Since its debut in 2002, Naruto has become one of the most popular and influential anime of all time. Following the journey of the titular character, the anime delivered intense action, heartfelt friendships, and humorous moments, all wrapped in an engaging storyline that kept fans coming back to the series for the last two decades.

What some fans may not realize is that a particular line that helped define the series wasn’t as lasting as fans thought. While it’s now considered an iconic line, it was actually removed early in Naruto’s run. The reason for its disappearance is surprisingly due to fan reception, which changed over the years.

Naruto’s Most Famous Line Was Cut for a Shocking Reason

Naruto’s Original English VA Shared the Reasoning Behind the Cut

Naruto’s iconic catchphrase, “Believe it!,” is one of the most recognizable lines in anime history, with many fans often quoting it at conventions and on social media. The line is usually associated with Naruto’s resilient and energetic attitude and shows his optimism. However, the line didn’t last as long in the series as some might have expected.

At Houston’s Nostalgia Con 2025, Maile Flanagan, the original English voice of Naruto, revealed the surprising reason behind the line’s removal. She shared, “People hated it when I said ‘believe it.’ And then it was replaced with ‘you know.’ You’ll notice I only said it in the first 18 episodes, and then it just kind of went away.”

Lasting only 18 episodes, the catchphrase received backlash strong enough for the line to be replaced in the dub. Today, many fans feel differently about the line, strongly associating it with the titular character himself, making the revelation a shocking discovery. It shows how perceptions can evolve over time and greatly differ from previous sentiments.

“Believe It!” Is One of Naruto’s Most Iconic Lines

The Japanese Version Didn’t Have Any Direct Translations

Despite the line’s short run in the English dub, “Believe it!” has become one of Naruto’s most memorable lines. Fans often assume the phrase lasted much longer than it actually did, showing that the catchphrase withstood the test of time and became part of fans’ memories. Even with brief exposure, it left a lasting impression.

In the original Japanese version of the series, Naruto repeatedly says “dattebayo,” which is a verbal tic without a direct English translation. The phrase is simply part of Naruto’s speech pattern rather than a literal statement and was included to reflect his personality. “Believe it!” was an early attempt to capture the same energy for English-speaking fans.

Eventually, the English dub replaced “Believe it!” with “you know,” which kept the verbal tic while toning down what some viewers found a bit too grating. Despite the change, over two decades after the series’ debut, the catchphrase stuck with fans and became a memorable part of Naruto.

Despite having been originally cut due to fan backlash, the line is now one of the series’ most iconic. “Believe it!” captured Naruto’s boundless spirit and unwavering optimism in a way that “you know” couldn’t quite capture, making it an unforgettable piece of the franchise’s history.

First Episode Air Date

October 3, 2002

Cast

Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei