Anime Quotes About Growth

Change that costs something. Quotes from characters who had to stop being who they were to become anyone else.

A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Thorfinn Vinland Saga The strongest objection, answered
“If both are equally shit, then I'll take the one I'm more suited to.”
Kento Nanami Jujutsu Kaisen The contrarian read
“Studying martial arts is no Sunday picnic.”
Master Roshi Dragon Ball The contrarian read
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Heero Yuy Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Read against the character's own history
“Remember this pain, and let it activate you.”
Vegeta Dragon Ball Super Set against another series
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Yuji Itadori Jujutsu Kaisen Read against the character's own history
“Just like any other human: a worthless shell.”
Piccolo Dragon Ball Read against the character's own history
“But, you will not go in there with hopes of winning the tournament the first time you compete. To do so would be arrogant!”
Master Roshi Dragon Ball Set against another series
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Zechs Merquise Mobile Suit Gundam Wing What the line costs later
“Who protects the heroes when they are hurting?”
Ochaco Uraraka My Hero Academia What the line costs later
“Well if you ask me, if that's what being a ninja is all about, something's out of whack. Is that why we go through all this training? Just to end up like them?”
Naruto Uzumaki Naruto What the line costs later
“It would be fine if he turned into MetalGreymon, but we can't have him becoming SkullGreymon. So we have him start over from Koromon.”
Satoru Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen What the Japanese does
“And that's what I call using your head!”
Shikamaru Nara Naruto What the story had to build
“Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You've got two good legs. So get up and use them. You're strong enough to make your own path.”
Edward Elric Fullmetal Alchemist Read against the character's own history
“Do you remember the first time you walked? No. So you weren't conscious of it. Then why did you walk? Everyone was born knowing how to walk. It's called instinct.”
Yoruichi Shihouin Bleach Read against the character's own history
“I abhor perfection. Perfection is a dead end. It leaves no room for innovation or improvement... ...or for wisdom or talent.”
Mayuri Kurotsuchi Bleach The case against this line
“You're just an overnight Shinigami. You couldn't put one scratch on us real ones.”
Renji Abarai Bleach What the story had to build
“I followed like a stray dog at your heels. I killed for you, and died for you. But in truth, I was afraid to even step on your shadow.”
Renji Abarai Bleach Read against the character's own history
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Orihime Inoue Bleach What the line costs later
“It seems that my power is more akin to yours than that of a Shinigami or a Quincy.”
Yasutora Sado Bleach What the story had to build
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Caesar Zeppeli JoJo's Bizarre Adventure The case against this line
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Koichi Hirose JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Read against the character's own history
“It's just so lovely! The smell of oil, the hum of the ball bearings, the rugged yet amazingly beautiful form created through anatomical engineering! Ahh, how wonderful you are... my automail!”
Winry Rockbell Fullmetal Alchemist Read against the character's own history
“Okay, no more caving. Now it's my turn to take the lead. And all of you can watch me from the background.”
Sakura Haruno Naruto What the line costs later

The sage's shelf

If growth is the thread you are pulling, the book worth your time is Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind by Shunryu Suzuki. It says in three hundred pages what the quotes above say in a line each, and the three approaches feed each other.

Find Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind on Amazon

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Anime Quotes About Growth

Themes that travel with growth

The sage's shelf