In a genre as action-packed as anime, it's rare to run into a pacifist. Still, no world would be complete without those who question the status quo and stand up for non-violent solutions. For example, the war-torn world of Attack on Titan would be incomplete without Armin Arlert.
Due to the nature of most popular anime series, those who fight for non-violent solutions are often forced to do so through violent means. This may sound like a contradiction, but for characters like Armin, Shanks, and Tanjiro, it's a way of life.
10 Despite His Lineage, Gohan Only Fights When It's Absolutely Necessary (Dragon Ball)
Considering the way Goku approaches violence, it is genuinely unbelievable that Gohan grew up to prioritize his education over his martial arts prowess. Still, thanks to the strong influence of characters like Chi Chi and Bulma, Gohan learned a valuable lesson: not all problems can be solved with violence.
Of course, Goku's method of solving problems and various intergalactic threats with his fists made it so Gohan could only ever be a pacifist in theory. When faced with the inherently violent nature of Cell, Gohan was forced to tap into his inner Saiyan and destroy the android before he could destroy the planet.
9 Naruto Changed After Seeing The Devastation Created By Pain (Naruto Shippuden)
Calling Naruto a pacifist in the original anime series may be a misnomer, but after witnessing the devastation created by Pain and the naturally violent nature of the shinobi world, Naruto went through a change of heart.
After the Akatsuki were defeated and Pain was ended by Naruto's Rasengan, the young shinobi made it part of his ninja way to fight for peace. This doesn't mean that Naruto believed every problem he faced could be solved without violence, but it became his mission to create a world where the next generation didn't have to rely on violent means to solve their disputes.
8 Euphemia Li Britannia's Was Forced Into Violence By Her Brother (Code Geass)
Unlike her sadistic older brother Lelouch, Euphemia is committed to finding peaceful resolutions. To prove this point she came up with a plan that would allow the citizens of Japan to govern themselves as an alternative to being held under the iron thumb of the Britannia family.
Unfortunately, on the day she was meant to give a speech and announce her peaceful resolution, Lelouch used his Geass to force her to murder every Japanese citizen that she came in contact with. Lelouch's actions would lead to Euphemia's death and fortunately mark a significant transition in his own character arc.
7 Kirito Sacrificed His Own Moral Code To Save The Lives Of Other Innocent Gamers (Sword Art Online)
Kirito is one of the most innocent and altruistic characters in the world of Sword Art Online. After finding out that the death of in-game characters could result in the death of players' physical bodies, Kirito refused to take a life until he came face to face with Kuradeel.
As a member of the Laughing Coffin, a group infamously known as the Player Killers guild, Kuradeel made a habit of torturing and killing his fellow gamers. Though he tried his best to change Kuradeel's behavior, Kirito came to the conclusion that empathy and compassion were not going to be enough to stop the murderer from continuing his killing spree.
6 Kira Yamato Went Into War Without A Murderous Bone In His Body (Gundam SEED)
The main protagonist of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED has inspired the Gundam fandom to personify him with some incredibly peaceful historical figures. While this comparison can be considered hyperbole, it says a lot about Kira's character.
Unlike his fellow Gundam pilots, Kira hates war and conflict. In fact, he despises the idea of using violence as a solution so much that he goes out of his way to disarm enemy pilots when killing them would be significantly safer and easier. Of course, no Gundam pilot can go into war without incurring casualties, regardless of their philosophy or intentions.
5 Tanjiro's Mission Is Designed To Prevent Him From Having To Kill (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro's gentle nature is such a fundamental part of his personality that he's able to feel empathy for the demons he goes to war with. Every demon that Tanjiro encounters has taken innocent lives for the sole purpose of gaining more strength and avoiding death, yet Tanjiro is still able to see the good in them.
To emphasize his pacifism even more, Tanjiro's entire motivation for joining the Demon Slayer Corps was never to slay demons. Instead, Tanjiro hoped to find a cure for demon-kind, so he didn't have to keep cutting their heads off with his Nichirin blade.
4 Itachi Murdered His Family To Stave Off War (Naruto)
It may be hard to believe that the man who slaughtered his entire family is a pacifist at heart but the truth about Itachi's nature was revealed after his battle with Sasuke. What many originally believed to be the cold murderous action of an evil teenager was in truth a desperate plea for peace.
Instead of letting his entire clan be wiped out or start a war between shinobi families, Itachi decided to bury his own moral compass and choose the violent path that would result in the least number of deaths.
3 Armin Continues To Fight For Diplomatic Solutions (Attack On Titan)
Like many other shonen anime, the world of Attack on Titan is no place for a pacifist. It doesn't matter how powerful or intelligent a character is; without the will to pull the metaphorical trigger, characters are bound to lose their own lives in AoT.
Even Armin, who willingly put himself within range of Bertholdt's explosive Titan shifting ability to test the waters of diplomacy, was forced to take innocent lives when he followed Eren into Marley.
2 Vash The Stampede Only Broke His Rule To Save His Friends (Trigun)
The relationship between Vash the Stampede and Legato Bluesummers has a lot in common with the antithetical relationship between Batman and the Joker from the DC Universe. While Vash takes every precaution available to avoid killing his enemies, Legato does his best to turn Vash into a murderer.
This conflict is what sits at the heart of Trigun's plot, and it isn't until Legato threatens Meryl and Milly's lives that Vash is forced to pull the trigger and put an end to his pacifism. It's an iconic yet heartbreaking moment that highlights Vash's dedication to protect others.
1 The Gorosei Confirmed That Shanks Is A Pacifist By Nature (One Piece)
According to the Gorosei who serve as the leaders of the World Government in One Piece, Shanks is a pacifist by nature. While this might surprise fans who have come to see Shanks as one of the most powerful characters in all of One Piece, it's the only reason he's respected by the World Government despite his lifestyle.
As a pirate, Shanks has been surrounded by murderers like Buggy the Clown his entire life. In this setting choosing a pacifistic lifestyle is impossible, but that doesn't mean Shanks can't hold onto this philosophy for future generations to take hold of.