| WARNING! This ship page includes the subject of violence. |
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ZanRu is the friendship ship between Zanka Nijiku and Rudo Surebrec from the Gachiakuta fandom.
Canon[]
Rudo Meets Zanka[]
Rudo chases a cat that steals the money he just received from Enjin, sprinting through the streets in frustration. In an attempt to catch it, he grabs a stick lying nearby to use as a weapon, unaware that Zanka was just about to reach for it. As Rudo runs off with the item, Zanka makes his entrance, storming forward with irritation. From the shadows, he calls out coldly, “Give it back.” Rudo, confused thinks Zanka is talking about his money only to be corrected when Zanka makes it clear: he’s not after the cash. What he wants is the stick. His stick. Rudo insists, “It’s just a stick.” But Zanka doesn’t take that lightly. Rudo quickly notices the same emblem on Zanka’s outfit as Enjin’s, confirming that he is part of the same group as Enjin. Zanka accuses him of stealing something valuable, calling the stick his treasure. He steps forward with a dangerous glare, clearly viewing Rudo as a reckless thief who needs to be educated. With a threatening tone, Zanka warns,“I’ll give ya a taste… of my Lovely Assistaff.”
Rudo thinks Zanka is trying to strike him down
Rudo thinks Zanka's going to hit him with a full-on strike, but instead, Zanka merely hits the ground with his Assistaff. He scolds Rudo, warning that stealing someone's treasure is asking to get your butt kicked. He even mocks him by calling him "Mister Exceptional Talent Rudo," a callback to Enjin's earlier conversation with him about Rudo. Rudo, surprised, asks how Zanka knows his name. Zanka reveals Enjin told him a bit about Rudo and that he's part of the Akuta Cleaners, then introduces himself, stating Enjin personally put him in charge of teaching Rudo.
Zanka harshly judges Rudo for stealing his Assistaff, despite Rudo's attempts to explain it wasn't intentional. Zanka criticizes Rudo's upbringing, suggesting his mom and dad didn't teach him proper etiquette. Rudo grows furious, internally thinking that Zanka knows nothing about him or Regto. Rudo remembers a conversation with Regto about understanding others' feelings and meeting them halfway. Realizing Zanka is upset because he believed something precious was stolen, Rudo begins to see a parallel between Zanka's strong emotional ties to his Lovely Assistaff and Rudo's own connection to his gloves. Rudo sincerely apologizes, acknowledging the misunderstanding and that he didn't realize the Assistaff meant so much to Zanka. Zanka calms down, realizing he wasn't truly being robbed. He confesses he was just scared because the Assistaff is his treasure and apologizes for scaring Rudo. Rudo is astonished to be making peace with someone for the first time. Zanka smiles and welcomes Rudo, saying it's a pleasure to meet him despite their rough start.
Fighting Each Other[]
“those things are actually pretty awesome, y’know” - said by a smiling Zanka in the English dub
Zanka grabs Rudo's hand and asked what is his powers. Rudo brings up his gloves and he doesn't know what his power is. Zanka grins, declaring, "Those gloves're mad cool." Rudo notices Zanka's changed demeanor now that he's smiling and reflects on practicing his own smile, wanting to show his best smile to him.
Zanka then asks what made Rudo decide to join the Cleaners. Rudo smiles awkwardly, trying to put on his practiced smile, and explains he's not really joining but just helping out until he reaches his goal. Zanka freezes mid-smile, mistaking Rudo's strained smile for aggression, and yells at Rudo. Rudo is shocked, not understanding why Zanka is mad, especially since he thought it was his best smile of his entire life. Rudo tries smiling again with his eyes closed, but Zanka, still angry, yells that Rudo is out of his mind, and they begin to argue. Zanka believes Rudo was being fake nice and then developed an ego because Enjin called him talented, and is now mocking the Cleaners. Zanka dismisses Rudo's goal as worthless because of his bad look on his face. Rudo, angered, retorts that his goal and he have worth and that Zanka needs to get a grip. Zanka, equally furious, powers up his staff, and says, "The minute I first laid eyes on you... I knew I didn't like you." Rudo fires back, "Same to you."
Zanka tries to attack Rudo
Just when things escalate, Zanka is shocked to see Rudo power up using his gloves. Zanka realizes he can transform anything he touches into a vital instrument. Zanka calls it cheating, laughing while admitting it makes sense that Enjin thinks Rudo is exceptional. But Zanka says if that's all his talent amounts to, there's no way he'll beat him. Zanka's Assistaff falls down from above Rudo, making Rudo wonder when Zanka threw it up there. Zanka launches a barrage of strikes, mocking Rudo's reaction speed and calling him "Mister Genius." He says the only exceptional thing about Rudo is his 3R. Zanka adds that his vital instrument is just a stick, using it to prove that even something ordinary when wielded with skill can still beat someone like Rudo.
Rudo attempts to attack him, but Zanka dodges, leaving a small mark on Zanka's face. Zanka immediately retaliates with a clean smackdown, knocking Rudo to the ground. Zanka then explains to a face down Rudo that the attack was nothing, that Rudo has power but is still a scuzzwad. Zanka notices a disgusting spot on his face, freaking out and asking Rudo "that better not be what I think it is!."
