Sections
Masaka (まさか): what it means in anime
まさか
まさか · masaka · by no means; never!; well, I never! JLPT N3
Masaka means "no way", "it can't be" or "surely not". It is the word for the moment a character realises the terrible truth, and it often stands alone as a whole line.
Where you hear it 4 of 42 series
Lines from the Japanese subtitles of episodes 1–3 of each show. A translation is shown only when it clearly matches the line; counts are subtitle lines containing the word.
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Steins;Gate · 8 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 3
そんな… まさかNo way. You can't mean...
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Code Geass · 11 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
まさか！ 変な夢は身の破滅…―
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood · 7 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 1
あり得ない まさか これは…
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No Game No Life · 5 lines in episodes 1–3 · this one from episode 3
…てことは まさか あいつ！
Usage and nuance
まさか… trailing off is the realisation; まさか！ is the denial; まさかの (masaka no) before a noun means "an unexpected" something. Steins;Gate and Code Geass use it at every plot twist.
With a verb it means "surely you don't...": まさか行くつもりか？ is "you're not actually going, are you?".
It is one of the easiest words to pick out in dialogue because it comes with a sharp intake of breath and a close-up.
Hear まさか in Steins;Gate8 lines in episodes 1–3 · tappable subtitles · free, no account