| 1 | ->''"Miyagi always look for way not to fight. Miyagi hate fighting."'' |
| 2 | -->-- '''Miyagi''', ''Film/TheNextKarateKid'' |
| 3 | |
| 4 | %% One quote is sufficient. Please place additional entries on the quotes tab. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | A lot of [[TechnicalPacifist heroes fight for peace]], [[ThePowerOfLove love]], [[TrueCompanions friendship]], [[ForGreatJustice justice]], and all that sort of stuff. Occasionally they believe in [[GodzillaThreshold violence as a last resort]] and as DirtyBusiness, following the path of the MartialPacifist and falling back on their prodigious martial training only as the very last resort while avoiding unnecessary deaths. The Reluctant Warrior isn't quite so blessed, he lacks the ImprobableAimingSkills that could make his [[CouldHaveBeenMessy dealing with them bloodlessly possible]]. What's more, he will find himself constantly facing enemies who mean to hurt or kill him and his friends, and who are savvy enough to not hold a VillainBall and [[SelfDisposingVillain dispose of themselves]]. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Nonetheless, they stand by their ActualPacifist ideology and continually try to give peace a chance, even when doing so verges on being a HorribleJudgeOfCharacter when offered to irredeemably evil opponents. Sadly, they will ''still'' rack up a body count. Even so, they won't give up trying to hold to their HeroicVow, even if it's functionally a FrequentlyBrokenUnbreakableVow. They keep trying since they know that pure pacifism will cause more problems than solve them, even if it means having to fight and kill again. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Because of these conflicting impulses, straight heroes who are Reluctant Warriors will spend a lot of time agonizing over their choices and circumstances but somehow manage to keep the {{Angst}} under control (well, until the villain tries to BreakThemByTalking about their [[NotSoDifferentRemark similarities]]). An AntiHero or AntiVillain who is a Reluctant Warrior (it ''can'' happen) likely has some underlying good goal and means well -- for [[WellIntentionedExtremist loose]] [[NobleDemon definitions]] of [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans "well"]] -- and nonetheless laments but will not hesitate to use force. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | Contrast SuicidalPacifism. Compare HeroicNeutral and SlaveMooks. Contrast BloodKnight, who is this trope's exact opposite. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | ---- |
| 15 | !!Examples: |
| 16 | |
| 17 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 18 | |
| 19 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 20 | * ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': Kira Izuru believes the true essence of combat is "despair". As such he despises battle, despite the fact that when he actually ''does'' fight seriously he's a complete gangster. |
| 21 | * ''Manga/BoboboboBobobo'' parodies this trope with Bojiggler, a {{Bishonen}} warrior that expresses his hatred for fighting [[HypocriticalHumor by pounding the living daylights out of his enemies.]] |
| 22 | * In one of the ''Anime/CodeGeass'' prequel [[AllThereInTheManual audio dramas]], when ten-year-old Suzaku asks Tohdoh, his martial arts teacher at the time, why he should befriend the hostage Prince Lelouch instead of just letting him get beat up, Tohdoh gives him this philosophy as a reply. |
| 23 | ** This also comes up in his, Suzaku, and Lelouch's behavior in the series - Tohdoh supporting Zero's order to withdraw in Stage 17, Lelouch's way of dealing with the remade [[spoiler: SAZ under Viceroy Nunnally]] in Turn 8, and Suzaku's philosophy in general, though it can be said that he takes it too far. [[spoiler: Then again, it's also his goal to ''get himself killed''...]] |
| 24 | * ''Manga/DragonBall'': Gohan, especially in the Cell Saga, before Goku's death. Gohan refuses to get mad enough to blindly kill Cell in a RoaringRampageOfRevenge because he [[ThouShallNotKill doesn't want to kill anyone]]. It takes Android 16's deathbed speech about how it is okay to kill to protect the innocent and then subsequent death at Cell's hand to get Gohan to let it loose. After defeating Cell, Gohan stops training to focus on his studies, because unlike [[BloodKnight his dad]], he fights solely to protect people, not because he enjoys it. |
| 25 | * Shizuo Heiwajima from ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'' takes this trope to its logical extreme: he's a vocal violence-hating pacifist who happens to have SuperStrength and a ''very'' [[HairTriggerTemper severe rage disorder]] that leads him to respond to the mildest irritation with -- you guessed it -- violence. [[HypocrisyNod He is fully aware of the hypocrisy of that statement]]. |
| 26 | * In ''Manga/{{Freezing}}'', Kathy Lockhearte is a sweet, rather meek girl who wants to one day become a novelist and raise a loving family. Too bad for her that she naturally possesses the potential to become one of the most powerful [[ActionGirl Pandoras]] on the planet, and her {{Jerkass}} father constantly pressured her into becoming the "world's savior" more to boost his own political career than to actually, well, save the world. |
| 27 | * ''Manga/FutureDiary'' protagonist Yukiteru starts off as an [[ShrinkingViolet antisocial wallflower]] who would prefer to stay out of trouble. Too bad he's in a [[ThereCanOnlyBeOne Battle Royale for godhood]] with twelve other people, almost all of whom are directly targeting ''him''. The one who isn't is a [[AxCrazy homicidally]]-[[StalkerWithACrush obsessive]] {{Yandere}}. Despite being frequently scared shitless OnceAnEpisode and not being at all enthused about killing, he's killed [[spoiler: just as many diary owners as her]] before [[spoiler: Taking A Level In Badass]], by which point [[spoiler: the trope gets subverted]]. |
| 28 | * Yang Wen-li of ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes'' hates war and violence. However, he is a genius tactician, and living in a turbulent time means he is [[TheCallKnowsWhereYouLive thrust into action time and time again]]. Several characters have remarked on the contradiction between his attitude and action. |
