Exceptionally creative worldbuilding and storylines are hallmarks of anime. Often paired with traditional computer cartoons, anime appeals to a considerably more affluent and global audience. Quotes from dark anime serve as a reminder of life’s harsh realities.
Unfortunately, these are the kinds of truths we choose to avoid because they are too difficult to face.
Anime quotes can be funny, sad, or sometimes life-changing. Anime, like other mediums, influences people in good or bad ways.
But in any case, the influence these anime characters or anime in general have, can’t be denied.
The most meaningful quotes are those that leave you with something to ponder or those that leave you thinking deeply about the message they are trying to express.
Certain anime lines give you the impression that a character is speaking directly to you.
However, if you genuinely pay attention to them and comprehend their significance, these quotes might be your motivaton and source of inspiration.
We won’t just be covering anime quotes about life, but this list will also cover the darkest anime quotes. These quotes cover the entire spectrum of anime, from Shonen to Seinen and everything in between.
30 Best Dark Anime Quotes That Hit Different
- 30. Pain
- 29. Pain/ Nagato
- 28. Saber Of Red
- 27. Jeanne D’arc
- 26. Revy Rebecca
- 25. Sanetoshi Watase
- 24. Sunako
- 23. Dr Hiriluk
- 22. Johan Liebert
- 21. Mei
- 20. Lain Iwakura
- 19. Montana Max
- 18. Aion
- 17. Edward Elric
- 16. Ryner Lute
- 15. Leorio Paradinight
- 14. Light Yagami
- 13. Kyoko Sakura
- 12. Kiritsugu Emiya
- 11. Crona
- 10. Kenshin Himura
- 09. Itachi Uchiha
- 08. Satsuki Kiryuuin
- 07. Gildarts Clive
- 06. Roy Mustang
- 05. Roy Mustang
- 04. Koko Hekmatyar
- 03. Lelouch Lamperouge
- 02. Esdeath
- 01. Madara Uchiha
30. Pain
- Anime: Naruto Shippuden
- Episodes: 500
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Those Who Do Not Understand True Pain Can Never Understand True Peace.
Pain
As we said, Naruto, without a doubt, has the best anime quotes of all time. Pain thinks that because people don’t understand the effects of their actions, they hurt each other.
They wouldn’t understand until they had experienced pain.
When a person doesn’t put themselves in another person’s shoes, their claims to be empathic are merely hollow platitudes.
29. Pain/ Nagato
- Anime: Naruto Shippuden
- Episodes: 500
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Religion, ideology, resources, land, spite, love, or just because, no matter how pathetic the reason, it’s enough to start war. War will never cease to exist… reasons can be thought up after the fact. Human nature pursues strife.
Pain/ Nagato
Despite how crazy his ideas may sound, he wants to change society because he recognizes its potential.
His disdain for people is essentially a result of his frustration with them and their constant wrongdoing.
28. Saber Of Red
- Anime: Fate Apocrypha
- Episodes: 25
- Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural
Humans are humans. Deciding on what’s wrong and what’s right is entirely circumstantial for those bastard. Basically they’re just like animals, only a little bit smarter. All their actions are based off self interest, they’ll forget the favors they owe, but they’ll hold onto grudges forever. Such self absorbed idiots aren’t worth protecting if you ask me.
Saber Of Red
Humankind is pretty much summed up in this quote. Unfortunately, we humans forget the good deeds someone does for us.
We only remember the bad times, and we are self-centered.
27. Jeanne D’arc
- Anime: Fate Apocrypha
- Episodes: 25
- Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural
The ability to make excuses for doing cruel and irredeemable things. It is an unfortunate trait that all humans possess in some capacity. And I am no exception to that. Had I not been burned at the stake, then I would have kept fighting, killing people in the name of the lord.
Jeanne D’arc
Jeanne states the harsh truth about humans and their ability to make excuses. Humans would do cruel things and make excuses to justify those terrible things.
26. Revy Rebecca
- Anime: Black Lagoon
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Action
So how do you measure a thing’s worth? Nostalgia and memories don’t mean shit. Value is determined by a universally accepted unit. Money. Any other measures of value ain’t nothing more than sentimental bullshit.
Revy Rebecca
Revy Rebecca is a strong woman and the protagonist of the Black Lagoon. Throughout the series, we see Revy use brute force to get what she wants.
Revy states the obvious. The only thing of value is money. The rest of the things don’t hold much weight.
25. Sanetoshi Watase
- Anime: Mawaru Penguindrum
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Avant Garde, Comedy, Drama, Mystery
In the human world, truth and reality aren’t always one and the same. Humans just call their desires and ambitions as “truth”. Humans will even kill other humans if they have “truth” as an excuse.
Sanetoshi Watase
As Jeanne said, humans need an excuse to do terrible things. However, Watase is right about one thing: that reality and truth aren’t one.
Our desires are the only things that matter to us, and we would kill others using our desires as an excuse.
