Should Donatello have upgraded from a bo-staff to a naginata?

[Andrew NDB]

http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/swords/naginata.html

http://www.thesworddepot.net/images/VW-SH1020.gif

And he did, in #20 of TMNT Vol. 1 (Mirage) for a pagae or two. I don't see why he wouldn't long term, though.

[Jester]

No he shouldn't because Ben wields a naginata....

In all seriousness though, Donatello's use of the simple bo is a great contrast to his analytical and technological mind.

[XERO]

...

... Are you trying to call me out? :P

Everybody tends to label Donatello as the 'pacifist' Turtle. I don't think that him using a nagi would suit his style or personality.

BTW, beautiful pic! Pure awesomeness. 8) 8)

[Scandia]

Nope, I cannot imagine that.

Other than Issue 9 of Volume 1, they do not show earlier weapons for any of the Turtles.

Leo is the only Turtle with a blade. It should be kept that way. Raphael can stab, but cannot really cut or slice.

[CyberCubed]

Yeah, and maybe Mike should upgrade to a grappling hook.

...

:P

[triplexxx]

...

... Are you trying to call me out? :P

Everybody tends to label Donatello as the 'pacifist' Turtle. I don't think that him using a nagi would suit his style or personality.

BTW, beautiful pic! Pure awesomeness. 8) 8)That pacifist stuff is a real overstatement I think, he can use sharp weapons if he had to and he's been very vicious on numerous occasions.

[Prowler]

That pacifist stuff is a real overstatement I think, he can use sharp weapons if he had to and he's been very vicious on numerous occasions.

Night of the Dark Turtle, anyone?

[Dragon Turtle]

In all seriousness though, Donatello's use of the simple bo is a great contrast to his analytical and technological mind.

That I agree with, although, I thought it would be cool to see Donatello with a sansetsukon or three-section staff:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/3-sectional-staff.jpg

[Andrew NDB]

That I agree with, although, I thought it would be cool to see Donatello with a sansetsukon or three-section staff:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/3-sectional-staff.jpg

I've always seen the sansetsukon nunchaku to, perhaps, being an alternate weapon for Michelangelo, or the next step up. He's used them before, too, in Return to New York. I think. One of those comics.

And Don as a pacifist? He's killed plenty of times, even ramming his broken bo into a Triceraton's neck.

A ninja pacifist... yeah, that's a good one. Tell me another.

[Dragon Turtle]

I've always seen the sansetsukon nunchaku to, perhaps, being an alternate weapon for Michelangelo, or the next step up. He's used them before, too, in Return to New York. I think. One of those comics.


In the 2k3 cartoon Michelangelo does use this type of weapon:

http://www.4kids.tv/images/uploads/tmnt_wk10-02.jpg

Another good weapon for Don would be a getsugasan or Monk's spade.

http://cooksden.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/B0000C87VE.jpg


For Donatello, even though we're moving out of the realm of real life weapons, I could see him using a metal collapsible bo staff like Robin or a three-section staff that locks into a Bo Staff, like Billy Kane from the Fatal Fury video games, effectively giving him two weapons.

[Jester]

In the 2k3 cartoon Michelangelo does use this type of weapon:

http://www.4kids.tv/images/uploads/tmnt_wk10-02.jpg

Another good weapon for Don would be a getsugasan or Monk's spade.

http://cooksden.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/B0000C87VE.jpg


For Donatello, even though we're moving out of the realm of real life weapons, I could see him using a metal collapsible bo staff like Robin or a three-section staff that locks into a Bo Staff, like Billy Kane from the Fatal Fury video games, effectively giving him two weapons.
Didn't he essentially use that as his weapon in the Lost Season?

[XERO]

Yeah, let me rephrase my earlier statement.

Donatello (next to Michelangelo) is the Turtle with the least desire to take a life, which is obviously why he and Mikey have weapons with no blades.

I'm not saying they WOULD'NT kill, but only if they had no choice. It all goes down to the 'kill or be killed' phrase, which is just about everytime the Turtles do battle.

[Dragon Turtle]

Didn't he essentially use that as his weapon in the Lost Season?

The type weapon Don used in the lost season was closer to a spear or yari:

http://www.4kids.tv/images/uploads/tmnt_wk08-02.jpg

[Jester]

I was about to post that myself. I guess I though the curved end was on the bottom not the top.