| 29 | * ''Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico'': Akito Tenkawa starts off as one, only wanting to serve as a cook aboard the titular ship. |
| 30 | * ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'': Kira Yamato starts out as a Reluctant Warrior, who tries to spare his enemies but ends up killing a ''lot'' of them. He's eventually able to upgrade to TechnicalPacifist, much to the improvement of his mental health. Athrun may qualify in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSeedDestiny''. |
| 31 | * ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'': Quatre Raberba Winner doesn't like fighting [[TechnicalPacifist and doesn't believe in it]], but will do it if he has to. |
| 32 | * Haku of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' hated fighting and killing, but also desired nothing more than to see Zabuza's wishes fulfilled. In his final battle, despite having many opportunities to do so, he never struck a fatal point with his senbon despite it significantly extending the battle. |
| 33 | * ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'': So how's the teaching job going, Negi? As the series progresses, he's getting less and less reluctant, getting [[SuperpoweredEvilSide dangerously close]] to the edge. |
| 34 | * ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'': Shinji Ikari. At first, he pilots so that Rei wouldn't have to. Then, he pilots because he wants [[WellDoneSonGuy recognition]] from his estranged father. After [[WhamEpisode Bardiel]], [[MortonsFork he quits because he's afraid of hurting innocents but shortly afterwards, he pilots again because if he doesn't, people will get hurt anyway]]. Therefore, he has no choice but to sit in that fucking cockpit he hates like no tomorrow. |
| 35 | ** ''Rebuild 2.0'' makes it somewhat better: he comes back because Zeruel made the [[BerserkButton big mistake]] of eating [[LoveInterest Rei]]. NoHoldsBarredBeatdown ensues. |
| 36 | * ''Manga/OnePiece'': The Revolutionary Dragon is revealed to have been this in the past. However, after the World Government [[LeaveNoSurvivors razed Ohara]] via [[ItsTheOnlyWayToBeSure Buster Call]], [[ThisMeansWar he could not stand their despotic tyranny anymore]] and went on to found [[LaResistance the Revolutionary Army]] even though he hated violence. |
| 37 | * Hiiragi in ''Manga/PsychoStaff'' [[IJustWantToBeNormal just wants to be normal]] and hates fighting. |
| 38 | * ''Manga/SaintSeiya'' has Andromeda Shun, who, after four seasons and at least three movies, refuses to give up on the idea of non-violently settling problems, and talking to his enemies in the hopes of reasoning with them. He has the unfortunate tendency to combine this noble character with MartyrWithoutACause and almost ''giving away his life'' on a few occasions... but when push comes to shove and the enemy proves they are a monster, he ''will'' fight and kill them if need be. To his credit, he's caused at least one HeelFaceTurn among his opponents, and [[spoiler: held back and ''throttled'' a [[DemonicPossession body stealing god]] through sheer love of peace]]. |
| 39 | * Luluco of ''Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco'' wants nothing more than [[IJustWantToBeNormal to live an normal, uneventful life]]. Unfortunately, she has to work with the Space Patrol to earn enough money to unfreeze her father. This isn't helped by the fact that [[OnlySaneMan her coworkers are insane]]. |
| 40 | * Nanashi in ''Anime/SwordOfTheStranger'' keeps his sword sheathed with a peace knot preventing him from drawing it because [[spoiler:he complied with his superior's order to execute a mother and her child during a raid and had nightmares about it ever since.]] This doesn't stop him from defending himself [[spoiler:or Kotaro]] through other means, including flinging a boiling pot of water over an enemy soldier's head and crushing another's throat with the butt of his sheath. [[spoiler:He finally breaks the knot and unsheathes the blade during the FinalBattle.]] |
| 41 | * Simon from ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' starts out as one of these. He's only content with working as a miner and isn't happy with Kamina sending him on adventures. Then [[spoiler:Kamina dies, leaving him to fend for himself]], and by the end, he's piloting a mecha capable of punching another mecha into an alternate dimension, where it explodes. Which it does. |
| 42 | * ''Anime/TheVisionOfEscaflowne'': Van Fanel is constantly told he needs to attack more aggressively -- [[BerserkButton at first...]] |
| 43 | [[/folder]] |
| 44 | |
| 45 | [[folder:Card Games]] |
| 46 | * Raiden is one of the Lightsworn’s big guns in ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh''. He has gone behind enemy lines and taken out plenty of enemy commanders. However, beneath these actions lie his wish for peace, his desire for a swiftly put an end to the conflict. |
| 47 | [[/folder]] |
| 48 | |
| 49 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 50 | * ''ComicBook/TheGoddamned'': Cain's immortality makes him invincible and his age leaves him little patience for the savages that plague the badlands, so while he is perfectly willing to slaughter his way out of a tidal wave of wild-men, he won't actively seek out a fight. |
| 51 | * Franchise/{{Superman}} tends to try talking things out before resorting to violence, even if it seems clear that the enemy cannot possibly be talked down. Being NighInvulnerable helps with this sort of philosophy. |
| 52 | * Creator/DCComics' {{western}} character Bat Lash. He's a fairly cheerful Reluctant Warrior, though, who doesn't anguish much about beating up villains, instead maintaining a steady stream of [[YouFightLikeACow banter]] about how he did ''try'' to avoid a confrontation, and, really, all he wants is to be about his business, but they've forced the issue. And he means it. |
