Anime and Manga
"Both the Immortals and Those Who Aren't Sing the Praises of Life Equally"
— Baccano! episode title
Comic Books
Morpheus: Hello, Hob.
Robert Gadlen: "Hob?" Faith, that takes me back some few years. It's Sir Robert Gadlen now, old stranger.
Morpheus: You have had some good fortune, I take it?
Robert Gadlen: Good fortune? The gods have smiled on me, as they smile on all England, where no man is a slave or bondsman. Venison pasty? No? They're good. Let's see... last time we spoke, I was working with Billy Caxton. I made some gold from that. Put it to work in Henry Tudor's shipyards. I made a small pile. I've still got shipping investments. Went North for a year or so, came back as my son. Done that twice, now. Girl! More wine! When Fat Henry done for the monasteries, I bought my estates. And a healthy gift of gold to the crown saw to a knighthood. It's so damn rich. And that's not all. Have a look at this! My fair Eleanor and little Robyn. My first son born in over 200 years on this Earth. Well, that I have known of, anyway. And the Queen herself slept at my house last summer. That was expensive. It's funny... This is what I always dreamed Heaven would be like, way back. It's safe to walk the streets, enough food, and good wine. Life is so rich.
Robert Gadlen: "Hob?" Faith, that takes me back some few years. It's Sir Robert Gadlen now, old stranger.
Morpheus: You have had some good fortune, I take it?
Robert Gadlen: Good fortune? The gods have smiled on me, as they smile on all England, where no man is a slave or bondsman. Venison pasty? No? They're good. Let's see... last time we spoke, I was working with Billy Caxton. I made some gold from that. Put it to work in Henry Tudor's shipyards. I made a small pile. I've still got shipping investments. Went North for a year or so, came back as my son. Done that twice, now. Girl! More wine! When Fat Henry done for the monasteries, I bought my estates. And a healthy gift of gold to the crown saw to a knighthood. It's so damn rich. And that's not all. Have a look at this! My fair Eleanor and little Robyn. My first son born in over 200 years on this Earth. Well, that I have known of, anyway. And the Queen herself slept at my house last summer. That was expensive. It's funny... This is what I always dreamed Heaven would be like, way back. It's safe to walk the streets, enough food, and good wine. Life is so rich.
— The Sandman: Men Of Good Fortune
Fan Works
Caption: Fanfic as written by a 30-year-old:
Celestia: I'm sorry, Twilight, but... you're now immortal.
Twilight: I- immortal? Whoooo! In your face, Grim Reaper! In your face! [the two dance]
Celestia: I'm sorry, Twilight, but... you're now immortal.
Twilight: I- immortal? Whoooo! In your face, Grim Reaper! In your face! [the two dance]
— My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fancomic
by goodmorningcelestia
by goodmorningcelestiaDumbledore: I have lived a hundred and ten years. I have seen and done a great many things, too many of which I wish I had never seen or done. And yet I do not regret being alive, for watching my students grow is a joy that has not began to wear on me. But I would not wish to live so long that it does! What would you do with eternity, Harry?
Harry: Meet all the interesting people in the world, read all the good books and then write something even better, celebrate my first grandchild's tenth birthday party on the Moon, celebrate my first great-great-great grandchild's hundredth birthday party around the Rings of Saturn, learn the deepest and final rules of Nature, understand the nature of consciousness, find out why anything exists in the first place, visit other stars, discover aliens, create aliens, rendezvous with everyone for a party on the other side of the Milky Way once we've explored the whole thing, meet up with everyone else who was born on an Old Earth to watch the Sun finally go out, and I used to worry about finding a way to escape this universe before it ran out of negantropy but I'm a lot more hopeful now that I've discovered the so-called laws of physics are just optional guidelines.
Harry: Meet all the interesting people in the world, read all the good books and then write something even better, celebrate my first grandchild's tenth birthday party on the Moon, celebrate my first great-great-great grandchild's hundredth birthday party around the Rings of Saturn, learn the deepest and final rules of Nature, understand the nature of consciousness, find out why anything exists in the first place, visit other stars, discover aliens, create aliens, rendezvous with everyone for a party on the other side of the Milky Way once we've explored the whole thing, meet up with everyone else who was born on an Old Earth to watch the Sun finally go out, and I used to worry about finding a way to escape this universe before it ran out of negantropy but I'm a lot more hopeful now that I've discovered the so-called laws of physics are just optional guidelines.
"Right! Okay. So, do you ever get bored?" It just came out on its own, before Twilight had time to consider whether she even wanted an answer. "Living forever?"
Luna laughed, her voice ringing pleasantly through the woods. "Been reading the novels about us, have you? Oh! The ennui of eternity!" She raised one hoof to her head, faux-swooning with great drama. "If only I were mortal and could have died before I lost my one true love! If only I could feel real feelings again!" She laughed further, falling behind as she shook with it. "That was an actual line in one! What nonsense! No, We do not get bored." Luna looked away, still smiling despite the words that followed. "We immortals have our regrets, and they build upon themselves, as anypony's would. They can be crushing, at times, but to us, every day is a new wonder. Everyone we meet on our endless journey truly is a beautiful and unique snowflake, and we love them for it. Even if they turn out to be monsters in the end. So no, Twilight, if you should find yourself living forever with us, you will not regret your decision. Has Celestia had this talk with you?"