[Andrew NDB]

I'm not saying they WOULD'NT kill, but only if they had no choice. It all goes down to the 'kill or be killed' phrase, which is just about everytime the Turtles do battle.

That doesn't jive with what a ninja is, or what they were trained from adolescence to do. If there's a threat I don't see Don holding back at all.

Not that he would use unwarranted force for a threat that could just be subdued rather than killed.

[Ninjinister]

Donatello has always been the most pacifistic of the Turtles - as much as you can for a ninja. He'd rather not take a life whenever the deed could have been avoided, and this has been shown multiple times throughout the series. Killed Shredder? Because ol' Saki was about to eradicate them all with a thermal grenade. That Elite Foot he capped with a machine gun? If he didn't kill him, he would have slew Karai. Heck, he kept Stockman alive for over a decade just because he didn't want to eradicate a genius.

The bo suits him well, relative pacifism or not. A big, thick piece of oak that can break bones and bash skulls? Who wouldn't want one o' those?

[XERO]

That doesn't jive with what a ninja is, or what they were trained from adolescence to do.

Yeah, but what makes being a ninja any different than being in the Army, or something similiar to that degree?

I don't care what you train in or what your combat beliefs are, not everybody has the urge to take a life. Donatello using a bo instead of a naginata has the possibility of being a example, but I'm not saying that it is.

It all comes down to the thought process and your own conscience. 'Am I a killer, or just trying to protect myself and my family?'

[Andrew NDB]

It all comes down to the thought process and your own conscience. 'Am I a killer,

A ninja is a killer. By definition.

Yeah, but what makes being a ninja any different than being in the Army, or something similiar to that degree?

You won't find many pacifists enlisting in the Army. Though you might find an equivalent in something like Marine Special Forces, the frogmen, or Navy SEALS in the regimene and mindset. Get in, kill the targets, and get out... swiftly and quietly as possible.

[XERO]

A ninja is a killer. By definition.

By definition, yes. But I still say it all comes down to whether or not you actually have the instinct to do it.

Besides, dealing with the Turtles, you happen to forget about their code of bushido. And it's kinda tricky to have a logic of honor when you're constantly taking lives.

Basically, my point is this: The TMNT are trained as killers, but that's not their belief. Splinter simply wouldn't condone it. It's all about survival.

[Andrew NDB]

Besides, dealing with the Turtles, you happen to forget about their code of bushido. And it's kinda tricky to have a logic of honor when you're constantly taking lives.

Pacifism is pretty much the antithesis of bushido/the Way of the Warrior. bushido is just a code of conduct -- actually, a samurai thing by root -- that Splinter probably just instilled in them to keep them from going too batsh*t insane on the streets of New York.

Basically, my point is this: The TMNT are trained as killers, but that's not their belief. Splinter simply wouldn't condone it.

Not only did Splinter condone it, he encouraged and insisted on it.

[XERO]

Pacifism is pretty much the antithesis of bushido/the Way of the Warrior. bushido is just a code of conduct -- actually, a samurai thing by root -- that Splinter probably just instilled in them to keep them from going too batsh*t insane on the streets of New York.

Which makes them even more complex. They train under a ninja way, but they also have samurai tendencies. Besides, if Splinter didn't instilled that conduct within their heads, would you think for one microsecond that they'd be considered 'the good guys'?

Not only did Splinter condone it, he encouraged and insisted on it.

Heh, probably because he lacked the youth to go 'batsh*t insane' on the Shredder himself.:P

From what I'm reading in your posts, you're pretty much going the comic route. And since I never really had the pleasure of reading them myself, I understand where you're coming from.

But based on my ideals, I'm still saying that you mostly choose who you are and what you decide, no matter what weapon you wield, what style you train under, or what philosophy you live by.

[Andrew NDB]

Heh, probably because he lacked the youth to go 'batsh*t insane' on the Shredder himself.:P

Probably. The Splinter thing is point of interest... especially since he didn't even accompany them on their fight.

From what I'm reading in your posts, you're pretty much going the comic route.

The source material of the TMNT, yes.

But based on my ideals, I'm still saying that you mostly choose who you are and what you decide, no matter what weapon you wield, what style you train under, or what philosophy you live by.

You probably weren't raised and conditioned from birth to one day assassinate someone.

[XERO]

You probably weren't raised and conditioned from birth to one day assassinate someone.

Last time I checked, no.

Besides, it was a canister of ooze that started this whole discussion in the first place.

