Anime, or animated shows and films from Japan, hold a special place in my child-like heart. I grew up watching many animes, such as Naruto, Death Note, Full Metal Alchemist and Attack On Titan, to name a few. I guess many would consider me pretty geeky or nerdy for watching them, which to an extent I understand. But, as people say, “Don’t knock it till you try it.” Animes contain fascinating plots and enthralling characters, teaching many real, important lessons, despite its appearance of being simply a “kid’s cartoon.” Many of these beautiful lessons may be perfectly captured in a few of my favorite anime quotes:
1. “I can’t just sit back and watch someone die. I’d rather die alongside them than do nothing.” - Kirito, Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online, like the other shows I took quotes from for this list, had a brilliant plot. People put on headsets to join a virtual reality game, only to find themselves in a game where if they die, they die in real life. The only way out is to complete the entire game, which is impossible for someone to do on his or her own. The show emphasized the importance of relationships and self-sacrifice, with this quote capturing that emphasis perfectly. The level of care and love for another individual that urges you to do everything in your power to save them - even if it means sacrificing your own life or dying alongside them if you can't save them - is a level of love that I hope to reach in my own relationship.
2. “To know what is right and choose to ignore it is the act of a coward.” - Kakashi, Naruto
Naruto, the show about ninjas with incredible and fantastic abilities, centers around an orphaned child who is hated by his entire village and his journey to become the hokage (similar to an emperor in older civilizations). Throughout the show there are numerous battles and situations that require the characters to make tough choices. Doing what is right is an act of bravery, while the choosing to ignore what's right is cowardice. In today’s culture, people always talk about how doing the right thing can be hard, so this quote may come across as obvious. However, instead of stating how doing what is right requires bravery, it captures the flip side of the issue: to do anything other than what is right is cowardly. I think we forget this pretty easily when it comes time to make hard decisions.
3. “Sasuke’s heart is still a blank canvas. The right person could paint it whatever color he wanted.” - Itachi, Naruto
The thing that especially resonates with me in this quote is how easily "Sasuke" could be replaced with my own name, or the names of any of my friends and family. We are easily shaped by what we encounter and learn, our blank canvases are ready to be dyed at any moment by anything we are exposed to. Understanding this, we should be careful of the choices we make. The people we hang out can become the ones who paint us. In the same way, what we do to others shapes and molds them into who they become.
4. “There’s no such thing as a painless lesson, they just don’t exist. Sacrifices are necessary. You can’t gain anything without losing something first. Although if you can endure that pain and walk away from it, you’ll find that you now have a heart strong enough to overcome any obstacle.” - Ed, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
This show focused on the strength of the bonds between brothers and the desire for familial love. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood follows two brothers on their search for the Philosopher’s stone, an item that could transmute anything, even people. They hope to reclaim their lost body parts that were taken from them when they tried to bring their mother back to life (if this sounds like a crazy show, it is, but it's crazy in an incredibly entertaining and enrapturing way). This quote sums up the journey of the brothers very well: Lessons in life are not painless. Something is always sacrificed in a lesson, whether it be time, energy, or emotional or physical pain. Yet, as long as we are able to continue on through the pain and learn from it, our hearts will grow and be prepared for whatever may come our way.
5. “People who can’t throw something important away can never hope to change anything.” - Armin, Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan stormed onto the anime scene a few years ago and has been one of the most exciting animes to appear in a while, probably due to its very adult violence. Titans are giant, humanoid creatures that devour people. The show follows humanity’s effort to survive against these monsters, with the constant fear of being eaten alive. In this tale of desperate survival, the people want to change the way things are. To live in complete and utter fear is not to live at all. Yet, as Armin states in this quote, the only people capable of making a change are the ones who are wiling to sacrifice what is important to them. In life, we are often faced with the choice of whether or not to sacrifice something we value for something we know is more important.
6. “I can believe in my own abilities or the choices of the companions I trust. But no one ever knows how it will turn out. So, choose for yourself whichever decision you regret the least.” - Levi, Attack On Titan
Life presents many choices and, with them, many dilemmas. One of said dilemmas will always be whether or not we choose to do things by ourselves or to trust those around us to take care of it. Sometimes, our choices work out wonderfully, but nothing is guaranteed in life, meaning there will always be an opportunity for regret. Not everything we do by ourselves will work out, and the same gamble is in play when we trust others. We need to find the balance between the two options.
7. “Being alone is better than being with the wrong person.” - L, Death Note
Death Note is the fascinating story of Light Yagami, a man who discovers a notebook that can kill anyone as long as he writes their name and knows what they look like. Light wants to purge the world of all criminals, which raises some moral questions for the viewers who understand that Light is murdering people, but he is murdering people who deserve it. This quote, while not seeming to fit well with the short summary I just gave, certainly is great advice for real life. In a society where people are obsessed with finding “the one” or desperate to not be single, too many end up getting into relationships with people who are not good, whether they be dangerous, not good enough or just not the right fit. “Being alone is better than being with the wrong person” is a reminder that every person, be they single or in a relationship, needs to remember and understand.
8. “False tears bring pain to others. A false smile brings pain to yourself.” - C. C., Code Geass
One point to make very clear, Code Geass is not a show for kids. Violence and adult themes fill the show. This anime follows the brilliant Lelouch, who wants to overthrow the Britannia empire, while his best friend Suzaku becomes a member of the Britannia military. To be fake always hurts somebody, whether it be others or yourself. Today, I see so many instances where people feel the need to fake what they are feeling, whether it’s so that others can feel better or so they can seem like they have it all together. Putting up a false front shouldn't be necessary, especially when there are friends and family who are here to support you. Real friends are those you feel free to express how you’re really feeling to; you can freely let out the happiness or sadness within you. Be honest, and let others be able to do the same.
9. “A life that lives without doing anything is the same as a slow death.” - Lelouch, Code Geass
What is the purpose of life? There are many answers out there, not all of which can be true. I believe that this quote, while not being completely sufficient, is a great start for an answer to that question. To live a life that does not seek to accomplish anything is not a life at all. Personally, I especially believe that life should be geared towards accomplishing something that impacts others, helping to benefit the lives of someone else.