| 53 | * Most of the Autobots in the ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' franchise don't want to be warriors. Makes sense since most of them were built for civilian purposes. Optimus Prime in particular always has humble origins: dock worker, data clerk, desk jockey police officer, etc. (except in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'', where he's a washout cadet who mistakenly thinks WarIsGlorious which ends after his first taste of real war with the Decepticons) He hates war and only fights because the Decepticons have to be stopped no matter the cost. In ''ComicBook/TheTransformersRobotsInDisguise'' he takes advantage of an opportunity to leave Cybertron and explore the universe so he can abandon his identity as "Optimus Prime" forever and rediscover "Orion Pax". |
| 54 | * Wee Hughie in ''ComicBook/TheBoys'' was a NaiveNewcomer with a distaste for violence, and while he never became desensitized to it like the rest of the team and was a [[TheHeart vocal proponent of peaceful solutions]], he had a strong sense of justice that made him [[BerserkButton more than willing to kick teeth in]] when innocents were threatened. |
| 55 | * In ''ComicBook/SerenityLeavesOnTheWind'', when the [[LaResistance New Resistance]] catches up with ''Serenity'' Mal initially rejects their request to be their leader. But after the Alliance captures Zoe and kills most of the NR in separate incidents, [[NeutralNoLonger he finally gets angry enough]]. |
| 56 | -->"I'd made up my mind to steer clear of the Alliance, make my living out where I wouldn't be bothered and wouldn't be bothering neither. But you won't seem to let me live that way. Every time I try to walk away, you come followin'. Well, from now on, you choose to chase me, I'm gonna turn and meet you head on. Be honest, I'm developin' a taste for it." |
| 57 | * ''ComicBook/StarWarsKanan'': Depa Billaba makes it quite clear that believes that the Jedi made a mistake in taking on military titles, but she still accepts her orders and role as a general even if she hates being called a general and has made her feelings clear to the other members of the council. |
| 58 | * ''ComicBook/{{Robin|1993}}'': [[Characters/RobinTimDrake Tim Drake]] starts out his tenure as Robin treating it like a temporary position he'll eventually quit. He ends up quitting twice only to be pulled back in by the knowledge that his training makes him invaluable and sitting on the sidelines when he knows he could be helping save lives isn't something he can really stand. By the time the title is taken from him he no longer feels this way and moves on to the identity of ComicBook/RedRobin in response. |
| 59 | * ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' ''will'' fight when if she has to, she comes from an island of warrior women after all. But She'll try to go for the peaceful approach first, or trickery or another creative solution if that won't work. As Gail Simone wrote it: |
| 60 | -->'''Wonder Woman:''' We have a saying, my people. 'Don't kill if you can wound, don't wound if you can subdue, don't subdue if you can pacify, and don't raise your hand at all until you've extended it.' |
| 61 | [[/folder]] |
| 62 | |
| 63 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 64 | * It is implied in ''Fanfic/RacerAndTheGeek'' that most mercenaries only choose that line of work after exhausting all other options. However, coming to enjoy it is not unheard of. |
| 65 | * Captain Kanril Eleya comments in ''Fanfic/FromBajorToTheBlack'' that "I don't really like killing people but I'm very good at it." |
| 66 | * Mahanon, in ''[[Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge All This Sh*t is Twice as Weird]]'', falls under this trope. Prior to the Divine's Conclave, he was a hunter - he only killed in order to feed his clan, and while he's certainly very ''good'' at fighting the Inquisition's enemies, he only does it because it's part of the territory. |
| 67 | * In ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', Paul captures a female Pikachu (that he later evolves to Raichu) and puts her in battle even though she doesn't like to fight, but Paul never noticed it. After he releases her [[YouHaveFailedMe for losing one too many battles]], she's found by Ash, who promises to take care of her and never force her to battle if she doesn't want to. |
| 68 | * ''Fanfic/ThroughHerEyes'': Ruby will fight humans if she really needs to, but she is much more comfortable fighting Grimm, to the point that her performance drastically suffers during a spar with Yang against Pyrrha and Ren. |
| 69 | [[/folder]] |
| 70 | |
| 71 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 72 | * In ''WesternAnimation/Epic2013'' Nod quits the Leafmen because he doesn't play well as part of a team, preferring doing things his way. |
| 73 | [[/folder]] |
| 74 | |
| 75 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 76 | %%* ''Film/{{Shane}}'' |
| 77 | * ''Film/TheKarateKid'': |
| 78 | ** Mr. Miyagi would prefer not to fight at all, preferring intimidation (the thugs who square up to him in the first film) and dodging (Kreese in the second film) "Fighting ''always'' last resort." |
| 79 | ** Daniel gains the willingness not to fight, as he learns from his mentor, but thanks to the plot violence ends up usually being the solution to his problems (especially facing the present-day Series/CobraKai). |
| 80 | * ''Film/TheGunsOfNavarone'': Corporal Miller. He's seen one too many examples of the human cost of the war. |
| 81 | -->'''Miller:''' Well, right now I say to hell with the job! I've been on a hundred jobs and not one of them's altered the course of the war! I don't care about the war anymore, I care about Roy! |
| 82 | * Brother Gilbert in ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' has a minor dose of this trope, which makes sense since he's a monk. He agrees to fight against Einon because he's so evil, but keeps his shots non-fatal. Then, when presented with Einon himself as a target, he draws a bead on the tyrant's heart but hesitates while growling out "Thou... shalt... not... kill..." |
| 83 | %%* Eli from ''Film/TheBookOfEli''. |
| 84 | * ''Franchise/StarWars'' series: |
