Pacifista: Human-Like War Machines
Pacifistas are deadly war machines developed by Dr. Vegapunk, modeled after the Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma. Their appearance is so realistic that it can deceive humans; despite their metal-covered skin, every detail of Kuma’s body measurements, facial features, and sunglasses has been perfectly replicated.
The first generation of Pacifistas only resemble Kuma visually; they have no personality, emotions, or free will. During battle, they are tasked with carrying out orders with mechanical coldness. These artificial warriors are not the product of genetic engineering but of advanced mechanical technology.
Although their internal structure is almost entirely robotic, their outer surfaces, which resemble human skin, make them indistinguishable from humans, even among the civilian population. Their sudden appearance during the Marineford War and their strategic combat against enemies as if they had their own will were among the first shocking moments that distinguished them from ordinary robots.
PX Series Code and Classification
Pacifistas are identified by numbers such as “PX-1” and “PX-4.” These numbers not only indicate their sequence but also the technological level tested on them. For example, PX-4 may be equipped with a more advanced energy system and stronger armor compared to PX-1. The differences between the series are usually noticeable during battle, as the models are indistinguishable from the outside.
Kizaru's Light Power: Artificially Transferred
The Pacifistas have been integrated with Borsalino (Kizaru)'s Pika Pika no Mi fruit's light beam attack power. Although they do not possess the original fruit power, they can artificially replicate its technical effects. They can fire intense beams of light from their hands, and these attacks are powerful enough to incinerate an entire city with a single shot. This technology demonstrates the application of Vegapunk's theory of “directing invisible light particles at a fixed frequency.”
The State's Financial Crisis: Each Equivalent to the Cost of a Warship
Pacifista production is so expensive that the World Government has only produced a very limited number of them. The cost of each PX model is equivalent to equipping a warship. Therefore, they are only deployed in the most critical battles, especially against revolutionaries or Yonkou threats. It was necessary to strike a balance between the state's economic priorities and its military plans, so the Pacifistas were never deployed en masse.
Kuma's Body Was Used: The Original Pacifista Was Half Human, Half Machine
Bartholomew Kuma was the first living test subject for Pacifista technology. Vegapunk first tested cybernetic transitions on him by altering his limbs, then transformed him into a complete “human weapon.” However, Kuma voluntarily consented to this transformation before losing his will. The true tragedy is that his consciousness was later erased, turning him into a state slave. While other PX models are entirely mechanical, the original Kuma was once human.
Eyes That Terrify Children: The Light-Emitting Eye Detail Was Added Intentionally
When PX models enter battle mode, their eyes begin to glow red. This is not merely a technical warning but a deliberate design aimed at targeting enemy psychology. Vegapunk's design notes explicitly state that this detail was added to “enhance the warrior effect.” This eye glow created a terrifying effect when Luffy and his allies first witnessed it at Marineford.
The Source of Laser Energy Remains a Mystery
The technical source of the lasers fired from the Pacifistas' hands has not yet been fully explained. In Vegapunk's laboratory notes, this energy source is referred to as “contractive plasma emission,” but how this process is stabilized remains unclear. Many theorists believe that this energy is produced by directing “pre-compressed light particles” using a special magnetic field. However, the technology is so advanced that this information remains purely theoretical.
Command System Conflicting with Kuma's Will
Even when the original Kuma was completely transformed into a Pacifista, he was programmed at a subconscious level to protect Bonnie at Vegapunk's request. This is one of the rare examples showing that even the command system given to machines can conflict with human emotions. Vegapunk first approached the question, “Can conscience be coded when giving an order, rather than just logic?” in this project.
Connection to Seraphim: The Evolution of Pacifista Technology
Pacifistas are the first step toward Vegapunk's ultimate project, the Seraphims. While Seraphims are both genetically and artificially intelligent, Pacifistas operate on a purely mechanical system. However, their laser systems, body armor, and appearance-copying principles have evolved from the Pacifista foundation. The Seraphim project was conceived to address the flexibility issues Pacifistas encountered in battle; as such, each Seraphim serves as a living reminder of the failures of the previous PX series.
The First Shock at Marineford: Cloned Warriors
When the Pacifistas first appeared on the battlefield during the Marineford War, everyone except the marines was shocked. The sudden appearance of multiple copies of Kuma shattered both the pirates and their allies psychologically. Up until that point, the idea that a character's exact clone could be deployed into battle had never crossed anyone's mind. This event marked the moment when the government declared that it now won wars not only with strategy, but also with science.
Their Armor Resists Real Cannonballs
Pacifistas cannot be stopped by traditional weapons. Not only do bullets fail to penetrate their skin, but they also only sustain superficial damage even when hit directly by cannon fire. This resistance is based on Vegapunk's new generation of composite armor technology, which is “non-metallic but behaves like metal.” This armor is so strong that it can only be pierced by physically enhanced blows or extremely powerful fruit abilities.
Luffy's Fists Were Ineffective
During the battle, Luffy, despite using all his strength, could barely make a dent when he first encountered a PX model. This scene not only highlighted the Pacifistas' power but also revealed the limitations of Luffy's current strength. Luffy, who had previously defeated most of his enemies with his fists, found himself completely helpless against an opponent for the first time.
