In this article, we’re diving into that part of anime that revolves around speed.
Picture characters who move faster than the eye can follow, who defy the laws of physics, and who make split-second decisions that can alter the course of their worlds.
This is the essence of speed in anime, and it’s something truly remarkable.
But why is speed so significant in this fantastical realm?
It injects intensity into battles, raises the stakes in life-or-death scenarios, and adds layers of depth to character development.
It’s a driving force behind the iconic moments that stay with us long after the screen goes dark.
So, buckle up, dear friends, for the race begins here!
Criteria
You might be wondering, how did we determine who the fastest anime characters are? It’s a fair question and one that deserves a clear and transparent answer.
1. Canon Sources: Anime and manga both will be considered but no fillers included.
2. Demonstrated Speed: The characters had to demonstrate their speed within their respective storylines.
3. Official Statements: We took into account official statements made by the creators, authors, or producers of the anime or manga regarding a character’s speed.
Fastest Anime Characters
Table of Contents
1. Goku (Dragon Ball) – Warp Speed
First on our list is the Saiyan powerhouse, Goku.
When this martial artist isn’t busy saving the universe, he’s flying at breakneck speeds.
While his exact velocity is hard to pin down, we estimate his top speed to be around the “Warp Factor” – faster than light itself!
He can move at supersonic speed even faster than light and with the button given to him by Grand Zeno can teleport himself from one part of the universe to another part of the universe within nanoseconds.
Achieved Ultra Instinct, a state where he moves and reacts without thinking. Defeated powerful foes like Jiren and Broly.
2. Minato Namikaze (Naruto) –
Minato Namikaze also known as the Yellow Flash was regarded as the fastest ninja in Narutoverse.
He perfected the Flying Raijin jutsu of the second Hokage and took it to another level.
During the 3rd Great Ninja War Minato Namikaze was feared by enemy forces and the command to flee was given if he was seen.
And he also shows us why he was the best during the 4th Ninja War when he was reincarnated in Edo Tensei.
What makes him fast is not his physical speed which is fast, but his reflexes are on another level.
He was able to react to Obito Kamui within minutes and came up with a strategy to counter-measure it.
3. Saitama (One Punch Man) – Unknown, But Ludicrous
Saitama, the Caped Baldy, is a character who can be regarded as the strongest in any expect you put him up to.
He defeats his foes with a single punch, but we have no concrete speed measurement for him.
During his fight with Boros, he punched him towards the moon and got behind him in about a second.
Another time when we saw his speed was during his fight with Garou’s complete cosmic fear form which is in the manga.
When Garou was given power by God the fight between Saitama and Garou started to take place outside Earth in the whole solar system, one second they were on Saturn and the next they were destroying Mars.
During that time Saitama increased his speed so fast on Jupiter which is 100 times bigger than Earth that he created thousands of after images of himself.
Saitama became omnipresent on Jupiter’s moon, he was so fast that he was everywhere.
During that time Saitama had broken any limits on the concept of time and space.
4. Ichigo (Bleach) – Hypersonic
Ichigo Kurosaki, the substitute Shinigami, is no slouch in the speed department.
With his Bankai, he can achieve hypersonic speeds, surpassing Mach 5 easily.
In the Bleach universe, we were never given an accurate measure of how fast a character is but from the manga and anime, we do know that Ichigo was able to beat the speed of light.
Among the highest spiritual energy characters, Ichigo was on par or above the supreme commander Yamamoto, and during his Bankai this increased 5 times.
Which also helped his speed to increase 5 folds.
Defeated Aizen, one of the most powerful villains in the series. Mastered various forms, including his final Getsuga Tenshō.
5. Killua Zoldyck (Hunter x Hunter) – Lighting Fast
Killua Zoldyck, the lightning-fast assassin, can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h thanks to his incredible reflexes and the power of electricity.
Killua being the son of the most renowned assassin family was trained from birth to be quick and silent and on the very first time we saw how he was able to take out the heart of an individual without him realising gives proof of his speed and accuracy.
Later when he learned Nen rather than focusing on strength like Gon Killua learned Godspeed Nen’s ability to capture electricity in the body and later use it to reach the speed of thunder.
He’s like a bolt of lightning on two feet.
6. Yoruichi (Bleach)
Yoruichi Shihouin, the former captain of the 2nd Division, is one of the fastest characters in the Bleach universe.
Famously known as the Flash Goddess or Flash Master is proof of her speed.
She has the highest level of mastery of Shunpo in the soul society even far behind Yamamoto and Ichigo.
Using her speed she can create her mirror images appearing like she can appear to be in several places at once and wipe out an entire Onmitsukidō squadron in seconds.
She can easily close tremendous gaps of distance in the blink of an eye while remaining undetected and can surprise Byakuya, who is one of the most proficient masters in the art as well.
She has mastered all of Onmitsukidō’s speed-oriented techniques and has even created some of her own, such as Utsusemi.
She can easily attain hypersonic speeds, putting her at Mach 5 or more.
7. Speed-O’-Sound Sonic (One Punch Man) – Supersonic
Speed-O’-Sound Sonic, the ninja obsessed with defeating Saitama, can move at supersonic speeds thanks to his incredible agility and ninja skills.
Sonic loves fighting being among the last 44th graduates of the ninja village he has grown with the skills of survival.
As a veteran ninja and assassin, Sonic is a master of ninja weaponry, possesses incredible amounts of speed, and is adept at hiding his presence.
He is also obsessed with winning and after simultaneous losses to Saitama is willing to turn into a monster by consuming monster cells.
Sonic is also significantly stronger and faster due to his fights with Saitama and constant training.
This was shown when he was able to keep up with Flashy Flash during their brief battle, managing to react to and defend against one of the hero’s ultimate techniques.
8. Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) – Imagination Speed
Rimuru Tempest, the slime who can shapeshift and gain various abilities, can move at supersonic speeds when using his unique skills.
Rimuru has the power to absorb the abilities and powers of opponents whom he consumes using his ability of Gluttony.
One such power he acquired when he turned into the demon lord was that his thought acceleration sped up to 1,000,000 times.
Making him able to dodge any attack coming at him at the speed of light just 1m far away from very easily.
He also has control over time and space so he can move at the speed of imagination.
9. Itachi (Naruto) –
Itachi’s speed is primarily demonstrated through his advanced proficiency in the use of the Sharingan, a dojutsu that enhances his perception and reflexes.
With the Sharingan activated, Itachi can predict and react to his opponents’ movements at an extraordinary rate.
His ability to effortlessly track high-speed targets allows him to evade attacks with finesse and counter effectively.
Itachi’s proficiency in the Body Flicker Technique, a fundamental ninja skill for high-speed movement, further amplifies his speed on the battlefield.
During critical battles, Itachi has showcased the ability to disappear and reappear swiftly, creating the illusion of teleportation.
10. Boros (One Punch Man) – Faster than Light
Boros, the leader of the Dark Matter Thieves in “One Punch Man,” possesses incredible speed that elevates him to a formidable opponent.
His most notable display of speed is during his Meteoric Burst mode.
In this state, Boros achieves velocities surpassing the speed of light, making him faster than the eye can perceive.
This extraordinary speed is coupled with immense strength and regeneration capabilities, making him a significant threat to even the most powerful adversaries.
11. Accelerator (Toaru Majutsu no Index) – Speed of Light (in some contexts)
Accelerator from “Toaru Majutsu no Index” possesses an extraordinary ability that grants him control over vectors, allowing him to manipulate both physical and supernatural forces.
This ability extends to his incredible speed, making him one of the fastest characters in the series.
Accelerator’s control over vectors enables him to change the direction and magnitude of any force, including the kinetic energy associated with motion.
He can redirect attacks, effortlessly dodge high-speed projectiles, and move at velocities that defy conventional physics.
His control over the speed of his own movements and the movements of objects around him gives him a significant advantage in combat situations.
Accelerator’s speed is not only physical but also extends to his cognitive abilities.
12. All Might (My Hero Academia) – Supersonic
All Might, the Symbol of Peace in “My Hero Academia,” possesses remarkable speed that complements his immense strength.
In his prime, All Might’s speed reaches supersonic levels, allowing him to move faster than the speed of sound.
This agility is a crucial aspect of his heroics, enabling him to swiftly intervene in various situations and respond to threats with rapidity.
His incredible speed is evident in his ability to cover large distances in short periods, arriving at crime scenes or disaster areas promptly.
During his battles, All Might’s speed is a key factor in overwhelming villains, as he can close the gap between himself and his adversaries swiftly.
His agility is complemented by precise reflexes, allowing him to react quickly to changing situations.
13. Whis (Dragon Ball) – Unfathomable
Whis, the Angelic Attendant, is a character who operates on a different level.
He is able to control time up to 3 minutes without creating an alternate timeline and travels hundreds of times faster than light as he is able to cross the universe within hours.
Beerus has the ability to traverse vast distances in the universe swiftly.
He can travel between planets and even across galaxies in short amounts of time.
Similar to the Instant Transmission technique used by Goku and others, Beerus possesses a technique called “Shunkan Ido” or Instantaneous Movement.
This allows him to teleport to any location in the blink of an eye.
All of these techniques were taught to him by Whis so his mastery over them is much ahead of Beerus’s.
His speed is beyond quantification, as he can manipulate time and space effortlessly, making him essentially instantaneous in his movements.
14. Alucard (Hellsing) – Hypersonic
Alucard, the immortal vampire, is not just a powerful vampire but also incredibly fast.
He may not be the top 10 fastest anime character nor is his speed on the universal though-defying level but still, as a vampire and the strongest among them, no normal human can keep up with him.
Still, other vampires such as Walter and Tubalcain Alhambra, and Regenerators like Anderson can keep pace with him just fine.