[Vivi]

I would love to see Don fight with that thing, and occasionally it would be really interesting to see all the turtles fight with blade weapons. On a regular basis, however, I think that the bo is just his weapon. It's more of an occam's razor fighting method, ie. the simplest weapon is often the most effective.

[Ryona]

heh.. I always find it interesting that alot of people are under the impression that a bo isn't a "lethal" weapon. It has no blades and points, but that doesn't take away from the bo the ability to beat a person into a bloody, broken, mangled, painful death.

The staff is such a fantastic weapon with so many practical uses. It's one of the oldest weapons conceived from raw materials in nature, and it's one of the most global weapons, with just about every culture in the world having staffs.

I have to say infact that the bo is one of my two top favorite melee weapons. The katana being the other.

Anyway, no I don't think Donatello should have "upgraded" to the naginata. I wouldn't even call it an upgrade. The bo is such an excellent weapon as it is.

[XERO]

My top 2 are the nunchakus and of course, the nagi.

Just like the bo, it also has culture. The only difference is that it has a friggin' blade attached to it.

Like Ryona just mentioned, it wouldn't be much of an upgrade for Donny. Just a change of weapon with a greater kill risk.

[Ryona]

I think this video pretty much sums up just how badass non-bladed/non-pointy weapons are..

tJPi7kt0Iok

[Andrew NDB]

I dunno... the bo is all well and good against untrained, unbladed combatants... but imagine if Don walked into a room full of well-trained Elite Foot all brandishing daisho. Or worse, no-dachi. They could just hack his bo in half and then cut him up like piecemeal.

Maybe if his bo-staff wasn't wooden he could play off the reach factor better.

[XERO]

Heh, Bruce Lee could kill you just by looking at you. :lol:

[Ryona]

I dunno... the bo is all well and good against untrained, unbladed combatants... but imagine if Don walked into a room full of well-trained Elite Foot all brandishing daisho. Or worse, no-dachi. They could just hack his bo in half and then cut him up like piecemeal.

Maybe if his bo-staff wasn't wooden he could play off the reach factor better.

Well, that's a good point. But I think a fight of one skilled warrior versus a group of skilled warriors is pretty unfair already.

Even Leonardo, the most skilled and dangerous ninja turtle, and weilder of the most lethal weapons of the four, is unable to fight a massive number of ninja (plus Shredder) alone without nearly dying, as we saw in the Leonardo #1 Mirage comic.

[Candy Kappa]

http://www.angelfire.com/dragon/swords/naginata.html

http://www.thesworddepot.net/images/VW-SH1020.gif

And he did, in #20 of TMNT Vol. 1 (Mirage) for a pagae or two. I don't see why he wouldn't long term, though.

well... what I've heard that he uses the Bo cause he's the pacifist and want to wield a nonlethal weapon, when that's said the Bo is extremely lethal and can shatter swords and easy kill a person.

The Bo is superior to the sword due to its force and length.
And the Bo and Naginata have a whole different style, unless he'd trained with it before he'll be more unbalanced with just switching instantly weapon

[Andrew NDB]

Well, that's a good point. But I think a fight of one skilled warrior versus a group of skilled warriors is pretty unfair already.

True. Though TMNT vs. Foot has always come down to... trained ninja vs. ninja trained... that much more.

Even Leonardo, the most skilled and dangerous ninja turtle, and weilder of the most lethal weapons of the four, is unable to fight a massive number of ninja (plus Shredder) alone without nearly dying, as we saw in the Leonardo #1 Mirage comic.

Quite right. Though he seemed to be able to kill no one but two Foot Elite simultaneously in Return to New York, and then go on to kill Saki himself solo. He seemed to learn from his mistakes quickly, especially after coming out of that coma.

well... what I've heard that he uses the Bo cause he's the pacifist

Stop listening to whoever is telling you that. It's a fanfiction, or a children's spin-off thing.

[Candy Kappa]

yes I have trouble beliving that since the Bo is far more lethal than the Katana

[Ryona]

yes I have trouble beliving that since the Bo is far more lethal than the Katana

Are you serious? More lethal than the katana? My dear boy, the katana is designed to be a killing instrument. The bo, while it can be lethal, is not designed to be lethal. Understand?

Infact of the group of weapons.. katana, bo, sai, and nunchaku.., the katana is the only one of the four that is designed for killing. The others are more so for protecting oneself.
Simply put, the bo, sai, nunchaku, and other Okinawan weapons are for self-defense. The katana however is a weapon for war.