| 85 | ** Yoda. His's comment that "Wars not make one great!" was later elaborated upon with [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Form_%22Zero%22 Form Zero]], a sort of Jedi philosophy that stressed the importance of finding a non-violent solution to problems. |
| 86 | ** And Obi-Wan Kenobi, described in the {{novelization}} of ''Literature/RevengeOfTheSith'' as "A devastating warrior who'd rather not fight". It's telling that his favored [[FantasticFightingStyle lightsaber style]] is the defensive Soresu. |
| 87 | * Bruce Banner in the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', especially by ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron''. He is one of the most powerful individuals in the franchise. He also has absolutely no interest in fighting and killing, not even getting into the fact that he can't control the Hulk. |
| 88 | --> '''Natasha:''' All my friends are fighters. I've never met a man before who avoids the fight because he knows he'll win. |
| 89 | * In ''Film/AppointmentWithVenus'', Lionel Fallaize is an artist who refused to join up when the war started because he dislikes violence, uniforms and people telling him what to do. However, after getting caught up in the plan to rescue Venus, he sees Vogel about to shoot Mooreland, he jumps at Vogel to get Vogel's attention and [[TakingTheBullet takes the bullet]] intended for Mooreland. Later, when his wound is being tended, he says that he doesn't know what came over him, but he was compelled to act when he saw what was happening, and the implication is that he intends to sign up when the squad gets back to Britain. |
| 90 | [[/folder]] |
| 91 | |
| 92 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 93 | %%* ''Literature/{{Shane}}'' |
| 94 | * In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', [[PosthumousCharacter Rhaegar Targaryen]]. By all accounts, he looked as though he was going to be more of a singer, reader, and poet than any of his ancestors ever were. But then, one day he read ''something''[[note]]Theorized to be the moment he believed ''he'' was to become The Prince Who Was Promised/Azor Ahai[[/note]] that lit a fire in him, and turned up in the training yard the next day demanding, with an air of resignation if the person sharing this information with Daenerys is to be believed, that the Master-at-Arms educate him in the use of a sword. He kept his edge, participating in tournaments and the like, but always resorted to diplomacy when possible before he would do battle. |
| 95 | * Faramir in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. The Hobbits as well. |
| 96 | -->'''Faramir:''' War must be, while we fight for our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. |
| 97 | * In ''Literature/TheTwilightSaga,'' the older vampire, Carlisle, is considered less dangerous than those several hundred years his junior because of his reluctance to harm a living being, even if it's trying to kill him. |
| 98 | * Cassie in ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'' is the most outspoken of the kids about it, though none of them except Rachael enjoy risking their lives and killing on a weekly basis. Her attempts to create a peaceful end to the alien invasion are first portrayed as well-meaning but naive, then they lead to a peace movement within the invading forces and eventually [[spoiler: a peaceful ending.]] |
| 99 | * Camaris in ''Literature/MemorySorrowAndThorn'', a classic KnightInShiningArmor and one of the greatest heroes the land of Osten Ard has ever known, hates battle, fights only when compelled, and prays for the souls of his vanquished foes. It helps that he's such a [[ShroudedInMyth fearsome warrior]] that no sane enemy would take the field against him. This duality leads him to copious amounts of angst, including a full-scale HeroicBSOD; once he snaps out of it (twenty years later), he becomes a ShellShockedVeteran, but no less of a badass. |
| 100 | * Eragon of ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'', regardless of interpretation, was supposed to be this. |
| 101 | * ''Literature/OverTheWineDarkSea'': Menedemos and Sostratos; while they constantly have to defend themselves against pirates, warlords, and assorted blackguards they prefer to avoid a fight. In their case, it is less from idealism and more because it interferes with their [[MoneyDearBoy primary mission]] |
| 102 | * Sam Temple in ''Literature/{{Gone}}'' doesn't want to step up and become the leader of the FAYZ. In fact, he doesn't at first, letting Orc, and later Caine, take over. Only when he sees how evil Caine is does he finally take charge. |
| 103 | * Leland de Laal in ''Literature/{{Helm}}'' doesn't like fighting or, especially, killing, and avoids it assiduously wherever he can, even after being made the captain of a unit of mounted infantry. Up to and including [[spoiler:engineering a peace treaty with the nation his unit was originally formed to fight]]. |
| 104 | * In Creator/AlanDeanFoster's ''Literature/TheDamnedTrilogy'', every soldier in [[TheAlliance the Weave]] is this. Most of the Weave races abhor even the thought of violence, and the ones that can bring themselves to fight do so with much distaste. Their foes, the psychic influence-wielding [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Amplitur]], do not like to fight either, but their fanatical belief in uniting all species beneath the banner of "The Purpose" drives them to do so, and they don't hesitate in genetically modifying species under their rule in order to make them better fighters. The only species that enjoys fighting is [[HumansAreWarriors humanity]]. The Weave manages to recruit humankind, and the only thing that frightens them more than having humans as allies is the possibility of humans falling under the Amplitur's control. |
| 105 | * Matteo in ''Literature/SomeoneElsesWar''. Well, arguably the entire cast, given that they're all ChildSoldiers and none of them actually want to be there. |
