Basic Doesn’t Back Down: A Thank You Letter to Gachiakuta's Zanka Nijiku

Like many other creatives, I like to think that I’m good at what I do. I have a list of accomplishments to back that up, ranging from seeing my books in bookstores to being invited to events to talk about the things that make me, me . But, like many other creatives, no matter how much I’ve done, I simultaneously feel like I haven’t done enough. I constantly feel like I’m struggling to catch up to my peers, and I have a backlog of things I’ve yet to do. That’s not for lack of trying, of course. Part of the creative process is attempting to do the creative process , leading to varying results that aren’t always satisfactory. RELATED: Gachiakuta and the Tropes of Anime Vengeance My experience isn’t a unique one, but it is the kind of relatable that I think we’re afraid to admit to sometimes. This isn’t just because of the vulnerability of it all, but because, at this point, we all know that failure is part of the process. With that comes the idea of a glorious return to form where you pivot, make adjustments, and thrive in a way that you didn’t think was possible. Anime’s no stranger to a hard-working character, but every now and then it introduces you to one who just feels so... right . While I love the Izuku Midoriya’s of My Hero Academia or [insert sports anime protagonist here], they tend to be able to thrive on determination, no matter how dire a situation is. That’s not to say they don’t fail. I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for Haikyu!! and everyone crying while eating , but moments like that serve as fuel for their future success — a very good lesson to hold close to your heart. But... what happens if you fail again? And it’s worse than last time? Such is the case for Zanka Nijiku, one of the Cleaners in Gachiakuta . Trained to be the best of the best, his story is one of constant setbacks, so much so that I was stunned that the anime would go as far as it does with it. Facing off against the infectious Jabber Wonger, their first encounter leads to a pretty shocking loss, considering the absolute beatdown Jabber went through. My anime training told me that the second fight would see Zanka victorious, after all, he knows what to expect and is the kind of fighter who can think of absurdly clever strategies like, “Let me hit you, Rudo,” so the boy's protective vital instrument at the time could fling him around like a ping-pong ball. During their second fight, Jabber happily unleashes a new, dangerous form, upgrading his vital instrument in a way that we’re told he rarely gets to do. He’s delighted because he thinks that Zanka can take it, and he waits, like the audience, for the staff user to unlock his own hidden moveset. RELATED: Gachiakuta and the Importance of Anger Zanka doesn’t have one. He doesn’t have one and he knows it. As he watches Jabber come for him, he laments the fact that he’s, according to what he thinks of himself, mediocre. He’s nothing like the geniuses he finds himself sharing space with, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to try. With no vital instrument upgrade, he faces Jabber head-on, putting up a hell of a fight until Jabber manages to poison him again. It’s fine, though, because we get Zanka’s backstory which, if you speak anime, generally means he’s going to get his second wind. He doesn’t. It’s one of the most jaw-dropping plot twists I’ve seen in a while. The hero, whose backstory is so long that it takes up most of the episode, is seen making his bold declaration... only to find out he’s been hallucinating the entire time. It might sound strange, but that’s the moment that made me realize that Zanka’s my favorite Gachiakuta character. Because at this point in my life, I know that failure is something I just have to deal with. I’ve been told, with each failure, that “my time would come,” that this was just a setback for “something bigger.” I’ve heard it so much that I tell myself that every time something doesn’t go my way. “It wasn’t meant to be.” “The right doors will open for me.” Lather. Rinse. Repeat. RELATED: Gachiakuta Quiz: What Kind of Vital Instrument Would You Have? But what I didn’t realize, and what they don’t necessarily tell you when trying to encourage you after you fail, is that... you can fail again. And again. No matter how determined you are, no matter how hard you try, no matter if all the pieces are in place, no matter how many times you try to push through whatever’s blocking you, you can still hit a wall. And failure doesn’t discriminate. You can be the most talented person in your field and still experience loss, over and over again. That’s why statements like “you’re so talented” are both a compliment and a curse. Talented people are supposed to succeed all the time (they don’t), and if, by chance, they fail, they’re supposed to get back up and do even better next time (chances are, they won’t). That’s why the work is called hard . I’ve seen a lot of anime characters who put in the blood, sweat, and tears required to achieve their goals, but I can’t think of too many who did all that, only to be rewarded with a comeback fake-out. The anime fan in me wanted to call it cruel, but the writer in me, who has an ongoing pile of rejection emails that will surely continue to grow, couldn’t help but feel seen. That part of me knew that you could spend years, decades even, honing your craft to the point of being called an “expert” in your field (depending on who you ask), and still be reduced to tears with a “thank you for your submission, but...” message. Does that mean I’m not actually great? That I’m mediocre? It’s a terrifying thought in a world that drills into your head the importance of being the best at what you do. We’re not supposed to be basic; we’re supposed to be inspirationally great. But out of all the characters I’ve met in Gachiakuta (and even anime as of late), I found myself being inspired by the guy who calls himself average, putting the “extra” in “ordinary” by not backing down even if the odds are stacked against him. That, to me, is more meaningful than a victory. Zanka failed, and maybe, one day, he won’t fail, but for now, I think I’m a little bit more comfortable with the idea of failure because of him.

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