Anime Quotes About Mentorship

Teachers, and the more interesting cases where the lesson was not the one intended.

“Studying martial arts is no Sunday picnic.”
Master Roshi Dragon Ball The contrarian read
“Surrender is an outcome far worse than defeat.”
Vegeta Dragon Ball Super What the line costs later
“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
“And arrogance is for fools, not warriors!”
Master Roshi Dragon Ball The case against this line
“But remember this, you are not alone. Inside every ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village burns the Will of Fire.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi Naruto What the line costs later
“All the effort is pointless if you don't believe in yourself!”
Might Guy Naruto The case against this line
“Complaining again. Didn't your grandmother ever tell you that a good boy has to finish what he starts?”
Jet Black Cowboy Bebop The contrarian read
“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
“My student's watching, so I'm going to show off a little.”
Satoru Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen Read against the character's own history
“Run into the setting sun. Run and suffer! But don't mess up your hair!”
Might Guy Naruto The strongest objection, answered
“I know that's how you feel, Naruto. You feel lonely and it hurts inside, and I could have been there for you more.”
Iruka Umino Naruto Read against the character's own history
“He's nothing like the nine tailed fox. He's Naruto Uzumaki of the Village Hidden in Leaves.”
Iruka Umino Naruto The strongest objection, answered
“Will you sit in that chair wallowing in self-pity, or will you stand up and seize the chance the military can give you?”
Roy Mustang Fullmetal Alchemist The case against this line
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
Maes Hughes Fullmetal Alchemist The case against this line
“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
“Hello, my stupid pupil... I hear you've become one of the military's dogs!”
Izumi Curtis Fullmetal Alchemist Read against the character's own history
“I'm a little hard of hearing, you see? So I didn't quite catch that! Maybe you'd like to repeat yourself.”
Izumi Curtis Fullmetal Alchemist The case against this line
“A person who feels nothing at the death of those close to him is no different than a butcher.”
Jiraiya Naruto What the story had to build
“You're wrong, that's not what makes a shinobi. You never did get it. A real ninja is one who endures no matter what gets thrown at him.”
Jiraiya Naruto Read against the character's own history
“I wouldn't take you with me anyway. You'll never make it as a pirate.”
Shanks One Piece The contrarian read
“I'm telling you this because you don't get it, and you think you get it, which isn't the same as actually getting it. Get it?”
Kakashi Hatake Naruto The contrarian read
“Whether you win or lose, looking back and learning from your experience is a part of life.”
All Might My Hero Academia The strongest objection, answered
A line from the ending — shown on the character page, behind a spoiler shield.
All Might My Hero Academia What the line costs later
“Win or lose, you'll gain nothing if you don't give your all! That's true of both men and nations!”
Kyoshiro Tohdoh Code Geass Set against another series

The sage's shelf

If mentorship is the thread you are pulling, the book worth your time is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. It says in three hundred pages what the quotes above say in a line each, and the three approaches feed each other.

Find Tuesdays with Morrie on Amazon

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Anime Quotes About Mentorship

Themes that travel with mentorship

The sage's shelf