24. Sunako
- Anime: Shiki
- Episodes: 22
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
I think death is equally terrible for everyone. Young people, old people, the good, the bad; it’s always the same. It’s rather fair in its treatment. There’s no such thing as a terrible death, that’s why it’s frightening
Sunako
This quote from Shiki describes death most realistically. We are all going to die someday, but we don’t know what awaits us after we die.
23. Dr Hiriluk
- Anime: One Piece
- Episodes: N/A
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
When do you think people die? When they are shot through the heart by the bullet of a pistol? No. When they are ravaged by an incurable disease? No. When they drink a soup made from a poisonous mushroom? It’s when… they are forgotten
Dr Hiriluk
One Piece is one of the best anime out there. However, even though One Piece is funny, some of the anime quotes from the series are pretty hard-hitting.
One of the worst feelings in the world is being forgotten. When you die, for you, your existence ceases. But what ceases your existence is people forgetting you.
22. Johan Liebert
- Anime: Monster
- Episodes: 74
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Suspense
Doctor Tenma, for you all lives are created equal, that’s why I came back to life. But you’ve finally come to realize it now, haven’t you? Only one thing is equal for all, and that is death.”
Johan Liebert
In Johan’s opinion, death is the great equalizer for all. Maybe that comprehension is the cornerstone of his sick schemes throughout the series.
21. Mei
- Anime: Another
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
No matter how many relationships we seem to have, we’re all alone
Mei
Mei is saying that everything revolves around us. Furthermore, no number of connections can alter that reality. No matter what, we are alone.
20. Lain Iwakura
- Anime: Serial Experiments Lain
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Avant Garde, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural
If you’re not remembered, then you never existed.
Lain Iwakura
Some people are so terrified of dying that they will do anything to live on in other people’s memories.
These people are willing to give up their joy, independence, and even their lives to be remembered.
19. Montana Max
- Anime: Hellsing
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Action, Horror, Supernatural
Then let me ask you, if your God would allow my madness to flourish across the globe, then wouldn’t it seem to you that any god like that would be just as mad as I?
Montana Max
When people discuss religion or God, they almost always emphasize how admirable God is. They never give the possibility that God might have a negative side.
We all disregard the negative aspects of religion because we find the idea of a good God to be more reassuring than the idea of a wicked God. However, this quote by Montana Max is thought-provoking.
18. Aion
- Anime: Chrono Crusade
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Action, Romance, Supernatural
Can’t you hear the thoughts of all those people? “What could I have done to deserve something like this. God, why are you doing this? Please tell me?” – They’re all clutching their crucifixes and looking to heaven. And yet, he will never give them an answer. So many have died in an instant, stripped of all they hold dear. Have they committed any kind of sin? Where is the logic in it? Can’t you hear all their despair? All this sorrow, but where is his hand, his mercy?
Aion
Aion, like any atheist, questions the mercy of God. But, again, this quote makes us question the negative side of God.
If God is present, why do people face horrible things or suffer for the things they didn’t do?
17. Edward Elric
- Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Episodes: 64
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Men are not men on the battlefield. We turn into some other creature. You can do the cruelest things… It doesn’t even matter if it’s an order or not. To protect yourself, your mind shuts out any emotions you have. It’s like a steel door. But once the war is over, you can’t keep it closed forever.
Edward Elric
Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the highest-rated and one of the best anime of all time. Edward Elric is the main character in Full Metal Alchemist, and this quote by him encapsulates the mindset of the average soldier quite well.
There are no rules in battle, and your only concern is ensuring your survival.
16. Ryner Lute
- Anime: Legend of the Legendary Heroes
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
War never changes. It always sucks. Why would anyone ever choose to be a part of one? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to understand those people.
Ryner Lute
Ryner Lute, the show’s protagonist, is a pacifist, making him an outlier in a society where individuals are prepared to kill and sacrifice themselves for fame.
The quote by Ryner Lute is an argument against war and the brutality of people.
15. Leorio Paradinight
- Anime: Hunter X Hunter (2011)
- Episodes: 148
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
For the right price, you can buy not only treasures, but dreams, hearts, and even people’s lives!
Leorio Paradinight
If he had money, he could use it to help his friend. In the anime, for example, he gradually realizes that money isn’t everything.
14. Light Yagami
- Anime: Death Note
- Episodes: 37
- Genres: Supernatural, Suspense
In this world, there are very few people who actually trust each other.
Light Yagami
Light informed Ryuk that L and the police didn’t trust one another, so they would work together to capture Kira while working against one another.
We also agree with what Light has to say. But unfortunately, in all reality, we humans trust very few people.
Death Note is one of the best anime. It is all about trusting people, and this is one of the most accurate anime quotes.
13. Kyoko Sakura
- Anime: Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Drama, Suspense
The thing I wished for destroyed my whole family. I brought all this suffering down on my family because I made a wish for my dad without knowing what he really wanted
Kyoko Sakura
Sometimes it’s necessary to think about other people’s perspectives in addition to your own.
