10 best quotes from Naruto icon Kakashi Hatake

In every respect, Kakashi is one of the best Naruto characters (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
In every respect, Kakashi is one of the best Naruto characters (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)

Kakashi Hatake has a unique personality, which makes him a popular icon of the Naruto franchise and the anime world in general. Laid-back and relaxed, Kakashi dislikes responsibility and is often unbothered by things around him. Still, he is known to be an exceptional ninja.

Kakashi, a talented genius since his childhood, has gained a worldwide reputation for his strength. As one of the major figures of the Fourth Ninja War, he played a decisive role in the final battle to protect the world. After the end of the conflict, he was appointed as the Sixth Hokage.

Whether as a deadly Sharingan user or a caring teacher for his beloved students, Kakashi was involved in several unforgettable moments. He lost many loved ones but never blamed the world, which shows his mental fortitude. Keep reading to find a detailed explanation of the quotes that best manifest Kakashi's very special persona.


Kakashi's 10 best quotes from Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, ranked

10) Ninjas must be unforeseeable

Kakashi is an unpredictable and cunning fighter (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi is an unpredictable and cunning fighter (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"A ninja must see the underneath beyond the underneath."

One of the first lessons Kakashi taught Naruto and the others is that ninjas must think outside the box, planning every move to exploit the enemy's weak points. Kakashi's fighting style perfectly proves this, combining clever tactics, cunning tricks, speed, and lethality.

Kakashi typically approaches the foe by using Shadow Clones to observe their abilities. A testament to his skill, he was able to deceive Pain with a Lightning Clone, despite the Akatsuki's outstanding Rinnegan vision.

He also figured out the weak point of Obito's Kamui and beat it with a smart and well-timed execution of his own space-time jutsu. With his crafty ruses, Kakashi misleads his enemies, flanking them to land a fatal hit.


9) Being a teacher can be truly difficult

Sasuke tried to kill him, but Kakashi continued talking (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Sasuke tried to kill him, but Kakashi continued talking (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"No matter how far Orochimaru fell, he still loved him… now I know how the Third Hokage felt.”

Upon witnessing Sasuke's criminal acts, as well as Naruto and Sakura's suffering for the same, Kakashi blamed himself for his inability to keep his team together. Following the events of the Five Kage Summit, Sasuke would have even killed Sakura had Kakashi not promptly stopped him.

Sasuke declared his intent to murder Kakashi, who, in turn, showed zero killing intent towards him. Kakashi likened his situation with Sasuke to the Third Hokage's issue with Orochimaru, another case where a teacher couldn't bring himself to kill his student.

Even when Sasuke went all-out, using the mightiest stage of his Susanoo in a rampageous attempt to kill him, Kakashi just defended himself and calmly continued to talk with his student. Long after this battle, Kakashi's patience would be rewarded, with Sasuke finally rejoining Team 7.


8) A selfless man who risks his life for the others

Protecting his comrades is Kakashi's primary aim (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Protecting his comrades is Kakashi's primary aim (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"I won’t allow my comrades to die. I’ll protect you with my life. Trust me!"

Kakashi experienced the tragic loss of many of his comrades, including all the members of his team. Deeply affected by these occurrences, he vowed to never let his comrades be killed again.

Seeing Sasuke trembling in fear, afraid of Zabuza, Kakashi reassured the young Uchiha that he would never let him and the others die. With a gentle smile, Kakashi promised that he would protect them no matter what, even at the cost of his own life.

In that issue and many others, Kakashi stayed true to his words. He saved everyone from Deidara in the Kazekage Rescue Arc, defended the Team 10 members from Kakuzu, and willingly sacrificed his life to protect Choji from Pain.

He also sheltered Naruto from Obito several times, and that's not considering the countless times he protected Sakura, especially during the Fourth Ninja War.


7) Messing with Kakashi's moral beliefs is not a good idea

Angering Kakashi is not a good idea (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Angering Kakashi is not a good idea (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"It takes a lot to get me worked up, but, now, my boiling point is as low as it has ever been! ‘Copy Ninja’ Kakashi, the man who copied one thousand techniques, is about to go on a rampage!”

Kakashi is always very relaxed, to the point where he seems disconnected from reality. Moreover, despite being fully aware of his great fighting skills and his enormous reputation for strength, Kakashi never boasts about his abilities, concerning which he is very modest.

Still, when Kabuto used the Impure World Resurrection to revive several mighty ninjas and have them fight on his behalf, Kakashi couldn't contain his anger at seeing Zabuza and Haku, whom he respected, being used as mere tools.

Outraged, Kakashi started wreaking havoc on the battlefield, unleashing the power that earned him the moniker "Copy Ninja." Backed up by his loyal friend Guy, Kakashi proceeded to defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and then went to help Naruto.


6) No one is saved alone

Anchoring himself to his loved ones, Kakashi didn't end like Obito (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Anchoring himself to his loved ones, Kakashi didn't end like Obito (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"The hole in the heart is filled by the people around you."

With his mind broken because of Rin's death, Obito Uchiha embraced a path of violence. Aiming to replace the world with an illusory dream where no similar suffering could be experienced, Obito committed several atrocities, eventually threatening the entire world.

During their fierce battle within the Kamui dimension, Obito told his former friend Kakashi that the world left him so disillusioned that his heart became empty. Admittedly, Kakashi also experienced immense suffering, more than most characters in the series.

He lost his father Sakumo, his teammate Rin, his teacher Minato, and allegedly Obito too, who seemingly died several years before. Nevertheless, Kakashi never blamed anyone, or the world as a whole, for such events.

