When it comes to the fastest characters in the world of One Piece, people usually think of Logia-type Devil Fruit users like “the Light Man” Kizaru. However, there’s one name that stands out despite not having eaten a Devil Fruit or possessing teleportation abilities: Red-Haired Shanks, whose speed is terrifying enough to shock the entire world.
Without relying on supernatural powers, Shanks has shown moments of speed that leave others far behind. Let’s review the undeniable evidence proving Shanks is one of the fastest beings in the ocean.
1. Rescuing Luffy from the brink of death
From the very first chapters, when Higuma dragged Luffy out to sea and both nearly became prey to a sea monster, Shanks appeared instantly to save them. There was no warning, no visible movement, Shanks showed up at the critical moment.
Many think this was just dramatic storytelling early on, but looking back at later events, it clearly foreshadowed Shanks’ incredible speed.
2. Stopping Akainu at Marineford in the blink of an eye
During the Marineford war, when Akainu’s magma fist was just millimeters from hitting Koby, Shanks once again appeared without any fanfare to block the attack.
The crazy part is that even the top fighters there didn’t notice the Red Hair Pirates’ approach. This wasn’t just speed, but a perfect blend of movement and battlefield control.
3. Overpowering “the Light Man” Kizaru (One Piece Film: Red)
In One Piece Film: Red, fans witnessed an incredible display where Shanks could keep up with, predict, and heavily pressure Kizaru. Though the movie isn’t fully canon, this scene doesn’t contradict the manga. It subtly confirms that for Shanks, even light-speed isn’t impossible.
4. One-hit knockout of Eustass Kid
This is the most solid and 100% canon proof. When Kid was about to fire his Railgun from a great distance, Shanks foresaw the future and closed the gap in an instant. Before Kid could even react, he was struck by a direct slash.
This lightning-fast attack left Kid no time to think, confirming Shanks’ speed as a devastating weapon in the era of the Four Emperors.
5. Surprise attack that defeated Harald
In One Piece chapter 1169, through a flashback from 14 years ago, we see Shanks’ terrifying speed as a youth. When Harald (under control) tried to seize the Devil Fruit of Elbaf and Ragnir, Shanks and Scopper Gaban launched a surprise attack that knocked Harald down. Even though Harald could regenerate, there’s no denying Shanks’ approach speed was incredibly fierce.