| 106 | * Yuri Zhivago of ''Literature/DoctorZhivago'' is conscripted into the Imperial Russian Army and later the Red Army as a medic, but in the latter case, he is forced to take up a gun when the Reds are cornered in a Siberian forest by the Whites. Upon seeing that most of the White soldiers are still pretty much schoolboys, he instead shoots at a tree to make it seem to his commanders that he is helping in the fight without actually killing anyone, but to his horror, some of the White soldiers still end up in his firing line in the hustle and bustle of the charge. |
| 107 | * Jessamine Lovelace from ''Literature/TheInfernalDevices''. Although she's no ActualPacifist; she just really, ''really'' hates the Shadowhunter world. |
| 108 | * Bowbaq, from the "Cycle of Ji" series by French novelist Pierre Grimbert, is an ActualPacifist who has to take up arms when a bunch of fanatical killer priests are sent to kill his family, his friends, and himself. This might have to do with him being able to mentally communicate with animals (with restrictions on the species of animals he can communicate with). |
| 109 | * Marcus Valerius in ''Literature/TheArtsOfDarkAndLight'' is by education and temperament a scholar, and so doesn't really like the military (or even fit into it very well). However, he serves as his country's equivalent of a reserve officer anyway because he believes [[TheFettered it is his duty]] to do so. Even as an officer, however, he tries to avoid violence when he can... even as he reluctantly accepts the necessity of it when he must. |
| 110 | * In the ''Literature/WarriorCats'' book ''Riverstar's Home'', River Ripple tries to uphold peace, but once One Eye kills one cat and steals herbs meant for others who may die without them, he knows that the only way to stop him is to kill him, and comes to accept that survival and peace must be fought for. |
| 111 | * ''Literature/{{Inkmistress}}'': Asra is a healer by trade who really doesn't want to hurt people. She's got no choice however increasingly to defend herself or other people during the story (though she tries mostly for just defensive actions, this doesn't always work). Asra is always troubled by it however. |
| 112 | [[/folder]] |
| 113 | |
| 114 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 115 | * [[TheMedic Clarke]] of {{Series/The 100}} spends a great deal of her time trying to prevent as many deaths as possible. Unfortunately, they live in a CrapsackWorld where everyone is trying to kill everyone, so she has to kill people anyways, just to keep her own people alive. |
| 116 | * ''Series/AliasSmithAndJones'': Even as outlaws, Heyes and Curry both fit this trope. Their whole modus operandi for train and bank robbing is to secure the maximum amount of loot with no casualties whatsoever. Kid Curry seems unlikely as a Reluctant Warrior, but although he is a {{Gunslinger}} par excellence, he really, really, really doesn't want to shoot anyone. The rationale for his becoming a phenomenally fast draw is that the faster he can draw the gun, the less likely the chance that he'll actually have to fire it. And the only two times he DOES actually shoot someone are when they draw on him first, and even in those circumstances he hates having been placed in that position. |
| 117 | * ''Series/BabylonFive'': |
| 118 | ** Sheridan's mantra is "We will not start the fight, but we will finish it!" He lives up to it, as in almost all battles he commands, he allows the enemy to make a first shot. |
| 119 | ** In a novel Sheridan's predecessor Sinclair said during his introductory speech to the recruits of the newly found organisation of Rangers, that those who'd joined to have revenge on [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Shadows]] are not welcomed there, as the ultimate goal of the organisation is to save lives, ''all'' lives, including those of Shadows, if it's possible. |
| 120 | * Lee "Apollo" Adama on ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}''. He's a crack pilot and tactician, second only to Starbuck, but finds it difficult to carry out orders he has ethical problems with, and actively questions the decisions behind them on occasion. |
| 121 | * ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Buffy is very much one, especially during the high school seasons. Giles has to do everything short of grabbing her by the hair. |
| 122 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': |
| 123 | ** Before the [[GreatOffscreenWar Last Great Time War]], the Doctor was a ScienceHero for whom lethal force was the last resort but still [[TechnicalPacifist a valid one]]. After the war...they still are. ''During'' the war, on the other hand, they fought on the front line until there was no other option but to nuke both sides to save the universe. |
| 124 | ** This was expanded on near the end of the Eleventh Doctor's run - it turns out Eight initially refused to fight and just helped those caught in the crossfire. When it became clear this couldn't last, he constructed a whole new persona that his other incarnations refuse to call "the Doctor". |
| 125 | * ''Series/{{Firefly}}'': Both Dr. Simon Tam and Shepherd Book, though Book is also TheAtoner because he was a formidable warrior once and regretted how many he killed. River also qualifies; she may be a horrifically brutal and efficient killing machine, but she doesn't ''[[IJustWantToBeNormal want]]'' to be one, and is terrified of her abilities. |
| 126 | * ''[[Series/{{Highlander}} Highlander: The Series]]'': Methos is the oldest living immortal at 5,000+ years. In the present, he prefers to stay out of the Game and usually avoids fights. However, every now and then some other immortal will try to force the issue, only to learn the hard way that there's a damn good reason he's survived as long as he has. |
| 127 | -->''"Just because someone doesn't '''like''' to fight, doesn't mean they '''can't'''."'' |
| 128 | * ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'': Parodied in a snippet: "I'm starting a war for peace." |
| 129 | * ''Franchise/StarTrek'': |
| 130 | ** Most of the Federation as such would also fall under this category in that they keep up with their neighbors as best they can technology-wise but try not to use force unless needed. |