Even though he suffered tremendously, even experiencing suicidal inclinations, Kakashi managed to move forward. As he declared to Obito, the misery in one's heart can be mitigated by the remaining people's warmth and affection.


5) Opening to each other, enemies go back to being friends

Obito and Kakashi eventually renewed their friendship (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Obito and Kakashi eventually renewed their friendship (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"If you persevere, someone will be there to support you! If the companion in whom you trust are gathered around you, hope takes a physical form and becomes visible..."

After finding himself unable to break Naruto's unwavering will, Obito eventually realized the foolishness of his actions, as the orange-wearing ninja's determination brought back the last remnants of his old personality.

Kakashi still wanted to kill him for what he did, but he changed his mind upon understanding how much pain Obito felt. He also admitted how he could have possibly embraced the same path too, had it not been for the support of the people around him.

After being reunited as mortal enemies who fought fiercely, Kakashi and Obito understood each other's hardships. As such, they finally returned to being friends, connected by the shared hope for the future represented by Naruto Uzumaki.


4) Leaving behind all regrets, Kakashi decided the most important battle

Kakashi's incredible powers were decisive to end the Fourth Ninja War (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi's incredible powers were decisive to end the Fourth Ninja War (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"Thanks, Obito... now watch along me... as this time I will protect them, and the entire world!"

Upon sacrificing his life, Obito left Kakashi a priceless parting gift. The "Copy Ninja" obtained all the space-time abilities of Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan, as well as his Six Paths chakra.

This moment masterfully completed Kakashi's character development. A genius who has always blamed himself for the deaths of his loved ones, Kakashi finally threw away his feelings of guilt and confidently declared that he was going to save his students, and the entire world.

Combining Kamui powers with Perfect Susanoo's might, Kakashi neutralized Kaguya's giant form. He then performed Kamui Raikiri to dodge her moves and counterattack her, leaving her badly wounded. Finally, he used Kamui to overcome Kaguya's space-time jutsu, enabling Naruto and Sasuke to seal her.

Owing to his flawless defense and unstoppable offense, Kakashi's combat effectiveness was unparalleled. He was the most crucial for the victory over the all-powerful Kaguya, showcasing feats that surpassed even Naruto and Sasuke's. Even the Sage of Six Paths was impressed by Kakashi's actions against Kaguya.


3) Always late, but for a reason

Kakashi continued smiling despite losing many dear ones (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi continued smiling despite losing many dear ones (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
“Sorry I’m late, I’m afraid I got lost on the path of life...”

As somebody who is mostly tardy, one day Kakashi used the complexity of life as one of the typical imaginative excuses he employs to justify his characteristic lateness. Pronounced at the very beginning of the series, this phrase somehow results in both amusement and seriousness, just like Kakashi's persona.

Under his carefree smile lies a man who, despite his relatively young age, has already lost almost all his loved ones. Kakashi may use funny excuses to explain his frequent lateness, but the real reason for such behavior is his habit of spending several hours mourning his dead comrades, Rin and Obito.


2) Kakashi Hatake, the subtle troll

Kakashi made fun of the entire Team 7 (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi made fun of the entire Team 7 (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
“I’m Hatake Kakashi. Things I like and things I hate? I don’t feel like telling you that… my dreams for the future? Never really thought about that. As for my hobbies… I have lots of hobbies.”

Kakashi's personality is cool and captivating, as he can establish himself as a charismatic leader despite seemingly conveying very poor energy to his interlocutors.

His sarcastic self-introduction to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura is a priceless example of Kakashi's humorous behavior, as he ludicrously satisfies their curiosity about him while not revealing even the slightest information.

Granted, Kakashi probably felt uncomfortable telling his young students that his greatest hobby is reading the Icha Icha novels. Throughout the series, the dichotomy between Kakashi's embarrassment for the book's content and his extremely avid interest in it creates a recurring gag.


1) A lesson learned at great cost

Kakashi learned the value of teamwork, and taught it to his students (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi learned the value of teamwork, and taught it to his students (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
"Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their precious friends are even worse than scum!"

First pronounced by Obito out of admiration for Kakashi's father, the mighty Sakumo Hatake, who died by suicide after the villagers criticized his altruistic behavior, this phrase emphasized how abandoning one's teammates was even worse than failing a mission.

Eventually, Kakashi agreed with Obito, but his understanding was late, triggering a series of events that led to terrible consequences. In the years ahead, Kakashi, even more so in memory of Obito's alleged death, truly made the concept his own.

He became committed to teamwork and started placing his comrades's safety well above the mission's completion. He also made sure to teach his students the primary importance of teamwork.

This sentence can be considered Kakashi's most famous quote ever. During the Fourth Ninja War, as he was fighting and simultaneously trying to redeem Obito, Kakashi reinforced the phrase, adding that those who don't respect the memories of their comrades are the worst of the worst.


Final Thoughts

Kakashi is a multifarious character (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)
Kakashi is a multifarious character (Image via Studio Pierrot, Naruto)

Highly respected even by his enemies, Kakashi is a living legend of the Hidden Leaf Village. Due to the exceptional feats and abilities he showcased in the battle against Kaguya, Kakashi can be considered the strongest Sharingan user ever.

Even though his life was dotted with tragedies, Kakashi continued helping his students and the Hidden Leaf. He is understandably melancholic, but his internal suffering never catapulted him into the darkness, unlike several other Naruto characters, who, after experiencing similar hardships, became wicked villains.

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Edited by Babylona Bora
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