[XERO]

Stop listening to whoever is telling you that. It's a fanfiction, or a children's spin-off thing.

If I remember correctly, isn't that what it says in his 'bio'?

Probably not word-for-word, but that's the direction they're trying to go.

[Candy Kappa]

he calls himself a combination of a pacifist and a ninja in the bio on their website

[Sewer Bull]

When I was a wee kid, I stole an old broomstick from the kitchen, duct taped it around and felt like like Donatello.

[Candy Kappa]

I've just started with Bo, and its tough to use it, and really creepy when aiming for the head of my training partner

[Andrew NDB]

he calls himself a combination of a pacifist and a ninja in the bio on their website

That bio isn't based on the Mirage Donatello.

[Dragon Turtle]

I think this video pretty much sums up just how badass non-bladed/non-pointy weapons are..

tJPi7kt0Iok

One of my favorite fight scenes using staffs:

KzUmP3gTX-0





I dunno... the bo is all well and good against untrained, unbladed combatants... but imagine if Don walked into a room full of well-trained Elite Foot all brandishing daisho. Or worse, no-dachi. They could just hack his bo in half and then cut him up like piecemeal.


Give Don the Ultimate upgrade.:)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bLaSJk-pyFg/SSWS5ODAcbI/AAAAAAAAA88/DiCX3LPWfXM/s320/Don+firing+Mac-10+sm.jpg

[Cipher]

While I can see the practicality of a bladed weapon for any of the Turtles, I think their weapons are too iconic at this point to change. I'm not even sure how close a naginata falls to a bo-staff in terms of technique.

As for the whole pacifist, thing. No, none of the Turtles are pacifists, in any universe and least of all Mirage. However, Don has been shown to be somewhat restrained (he held back as long as he could against Casey in "Shades of Grey") and his use of a firearm against that Elite bothered him enough that he had to go meditate for a year with Splinter.

[Jester]

Does the old RPG book have character profiles?

I ask, because, Andy's right, Don's www.ninjaturtles.com profile, which reads:
I'd rather talk things out than fight, making me an unlikely combination of a Ninja warrior/pacifist. Unfortunately, in our lives, it's rare when talking things out is an option.
is the 2k3 Don. But does the RPG have character backgrounds for the TMNT? I still agree that Donatello would prefer not to kill. Yes he's a trained ninja, but even so, ones character and personality can trump any training.

[Ninjinister]

is the 2k3 Don. But does the RPG have character backgrounds for the TMNT? I still agree that Donatello would prefer not to kill. Yes he's a trained ninja, but even so, ones character and personality can trump any training.

All a question of nurture vs. nature.

[Spike Spiegel]

Does the old RPG book have character profiles?

I ask, because, Andy's right, Don's www.ninjaturtles.com profile, which reads:

is the 2k3 Don. But does the RPG have character backgrounds for the TMNT? I still agree that Donatello would prefer not to kill. Yes he's a trained ninja, but even so, ones character and personality can trump any training.

I think that's one of his strengths, not only as a likable character, but as a warrior. His mind is his greatest weapon, and it makes him that much more of a badass without even trying...it's why he's my favorite Turtle.

[Candy Kappa]

Are you serious? More lethal than the katana? My dear boy, the katana is designed to be a killing instrument. The bo, while it can be lethal, is not designed to be lethal. Understand?

Infact of the group of weapons.. katana, bo, sai, and nunchaku.., the katana is the only one of the four that is designed for killing. The others are more so for protecting oneself.
Simply put, the bo, sai, nunchaku, and other Okinawan weapons are for self-defense. The katana however is a weapon for war.

both the Bo and nunchuck is lethal weapons due to their force when used.
and The Bo is far more dangerous than any sword due to its length (180cm) and by the force it generates by a full blow, it shatters sword blade and can easily kill its opponent, a swordsman should not take an Bo user lightly.

[Ryona]

Wow, despite quoting my post, it looks like you didn't even read what I said.

Practicly anything can be lethal if used in such a way. Pencils, golf balls, keys, bottles, etc... almost anything. So naturally the bo and nunchaku can be lethal.

BUT, as I said before in my post (which apparently you didn't read), Okinawan weapons were designed for self-defense. The katana on the otherhand was designed for war.
Do some research if you have to.

You think a staff is more dangerous than a sword? Fine then. But tell me this... if, let's say, you had a staff and a sword with you, and some kid wanted to hold one; which weapon would you allow the kid to handle?

