Anime and manga are both defined by a multitude of factors that determine their excellence or mediocrity. Among these factors are the memorable lines delivered by beloved characters that have resonated with fans for years.
While anime distinguishes itself through animation, manga boasts a higher level of artistic detail and the creative touch of the manga writer.
Regardless of the various elements such as animation quality, original soundtracks, scriptwriting, art style, and character designs, one aspect remains consistently crucial: the iconic lines uttered by anime characters. In today’s article, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 anime characters and their unforgettable lines.
For many anime and manga enthusiasts, these lines hold immense significance as they contribute to the plot’s development. Without them, we’d be left with mere visual stimuli, unable to fully grasp the narrative.
Through the dialogue, we not only understand the characters’ intentions but also immerse ourselves in the energy of the scene and its setting. The delivery of these lines by the characters also plays a crucial role in their impact. Indeed, dialogue stands as one of the most vital elements of both anime and manga storytelling.
So, without further delay, let’s take a look at some of the anime characters and their famous lines. We will reminisce about the anime characters and comprehend why they say those lines.
Naruto’s Dattebayo (Believe it!!)
Let’s begin with one of the most well-known anime characters of the recent decade. Whether you watched the anime in Japanese or English, you must have heard the slogan “Dattebayo!” or “Believe It!” hundreds, if not thousands, of times. Naruto concludes each discussion with his most famous remark, “Dattebayo!” or “Believe it!”
Naruto’s iconic lines do not just stop here, his other famous dialogue is when he uses his most famous Jutsu; “Kage Bunshin no Jutsu” or “Shadow clone Justu”. This, too, has been said hundreds of times.
Furthermore, “I will become the Hokage,” another of Naruto’s finest lines and possibly one of the most crucial for the story’s progression and Naruto’s motivation, is “I will become the Hokage.”
This sentence conveys many of the character’s feelings as well as the overall progression of the tale and the character. Regardless, Naruto’s most famous statement is Dattebayo! or Believe it! since we hear it more than others. Naruto fully deserves the right to be on the list of anime characters and their famous lines.
“I am the man who will become the King of Pirates”
One Piece fans are well-versed in this phrase and can quickly identify which anime character said it. Like Naruto, a youngster who yells his ambition at every opportunity, Luffy from “One Piece” is a character who too yells his ambition at every opportunity.
This is one of the lines that has been running for almost two decades. The wonderful voyage that has been going on for the previous 20 years is now looking to come to a conclusion in a few years, and before we get to hear “I am the King of Pirates” from Luffy, we may get to hear the most memorable phrase “I am the man who will become the King of Pirates” hundreds of times.
When the One Piece character Shanks rescued Luffy’s life by losing his one arm, he makes a vow that establishes the tone for the whole of One Piece and Luffy’s Plot. Luffy then vowed to be the finest pirate in the world and to track down Shanks to return the Straw hat.
“I won’t let you destroy my world”
Since we’re talking about renowned anime characters and their famous phrases, how could we forget about Goku from the Dragon Ball series, who has been popular for more than three decades and is the inspiration for many amazing characters?
And if you’re a big fan of the Dragon Ball series and Goku, you’ve probably heard Goku’s line as he’s ready to save his buddies and the Earth.
Goku is a character who fights for enjoyment with his friends and in tournaments, but when he battles evil, he fights to protect rather than to win. One of the most memorable lines is “I won’t let you destroy my Earth,” which he says while fighting Beerus to defend his planet from destruction.
Sate, Sate, Sate! (Well, Well, Well!)
Was that enough to make you guess who said this famous line? Meliodas from the Seven Deadly Sins, also known as Nanatsu No Taizai, wields this memorable phrase. This sentence says nothing about the character or the circumstances in the anime; rather, it is a hilarious quip that became famous.
It’s hilarious to hear this exchange since it shows a different aspect of the anime and the character. Also, when Meliodas uses this dialogue in an intense circumstance in the anime, it creates an entirely different tone. It’s fascinating how one sentence can be utilized in so many different ways.
Nothing Happened!!!
There are a couple of sentences in the anime that were most likely only stated once and became legendary. One of the biggest examples of this is when Zoro says “Nothing happened” only once, yet it is still renowned, and every One Piece fan knows and appreciates this line. We got to hear this classic statement while the Straw Pirates were fighting Bartholomew Kuma.
Zoro was acknowledged by Bartholomew Kuma, who questioned him whether he could bear his Captain’s grief. In such a scenario, Zoro nodded yes and accepted all of Luffy’s suffering. He remained standing despite being drenched in blood and suffering from several injuries. When Sanji asked what had happened to him, Zoro replied, “Nothing… Happened!”
“A hero’s job is to risk his life, to make his lip service a reality.”
Deku is one of the most inspiring and relatable anime characters. And his most famous phrase has to be the one for which he stood up. When he is fighting with the villains associated with the League of Villains, Muscular in the episode “My Hero” of My Hero Academia Season 3 Episode 4, we witness him stand up to his philosophy.
In my opinion, this is one of the finest My Hero Academia episodes since we witness Deku risking his life for an innocent child. He stood up to his hero mentality of sacrificing his life to help others, and he even triumphed.
“A thousand minus seven is what?”