He can move at hypersonic speeds, matching or even exceeding Mach 5.
15. Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom) – Mach 20
The teacher of the E class and the biggest danger to the whole planet Earth Koro sensei was the best teacher any student can imagine to have.
He was the target of all his students to kill while learning valuable books and life knowledge.
During the assassination of Koro Sensei, one of the most difficult things was his Mach 20 reaction and movement speed.
He was able to fly at this speed, alongside thinking at this speed he could do multiple tasks in the blink of an eye.
16. Zenitsu (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba)
I hate myself more than anyone. I always think I have to get my act together, but I end up cowering, running away, sniveling. I want to change. I want to be a competent person.
Zenitsu Agamoto
Zenitsu is a master swordsman in the Demon Slayer anime who is incredibly talented and skilled in thunder breathing.
Although because of his fear of demons he was not able to pull out all of his strength when awake and when he falls asleep that hidden talent got out.
But during his fight with his ex senior Kaigaku he had finally controlled his fear and got to bring out all the power from within and shown the strongest capability in thunder breathing.
No demon slayer has been able to take thunder breathing that Zenitsu achieved and also no one could beaten him in terms of speed as he reached near the speed of light when consiously using his powers.
17. Borsalino or Kizaru (One Piece) –
Borsalino or famously known by the name of Kizaru is the admiral of marine in one piece who had eaten the light light logia type fruit.
It allows him to turn into light and move at light speed.
Kizaru can attack with light projectile with immense speed and accuracy.
Kizaru has a unquestionable form of justice he will do anything he got order to do from his superior even if he don’t like them.
He is polar opposite of both Sakazuki and Fujitora.
18. Flashy Flash (One Punch Man) – Near Light Speed
As the name of this S Rank hero Flashy Flash is like the lightning flash he can usetravel at the speed of the Flash.
But in terms of comparing his speed to Saitama or Borors, he doesn’t come anywhere near those individuals.
Flashy Flash was the top graduate from the ninja village who had destroyed the village and stopped them from further training any more mindless killing assassins.
19. Luck Voltia (Black Clover) – Hypersonic
Yuno, the talented mage from the Clover Kingdom, can move at hypersonic speeds thanks to his magical abilities and incredible agility.
She controls the grimoire of lightning magic and she can use it both in offense and defense.
She is a crazy maniac who loves taking part in fights and coming out victorious.
And in fights she uses her creation magic to create thunder lighting boots which increases her agility and speed.
20. Enrico Pucci (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) – Hypersonic
Enrico Pucci, the stand user of Made in heaven which is the evolved form of Whitesnake, there Is Nothing Faster Than Made In Heaven.
Made in heaven mastery over time bestows upon it an unparalleled speed advantage.
Pucci, however, is less intrigued by Made in Heaven’s time acceleration abilities and more interested in its potential to birth a new universe with extraordinary attributes.
It works on the principle of relativity.
21. Gintoki (Gintama) – Supersonic
Gintoki Sakata, the silver-haired samurai, is known for his agility and swordsmanship.
He can reach supersonic speeds, making him a formidable combatant.
Gintama just like Saitama is a parody character who do parodies on other anime characters.
And in his parody version he gets the power of the character he becomes and so this way he have the speed and powers of all the anime characters.
22. Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins) – Hypersonic
Meliodas, the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins, can achieve hypersonic speeds during battles, especially when tapping into his demon powers.
During his fight with Gilthunder he was able to fight against Gilthunder lightning attack very easily and on his last fight against demon King when he took over Zeldris body.
Meliodas was able to reflect and attack Demon King under the time that thunder could even reach the surface of earth.
Which makes him many times over the speed of light and he got even more power up after defeating the previous demon King so his speed has increased even more.
23. Aizen (Bleach) – Mach 10
Sosuke Aizen, the former captain of the 5th Division, possesses immense speed, estimated to reach Mach 10 or more with his Shunpo and Kido techniques.
His Zanpakuto ability to create illusions and dull the senses of others make him to be neigh unreachable who has surpassed the concept of time with his power as he can be anywhere without you knowing.
24. Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion) – Subsonic
Rei Ayanami, the enigmatic pilot of Evangelion Unit-00, possesses incredible agility in her Eva unit, moving at subsonic speeds during battles.
Rei was an angel and in her angel form she is extremely powerful and gigantic.
This is a fusion between Rei, Kaworu and Leliel.
Creating the most powerful being in the evangelion universe.
She becomes larger than Earth itself and nearly reaches the moon and in this form comparing her to normal human aspect of power, speed and agility are meaningless.
25. Shiro (No Game No Life) – Hypersonic
Shiro, the brilliant gamer and sibling of Sora, can achieve hypersonic speeds when strategizing and executing her gaming plans.
She is not someone who has physical speed but no one can compete with her mentally.
The strategies she comes up within milliseconds and her reflexes beat the speed of light.