Luna laughed, her voice ringing pleasantly through the woods. "Been reading the novels about us, have you? Oh! The ennui of eternity!" She raised one hoof to her head, faux-swooning with great drama. "If only I were mortal and could have died before I lost my one true love! If only I could feel real feelings again!" She laughed further, falling behind as she shook with it. "That was an actual line in one! What nonsense! No, We do not get bored." Luna looked away, still smiling despite the words that followed. "We immortals have our regrets, and they build upon themselves, as anypony's would. They can be crushing, at times, but to us, every day is a new wonder. Everyone we meet on our endless journey truly is a beautiful and unique snowflake, and we love them for it. Even if they turn out to be monsters in the end. So no, Twilight, if you should find yourself living forever with us, you will not regret your decision. Has Celestia had this talk with you?"
—Nine Days Down, Chapter 21: "Questions"
Film
"Your mistake was to believe that a life without end can have no meaning. It is the only life that can."
— Ichiro Yashida, The Wolverine
Literature
"I have seen marvels and endured so much. The human lifespan is not long enough to experience a fraction of what this world alone has to offer. I have visited every corner of every continent on this planet and explored Shadowrealms both terrifying and awe-inspiring. And I have learned so much. Immortality is a gift beyond imagining. If you are offered it: take it. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages...If you are brave and curious, there is no greater gift."
"Since any child could tell you that death was meaningless, contingent, unjust, and abhorrent beyond words, it was a hallmark of sophistication to believe otherwise. Writers had consoled themselves for centuries with smug puritanical fables about immortals who’d long for death — who’d beg for death. It would have been too much to expect all those who were suddenly faced with the reality of its banishment to confess that they’d been whistling in the dark. ... We needed death and suffering, to put steel into our souls! Not horrible, horrible freedom and safety!"
— Margit, "Border Guards"
Live-Action TV
Cecil Rogers: Me and that tuba are cursed for eternity. As long as that tuba is intact, I will live forever to ponder the lives I took.
Middleman: So that's why you want it back, to end your misery. I bet you hear the screams of the drowning dead every night. Haunting your every moment.
Cecil Rogers: Actually it's been a pretty good time for me. It was rough at first, but then about ten years later, 1922-23, I started going to the gym, taking a little yoga. I ride horses, cars. I became a stuntman —and I was good at it, because I can't die and all— then I bought stock: calculators, then computers, some oil; I started dating! That's been going very good. Very, very good. So around 1955 I stashed the tuba in a bank vault for safekeeping and the rest has been history.
Middleman: So that's why you want it back, to end your misery. I bet you hear the screams of the drowning dead every night. Haunting your every moment.
Cecil Rogers: Actually it's been a pretty good time for me. It was rough at first, but then about ten years later, 1922-23, I started going to the gym, taking a little yoga. I ride horses, cars. I became a stuntman —and I was good at it, because I can't die and all— then I bought stock: calculators, then computers, some oil; I started dating! That's been going very good. Very, very good. So around 1955 I stashed the tuba in a bank vault for safekeeping and the rest has been history.
"I can do whatever I want, for however long I want. Is there no greater prize?"
— Shuichi Kitaoka explaining his wish for immortality, Kamen Rider Ryuki
"You do not appreciate the gift? 'Eleven thousand years going on infinity' I say."
— Harlan, Stargate SG-1
Music
I am immortal, I have inside me blood of kings - Yeah
I have no rival, no man can be my equal
Send me to the future of you all
I have no rival, no man can be my equal
Send me to the future of you all
— Queen, "Princes Of The Universe"
Video Games
"This afterlife has proved very different to the one I was expecting. One of the few shortcomings of the dynastic private schooling system. But for a businessman, a deal-broker, it is glorious. Infinite potential for profit, and so many pleasurable distractions. Mmm-mm. Legal, illegal, divine or debauched - it takes all sorts. What I pride myself on is a wealth of experience."
Who Wants to Live Forever? As it turns out, most beings wouldn't say no...
— Immortality skill description, Total War: Warhammer
Web Original
I'm here to sign up for immortality. If it becomes a problem, you have plenty of time to figure out a solution, right?
— A Troper
"Think about it: every single day, all over the Galaxy, something new is happening. Something new to see or do or learn or talk to. A thousand years hasn't been nearly enough."
— Future Ami, Shadowjack Watches Sailor Moon
Western Animation
The Brain: Persistent bunch, aren't they?
Immortus: Persistent, yes. But not immortal.
Immortus: Persistent, yes. But not immortal.
Master Shake: No, this is a magic cliff here, like in the Highlander. So you will become the Highlander, and you’ll roam the earth forever, trying to kill yourself, but you won’t be able to, because you’ll be immortal. Won’t that suck, little man? Hahaha!
Meatwad: Well, actually, that sounds kind of cool.
Master Shake: Yeah, it does.
Meatwad: Well, actually, that sounds kind of cool.
Master Shake: Yeah, it does.
"I'm not going to live forever, Finn. I would if I could! But, modern science just doesn't allow it."