Clones Made from Kuma's Body Are Actually “Blind”
Although PXs resemble Kuma on the outside, their visual perception is entirely sensor-based. Since they do not use real eyes, they process data such as light intensity, temperature, and motion tracking with separate sensors. This makes them effective even in the dark but leaves them vulnerable to visual illusions. For example, they may mistake a reflection of fire for a real enemy and attack it.
Their Speed Is Superhuman, But Their Reflexes Are Not
Pacifistas can move at speeds of approximately 70 km per hour, which is much faster than a human can run. However, their movement reflexes are weak in terms of “instant decision-making” because they are dependent on mechanical sequences. Characters who fight strategically, such as Zoro, have noticed this delay and managed to break their defenses. In other words, their speed is deadly, but their reflexes can be learned.
Used as a Message, Not a Weapon
Pacifistas were not only used on the battlefield but also as political messages. The government occasionally sent them to criminal ports to signal, “We can deploy an army single-handedly if necessary.” This situation caused even revolutionary armies to withdraw from certain regions due to the PX threat. These robots became the government's new diplomatic weapons, relying more on their deterrent power than their combat capabilities.
Vegapunk's Least Known Invention: PX-0
PX-0 was the original code name for Kuma and, despite belonging to the standard PX series, was structurally and historically distinct. While other PX models were based on it, PX-0 was never a fully functional robot. Even with its brain wiped clean, it occasionally exhibited “uninterpretable emotional reactions” beyond its programmed commands. This was the first time Vegapunk had ever doubted the emotionlessness of his machines.
Jinbe's Powerful Water Attacks Proved Insufficient
Even Jinbe's powerful techniques, which use water as a weapon, had only limited effect on the Pacifistas. The PX armor can deflect water from its outer surface with minimal resistance. This feature makes it easier for them to gain the upper hand against abilities that require direct contact. Even Jinbe's sea current-based strikes could only knock them back but couldn't stop them.
Vegapunk's Ethical Dilemma: Human or Weapon?
The biggest point of contention surrounding Dr. Vegapunk's Pacifista project was the creation of individuals who appeared completely human but lacked free will. Despite Kuma's voluntary participation, the process of combining human tissue with weapon systems seemed to cross an ethical boundary. It is known that Vegapunk referred to this project in his private notes as “regret for the sake of progress.” Despite the scientific achievement, the question of how far humanity can be subjected to engineering remains a subject of debate.
Mass Production Was Not Possible: Each Model Was Handmade
Contrary to popular belief, the Pacifistas were not mass-produced but created through individual craftsmanship. Each model was assembled separately under Vegapunk's supervision, a process that took months. This prevented the government from ever realizing its “PX army” vision. Moreover, most of these handmade systems became irreparable when damaged during battle, and many PX models were used in a single battle and then scrapped.
They Failed in the Arms Race
Although Pacifista technology initially seemed to change the balance, it lost its effectiveness over time as characters at the Yonkou level became overly powerful. Especially against enemies with advanced Haki mastery, PX armor became ineffective. This demonstrated that the government needed to revise its war strategy once again. Pacifistas served as a short-term deterrent but failed to keep pace with evolution in the long run.
PXs Are the First “Real-Time Tactical Communication” Application in the One Piece World
Each Pacifista model receives signals from Central Command in real time and implements them immediately. This was the first system in naval history to enable real-time tactical dissemination through robotic units. Thus, even if a PX lost a battle, the combat data it collected was transmitted to the central command, and the software for other Pacifistas was updated. They were not only used as warriors but also as intelligence tools.
According to Some Fans, Kuma Still Transfers Consciousness Through PX Units
According to a theory circulating among fans, Vegapunk did not completely erase Kuma's mind. It is suggested that he transferred his mental backup to a secret PX unit or a different artificial intelligence. This theory is fueled by the fact that some Pacifistas trigger memories related to Bonnie. The fact that “PX-0 did not harm Bonnie” is seen as evidence of this transfer of consciousness.
Kuma's DNA Was Not Used
Contrary to what many people believe, the PXs are not genetic copies of Kuma. Only his appearance, measurements, and voice have been replicated. The use of DNA was reserved for the Seraphim project. This makes the PXs more of a “cosmetic replica” than a “clone.” Their bodies are robotic, their emotions are zero, their consciousness is erased—they are metal bodies programmed solely for battle.
They Laid the Foundation for Today's Technologies
Although more advanced technologies (such as Seraphim and Mark III) are prominent in the current One Piece universe, Pacifistas form the cornerstone of this evolution. Laser technology, non-organic durable armor, and artificial intelligence prototypes were first tested in the PX series. Without Vegapunk's experiments in “creating human forms using mechanical systems,” even Lunarian-based warriors might not exist today.
The Silence of the PX: They Do Not Speak on the Battlefield
All PX models are unable to speak. They only act according to the orders they are given. This silence makes them appear even more terrifying. Their ability to advance without any reaction during battle is specifically programmed to prevent them from sending any emotional or human signals to the enemy. This is part of the government's strategy to manipulate “war psychology.”
Vegapunk's Future Project: Pacifista with Independent Decision-Making
Vegapunk's idea, which he later attempted to implement in the PX Mark III, was to equip Pacifistas with “artificial intelligence capable of making tactical decisions on their own.” This idea arose because the original PX models were unable to respond quickly enough to changes in the enemy. However, this development led to serious ethical conflicts within the World Government, as it posed the risk of PX units behaving like individuals rather than weapons.