Megalo Box (2018) follows Junk Dog, a gritty underground boxer who reinvents himself as Gearless Joe to chase glory in the high-tech sport of Megalo Boxing. The series delves into themes of unyielding perseverance, self-belief, and defying rigged systems through raw willpower.
This curated collection of 25 canonical quotes captures pivotal moments of character growth, blending intense battles with quiet reflections across key arcs.
To be quiet and do as you’re told that’s how cowards live
Episode 1 (Buy or Die?)
Narrator
Sets defiant tone, rejecting submission in underground fights, echoing Junk Dog’s shift from rigged compliance.
They don’t make tombstones for stray dogs
Episode 1 (Buy or Die?)
Junk Dog
Junk Dog embraces his outcast status, fueling his rise from streets to Megalonia, highlighting underdog resilience.
But… I want to believe. Believe that faith in myself is real
Episode 2 (The Man Only Dies Once)
Joe
Joe questions inner strength amid Nanbu’s training, marking early vulnerability turning to resolve.
Dying doesn’t bother me
Episode 2 (The Man Only Dies Once)
Joe
Rejects fear in brutal gearless bouts, underscoring his reckless drive for authentic boxing.
It’s not the gear that decides who wins. It’s the fighter
Episode 9 (A Dead Flower Shall Never Bloom)
Gansaku Nanbu
Affirms human spirit over tech in Mikio fight, core to gearless philosophy across tournament arc.
You can blame whoever you want, but in the end, it’s your call to make
Episode 5 (The Man from Death)
Joe
Takes ownership post-Aragaki clash, rejecting excuses, pivotal for team loyalty growth.
He believed in me. So I’ll believe in him
Episode 5 (The Man from Death)
Joe
Honors Nanbu’s faith after intense match, deepening mentor bond in rising stakes arc.
I’ll show you exactly what we frauds can do!
Episode Unknown (Megalonia Prep)
Gansaku Nanbu
Defies underdog label, rallying Team Nowhere against elites, symbolizing impostor triumph.
Who is the true champion? That will be revealed in the ring of Megalonia
Episode 12 (Leap Over the Edge of Death)
Yukiko Shirato
Challenges privilege in Yuri’s gearless choice, bridging corporate arc to finale purity.
I’m not some kid who can’t pull his own weight…
Episode 6 (Until The Last Dog Dies)
Sachio
Proves worth in Aragaki rematch support, evolving from orphan tagalong to vital teammate.
A stray dog remains a stray dog, and a scorpion remains a scorpion
Episode 10 (The Die Is Cast)
Fujimaki
Mocks Joe’s origins amid fix scheme, intensifying betrayal tension in tournament pivot.
I’ll grant that request of yours… And show you real Megalo Boxing
Episode 12 (Leap Over the Edge of Death)
Yuri
Honors Joe’s gearless call, shifting rivalry to mutual respect before climactic bout.
It’s time for you to pay your portion of the debt for the things I’ve lost
Episode 5 (The Man from Death)
Tatsumi Leonard Aragaki
Confronts past with Nanbu via Joe fight, weaving revenge into redemption arc.
You need to leave the past in the past
Episode Unknown (Team Reflection)
Miyagi
Urges forward focus post-losses, aiding emotional recovery in peaceful training moments.
Megalonia is no place for stray dogs
Episode 9 (A Dead Flower Shall Never Bloom)
Mikio Shirato
Belittles Joe before AI-guided battle, catalyzing underdog victory over arrogance.
Nobody can escape death
Episode 13 (Born To Die)
Yuri
Philosophizes equality in mortality during championship, tying perseverance to acceptance.
Whether you’re a power player who wears a weighty crown, or some poor soul with barely a pebble to his name… Nobody can escape death. But if you live your life so that when it comes, you’re satisfied, even if it’s not the end you were hoping for, you’ll have no reason to fear death
Episode 13 (Born To Die)
Yuri
Reflects on fulfilled life pre-final round, contrasting status with inner peace theme.
For the first time in my life.. I think I understand what jealousy is like
Episode 11 (A Deadmarch)
Yuri
Admits human envy toward Burroughs bout, humanizing perfect champion in late arc.
Everybody wants to get in on the party while the getting’s good
Episode 9 (A Dead Flower Shall Never Bloom)
Gansaku Nanbu
Exposes fleeting fame in Mikio win hype, warning of opportunism in glory chase.
That’s the thing about sweet dreams… It always hurts when you wake up
Episode 10 (The Die Is Cast)
Fujimaki
Warns of fixed fight betrayal, heightening despair in criminal entanglement arc.
Not dead yet
Recurring (Multiple Episodes)
Joe
Catchphrase defies defeat across battles, embodying unbreakable will in every arc.
To stay down here… Or fight my way out… I still haven’t done either, yet
Episode 1 (Buy or Die?)
Joe
Internal struggle launches gearless journey, symbolizing choice between surrender and ascent.
I don’t mind dying if the faith in myself is real
Episode Unknown (Yuri Fight Prep)
Joe
Stakes life on self-belief before Yuri, peak of personal conviction theme.
The battle to determine the greatest Megalo Boxer… between two boxers with no Gear? It’s utter nonsense
Episode 13 (Born To Die)
Yukiko Shirato
Questions purity of gearless finale, underscoring series’ rejection of tech crutches.
Signing-Off Catchphrase: Not dead yet
Episode 13 (Born To Die)
Narrator/Joe
Closes championship with survival mantra, full-circle on growth from junkyard dog.
