The World Ends With You is a series beloved by fans because of its unique gameplay elements, engaging storylines and well-developed characters. The first game in the series released on Nintendo DS in 2007 and was given new life in 2018 with the release of The World Ends With You: Final Remix on Nintendo Switch.
The series has since received both an anime adaptation and a sequel, helping to further the series’ reputation as one of the most important RPGs due to how well it represented the struggles of being a teenager and the transition into young adulthood. With the series boasting such a compelling cast of characters, it’s no surprise that it’s given fans many unforgettable quotes, too.
10 "So Zetta Slow!"
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Sho Minamimoto
First introduced as an antagonist in The World Ends With You, Sho Minamimoto has become infamous because of his mathematical battle quotes and one-liners. They keep you entertained, whether he’s on your team or you are fighting against him, and this quote is perhaps the most iconic one of them all.
‘Zetta’ is equivalent to one sextillion, making it one seriously intense adjective. Sho wouldn’t be the same character without his love of mathematics and is one of the most quotable characters in the series.
9 “I Ain't Neku. The Name's Beat, Yo!"
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Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito
While playing the first week of NEO: The World Ends With You, there’s a buzz about the legendary Player Neku, who fans of the series will immediately recognize as the first game’s protagonist. Fans looked forward to Neku’s return, especially since it’s been over 10 years since the series debuted.
When “Neku” is revealed, it’s a pleasant surprise to see that it’s another familiar face from the first game. Alongside Neku, Beat is a fan favorite in the series, so it was great to see him take a large role in NEO’s story. From this quote, fans of the series instantly recognized this energetic character.
8 "Everyone Has Their Own Little Internal World - A Secret Garden Only They Can Enter."
Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu
When The World Ends With You released on the Nintendo DS, its story spoke to teenagers and young adults who felt isolated and struggled to relate to their peers. This quote, said by the enigmatic Joshua, speaks to this sentiment, discussing the concept of each person having an internal world that can’t be accessed by others.
Although individuality is a large theme in the game, characters like Neku show that this should be in balance. Neku represents the importance of not pushing other people away just to stay in your own internal world, a lesson he learns in the Reapers Game by pairing up with his partners.
7 “They Kept Expectin’ Stuff I Ain’t Got, Then Made Me Feel Like Trash When I Didn’t Give It.”
Daisukenojo "Beat" Bito
One of the most complex characters in the series, Beat joins the Reapers in The World Ends With You to save his little sister Rhyme, before teaming up with Neku in Week 3. You get glimpses of Beat’s backstory throughout the final week, and this quote is especially heart-rending, discussing how Beat felt he couldn’t live up to his parents’ expectations.
Despite Beat’s bright personality, he still has internal struggles to overcome, most likely caused by his fraught relationship with his parents. It’s great to see a character open up about this struggle and share their emotions with a friend.
6 “Shibuya Isn’t “Special” Without Them Here.”
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Rindo Kanade
The Wicked Twisters, led by Rindo Kanade, grow closer throughout the Reapers’ Game, forming an inseparable bond on their mission to dethrone The Ruinbringers. After failing to stop the inversion of Shibuya, Rindo finds himself transported back to the RG, but he’s left alone without his friends.
When given the choice to either keep Shibuya the way it is or go back in time to save them, Rindo takes the latter option, risking everything to bring them back. This quote shows how much Rindo cares for his friends and is an important moment in his story - he finally decides to take his life into his own hands and make a decision.
5 “Once You See The Real Me, Will We Still Be Friends?”
Shiki Misaki
Shiki Misaki is Neku’s partner for Week 1 of the Reapers’ Game, and is a positive force for change in Neku’s life, with the two of them growing closer throughout the week. It’s revealed during Week 1 that, as her entry fee for joining the Reapers’ Game, Shiki lost her real appearance, taking on the look of her best friend, Eri.
At first, Shiki is happy with this change and even adopts Eri’s peppy personality, but she soon realizes that, despite her self-esteem issues, the most important thing is to value yourself. Shiki’s struggle is one you sympathize with, and it’s great to see her true personality finally shine through when she becomes friends with Neku.
4 “You Always Shined Too Bright. Too Bright To See The Real You.”
Kanon Tachibana
One of the saddest moments in NEO: The World Ends With You is when Kanon succumbs to the Plague Noise, with you unable to save her in time. Fret showed an interest in Kanon throughout the game, putting on a more confident persona to impress her. It’s only in Kanon’s last moments that she saw a glimpse of the real Fret.
Sadly, it was too late for them to form a closer friendship, but it gives Fret the push to be himself and fight to finally end the Reapers’ Game, especially for those who endured it for so long and wound up losing their lives.
3 “Give Up On Yourself, And You Give Up On The World.”
Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu
Another useful piece of advice from Joshua to Neku, this quote is said after Joshua supposedly sacrifices himself. In the context of the game, this quote refers to how the fate of Shibuya rests on Neku’s shoulders, but it can also be applied to Neku in a different way. It discusses how, in order for Neku to see the value of the world around him, he must first believe in himself.
Neku’s journey throughout the game, from someone who’s lost and pushes others away, to someone who’s willing to fight to save not only his friends but the city of Shibuya too, is touching, and this quote puts this into perspective.
2 "I Covered My Ears And Blocked Them Out. But You Know What? If I Don't Clash, I Don't Change."
Neku Sakuraba
This quote represents Neku’s character as a whole, as he used headphones to block people out physically and emotionally. Neku’s growth throughout the story is substantial, as he learns to trust in his partner and listen to others, eventually discarding his headphones and having people to call his friends.
In this quote, Neku discusses the importance of not merely standing on the sidelines and remaining stagnant - it’s essential to put yourself out there, forming relationships and having experiences that allow you to grow as a person.
1 "The World Ends With You. If You Want To Enjoy Life, Expand Your World."
Sanae Hanekoma
This quote by Sanae Hanekoma encompasses the message of the first game and the meaning behind its title. Hanekoma is full of wise insights, helping the characters on their journeys to overcome their personal battles.
Because of the game’s partner system, you learn to work as a team with various characters, pushing the boundaries of Neku’s personal bubble. The game teaches you that, if you want to expand the horizons of your world, you must go out of your comfort zone and interact with the world around you.