Zanka panicking while trying dodge from Rudo's attack
Rudo stands up with a toilet plunger, which he then turns into a vital instrument and attacks Zanka with. Zanka screams, trying to dodge it as Rudo swings wildly. Rudo has no idea what he's doing but it's working. Zanka desperately tries to dodge the substance from getting on him, wanting Rudo to knock it off and stop. Zanka gets hit, and some of it gets on his outfit. Enjin then pulls up to the aftermath, finding Zanka passed out, leaving both of them humiliated.
Zanka and Rudo vs Jabber[]
Zanka wonders aloud why Rudo is present for the new mission, mentioning that he knows he’s supposed to act as Rudo’s trainer until he officially joins the Cleaners. Semiu adds that Rudo being a Sphereite is connected to the mission. Zanka reflects on how there have been a lot of disagreeable changes around the Ground since Rudo arrived. During the confrontation with Jabber, Rudo shows concern for Zanka and asks what he did to him.
Rudo and Zanka fighting Jabber
Later, Zanka makes a surprise appearance during Rudo’s battle with Jabber, stepping in. He tells Rudo to step aside. Rudo is shocked to see him because he is injured from his earlier battle with Jabber. Zanka insists him he is fine and tells Rudo not to underestimate an “average Joe,” calling Rudo out as “Mr. Innate Talent.” Zanka praises Rudo for properly using his Vital Instrument, noting that he had been observing and analyzing their battle from afar. Then Zanka suddenly asks if he can hit him as a test. Rudo, baffled questions what he means. Zanka explains his theory that the lucky charm Gris gave Rudo might activate if Rudo were attacked, triggering a reaction that could help Zanka move. Rudo pushes back, saying that if Zanka’s theory is wrong, he’ll just be hitting him for nothing. Zanka grins and replies that he’ll just shake it off if that’s the case. Zanka angry by recalling his earlier loss to Jabber tries to hit him but Rudo dodges. Rudo can’t believe he hits him with hostility, Zanka explains it was just a test. The two join forces and tag team by fighting an unconscious Jabber. After winning, a injured Zanka on the ground tries to reach Rudo, who has broken into tears only to suddenly realize something’s wrong. Jabber’s poison had reached Rudo leading Jabber to capture him.
Moments[]
Workplace Observation Arc[]
- Zanka notices Rudo sitting alone during his welcome party.
Fanon[]
The relationship between Rudo and Zanka is widely viewed within the fandom as a strong platonic friendship, or even a familial bond, especially considering their rocky first encounter and eventual mutual respect. Their constant bickering and shared stubbornness often lead fans to describe them as two hot headed brothers learning to coexist. Rudo and Zanka also received a surge of fanart following the release of episode 3 and episode 7, which mainly focused on them.
Fans often compare Zanka and Rudo’s interactions to other rival turned respect pairings such as BakuDeku, ItaFushi, and ZoSan.
Fandom Data[]
On AO3, ZanRu currently has approximately 53 works. ZanRu remains a small ship within the fandom, especially when compared to the popular friendships of ZanJin and Rullo. It is also seen as a more grounded option to the more emotionally intense ships of AmoRudo or Janka if shipped romantically.
Fanon Interpretation[]
A smaller portion of the fandom does ships them romantically. These fans are often drawn to their vitriolic banter with each other and opposites personalities. While some fans see the strength of their friendship as a reason against romantic shipping, others view that very closeness as the building for a romantic relationship particularly within the realm of fanfiction. ZanRu is more acceptably favored over ZanJin when shipped romantically because Rudo and Zanka are much more closer in age.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Zanka & Rudo tag on AO3
- TIKTOK
- Zanka and Rudo posts on TikTok
- TUMBLR
- Zanka and Rudo posts on Tumblr
- Zanka and Rudo posts on Twitter
- ルドとザンカ posts on Twitter
- WIKIS
- Zanka relationship with Rudo on the Gachiakuta Wiki
- Rudo relationship with Zanka on the Gachiakuta Wiki
Trivia[]
- When they first meet, Zanka refers to Rudo as “Mr. Rudo the Natural,” in the English dub.
- Rudo gave Zanka his best smile, but Zanka misunderstood it.
- Zanka is the second person outside the Sphere to compliment Rudo’s 3R. The first was Enjin.
- Both Zanka and Rudo care deeply for their vital instruments.
- Zanka is older than Rudo by two years. Rudo is 15 years old, while Zanka is 17.
- Zanka is also taller than Rudo. He stands at 5’10”, while Rudo is 5’4”.
Gallery[]
- Main article: ZanRu/Gallery
[]
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| SHIPS | het | AmoFu • AmoRudo • Chido • EnMiu • GountLily • Ruyo • ZanRiyo | |
| slash | EnGris • GobJin • Janka | ||
| femslash | EishiaRiyo | ||
| friendship | EnRudo • Grudo • Rullo • ZanJin • ZanRu | ||
| family | Rugto | ||