On April 9th, 2022, the breakout anime Spy x Family began its weekly run. Like many anime characters before her, major character Anya Forger has become heavily associated with a signature catchphrase that fans associate with the character, which is "so cool" in the English dubbed release.
Good anime catchphrases accentuate the character's personality or goals, are memorable, and ideally feel natural for the character to say. Some catchphrases also border on just being outright annoying, usually based on how often the character says it or if there's some issue with the dialogue itself.
Naruto Uzumaki - "Believe It!"
The titular protagonist of Naruto is a scrappy underdog for most of the original series, and his signature "believe it!" usually comes after making a claim that seems outlandish despite his lack of power.
Naruto arguably has two other catchphrases with "I'm gonna become Hogake" and "My Nindo, my ninja way," but "believe it" is the most common of the three and embodies Naruto's underdog nature. Unfortunately, he says it so often and the dialogue feels so forced that it borders on an annoyance most of the time.
Yusei Fudo - "Let's Rev It Up!"
Yusei Fudo is one of the most lovable Yu-Gi-Oh! protagonists and his signature line in the dub is the perfect mix of cool and goofy for an anime about playing card games on motorcycles.
5DS was all about turbo duels, and the catchphrase became something of a slogan for the series and the alternate duel mode itself. It could be a little corny and sometimes felt like Yusei was doing a commercial for 5DS when he said it. However, the catchphrase is still an iconic part of the Yu-Gi-Oh! world.
Mayuri Shiina - "Tuturu/Duduru"
Steins;Gate isn't always the happiest anime in the world, but Mayuri always did her best to brighten the mood with her sing-songy "Tuturuuu" (Duduru for dub watchers.)
Mayuri's role in Steins;Gate is mostly for fun comedic relief in the first half, and fans all know the drama she brings to the second half of the story. Her catchphrase to some is an annoyance, but it's an iconic part of the series and a reminder of the odd but fun energy Mayuri brought to the gang's life.
U.A. High School, All Might, And Endeavor - "Plus Ultra!"
My Hero Academia has two of anime's most likable mentors in Eraser Head and All Might, and the school motto, "Plus Ultra," is a fitting inspirational motto for such a place.
The quote is most famously used by All Might in his battle with Nomu, but Endeavor and members of U.A. have also used the phrase frequently. The phrase gives a reminder to the students to aim for the greatest heights possible. It represents All Might's status as both teacher and hero, and the symbolic passing of the phrase to Endeavor is one of season 4's greatest moments.
Atem - "It's Time To Duel!"
The pharaoh Atem is the protagonist for most of the original Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters anime and the creator of the franchise slogan, "It's time to duel!"
The phrase is more iconic and nostalgic than anything else. However, it does highlight Atem's competitive nature. In most anime, the villains are the ones that start off most battles. However, many duels in Yu-Gi-Oh! are actually initiated by the pharaoh. It also proves that whenever there are world-destroying level threats, there's still only one solution: it's time to duel.
Haruhi Fujioka - "Damn Rich People"
The lower-middle-class Haruhi really has no business being in the affluent Ouran High School Host Club, and she reminds the audience of this every few episodes by mentioning the "damn rich people" she works with.
Ouran is a good example of "culture shock anime." Haruhi finds herself both introduced to the life of the wealthy as well as what it's like to be a guy, all in the same few episodes. Even when sometimes it feels like Haruhi slinks well into her new role, her inner monologue always keeps in the audience's mind that she's never totally comfortable.
Anya Forger - "Waku Waku/So Cool!"
Spy X Family was arguably the most anticipated anime of spring 2022 and the breakout star of the series is the adorable Anya Forger, a child always looking for something new and exciting.
Her catchphrase "waku waku (so exciting)" in the sub, and "so cool!" in the dub, has become an internet sensation. Anya usually says it in relation to something most children would find odd or scary, making the catchphrase successful as both comedic relief and a reminder of Anya's odd nature.
Jotaro Kujo - "Yare Yare Daze/Good Grief!"
While Dio has the most iconic meme in Jojo's Bizarre Adventures, "yare yare daze" has become almost as iconic in anime communities as "it was me, Dio!"
Jotaro's personality as a cool, intelligent delinquent often surrounded by wildly extroverted characters often results in him saying "good grief" over something (or someone) ridiculous. The phrase can be used in a variety of ways, with Jotaro's face telling the audience how he actually feels. The catchphrase is short, catchy, memorable, doesn't feel forced, and is indicative of his personality.
Kamina - "Who The Hell Do You Think I Am?"
The confident and wild Kamina is arguably the biggest highlight of the first arc of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. In and out of battle, Kamina often utters his signature phrase: "who the hell do you think I am?"
The phrase is indicative of Kamina's cocky nature, and while the phrase isn't even his most memorable (compared to the multiple iterations of his "believe" speeches and "the drill that will pierce the heavens") it's certainly the phrase that exemplifies him the best. For other characters, the words might feel forced and out of nowhere, but they feel perfect for Kamina.
Monkey D. Luffy - "I'm Gonna Be King Of The Pirates!"
Throughout all of anime, young people have declared their lofty aspirations to the world. But before Asta yelled that he'd become the Wizard King or Naruto decided he would become Hokage, there was Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece.
Luffy is the prototypical shonen protagonist: earnest and happy-go-lucky with the propensity to become serious and incredibly powerful at a moment's notice. His lofty aspiration to become king of the pirates is something he often reminds his allies and opponents of. It's a simple phrase that kickstarted one of the longest-running anime ever.