| 131 | ** Spock generally can be described as one unless he feels it is absolutely necessary to use force like he did when counseling Kirk not to show weakness to the [[SpaceRomans Romulans]] in "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E14BalanceOfTerror Balance of Terror]]." |
| 132 | --->'''Spock:''' It is for them, Doctor. Vulcan, like Earth, had its aggressive, colonizing period - savage, even by Earth standards - and if the Romulans retain this martial philosophy, then weakness is something we dare not show. |
| 133 | *** Speaking of Spock, in'' Bread and Circuses'' he and [=McCoy=] are thrown into a [[GladiatorGames death match against gladiator-style warriors]] on a new planet. While the alien opponent is coming at him with a sword, Spock constantly plays defensive, choosing to dodge the blows while insisting that he "does not want to injure" him, leading to the watching crowd concluding that "the pointy-eared barbarian" is about to get killed. However, when he notices that the much less action-oriented [=McCoy=] is in danger, Spock deals with his opponent in the space of a second and darts over to save his frenemy. |
| 134 | ** By the time the third season of ''Series/StarTrekPicard'' comes around, Worf had become something of a reluctant warrior who prefers pacifism first instead of going straight to violence. |
| 135 | * ''Series/StargateSG1'': Daniel Jackson often has to reconcile his idealist ways with the more pragmatic ways of his friends. Sometimes he wins, sometimes they do, depending on the episode. |
| 136 | * Roger Horn from ''Series/TourOfDuty'' is a conscientious objector forced to serve in combat. As much as he hates it, he has no choice but to fight and kill to survive. |
| 137 | * ''Franchise/KamenRider'' has this as a recurring theme, as many Riders would rather not fight. Some actively detest fighting, while others would rather just stay out of it for one reason or another. However, when it comes down to it, they fight because they know that if they don't, then innocent people will be hurt. |
| 138 | * The titular ''Series/UltramanCosmos''. His base form, Luna Mode, outright doesn't have any capacity to harm the {{Kaiju}} he faces. |
| 139 | * ''Series/WonderWoman'': In the pilot episode, Wonder Woman states both hers and all of [[HiddenElfVillage Paradice Island's]] views on violence...right after beating up her agent. Granted he had just [[BullyingADragon pulled a gun on her]]. |
| 140 | -->'''Ashley Norman:''' Please. Don't hurt me!\ |
| 141 | '''Wonder Woman:''' Hurt you? Where I'm from we try never to hurt people. |
| 142 | [[/folder]] |
| 143 | |
| 144 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 145 | * Trace from ''VideoGame/AxiomVerge'' tries to talk his way out of boss fights and tries to negotiate with the [[MissionControl Rusalki]] to avoid killing [[BigBad Athetos]]. Especially made apparent after defeating the Gir-Tab Variant and [[spoiler:the dying Athetos clone]]. |
| 146 | * Kabbu from ''VideoGame/BugFables'' hates violence and prefers to avoid it whenever he can, and would rather talk down his opponents by reasoning with them ([[AnimalNemesis The Beast]] being the sole exception). However, if there's no other alternative, he ''will'' fight back and mop the floor with anyone who dares to oppose him and his team. |
| 147 | * Kasumi from the ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'' series always tries to avoid conflict until either she sees there's no other choice (it's even one of her pre-battle catchphrases) or gets her BerserkButton pressed. |
| 148 | * Flonne the LoveFreak in ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea|HourOfDarkness}}'' not only annoys her demonic friends and teammates with her endless prattle about "Love" and "Peace" but is quite a powerful magician and caster and helps out in fights. |
| 149 | * Hawke in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' with a diplomatic or sarcastic personality definitely can come off as this, just wanting to live a quiet life, provide for their family and not deal with all the insane politics in Kirkwall. |
| 150 | * From ''VideoGame/DragonBallFighterZ'', Android 21[[spoiler:'s Good form. Being a scientist and certainly not as tomboyish as someone like Android 18, she has a tough time getting used to being needed to fight, even moreso than Gohan. Which is ironic because she's actually the strongest character in the entire story. She'll be the first to admit however that not wanting to fight doesn't override the ''need'' to fight, especially with the world and her friends on the line.]] |
| 151 | * Eliwood from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'': "I’ve no love for war. If I concentrate on the foe before me, I’m fine. If I picture families, innocents caught up in our foolish politics? If I imagine them… All I can do is pray for a way to solve things peacefully." |
| 152 | * Bernadetta in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'' also doesn't find much joy in combat, as her line after her first kill indicates. However, she still fights if ordered, and if hurt, she ''will'' return the favor. |
| 153 | * ''VideoGame/FugaMelodiesOfSteel'' originally presents Malt and the rest of the kids as this, as they are children suddenly tasked with the heavy burden of fighting on the frontlines of a war, and are understandably mortified when they take their first life. During intermissions, you would sometimes have to ''lie'' to [[TheBabyOfTheBunch Mei]] by telling her that you are only destroying [=UMGs=] and that no one is really dying. However, through both the manipulations of [[spoiler:the Radio Woman]] as well as learning how deep the Berman Empire's villainy runs do they start growing out of this mentality, realizing that the only way to make the Berman Army stand down is to make them. |
| 154 | * Amagiri Kyuuju in ''VideoGame/{{Hakuouki}}'' always attempts to talk his would-be opponents into walking away, and enters combat only with great reluctance. Then he [[CurbStompBattle curbstomps]] you. |
| 155 | * ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'' starts out as one. She may get less reluctant later in the game, depending on the player's actions. Ansaksie is definitely one, but Vateilika and Yukabacera may also count. |