[Jester]

Oh come on Ryona. A katana is a sharp sword. In the hands of a novice it can be dangerous. Of course you wouldn't give a bladed weapon to a kid. A trained ninja can make a bo just as lethal, or even more so, than a katana.

[Andrew NDB]

Oh come on Ryona. A katana is a sharp sword. In the hands of a novice it can be dangerous. Of course you wouldn't give a bladed weapon to a kid. A trained ninja can make a bo just as lethal, or even more so, than a katana.

It depends what you're going against.

[shuriken]

Oh come on Ryona. A katana is a sharp sword. In the hands of a novice it can be dangerous. Of course you wouldn't give a bladed weapon to a kid. A trained ninja can make a bo just as lethal, or even more so, than a katana.

I think that's what Ryona was trying to say. Even in untrained hands Katanas are lethal, but the other not so much. Anyways it would be impractical for Donnie to switch his weapon of choice this late in his life, unless of course he switched his weapon more frequently. Sure he can switch to a naginata but why? He knows how to use his bo. And he uses it well.

[Coola Yagami]

If anything, with the way the TMNT stories are told so out-of-order, enough Tales of the TMNT issues taking place throughout different points in the Turtles' could make it seem like Don has always been switching between his bo and naginata.

[Candy Kappa]

Wow, despite quoting my post, it looks like you didn't even read what I said.

Practicly anything can be lethal if used in such a way. Pencils, golf balls, keys, bottles, etc... almost anything. So naturally the bo and nunchaku can be lethal.
sure, any thing is lethal in the hands of the trained

Do some research if you have to.
So that I am close to getting 1st Dan in Shinto Ryu is not valid?

You think a staff is more dangerous than a sword?
Yes I do in a dual between a sword and a Bo the swordsman have to be on the defensive not to be defeated.

and I'd never give a sword to a kid, that's why there's such a thing as a bokken:D

[Ryona]

sure, any thing is lethal in the hands of the trained
And the untrained. The intent to kill is all that's needed.


So that I am close to getting 1st Dan in Shinto Ryu is not valid?
I guess it means nothing since you still fail to grasp common sense and basic weapons knowledge.
And you're not the only one who supposedly knows martial arts. So don't get cocky.


Yes I do in a dual between a sword and a Bo the swordsman have to be on the defensive not to be defeated.
It comes down to skill level between the two. Whichever is higher in skill level has the better chance of taking out the other one.

[Candy Kappa]

So don't get cocky.
oh noes I got my feelings hurted over internet:roll:
well you said I needed to do some research, and I say I got the basic knowledge of kenjutsu and bojutsu.

sure the sword is sharp and pointy,
but the bo is twice its length and can break the sword with a attack, as long as the swordsman is held on a proper length the Bo have the advantage at its side.
The swordsman in other hand have to be on the defensive, and find a way in to hack and slash length, at that range the Bo is useless and the sword wins.
And you can't right away determine who's the better fighter right away, some one have to throw out the first punch, and that is most likely the swordsman, since the Bo user already have the swordsman right where he want him, too far away to use the sword.




It comes down to skill level between the two. Whichever is higher in skill level has the better chance of taking out the other one.

sure a person with a sword or other weapon that are less skilled can easily be killed by a much skilled opponent using a spork

[XERO]

You want my honest opinion on this whole dilemma?

The Turtles use the weapons that they are most comfortable with. I believe that they can use any weapon they have in their arsenal with as much (if any less) success. It's just that their preferred weapons are the ones they depend on to actually secure their survival.

But really, though. The weapon doesn't make the warrior. Given the amount of chance, even a empty-handed fighter can dispose of a duel-katana wielding one, especially if the guy with the swords doesn't even have the will to fight. Meanwhile, the bare-fisted guy is ACHIN' to snap his neck.

If it was the other way around, you'd definitely get the same results.

But what if the will was the same in both fighters? Point blank reasoning states that the guy with the swords would exterminate the bare fisted warrior.

But then again, even Smarty Jones failed to win the Triple Crown, and the odds were in his favor. I guess he just didn't have the will (nor the heel).

Ryona's right. It all comes down to skill and the will to survive, no matter how many or what kind of weapon you're branding. And if it takes upgrading to a naginata to ease your calm and make you more confident about your 'skill', that says a lot about yourself.

