. Guilt from understanding that Zanka is better of in the Cleaners and that she couldn't provide him what he needed in the Hell Guard.

Of course she could also still view Zanka as mentally and emotionally weak and consider the comparison to be an insult to the image she tried to build, but considering her reactiveness shown last chapter I feel like she would've actually said something if she was insulted.

We still don't know a whole lot about Kyoka right now. It feels like we're still seeing her through a lens that puts her on a pedestal. Considering she is currently on the job it makes sense we'd still see her in that clear-cut cold and calculating demeanor. I do believe that at some point, especially during a Zanka-centric arc, we'll finally see a much more human and caring side of her.

Having Rudo compare Kyoka to Zanka and feeling like he could let his guard down reaffirms what we know about Zanka, and makes Kyoka much more similar to Zanka than she is likely to display earlier on. We know Zanka is definitely the kind to be caring to those around him as shown by his reaction and handling of Remlin's prank on him, and now we know that Rudo feels a sense of comfort and safety with Zanka. We've also seen that Kyoka has that same 'bad attitude' that Zanka has, especially when it comes to Rudo. So while we're still in the dark on who exactly Kyoka is as a person and her own individual motivations, it's safe to assume that anything we don't know about her can be answered with what we do know about Zanka.

I'm already eagerly awaiting learning more about her and getting to know Goka, the now much more mysterious of the Nijiku siblings. I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon though... :,(

[transformativeworks]

AO3 Celebrates 18 Million Fanworks

AO3 has reached 18 million fanworks on the site! Come celebrate with us and learn about collections features. Read more at https://otw-news.org/3zd6mwss.

[wasp-storm]

anyone that doesn't think envy is a valid character motivation has clearly never been the second best at something before

[theycallmetheexpert]

Is that………. Zanka?? I smell…..

[sweetsangel]

zanka after this arc

[m0ldybreadd]

That one TikTok audio w/ Rudo and Zanka - Minor Gachiakuta manga spoilers!!!

Poor poor Zanka💔 but he did start it

[zanka-pilled]

Hes so silly 💙

[willgrahamscock]

if you see me liking contradicting headcanons for the same character just know it's because I do not give a fuck and I have an active imagination #hewouldsaythat

[willgrahamscock]

sometimes it’s not about ‘would he say that or do that’ it’s more like that would be hilarious if he did because I have a jester’s heart

[zanka-pilled]

Zanka would absolutely be the type to ket Riyo braid his hair but simultaneously he doesn’t let anyone (not even Riyo) mess with his perfectly styled hair

Both are true at the exact same time for me. Getting that boy a haircut is like giving a cat a bath or a gurls night depending on my mood.

[zanka-pilled]

Gachiakuta Ch 172 Spoilers!!!

No Zanka this chapter except for this ity bity shot. I do enjoy the panel this came from tho

Kyoka talking about jinkis not having drawbacks when their givers are strong and that jinkis enhance abilities and Zanka being one of the examples 🥺

I know Kyoka believes in Zanka’s inextinguishable flame and whatnot, but even alluding to the idea that she does see him as strong and not just a rebellious little brother with irresponsible attachments to a stick is very comforting. And the fact that it’s implied that she acknowledges that Zanka’s strength is highlighted by his jinki makes me very happy.

Dysfunctional family but at least she’s not blind.

On the topic of the Nijiku’s:

I think anger issues may run in the family lol. It’s always so interesting to me when we see a character that we expect to always be cool and collected and have that upper hand resort to threatening physical violence bc of something as simple as saying “sugar tastes good”. She’s not as nonchalant as we think. This could also stem from being the eldest sibling with two younger brothers.

It’s also fun to know that 2/3 Nijiku siblings feel immediate annoyance upon meeting Rudo. He has such a way with them. ❤️

[svgarsilk]

Yall i'm so sorry, but to the opinion that Zanka is "equally as bad" as Jabber I have to disagree. Loudly.

Jabber literally kills people. And that's not something he is ever portrayed to be hung up about. He sees the act of killing people who are weak as inconsequent, subject to mood and convenience over any moral pressure.