| 156 | * ''Franchise/MassEffect'': Through certain dialogue choices, Paragon Commander Shepard can come off as this. |
| 157 | ** In the third game, Shepard can admit to feeling like their entire life has been enslaved by warfare and expresses the hope that after the Reapers are defeated, they can finally be free. |
| 158 | ** In ''VideoGame/MassEffectAndromeda'', the Initiative as a whole adopts this philosophy. Standing orders during a FirstContact situation is to always try to look non-threatening and initiate dialog, and shoot only if fired upon. Even Tiran Kandros, a member of a long-established Turian military family refuses to authorize a mission to capture TheRemnant city Meridian because he doesn't want to antagonize the Kett. |
| 159 | * ''VideoGame/MegaManX'': The original reploid, he spent about a dozen games and a century (alone and offscreen) fighting incredibly [[BlackAndGreyMorality difficult]] battles despite feeling compassion for his victims. Even when he realized that [[KnightTemplar he was beginning to no longer care about the people he was having to kill]], instead of [[HeroicBSOD giving up]] he just found another way to keep trying to protect the world. |
| 160 | %%* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': Solid Snake |
| 161 | %%--> "I'm no hero. Never was, never will be. Just an old killer, hired to do some wetwork." |
| 162 | * ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' has a few examples: |
| 163 | ** For example, Absol abhors violence and doesn't like Mega Evolving according to its ''[[VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon Ultra Sun]]'' entry. |
| 164 | ** Wimpod would also try to get out of a battle whenever possible. |
| 165 | ** Sabrina mentions that she dislikes fighting but will fight if she must. Note, Sabrina is a ''gym leader''. By ''VideoGame/PokemonBlack2AndWhite2'' she's apparently quit being a trainer in exchange for being an actress. |
| 166 | * In ''VideoGame/RedDeadRedemption'', a game set during the dying days of the Wild West, John Marston becomes this. John was trying to give up his old life as a gang member in the Wild West by living on a ranch with his wife and son earning a humble living as a farmer. This plan is ruined when government agents kidnap his family and tell him that he will never see them again if he doesn't kill the members of his old gang. John complies and takes up his gun again for the sake of his family. |
| 167 | * Cream the Rabbit of ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' is a prime candidate. She's a gentle, caring young girl who hates violence and will try to resolve any conflict without it. When forced to fight, however, she and her pet Chao Cheese can seriously lay the smackdown on some robots. Somewhat averted in ''VideoGame/SonicChronicles'' where all of her special abilities [[WhiteMage revolve around healing and buffing the party.]] [[GameBreaker Though that doesn't keep her from being a horrifyingly powerful asset when paired up with a tank like Knuckles or Omega.]] |
| 168 | * In ''[[VideoGame/SoulSeries Soul Calibur V]]'', Pyrrha Alexandra is this to the extent that her default stance is ''leaning back with her shield pressed up against her''. She's quite the fighter if pushed, but she ''really'' doesn't want to. |
| 169 | * ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'': Emil is not only a reluctant warrior, but ''incompetent'' at that. He can only do any good in a fight when 'possessed' by Ratatosk, who obligingly does so before every battle (except at certain parts of the game). |
| 170 | ** Luke in ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' becomes one of these as one of the earliest stages of his rather extensive CharacterDevelopment. At first he's [[HeroicBSOD downright traumatised]] by the experience of killing a fellow human being in self-defense. It's only when his hesitation puts [[RecklessPacifist himself and his companions in danger]] that he begins to accept that it is kill or be killed on the battlefield. And while he does eventually learn to let go of his reluctance and face his enemies without hesitation or regret, it's stated that even then he's still troubled enough by it that he's left lying awake shaking at night. |
| 171 | * The Academy faction in ''VideoGame/TerraInvicta''. When the first signs of alien life show up, they're initially hopeful, looking forward to peaceful, mutually beneficial cooperation as equals. After observing the aliens' activities, however, the Academy quickly realize the aliens are hostile (unlike the GenreBlind Protectorate) and prepare for war. However, even during that war, the Academy's end goal remains to find some way to make an equal peace with their would-be invaders, instead of simply expelling them from the solar system or destroying them outright. |
| 172 | ** Project Exodus, although less out of principles and more out of a belief that fighting the aliens is hopeless. But they will fight to ensure that their HomeworldEvacuation succeeds [[spoiler:and those who do not go aboard will keep fighting afterwards, if only to weaken the aliens and give the new colony its best chance at survival]]. |
| 173 | * While some ''VideoGame/TwistedMetal'' contestants [[VillainProtagonist revel in the chaos and destruction]] caused by the eponymous DeadlyGame and others [[UnscrupulousHero just don't mind]], there are few that participate because they feel it's their only option and are otherwise non-violent: |
| 174 | ** Axel from ''2'' [[IJustWantToBeFree just wants to be freed]] from the mechanical contraption he's been trapped in for the last 20 years and otherwise doesn't want to fight. |
| 175 | ** Dollface from ''Black'' wants to be freed from her particular predicament; a [[WhiteMaskOfDoom doll mask]] that [[ClingyCostume just won't come off]] and needs to win the contest to earn herself the key. Near the end, she laments that she's tired of fighting and that she doesn't want to kill the FinalBoss, [[HeroAntagonist who is just a police officer trying to stop the destructive contest]]. |
