May 18 is Word Day.

As “Ko-To-Ba” means “5-10-8” in Japanese, the anniversary was established due to such a wordplay.

Many impressive words also appear in anime. Words uttered by main characters, rivals, and sometimes even nameless supporting characters live on in people’s hearts, and are often passed down as “famous lines” among fans.

Here at Anime! Anime!, we conducted the same reader survey as last year titled “What is your favorite ‘famous line in anime’?” We received responses from 321 people during the survey period from May 7 to May 14.
The ratio of male to female was about 20% for males and about 80% for females, with about 60% of the respondents being under 19 years old and about 25% being in their 20s.

■ “Gintama” Gin-san’s famous lines ranked in the top!
1st place
The 1st place went to “If you have time to decorate the end beautifully, let’s live beautifully until the end” from “Gintama”. The approval rate was about 5%.

This is a line uttered by the main character, Sakata Gintoki during the Joui War. Readers said, “I like this line because it shows the strength of Gin-san’s heart to fight and live even when he is surrounded by enemies and in a bad spot, without giving up until the end,” and “He’s usually full of ramblings, but it’s cool to see him come up with serious quotes like this.”
It seems that there are many fans who got shocked by Gin-san, who usually acts silly.

2nd place
The 2nd place went to “You can only shoot someone who is ready to be shot.” from “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.”

This is also a line from the main character, Lelouch Lamperouge. Some readers said, “It’s a line that expresses Lelouch’s way of life itself,” and “It has the dignity of Lelouch.” The fact that it was said just before Lelouch activated his special ability called Geass in the first episode is also a reason why it left a lasting impression.

3rd place
3rd place went to “There is no logical reason for a person to help another, is there?” from “Detective Conan.”
To High school detective Kudo Shinichi’s lines, readers commented; “Shinichi’s way of thinking and the way he says it are both cool!” and “It’s cool to be able to say things in a dignified manner in a critical situation in front of a criminal, and I think Shinichi can say it because he’s a detective who’s seen a lot of situations.”

Lines from “Conan” are very popular, with rival Hattori Heiji’s “If you let go of that hand, I’ll kill you” coming in 7th place. There were also votes for the heroine Mouri Ran’s lines.

Here are some of the other comments!
To “Keep your heart burning” from “Demon Slayer,” some readers said, “I was really moved by it when I heard it. It makes me want to do my best again even when I’m having a bad day.”

To “Dedicate your heart!” from “Attack on Titan”, some said, “It is a phrase that is short but carries a lot of feelings. I think this line, which is delivered with a pose of a fist to the heart, is the very identity of “Attack on Titan.”

To “Absolutely alright” from “Cardcaptor Sakura,” some said, “I tell myself this when I feel anxious,” and “I think this line symbolizes the work”.

To “El Psy Congroo” from “STEINS;GATE,” some said, “When I first saw the work, I looked up the meaning of the line, and it became a good memory for me.” We received votes for various lines.

In this year’s survey, the lines uttered by the main characters ranked high. Words spoken in serious situations stand out in the results.
In the overall ranking, a variety of famous lines were chosen.

■Overall ranking
[What are your favorite “famous lines in anime”? 2021 ver.]
1st place: “If you have time to decorate the end beautifully, let’s live beautifully until the end.” Gintoki Sakata, “Gintama”
2nd place: “You can only shoot someone who is ready to be shot.” Lelouch Lamperouge, “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion”
3rd place: “There is no logical reason for a person to help another, is there?” Kudo Shinichi, “Detective Conan”
4th place: “Keep your heart burning” Rengoku Kyoujuro, “The Movie: ‘Demon Slayer’ Mugen Train”
5th place: “What the hell are you doing to my Kazuha?” Hattori Heiji, “Detective Conan”
6th place: “There won’t be a second chance!” Nakahara Chuya, “Bungo Stray Dogs”
7th place: “Life is limited, so it’s important… It’s limited, so you can do your best…” Hattori Heiji, “Detective Conan”
7th place: “By the way, ordinary me, do you have time to look down?” Tanaka Ryunosuke, “Haikyu!!”
7th place: “If you let go of that hand, I’ll kill you” Hattori Heiji, “Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter”
7th place: “There are things you have to face. For example, things like, how serious you are.” Yuki, “Sword Art Online II”
11th place: “If you give up, that’s the end of the game” Anzai-sensei, “Slam Dunk”
11th place: “You’re a thorny, difficult case! Even if I were Holmes, it would be impossible for me to accurately read the mind of the woman I love because of all the unnecessary emotion involved!” Kudo Shinichi, “Detective Conan”
11th place: “It’s because I love you. I love you more than anyone else on this planet…” Kudo Shinichi, Detective Conan: Captured in Her Eyes”
11th place: “Talent is to be developed. Sense is to be polished!” Oikawa Toru, “Haikyu!!”
11th place: “One truth prevails.” Edogawa Conan, “Detective Conan”
11th place: “Devote your heart!” Erwin Smith, “Attack on Titan”
11th place: “Look at what ya wanna be properly!” Todoroki Shouto, “My Hero Academia”
11th place: “All I want is for the girl I fell in love with to be happy” Hijikata Toushiro, “Gintama
11th place: “Courage is a word of justice that inspires you… You can never use it as a reason to kill people…” Mouri Ran, “Detective Conan”

(Survey period: May 7, 2021 to May 14, 2021)

*This questionnaire is part of a survey of our readers’ attitudes toward current anime works and characters. The results are not intended to determine the superiority or inferiority of any character or work. We hope that this article will provide you with an opportunity to learn about new works and characters, and deepen your understanding and interest in them.