The reason that Zanka and Jabber are such a compelling pair is because Jabber is LITERALLY one of Zanka's fantasies come to life. Jabber is that projection of someone with effortless talent and a superiority complex so deeply ingrained that he genuinely doesn't value life below a minimum strength threshold. And Zanka in a roundabout sort of way takes satisfaction in that because it means he doesn't have to feel guilty or even think twice about wanting to see Jabber suffer.

Personality wise, Janka are similar for sure. When Zanka was at the top, he also had an arrogance and saw everyone weaker than him as inherently beneath him, hence the inferiority complex when he loses that position. The difference between them is that Zanka never let that show. He never actually mistreated anyone. He needed to be perceived as both effortlessly successful AND gracious about it. He wanted to be admired and idolized. The weaker are not the people he dehumanizes, if that were the case, he wouldn't be so hung up on their approval. The deification of the stronger is what he uses to excuse his sadistic joys.

If you want to make the argument that Zanka is self centered and that even his altruistic actions are self serving, be my guest. He often projects bad intentions onto peers who outperform him to justify the negative emotions he develops in response, nobody is arguing with that one. But just because he enjoys fighting people he thinks deserve it (and notably, people he thinks can handle it) doesn't make him "the same" as Jabber.

Zanka has a sense of justice, which takes precedence over his indulgences. Jabber's actions are purely toward one end: entertainment.

[zanka-pilled]

In my opinion, Zanka and Jabber are perfect foils for each other.

The opposing idea of who does and does not deserve grace (Zanka gives grace to the weak while Jabber gives grace to the strong) paired with their respective desires (Zanka wants be the strongest and Jabber wants to be overpowered) creates a very compelling pairing between the two.

The idea of Zanka being a ‘bad person’ is absolutely an incorrect take to have. If he was a bad person he probably wouldn’t be so hung up on other people’s opinions on him. Regardless of his actual capabilities Zanka has a major inferiority complex and feels that one of the only ways to feel superior is to crush his opponents completely. Sadistic tendencies? Absolutely. But it really only comes from the desire to be the one on top and he probably knows from first hand experience that mentally crushing someone is a very effective way to keep someone down. Which is a mindset he only reserves for people who are obnoxiously stronger than him.

We see his genuine care for people he thinks are, in a way, ‘weaker’ than him. Particularly younger kids like Remlin. After the trashbeast arc and it was discovered that a harmless prank turned out less harmless, Zanka didnt blame her at all even though he probably had every tight to be upset about that. He actually laughed and comforted her about it because how was she supposed to know his life would actually be out in danger like that?

Jabber, on the other hand, couldn’t give two shits about another person unless they have the ability or potential to give him what he wants. I.e. stabbing Gris with no hesitation but leaving Follo alone bc of his potential.

[dokjas-lostselfpreservation]

my favorite freaks in desperate need of a therapist<3 (and an exorcism in jabber's case)

why tf tumblr eating the quality, ugh, click on the picture for a better look.

[faggerwockey]

Random ass rant but it's bothering me. People baby Zanka way too fucking much in this fandom. That piece of shit is just as terrible as Jabber just in a different sense and I'm tired of y'all acting like he ain't.

He's explicitly shown to have a fucking power fantasy when he's a goddamn early teen, and to get some sort of cocky, egotistical pleasure from it when it's affirmed. He actively shows this in his fights as well (his desire to bring down "natural talents" and it being a pleasurable idea to him).

As well as the fact, with the trauma he has? That mother fucker is a control freak sadist. Hell, with the way his emotions had been stifled and disregarded constantly, it's not unlikely for him to be an emotional sadist and ENJOY seeing stress and distress in others!!!!! HE'S NOT A FUCKING ANGEL FOR FUCKS SAKE.

Brought to you by someone who also has fucking issues, a special interest in kink and the psychology of trauma, and knows what it's talking about.

[zanka-pilled]

He’s a badass with a past. He’s a little fucked up but I like the wabisabi.