8 anime quotes everyone uses today

Anime has a way of creating unforgettable moments, and some of the most unforgettable lines have gone far beyond the series they came from. Whether delivered in the middle of an emotional speech, during an intense battle or as a punchline, several anime quotes have transcended their characters and become catchphrases used among fans in their everyday lives.

In many cases, fans recognize the quote before they even remember which series or character it came from. Social media, anime conventions and online communities have helped these iconic lines spread further, giving them a life outside their original context. Classic series that dominated pop culture will forever be cemented in history thanks to their quotes becoming part of everyday conversation and memes.

"I'll Take A Potato Chip... And Eat It!"

It's rare for fans to agree that an English dub is better than the subbed version, but Death Note has so many quotes that only exist in English. By far the most iconic quote from the English dub happens when Light Yagami is secretly writing names in the Death Note while L monitors his bedroom via security cameras, leading him to put together a convoluted plan to avoid getting caught.

As Light narrates his genius plan in Death Note episode eight, he exclaims, "I'll take a potato chip... and eat it!" The line is delivered so dramatically it sounds completely over the top, and isolated from the rest of the scene it sounds even funnier. The quote has become one of the biggest anime memes of all time and is still repeated by fans to this day.

"I Choose You!"

Many anime fans grew up watching Pokémon as a kid, so it's only natural that a quote from the series' protagonist, Ash Ketchum, would make it into everyday lexicon. When Ash is preparing for a Pokémon battle, he'll shout out "I choose you!" before throwing the Pokéball and unleashing his chosen fighter, usually Pikachu. It has become one of Ash's most famous catchphrases.

The very first episode of Pokémon is titled "I choose you!" which signifies how iconic the quote would eventually become. The 2017 Pokémon movie is also titled Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, which adapts the first episode and much of the first season. Whenever an anime fan needs to make a decision, "I choose you!" is the perfect catchphrase to go along with it.

"I Mustn't Run Away."

Poor Shinji is famous for being a much weaker, more vulnerable protagonist than most shonen heroes. Neon Genesis Evangelion follows Shinji as he battles against his own anxieties and insecurities, attempting to save the world as the pilot of EVA-01. The first time Shinji utters this quote is in the first episode, as he convinces himself to save Rei and get into the EVA, even though he's scared.

Shinji's vulnerability culminates in Neon Genesis Evangelion's mind-melting 26th episode, where he explains that he "mustn't run away," because it hurts just as much as what he's running away from. The quote is a poignant reflection of Shinji's fears, and has struck the hearts of anime fans over the years, who use it to remind themselves not to run away when things get tough.

"It's Over 9000!"

Originating from the English dub of Dragon Ball Z episode 28, "The Return of Goku," Vegeta's iconic "it's over 9000!" line has become one of the most widely used anime memes of all time. The episode originally aired in the US in 1997, but became popular online in 2006 after a parody YouTube video used the clip, leading to its use in fan forums and social media from then on.

Aliens serving Frieza in the Dragon Ball Z universe use Scouters, a digital device that can detect a character's level of ki. In episode 28, Goku returns to Earth to confront Vegeta. When he uses his Scouter to confirm Goku's power level, it leads him to exclaim "it's over 9000!" while crushing his Scouter with his fist. While originally a mistranslation, the line has remained in subsequent dubs and spin-offs due to its popularity.

"It's A Terrible Day For Rain."

Spoken by Roy Mustang during Maes Hughes' funeral in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 10, "It's a terrible day for rain" stands out for its emotional weight and subtle delivery. Roy tries to hide his grief behind the excuse of rain even though the day is clear, expressing his vulnerability without openly admitting it. He is usually known for his composure and strength, making it a standout moment for the character.

Roy's quote resonates so much with anime fans because it captures that feeling of struggling to express emotions outright, and choosing indirect words instead. Years after Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood aired, fans still continue to reference it because it perfectly encapsulates quiet grief and the themes of loss and sacrifice that the anime has become known for.

"See You Space Cowboy..."

In the end titles of every Cowboy Bebop episode, "see you space cowboy..." is shown on a black screen. The line serves as a melancholic goodbye to fans and adds to the anime's noir atmosphere. "See you space cowboy" has become synonymous with Cowboy Bebop as it is also the title of a song on the soundtrack, and is also uttered by Punch and Judy of the bounty hunter show, Big Shot.

Not only does "see you space cowboy" work perfectly as a greeting among anime fans in the know, but SeeYouSpaceCowboy is also an American hardcore punk band, named after Cowboy Bebop's famous line. As so many anime fans watched Cowboy Bebop as one of their first entries into the medium, it makes sense why the series has generated so many iconic moments.

"People Die If They Are Killed."

What started as a mistranslation in Studio Deen's adaptation of Fate/stay Night has become one of the most quoted anime lines just because of how stupid it sounds. Originally circulating in 2006, the meme is usually accompanied by captions like "Oh, really?" or "You don't say?" making fun of how dumb Shirou Emiya's impassioned yet obvious speech is.

The context for Shirou's line comes from Fate/stay Night's 23rd episode, "Holy Grail." He explains his body's ability to regenerate from fatal injuries thanks to the relic "Avalon" that was implanted inside him by Kiritsugu Emiya, with the full scene detailing how he won't die even if his body gets hurt. However, on its own, "people die if they are killed" sounds so redundant that fans can't help but quote it.

"Believe It!"

As the iconic catchphrase of one of anime's most iconic characters, it's no wonder Naruto's "Believe it!" quote is used by fans everywhere. "Believe it!" or, as it's also quoted from the Japanese version, "Dattebayo!" is Naruto's verbal tic he says to express his unwavering self-belief and determination. Although it's recognizable, Naruto fans weren't exactly happy with the English dub's translation of the line.

"Dattebayo" does not have a direct translation into English, so Naruto's dubbing team decided "Believe it" conveyed the same meaning. However, fans hated how annoying it sounded, and the line was phased out of the English dub and replaced with "You know!" But, at the end of the day, it didn't have the same ring to it as "Believe it!" which has now become Naruto's most famous, if silly, quote.