The anime medium has always maintained a close relationship with swordsmanship, likely due in large part to the historical importance of samurai in Japanese culture. As a result, there have been countless sword-wielding characters featured throughout different series that possess lightning-fast reactions and deadly skills with their bladed weapons.
Among the ranks of anime’s fastest fighters, there are plenty of swordswomen that utilize blistering speed to defeat their opponents. Some of these characters fight for good — others for evil. However, regardless of their morality, these women are a true threat to any opponent unlucky enough to stumble into their path.
10 Mikasa Ackerman (Attack On Titan)
To successfully defend themselves against Attack on Titan‘s titular monsters, the inhabitants of Eldia must demonstrate courage, intelligence, and proficiency with their ODM (omnidirectional movement) gear. Their most promising young soldier, Mikasa Ackerman, is a natural when it comes to using this technology, which allows her to fly around the battlefield at breakneck speeds.
In addition to her skills with ODM gear, Mikasa also benefits from enhanced genetics that are a result of her Ackerman lineage. This provides an even greater boost to her physical abilities, resulting in a super soldier that is capable of rapidly taking out opposing Titans.
9 Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)
Any Soul Reaper needs significant speed and agility to combat Hollows, but in particular, the lieutenants and captains of Bleach‘s Thirteen Court Guard Companies must embody these traits. Luckily for the Thirteenth Division’s lieutenant, Rukia Kuchiki, she is more than fast enough to take down some of the most dangerous Hollows in the history of the Soul Society.
After Bleach‘s main character, Ichigo Kurosaki, accidentally absorbs Rukia’s powers, she helps the show’s protagonist learn how to combat the Soul Society’s monstrous creatures. Eventually, she regains her powers and quickly demonstrates that her ice-based Zanpakuto is capable of attacks too fast for the naked eye to see.
8 Clare (Claymore)
During her youth, Clare — the protagonist of the dark fantasy series Claymore — was one of the weakest members of her entire race. As a Claymore, she is part-human, part-Yoma (a powerful humanoid race that feeds on people), but unlike her peers, Clare’s DNA is three-quarters human rather than half.
Although her lack of Yoma DNA is initially a hindrance, this deficit drives her to push her limits further than any of the opponents she encounters in Claymore. By channeling her energy into her limbs, Clare can move faster than most fully-realized Yoma.
7 Akame (Akame Ga Kill!)
When Akame ga Kill! begins, its main character, Tatsumi, embarks on a quest to bring aid to his impoverished hometown. Along the way, he meets the Night Raid — a covert group of assassins attempting to overthrow the realm’s corrupt Prime Minister. Among these assassins is the show’s titular heroine, Akame.
Akame was trained to be an assassin for the Empire from a young age, providing her with superhuman strength, speed, and combat abilities that far exceeded the vast majority of her peers. Later, she uses these skills against the oppressive regime and deals death to her opponents with lightning-fast attacks from her sword, Murasame.
6 Retsu Unohana (Bleach)
While most of Bleach‘s Soul Reapers are quite powerful, the gap between the captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Companies and their subordinates is gigantic. Embodying this idea is Retsu Unohana, the experienced captain of the Soul Society’s Fourth Division.
Thanks to centuries worth of combat experience, Unohana wields huge amounts of spiritual power that heightens her physical capabilities to unimaginable levels. As arguably the fastest swordswoman in Bleach history, it should come as no surprise that even the likes of Kenpachi Zaraki was repeatedly unable to defeat her.
5 Tashigi (One Piece)
One Piece‘s Marines are full of skilled combatants, but when it comes to female representation, the World Government’s military branch is slightly lacking. Thankfully, skilled fighters like the swordswoman Tashigi help bolster the group’s feminine presence.
When Tashigi first appears on-screen, she serves as an Officer for the Marines. However, during the time skip, she is promoted to the rank of Captain, speaking to her growth as a fighter and leader. Considering her defeat of Monet (an officer of the Donquixote Pirates), Tashigi’s speed is on-par with many of the New World’s strongest pirates.
4 Ryuko Matoi (Kill la Kill)
Most of Kill la Kill‘s characters are hilariously eccentric, yet underneath their humorous facades exist capable fighters that are far more powerful than average anime fodder. The show’s protagonist, Ryuko Matoi, acts like a normal, angst-ridden student much of the time, but when push comes to shove, she can level skyscrapers with a single blow.
Technically, Ryuko doesn’t wield a sword — her weapon of choice is actually one-half of a giant pair of scissors. However, given its bladed nature and her inhuman speed, it feels safe to qualify her as an incredibly gifted swordswoman.
3 Charlotte Smoothie (One Piece)
With a price of over 900 million Berries on her head, Charlotte Smoothie possesses one of the highest bounties in the entirety of One Piece. As one of the Three Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates, Smoothie governs over 100% Island; however, more importantly, she serves as the Yonko’s second-strongest combatant.
Although Charlotte Smoothie’s Devil Fruit powers shouldn’t be underestimated, her true power stems from her inhuman physical prowess and skill with a sword. The Sweet Commander’s ancestors were members of the Longleg Tribe, which, in conjunction with her mastery of Haki, helps her move at much faster speeds than most New World pirates.
2 Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail)
Although Fairy Tail is best known for its implementation of magic, characters like Erza Scarlet prove that a skilled swordswoman always comes in handy. The S-Class Mage specializes in Requip Magic, which allows her to instantaneously fashion new armor and weapons — generally swords — while in combat.
Erza Scarlet is as experienced in combat as almost any member of the Fairy Tail Guild, so it should come as no surprise that her reflexes and speed far exceed most of her peers. Her magical potential might not be quite as high as Fairy Tail‘s protagonist, Natsu, but when it comes to agility, she is tough to beat.
1 Saber (Fate/Zero)
The Fate franchise is often praised for its action sequences, so immensely powerful characters like its strongest heroine, Saber, have plenty of chances to prove their worth in combat. Born with the magical power of a dragon, Saber was known as Artoria Pendragon (later revised to Arthur) during her time as the legendary leader of the Knights of the Round Table.
Artoria is reborn several times throughout the Fate franchise, and when she is at her strongest, she wields her legendary sword, Excalibur, with frightening speed. The series’ beautiful animation perfectly captures her abilities, which allow her to perform feats like running up walls and dashing across large bodies of water.
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