Some anime characters are remembered for their epic battles, others for their emotional story arcs—but the most iconic ones? They’re remembered for what they say.
Catchphrases in anime are more than just repeated lines. They define characters, reflect their personalities, and become legendary among fans. From fiery declarations of ambition to cryptic lines shrouded in mystery, these quotes have become a major part of anime culture.
In this quiz-style blog post, you’ll get to test your anime knowledge by guessing the character behind each famous line. Each section presents a catchphrase, gives you a moment to guess, and then reveals the character with some fun background and trivia.
Ready to prove you’re a true anime fan? Let’s begin!
🔥 Catchphrase #1:
“Believe it!”
🎯 Can you guess which anime character made this catchphrase famous?
✅ Answer: Naruto Uzumaki (Naruto)
Naruto’s passionate declaration, “Believe it!” (originally “Dattebayo!” in Japanese), became a defining feature of his personality. It’s more than just a phrase—it’s a representation of his determination, energy, and never-give-up attitude.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Naruto Uzumaki is the mischievous, loud, and incredibly determined protagonist of Naruto. He starts as an outcast ninja who dreams of becoming Hokage—the village leader. Through sheer will, he rises against all odds.
💡 Fun Fact:
The English phrase “Believe it!” was added during localization to match Naruto’s mouth movements and maintain his energetic tone. While not present in the Japanese dialogue, it became iconic in the West.
⚔️ Catchphrase #2:
“I’m gonna be the King of the Pirates!”
🎯 Who shouted this line with unstoppable ambition?
✅ Answer: Monkey D. Luffy (One Piece)
This line is shouted frequently by Luffy, the fearless and goofy captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. It captures the essence of One Piece—a grand adventure in search of the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Luffy is cheerful, strong-willed, and fiercely loyal to his crew. He has the ability to stretch his body like rubber due to the Gum-Gum Fruit and stops at nothing to achieve his dream.
💡 Fun Fact:
Even after more than 1000 episodes, Luffy’s dream remains unchanged. His confidence and refusal to back down, no matter the challenge, makes this phrase a constant in the anime’s narrative.
🔥 Catchphrase #3:
“Just who the hell do you think I am?!”
🎯 Recognize the wild energy behind this line?
✅ Answer: Kamina (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Kamina’s fearless catchphrase is a battle cry, a challenge, and a motivational line all rolled into one. His explosive confidence inspires his teammates even after his death.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Kamina is the charismatic leader of Team Gurren and the spiritual guide for protagonist Simon. He believes in breaking through all limits—literally.
💡 Fun Fact:
This phrase becomes a symbolic torch passed down to Simon and other characters throughout the series. It reflects Kamina’s belief that identity is something you forge with your own strength.
🧠 Catchphrase #4:
“I am justice!”
🎯 This chilling declaration of power and morality is unforgettable. Can you name the speaker?
✅ Answer: Light Yagami (Death Note)
When Light utters this line, it’s a moment of psychological intensity. Believing he can create a new world free of crime by killing criminals, he sees himself as the embodiment of justice.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Light is a high school genius who stumbles upon the Death Note, a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. As “Kira,” he sets out to cleanse the world—at a terrible cost.
💡 Fun Fact:
This line is part of his heated debate with L, where both characters challenge the definition of justice. It marks Light’s descent from a well-meaning idealist to a god-complex-driven manipulator.
🍟 Catchphrase #5:
“I’ll take a potato chip… and eat it!”
🎯 Sounds dramatic? That’s because it is. Who turned snack time into an epic moment?
✅ Answer: Light Yagami (Death Note)
Yes—again! Light is on this list twice because his lines are just that iconic. In this scene, Light hides his criminal activities by writing in the Death Note while pretending to study. His exaggerated action of eating a chip became meme-worthy.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
This scene showcases Light’s over-the-top planning and paranoia, all while being under surveillance. It’s a mix of brilliance and absurdity that only Death Note could pull off.
💡 Fun Fact:
This moment became a viral meme and is one of the most parodied scenes in anime history. It’s a prime example of Death Note’s unique blend of drama and intensity—even over potato chips.
😈 Catchphrase #6:
“This is all according to keikaku.”
🎯 You know it’s serious when “keikaku” is left untranslated. Who’s the mastermind here?
✅ Answer: Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
This infamous line (and translation note: “keikaku means plan”) comes from Bleach and perfectly captures Aizen’s manipulative brilliance. He’s the kind of villain who’s always 10 steps ahead.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Aizen starts as a quiet and kind Soul Reaper but is later revealed to be one of anime’s most cunning antagonists. His calm voice and chilling intellect make every word feel calculated.
💡 Fun Fact:
The line’s meme status comes from the fansub translation that left “keikaku” untranslated and added a note at the bottom. It’s now widely used to parody overly literal or clunky translations.
💥 Catchphrase #7:
“It’s over 9000!”
🎯 Who shattered their scouter with this iconic exclamation?
✅ Answer: Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)
This line became a global meme and one of the most recognizable anime quotes of all time. It refers to Goku’s power level when fighting Vegeta and Nappa early in the series.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Vegeta is the proud Prince of the Saiyans, often torn between his pride, rivalry with Goku, and his own redemption arc. His voice and rage made this line unforgettable.
💡 Fun Fact:
In the original Japanese version, the number was 8000, but the English dub changed it to 9000. The line gained massive internet fame, especially on early YouTube and Reddit.
💋 Catchphrase #8:
“I love humans!”
🎯 It sounds sweet—but the character who says it is anything but.
✅ Answer: Grell Sutcliff (Black Butler / Kuroshitsuji)
Grell’s obsession with blood, theatrics, and dramatic flair makes this line hilariously creepy. They say it with passion—but the context is often deadly.
🔎 Quick Character Insight:
Grell is a flamboyant Grim Reaper with a twisted love for humans and an even deeper obsession with death and beauty. Their behavior adds chaotic energy to every scene.
💡 Fun Fact:
Grell’s eccentric speech patterns and exaggerated expressions made this line a fan favorite. Despite being a side character, Grell has become iconic for quotes like this one.
💡 Bonus Section: Why Anime Catchphrases Matter
Anime catchphrases aren’t just repetitive lines—they’re a core part of character identity and storytelling. They reinforce:
- The character’s goals or beliefs
- The tone of the anime (serious, comedic, dramatic)
- Connection with fans (easy to quote, meme-worthy, nostalgic)
Catchphrases also help build community. You can be at a con, hear someone yell “Believe it!” and instantly know you’ve found a fellow Naruto fan. These lines stick with us because they represent powerful emotions, unforgettable scenes, or just plain anime fun.
🎮 How Many Did You Get Right?
- 8/8 – You’re a true anime legend!
- 6–7/8 – Almost there, senpai.
- 3–5/8 – Time for a rewatch marathon!
- 1–2/8 – Don’t worry. Every anime fan starts somewhere 😊
Drop your score in the comments and challenge your friends! Share this post and see if they can guess all 8 characters too!
✨ Conclusion
Catchphrases are the heartbeat of some of the most iconic anime characters. They stay with us long after the show ends, reminding us of epic moments, deep emotions, and unforgettable journeys. Whether it’s a bold declaration like “I am justice” or a goofy scream like “It’s over 9000!”, these lines define anime culture.
So next time you hear a familiar quote—pause, smile, and remember: anime isn’t just what we watch—it’s what we quote.