You are your OWN weapon. And the only thing that can upgrade it is your own skill. But you can't do THAT without the will.

But then again, I've been wrong before... :ohwell:

[Candy Kappa]

You are your OWN weapon
Thats true
Weapons are only the tools

[Ryona]

oh noes I got my feelings hurted over internet:roll:

Okay, now you're being juvenile.

As for bo versus katana, sure the bo has the superior length; but a katana can maneuver around the bo and strike the bo-user if the katana-user is swift and keen enough. Not to mention a bo can be grasped and held in place by the sword-user, but a blade can't be grasped without cutting open your hand or losing your fingers.
Also, a katana can't so easily be shattered like you think it can. It would have to be a pretty cheap sword for that to happen.
If we're talking a real deal katana, than those things are able to take a beating.

The bo is an excellent weapon and one of my favorites, but the truth is (as common sense would suggest) the katana is more lethal. It's way more lethal than the bo, the sai, and the nunchaku. That's a fact.
It takes just a small amount of pressure to cut and stab. Really, the sword practicly does the work its self. It's so sufficient at injuring people that just the slightest touch is enough.

Let's just agree to disagree with each other, because I'm quite frankly done with this debate.


Also, I totally agree with Ben's post. Skill and determination are the best weapons. Combined those with a sharp, calculating mind, and you have a force to be reckoned with.

[Candy Kappa]

I'd say this is the best upgrade for Donnie boy

[Powder]

What i dont get is why they replace mikes nunchucks in the next mutation with nightsticks... i guess for the same reason in the cartoon, they viewed it too violent? nightsticks less violent? RODNEY KING ANYONE?!

[Candy Kappa]

What i dont get is why they replace mikes nunchucks in the next mutation with nightsticks... i guess for the same reason in the cartoon, they viewed it too violent? nightsticks less violent? RODNEY KING ANYONE?!

the word ninja was to violent too:lol:

[GodzFire]

Yea, if there ever was a 5th Turtle, Benvenuto would be the perfect fit, although they would need to change his mask color from white to yellow.

[Candy Kappa]

did anyone say upgrade?
http://fc09.deviantart.com/fs42/i/2009/117/6/9/Did_anyone_say_swords__by_TendoKiwamu.jpg

http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs42/i/2009/117/5/b/Way_of_the_Ninja__by_TendoKiwamu.jpg
Feel lucky punk?

[CyberCubed]

He did this in the 2012 cartoon. Apparently your 2009 self was heard.

[Donnie]

I was reading the original posts as if they were new until I realized the date. This thread is so old...

[IndigoErth]

Frequent ancient thread bumping; above average interest in the passage of time... I'm becoming convinced that Cubed is a secret time traveler.

[victory_angel]

That pacifist stuff is a real overstatement I think, he can use sharp weapons if he had to and he's been very vicious on numerous occasions.

Pacifists aren't completely no violence. Pacifism can very from person to person. The spectrom ranges from extream pacifists who are absolutely no violence all the way to I will kill if I have to, but not in this manner. (I.E. I will never use a fire arm mind set)

In the middle range a pacifist will fight if it's required, but more often then not will find solutions where a battle can be avoided. And if battle can't be avoided to find solutions to disarm or incapacitate an enemy quickly. If they are forced into a direct kill they become strongly affected by what they have done and that has an emotional backlash.

Yes, Donnie kills the Shredder and Stockman with no qualms, but in that regard, the Shredder and Stockman were too evil to be considered as human. After all the Shredder was given a chance to die honorably, and instead, he chooses to pull out a granade and says "If I go, I'm taking you with me." So knocking the Shredder off the roof was Split-second decision at that moment.

With Stockman, Donnie keeps him alive as a disembodied brain for years in a secret lab. At one point he goes to that lab and says "If my brothers knew I had you here, they would be cross with me. But I've kept you alive all this time because I felt there was something I could learn from you, that there was something you could offer me. Now I see you are just evil through and through." And then he kills Stockman with a triceraton blaster.

But there are moments where Donnie does experience an emotional backlash after being forced to kill someone, there was that one storyline where they encounter a militia group who have a nuke in their possession. Raph says that Donnie would handle the nuke, but Donnie says "No we should run, I've never handled a weapon like that before and I can't guarantee I can disarm it."

Raph at first starts to call Donnie out as a coward, but Splinter says Donnie's assertions are not wrong.