While Ken Kaneki from the Tokyo Ghoul anime spoke many wonderful and uplifting remarks, his most famous line is one that was initially spoken by another character. Jason was one of the primary antagonists in the first season, and he stated this to Kaneki while tormenting him.
He continued asking Kaneki to count backward from thousand minus seven to keep him sane as he cruelly tortured Kaneki. Kaneki took over Jason’s finger craking and his catchphrase “What is 1000 minus 7?” when he lost his sanity. Kaneki uses this dialogue a few times when he loses his mind.
“Tatake, Tatake, Tatake! (Fight, Fight, Fight!)”
These three words from Eren have become one of the most famous lines from anime characters all around the world. Despite the fact that it was only said once throughout the course of the anime, it has become iconic and holds a lot of meaning.
Rather than a discussion, these three repetitious words are motivational words from Eren himself to keep battling and moving forward.
Eren said these three repetitive words when got back to Paradis Island in jail after murdering hundreds of people including innocent men, women, and children. Several memes and videos on the internet use merely Eren’s three words. There is also an hour-long video on the internet that just repeats Eren’s words “Tatakae.”
“I will be the Hokage!” (Sasuke version)
Yes, if you recall properly, Sasuke announced his intention to become Hokage during the fourth great ninja war. This legendary Sasuke phrase is known for being more amusing than interesting.
In the anime universe, Sasuke is a sort of character who has gone through a lot of emotional transformations. Throughout the anime, his ambition changed a lot. Sasuke went through a lot, from killing his brother to avenging his brother to finally safeguarding the world.
When he unexpectedly stated that he would become the Hokage, everyone was taken aback and assumed he was joking. Following this occurrence, numerous shinobi from Konoha village declared that they, too, would become Hokage including Kiba who was ignored.
“My magic is never giving up!”
When an anime teaches us to never give up, it is always encouraging. Asta is one of the typical shonen anime characters that will not give up until they achieve their goal and may occasionally utter the famous line “never give up.” Asta has also stated this on several occasions. He is born without any magic in the realm of wizards and witches.
Because he comes from a poor family and aspires to be popular, wealthy, and someone who inspires others, his goal is to become Wizard King, the most powerful person in the realm. But someone who does not have any magic, when asked what type of magic do you have? Asta confidently says “My magic is never giving up!”.
“It will be fine. I’m the strongest there is after all!”
One of the reasons Jujutsu Kaisen is well-known is because it features one of anime’s hottest and most powerful characters. Gojo Satoru is more well-known than the anime itself and the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen.
His conversations are likewise far more extensive than those of the anime’s main characters. Gojo quickly became popular, and there were several memes on the internet.
The character meets the criteria for becoming popular in anime and on the internet. The character is amusing, attractive, and the strongest and he is an internet sensation. Gojo Satoru deserves to be included in the list of well-known anime characters and their famous lines.
“My Soldier Rage, My Soldiers Scream, My Soldiers Fight!”
Is there anything more iconic than people following you even when they know you’re leading them to their death? Erwin’s final comments were just meant to cheer up the soldiers as they were going to be smashed by boulders and killed on the battlefield. Erwin Smith’s most memorable lines were before the troops marched to their deaths and how he convinced them.
Erwin’s persuasion of a hundred troops to die and abandon their ambitions is purely insane and iconic. Erwin is the greatest commander the anime universe has ever seen. Erwin is no doubt a candidate for the list of well-known anime characters and their famous lines.
“I’ll take a potato chip…and eat it!”
This straightforward sentence is one of the most dramatic and the most famous lines from all the anime characters in the anime universe. How can one make eating potato chips more interesting?
Light Yagami from Death Note has shown us that even eating a simple potato chip can be quite intriguing. “I’ll use my right hand to calculate problems and my left to write names.
I’m going to take a potato chip… and eat it! “is what he stated as he carried out the quiet slaughter. Even if you haven’t seen the anime, I’m sure you’ve seen this classic scene through a meme on the internet. However, this scenario demonstrates Light’s brilliance, and no matter what obstacles he faced, he simply overcame them.
“I’m going to beat fantasy with science.”
Senku is most likely the most fascinating and unique of the characters on this list. His famous remark alludes to one basic concept: overcoming any hurdle with the help of science and technology. Senku, unlike many shonen characters, is different, which makes him intriguing and refreshing to watch.
It’s a lot of fun to follow him on his quest to bring the globe back up to date. With the character’s heavy dialogue and personality, Senku meets the requirements for being one of the anime characters with famous lines.
“One Piece… is Real!”
Is there anything more iconic than a single sentence from a single anime character that shocks the entire world?
This world-shattering remark was spoken by none other than the Strongest Pirate Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, in the Marineford arc of One Piece, which is undoubtedly the most renowned arc in One Piece. The supreme battle began with the rescue of Ace, one of the commanders of Whitebeard’s pirates and Luffy’s brother.
When pirates from all over the globe were attacking the world government, Whitebeard’s dying words “One Piece… is real!” had a major influence on the One Piece universe.
He stated this as a statement to cause further difficulties for the global government and to increase the morale of pirates everywhere. The Blackbeard Pirates shot and stabbed him numerous times after he stated this, and he died while standing straight.
Honorable Mention
Rikujoubu Joshi Wa Ore No Nama Onaho!!! The Animation
A WONDERFUL NEW WORLD
