If you think anime series are just for kids, think again. Au contraire, mon frère. While they may seem disarmingly straightforward, these cartoons offer sage life advice to anyone willing to lend their ears (yes, adults too). They emphasize the importance of discipline, dedication, hard work, friendship, and going for what you believe is right. Often these real life values are shown through memorable quotes that resonate with the audience long after each show. In fact, right next to an engaging plot and well-written characters, meaningful quotes are one of the things that make anime so much fun.
We’ve compiled some timeless nuggets of wisdom from popular anime series that will hopefully help you be inspired and get through whatever hurdles you might be facing. These quotes might be coming from animated cartoons, but they can be applied to the real world, reminding us that while the characters who uttered them are fictional, their feelings and behaviors are unmistakably close to our own.
So, let’s get started! Here’s a list of 15 famous anime quotes together with their underlying teachings that you can apply in real life.
#1 – Koro-Sensei from Assassination Classroom
“The difference between a novice and a master is that a master has failed more times than a novice had tried.”
Takeaway message: Be ready to fail a hundred times for that one success. Although failure is a bitter pill to swallow, it’s the twin sister of success and the ultimate teacher.
#2 – Kurotsuchi Mayuri from Bleach
“I hate perfection. To be perfect is to be unable to improve any further.”
Takeaway message: Strive for continuous improvement instead of faking perfection.
#3 – Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto
“If you don’t like the hand that fate’s dealt you with, fight for a new one.”
Takeaway message: Your situation does not define you. You alone are in charge of your own fate.
#4 – Erza Scarlet from Fairy Tail
“Hurt me with the truth. But never comfort me with a lie.”
Takeaway message: The bitter truth is better than the sweetest lie.
#5 – Otonashi Yuzuru from Angel Beats
“Even if we forget the faces of our friends, we will never forget the bonds that were carved into our souls.”
Takeaway message: True friendship leaves a legacy that endures a lifetime.
#6 – Milly Thompson from Trigun
“Every journey begins with a single step. We just have to have patience.”
Takeaway message: Work towards your goal one step at a time, don’t be hasty in seeking success.
#7 – Inuyasha from Inuyasha
“You’ve got two legs and a heartbeat. What’s stopping you?”
Takeaway message: Quit making excuses. Don’t dwell on what you don’t have or why you can’t do something great. Believe that you’ve got everything you need to pursue your dreams.
#8 – Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece
“If you don’t take risks, you can’t create a future.”
Takeaway message: You cannot get your head above water without sticking your neck out. Have the courage to accomplish what you have set out to achieve.
#9 – L Lawliet from Death Note
“Learn to treasure your life because unfortunately, it can be taken away from you anytime.”
Takeaway message: Live your life to the fullest and cherish every moment. Don’t take it for granted, because it could be gone before you know it.
#10 – Grimsley from Pokémon
“It’s more important to master the cards you’re holding than to complain about the ones your opponent was dealt.”
Takeaway message: Remember that grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Learn to appreciate the assets that you have and to make the best use of them.
#11 – Shintaro Midorima from Kuroko no Basuke
“Don’t give up, there’s no shame in falling down! The true shame is to not stand up again!”
Takeaway message: The ultimate failure is not when you take a tumble; it’s when you fall and don’t even try to get back on your feet again.
#12 – Rin Matsuoka from Free!
“No amount of talent trumps hard work.”
Takeaway message: Talent can only take you so far, but it is perseverance and dedication that get the job done.
#13 – Sora from No Game No Life
“Life is not a game of luck. If you wanna win, work hard.”
Takeaway message: There are no shortcuts to success – only hard work.
#14 – Gildarts Clive from Fairy Tail
“Fear is not evil. It tells you what weakness is. And once you know your weakness, you can become stronger as well as kinder.”
Takeaway message: Although we see fear as something negative, confronting your anxieties can actually be a great way leading to self-improvement.
#15 – Vash The Stampede from Trigun
“The ticket to the future is always open.”
Takeaway message: No matter what path you’re on, you can always change where you’re going.
Let’s Wrap It Up
We hope these anime quotes about life have given you some food for thought, or, at least, that they brought back to you some fond memories of watching Naruto with a bunch of nerdy friends back in the day.
If our article left you hungry for more, we strongly recommend that you check our selection of motivational anime wall art. From Fullmetal Alchemist to One Punch Man to Attack on Titan, you can have your favorite anime characters stare right back at you as you look at a previously empty space on the wall!
Do you know any famous anime quotes that didn’t make it to our list? If we have missed some memorable lines, be sure to share your favorites in the comment section below.