When making decisions, you occasionally need to think beyond your perspective, or else others might have to pay for it.
12. Kiritsugu Emiya
- Anime: Fate/Zero
- Episodes: 13
- Genres: Supernatural, Action, Fantasy
They call certain methods of fighting good and others evil, acting as if there were some nobility to the battlefield. Such illusions, perpetrated by heroes throughout history, have led countless young men to their bloody deaths, all for the sake of this valor and glory
Kiritsugu Emiya
This might be a little controversial, but what makes this quote controversial is its harsh reality.
We have seen specific methods of battle being praiseworthy while backstabbing in war is considered foul.
11. Crona
- Anime: Soul Eater
- Episodes: 51
- Genres: Supernatural, Action, Fantasy, Comedy
I bet dead people are easier to get along with
Crona
Crona is a side character from Soul Eater who has lost her memories and is having difficulty interacting.
Since they can no longer offend you or let you down, it is simple to get along with the deceased.
People dislike being alive since it requires them to interact with others, which is one of the reasons why they prefer death.
10. Kenshin Himura
- Anime: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan
- Episodes: 94
- Genres: Romance, Action, Adventure, Comedy
Whatever you lose, you’ll find it again. But what you throw away you’ll never get back.
Kenshin Himura
You can regain almost anything you lost. But conversely, if you lose a chance, new opportunities might open up for you.
But if you choose to toss away things, you won’t get anything.
09. Itachi Uchiha
- Anime: Naruto Shippuden
- Episodes: 500
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
People’s lives do not end when they die, it ends when they lose faith
Itachi Uchiha
Naruto is filled with some of the best anime quotes of all time. With this quote, we get to know how deep Itachi’s character is.
When a person loses hope, it is the end for them.
08. Satsuki Kiryuuin
- Anime: Kill la Kill
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Ecchi
Fear is freedom! Subjugation is liberation! Contradiction is truth! Those are the facts of this world! And you will all surrender to them, you pigs in human clothing!
Satsuki Kiryuuin
The Party’s catchphrase from George Orwell’s 1984 is referenced in this quote. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. “
Similar words are used by Satsuki, although she is blunt when she informs the Honnoji Academy pupils that they are only as valuable as the actual clothes on their backs.
07. Gildarts Clive
- Anime: Fairy Tail
- Episodes: 175
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Fear is not evil. It tells you what weakness is. And once you know your weakness, you can become stronger as well as kinder.
Gildarts Clive
Gildarts uniquely define fear. Often, people think fear makes people weak, but this is not true, and this quote proves it.
06. Roy Mustang
- Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Episodes: 64
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Life that has been lost, cannot be brought back again. That very truth is what shows us the meaning and value of living.
Roy Mustang
Even if it may seem paradoxical, death does more to make us value life.
This quote best exemplifies the moral perspective that permeates Fullmetal Alchemist from Mustang.
05. Roy Mustang
- Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Episodes: 64
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Nothing’s perfect, the world’s not perfect, but it’s there for us, trying the best it can. That’s what makes it so damn beautiful
Roy Mustang
It was inspiring to see the world from Roy’s point of view. He saw the beauty underneath its flaws and had the most optimistic perspective on them.
04. Koko Hekmatyar
- Anime: Jormungand
- Episodes: 12
- Genres: Action, Adventure
Remember what you said before? A normal person with a gun will wind up doing something he never thought himself capable of? No one in this world can truly hold himself separate from violence. Guns are literally within reach of anyone. Sadly that’s where we put our faith, in bullets rather than human kindness
Koko Hekmatyar
The tragic truth of our world is beautifully captured in this Koko Hekmatyar quote.
03. Lelouch Lamperouge
- Anime: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
I’ve made a contract with the devil, so I can’t be friends with a god.
Lelouch Lamperouge
This saying can also be applied to someone who feels unworthy of happiness due to wrongdoing.
02. Esdeath
- Anime: Akame Ga Kill
- Episodes: 24
- Genres: Action, Fantasy
The weak are destined to lie beneath the boots of the strong. If that angers you, overcome your deficits
Esdeath
This quote is as harsh and unfair-sounding as it is true in many ways. No one is treated equally in this world, which is unfair.
Nobody’s life experiences and upbringing are created equally.
01. Madara Uchiha
- Anime: Naruto Shippuden
- Episodes: 500
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
In this world, wherever there is light – there are also shadows. As long as the concept of winners exists, there must also be losers. The selfish desire of wanting to maintain peace causes wars, and hatred is born to protect love.
Madara Uchiha
And in the top spot, we have Naruto, the best anime of all time. We have mentioned before that Naruto contains some of the best anime quotes.
Madara Uchiha was a power-hungry man who desired to rule the entire world and have everyone bow down before him.
However, Madara was also clever enough to understand that to gain something, one must also lose something, in addition to his drive for strength.