Cartoons – My Geek Wisdom

“It should’ve been me, not him! It’s not fair!”

From: Yu-Gi-Oh!

Genre: Cartoons, Television, Anime

Who said it?: Yami Yugi

The story behind the quote: Yu-Gi-Oh! is a popular anime series featuring a timid person named Yugi Mutoh. He solves an ancient puzzle, unwittingly becoming the host of a brash spirit. The spirit, now known as Yami Yugi, takes over during periods when Yugi and his friends are in peril. This also leads the pair to join several puzzle and gaming tournaments.

The quote comes from the 158 episode of the anime series. Yami Yugi has lost and, as a consequence, Yugi’s soul is taken. This leads him to wail the quote.

The quote comes from the English version of the anime, which you can see below.

The quote has become a meme when taken out of context. The meme is usually used as a punchline to certain situations, usually sexual, to express jealousy of the receiver.

Geek wisdom: There will be times when you might feel that life is unfair as others have better luck than you. However, you have to realize you can’t always get what you want.

“For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of their heart.”

From: Disney’s Hercules

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Zeus

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the animated Disney film, Hecules. The movie is a reimagining of Greek mythology’s Hercules. In the Disney version, Hercules is turned mortal by Hades and, in order to become a god and get his place back in Mount Olympus, he must become a hero.

The quote comes during the ending moments of the film. Hercules has regained his godhood by willing to give his life to save Megara/Meg. He is greeted by the gods of Mount Olympus. Zeus (voiced by the late Rip Torn). He recognizes that Hercules saved the day by not using brute strength and delivers the quote

Geek wisdom: You don’t have to be strong to become a hero. Being a hero is all about the willingness and having the courage to do the right thing when necessary.

“It’s alright to cry. Crying takes the sad out of you.”

From: Beavis and Butt-Head

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Butt-Head

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated series, Beavis and Butt-Head. Formerly on MTV, the show features two dimwitted teenagers known as Beavis and Butt-Head. The show was a huge hit thanks to it’s irreverent humor and pushing the boundaries on what could be put on television. The show has since spawned a couple of movies and has even been revived a couple of times, with the latest iteration of the show being aired on Paramount+.

The quote comes from the episode entitled, “Crying.” The episode starts with Beavis and Butt-Head (both voiced by creator Mike Judge) watching The Bachelor while eating chili dogs. Beavis sniffs a raw onion that was on his chili dog, causing him to shed a tear. Butt-Head, thinking he’s crying because of the show, starts making fun of him. Butt-Head then continues to make fun of him throughout the days, weeks and months. One day, during gym, Butt-Head starts making fun of Beavis again for crying, delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: While it does seem like the unmanly thing to do, crying is just an emotional response. So it’s actually okay to cry once in a while when the need arises.

“I don’t need luck, though. I don’t want it. I’ve always had to struggle and fight, and that’s made me strong. It’s made me who I am.”

From: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: General Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote is another submission from DJ Miller, who has helped us with a quote from King of the Hill, Forrest Gump and Arthur. This time, the quote comes from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The quote comes from the episode “The Siege of the North, Part 2.” Zuko has finally captured Aang and attempts to carry him to the Fire Nation’s side. However, the snowfall is getting too harsh so he drags Aang into a cave. In the cave, Zuko (voiced by Dante Basco) delivers a monologue how his sister was a natural at fire bending and he was not. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There will be someone out their in the world that is better than you. But you shouldn’t let that stop you from giving up. Succeeding comes from hard work not luck and, as long as you have the people you care about in front of you to help you, anything is possible.

“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story. Who you choose to be.”

From: Kung-Fu Panda 2

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Soothsayer

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the animated film, Kung-Fu Panda 2. It is the sequel to the 2008 DreamWorks animated film and has Po face off against a dictator hellbent on taking over the country with his discovery of gunpowder.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Po (voiced once again by Jack Black) is badly hurt and is rescued by the soothsayer (voiced by Michelle Yeoh). Po starts to recall his past and how his parents gave up their lives to save him when he was very young. Po is initially distraught by this memory but the soothsayer delivers the quote. This makes him realize that, because of his parents’ sacrifice, he was able to live on and make new friends and live a happy and fruitful life.

Geek wisdom: While we may not have any control of our initial circumstances, we do have control of what we do with the rest of our lives. We have the power to change a bad situation as long as we put the necessary effort into overcoming it.