| 176 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', Asgore is this. He is described as a "big fuzzy pushover" who hates violence, [[spoiler: and if it weren't for [[WellIntentionedExtremist the promise he made to his subjects when in a fit of rage,]] he wouldn't have to fight you. When in battle, he can't even bring himself to look at you, instead looking at the ground. He feels a lot of regret for his actions, to the point that he destroys the Mercy button at the beginning of the fight not to stop you from running away, but because he thinks he doesn't deserve your mercy.]] |
| 177 | -->'''Asgore:''' Truthfully... I do not want power. I do not want to hurt anyone. I just wanted everyone to have hope... |
| 178 | * ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders'': Leo Stenbuck is initially extremely reluctant to fight even when [[spoiler: his entire colony is being destroyed around him]]. Only [[spoiler: near the end, when his 'girlfriend' has been shot, does he willingly continue fighting]], even though a way out was staring him right in the face. |
| 179 | [[/folder]] |
| 180 | |
| 181 | [[folder:Visual Novels]] |
| 182 | * Shirou in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' starts with the goal of only stopping Masters who are being actively disruptive and is absurdly forgiving of the likes of Shinji or Ilya. He tries diplomacy whenever it is practical, even with Kotomine and Caster. Unfortunately, when these efforts invariably fail, his only means of fighting back or even self-defense involves putting swords in people's faces. Really, that's a very effective method of self-defense. |
| 183 | [[/folder]] |
| 184 | |
| 185 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 186 | * In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', despite being one of the most powerful characters, Grace hates fighting and was brought to tears the one time she had to unleash her full strength on someone (despite that someone being the OmnicidalManiac [[AGodAmI God-wannabe]] who abused her for years). She's training to become a MartialPacifist so she has more options than "cower in corner" or "tear to shreds". |
| 187 | * Piffany in ''Webcomic/{{Nodwick}}'' is [[NiceGuy perhaps nauseatingly nice]], but can and will fight alongside her teammates when faced with the forces of naughtiness. |
| 188 | * ''Webcomic/OurLittleAdventure'': Julie, the [[TheHero heroic]] protagonist hates fighting, especially humans and other humanoid races. She got deeply annoyed when her friends celebrated her popping her 'kill cherry' in [[http://danielscreations.com/ola/comics/ep0099.html this comic page.]] |
| 189 | [[/folder]] |
| 190 | |
| 191 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 192 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'': In contrast to Rayla, [[Characters/TheDragonPrinceCallum Callum]] prefers not to fight until absolutely necessary. However, when he needs to protect his friends or family, he absolutely will push the limits of what he can do to fight. |
| 193 | [[/folder]] |
| 194 | |
| 195 | [[folder:Real Life]] |
| 196 | * Post-World War 2 Germany as a whole. After the shock of what JustFollowingOrders can lead to, the new German constitution gave every German citizen the right to refuse military service, to prevent instrumentalization of German people by the occupying powers. In the face of the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, the creation of a [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht new German army]] was highly controversial and required a legal loophole to reintroduce conscription, despite violating the constitution. It wasn't until the Yugoslav Wars in the '90s when genocide was happening right next to [=EU=] borders, that German aircraft engaged in combat action, and even that was extremely controversial. Caught in the frenzy of late 2001, Germany supported the invasion of Afghanistan with equipment and technical specialists and later took control of the mostly pacified Northeast in a mission to "provide security for the population and projects for the development of local security forces". A landmark was reached in 2009 when the Minister of Defense first admitted that German troops in Afghanistan were dealing with "conditions similar to war", which was criticized by many other politicians, who went to great lengths to reassure that [[ImplausibleDeniability German troops were not involved in any war]]. At the same time, Germany has the world's 7th largest defense budget and is the world's 3rd largest weapons exporter after the US and Russia. While Germany hates to use military force, it's [[BecauseImGoodAtIt really good at]] [[GermanicEfficiency making weapons.]][[note]]Good at making weapons? How about good at making '''anything'''.[[/note]] |
| 197 | * The ''Karate Kid'' example above is very much TruthInTelevision at least among traditional, "serious" practitioners or teachers of Eastern martial arts. Those are primarily present in the respective countries of origin because, in the West, these martial arts are most often treated as sports or mere self-defense mechanisms, focusing only on combat. However, Eastern martial arts usually come with an entire philosophy attached and many, if not most, of those who practice their respective art traditionally will adhere to core points of these philosophies. Especially in Shotokan karate, the core philosophy is that actual combat should always be the very last resort and de-escalation through "diplomacy", or, worst case, non-violent intimidation, and other non-violent means should '''always''' be tried first. Only when there is no way to avoid a fight at all should the "martial" part come into play. This is part of the self-view of the karate practitioner since the underlying philosophy teaches virtues such as humility, calmness, respect, etc. Many other traditional martial arts are similar, but this component is mostly lacking in their Westernized forms or in MMA. |
| 198 | [[/folder]] |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/context.php
FollowingContext Main / ReluctantWarrior
Go To
- Show Spoilers
- Night Vision
- Sticky Header
- Wide Load