Later after the whole ordeal is over and the leader of the Militia is killed with his own explosive. It's revealed that Donnie had removed the radioactive core of the nuke so it just acted like a regular bomb. But still, Donnie is heavily affected by having a hand in taking a person's life. He does admit this person had a flawed mindset, but still, all that person truly fighting for was change.

And then there is a point during City of War where Donnie sees Karai being attacked by a foot elite. Not wanting to lose a possible ally, he picks up a nearby gun and shoots that foot elite dead. He then tosses the gun away as though horrified by what he has just done.

So yes, while Donnie depending on the version is violent and cocky, he isn't as involved in the direct kills as his brothers.

Even the 2k12 version he only pulls out his Naginata if they are in moments where it's necessary, which isn't all that often so it's easy to forget he even has a hidden naginata blade, to begin with.

Ironically, the naginata blade as a spear weapon that women are often trained to use in combat. So, they also may not show the Naginata blade all that often unless they want sexist jokes where Raph is essentually calling Donnie a girl.

Also, the 2k12 version does play up the pacifist angle somewhat, but in that version, Donnie doesn't seem to like or want to acknowledge he is a pacifist. After all, he gets relentlessly teased about being a weaker fighter, by his brothers. Raph in particular. So it comes across that if he is more open about being a pacifist it would be like saying he has no place on the team. When in reality he does prove himself as a fighter when he does acknowledge that part of himself.

And later in Tales of the TMNT, there is a moment where Donnie is about to kill Vizioso, and Leo yells out "Donnie, don't lose sight of who you are!" And that statement gets Donnie to see that he's becoming no different than their greatest enemy and that is something that scares him.

I wouldn't put it past Leo to maybe have always known that Donnie was a pacifist, but just never realized it until they met the Fugitoid, or maybe he was just waiting for Donnie to just come out and say it rather than calling his brother out on it.

[Donnie]

There's absolutely no doubt that Donatello is the Turtle that prefers killing the least. Michelangelo is probably right behind him. But as others have noted here in the past, and no doubt I've touched on in past posts on this subject, Donatello prefers to ponder and tinker rather than fight. That's been his personality since 1984, read any detailed biography of Donatello in the early years and you'll find some example that he is the least aggressive Turtle.

[neatoman]

Is a spear better than a stick? Yes.

[pferreira]

There's absolutely no doubt that Donatello is the Turtle that prefers killing the least.Don might prefer killing the least but he's always the best to use in a Konami TMNT video game. :D

[Andrew NDB]

There's absolutely no doubt that Donatello is the Turtle that prefers killing the least.

I don't think there's "no doubt" in that. If anything, Raphael might enjoy him a little killing, while all the other three have an equal amount of, "Eh, I'd prefer not to kill but I have no problem doing so if need be."

[Hockey Boy]

Maybe if things get REALLY serious, like a final battle with shredder, but Good ol’ Don doesn’t have the heart to regularly wield something like that.

[Peter Palmer]

Donatello has been brutal a fair number of times in the comics. As someone mentioned (years ago), he took his broken bo staff and impaled a triceraton with it in the arena. Don was also the turtle that knocked the Shredder off the roof in their first encounter, killing him. He didn't hesitate to knock a drunk Casey into a river when Casey started getting aggressive with him. He even used a machine gun to brutally kill a member of the Foot Elite in issue 61.

Make no mistake, Donatello was raised to be a proficient killer and we all know he's an excellent student.

[Powder]

Donatello has been brutal a fair number of times in the comics. As someone mentioned (years ago), he took his broken bo staff and impaled a triceraton with it in the arena. Don was also the turtle that knocked the Shredder off the roof in their first encounter, killing him. He didn't hesitate to knock a drunk Casey into a river when Casey started getting aggressive with him. He even used a machine gun to brutally kill a member of the Foot Elite in issue 61.

Make no mistake, Donatello was raised to be a proficient killer and we all know he's an excellent student.

I love posts like these. It's important we remind people not to define these characters by the iterations chasing kids' lunch money. In Mirage, they were incredibly deep characters, who suffered depression, fits of rage, PTSD, etc. Products of being raised as militant freaks in isolation.

[Andrew NDB]

As Peter Said, in the very first appearance of the Turtles anywhere -- TMNT Vol. 1, #1 -- it's Donatello himself that murders Shredder.

[Technogeek29]

People more or less brought up the points I would've.:D

But yeah Don may be the least likely to kill but is no less capable and certainly doesn't shy from spilling blood.