“Fate rarely calls upon us at a time of your choosing.”

From: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Genre: Cartoons, Movies

Who said it?: Optimus Prime

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the 2009 movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Based on the cartoon series of the same name, the movie has the Autobots trying to protect the planet Earth against the evil forces of the Decepticons. However, there is a new threat, known as the Fallen who is now the main antagonist here.

The quote comes early in the movie. Sam Witwitcky (played by Shia LaBeouf), now a college student, goes to Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen). Sam is upset as it seems he cannot have a normal life since the events of the previous movie. Optimus Prime understands Sam’s predicament but he asks for the human’s help to remind the humans of their alliance. Sam doesn’t want anything to do with this intergalactic war and starts to walk away. This is when Optimus Prime delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: The time to step up will come when it’s usually inconvenient. Yet we always must be ready to take up the call and do the right thing when the time comes.

“Many things that seems threatening in the dark become welcoming when we shine light on them.”

From: The Legend of Korra

Genre: Television and Cartoons

Who said it?: Iroh

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Legend of Korra. The sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, this Nickelodeon takes place some time after the events of the original series as a new Avatar, a water tribe girl named Korra, inherits the title.

The quote comes from the episode “A New Spiritual Age,” which was the 10th episode of the 2nd season. Korra is trapped in the Spirit Realm and is overwhelmed by her new surroundings. She is rescued by the spirit of Iroh (now voiced by Greg Baldwin) and the aged mentor helps Korra in finding a way to find her friend. He directs her to bring a bird she accidentally injured to her home atop a scary looking mountain. When Korra tells him she’s afraid, Iroh points to the bird and reminds her how she was afraid of it, too. This is when he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Things that are unknown and unfamiliar to us can be scary and off-putting. It will remain that way until we actually put the time to understand them. We have to remain open or else we will always be prejudiced to these things just because we don’t understand what they are.

“It never hurts to help!”

From: Eek! The Cat

Genre: Television, Cartoons

Who said it?: Eek

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Fox Kids animated show, Eek! The Cat, which was later named to Eek! Stravaganza during the fourth season. The show generally focuses on the misadventures of Eek, a blissfully positive cat.

Each episode usually sees Eek find a chance to assist someone or a cause and then, because of his desire to help out, gets into all sorts of trouble. However, before he does get into trouble, he always delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Although Eek does gets into all sorts of sticky predicaments whenever he tries to be helpful, he still has the right idea because if we do all try to be there whenever someone is in need, the world would be a much better place.

“Sorry, mom. The mob has spoken.”

From: The Simpsons

Genre: Cartoons, Television

Who said it?: Bart Simpson

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from one of the episodes of The Simpsons. As one of the longest running shows ever (and since I’ve already used a lot of Simpsons quotes in the past), this show needs no introduction anymore.

The quote comes from 4th season episode entitled “Marge vs. The Monorail.” When the town of Springfield suddenly becomes flush with cash, the town holds a meeting in order to decide how to use the money. While there are suggestions on how to use the money to improve Springfield, a quick talking shyster named Lyle Lanley persuades everyone to use the funds to buy a slick monorail. During the end of the song number, Marge Simpson laments that main street is still full of potholes. However, her son, Bart Simpson, slyly remarks that the town has already made the ill-fated decision to go build the monorail.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, the most popular decision is not the correct one. There are going to be times when the most prudent choice might be unpopular but, ultimately, still the right one. So always keep an open mind to other thoughts and ideas.

“This is my family. I found it all on my own. It’s little and broken… but still good. Yeah, still good.”

From: Lilo and Stitch

Genre: Movies, Cartoons

Who said it?: Stitch

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes the 2002 Disney animated film Lilo and Stitch. The film focuses on two mischievous beings, namely Lilo, a boisterous and rebellious child and Stitch, an alien experiment who fled to Earth to avoid being terminated. The two manage to find each other in Hawaii and create a strong bond.

The quote comes near the very end of the film. Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders, who incidentally is also the writer and director of the film) is finally captured by the alien peacekeeping force. To everyone’s surprise, Stitch asks if he can say goodbye to his “ohana” or family. The alien leader, shocked that Stitch’s more destructive personality has softened, asks Stitch who these people are. This is when Stitch delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: All families are not perfect. However, as long as you have a loving relationship with each other, then it’s easy to stick with them, despite their shortcomings.