Speed-o’-Sound Sonic, also known simply as Sonic, is an antagonist from the One Punch Man anime and manga series. A highly skilled ninja with exceptional reflexes and astonishing supersonic speed, Sonic is among the fastest individuals in the story.
His ability to move at extreme velocities, combined with his agility and precision, makes him a formidable opponent in battle. Despite being renowned for his incredible speed, Sonic’s strength is nowhere near that of Saitama.
A warrior’s pride drives him to chase an impossible dream (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)However, his mastery of stealth tactics, martial arts, and swordsmanship compensates for his lack of brute force, making him a challenging adversary. His quick reflexes and evasive maneuvers allow him to dodge attacks with remarkable accuracy.
While his combat prowess is unquestionable, the real question is—how powerful is Speed-o’-Sound Sonic?
Appearance and Personality
Sonic is first introduced as a personal bodyguard hired to protect Zeniru, a multimillionaire residing in F-City. His appearance is striking—he has a slim yet athletic build, long black hair, and wears a sleek black latex bodysuit reinforced with metal plating.
A sword is strapped to his back, emphasizing his role as a deadly warrior. Additionally, Sonic’s origins trace back to the Ninja Village, a hidden institution dedicated to training elite assassins. It was in this secretive place that he honed his martial arts expertise, sharpened his swordsmanship, and enhanced his already remarkable speed.
He possesses a fierce competitive streak and thrives on the thrill of battle. Losing is something he despises, and his determination to defeat opponents, especially Saitama, fuels his relentless training. Regardless of how many times he faces defeat, Sonic refuses to accept failure and continuously strives to surpass his limits.
His enormous pride often blinds him to reality, pushing him to challenge opponents far beyond his capabilities. His obsession with defeating Saitama became so intense that he willingly consumed a monster cell in hopes of amplifying his strength.
Unfortunately for him, cooking the monster cell before ingestion nullified its transformative effects, preventing him from undergoing the monstrous evolution he had anticipated.
Although he harbors disdain for the Hero Association, some moments hint at a more complex side of him—such as when he warns Genos about Deep Sea King. However, whether this was an act of goodwill or simply a personal decision remains unclear.
The Ninja Effect
One of Sonic’s most remarkable battles occurred during his clash with Saitama. Although vastly outmatched in raw strength and speed, his extraordinary reflexes enabled him to keep up with the fight for a brief period.
His quick movements and agility made him appear as though he could match Saitama—at least until the overwhelming power gap became evident. Sonic’s combat skills were further demonstrated during his encounter with Genos, where he held his ground against the powerful cyborg.
His swordsmanship, combined with his rapid movements, allowed him to execute precise strikes, proving his effectiveness in battle. His unparalleled speed is what sets him apart from many other fighters.
During his confrontation with the Paradise, a terrorist group led by the B-Class criminal Hammerhead, Sonic displayed just how effortlessly he could evade and counter his enemies. His ability to dodge every attack thrown by Deep Sea King, a fearsome demon-level monster, showcased his exceptional reflexes.
Not only did he manage to avoid taking any damage, but he also demonstrated his ability to anticipate and react to attacks with near-perfect precision. When fighting Genos, their movements were so rapid that an ordinary observer would have struggled to follow their fight with the naked eye.
Trained in the shadows, built for battle, destined for struggle (Photo: One Punch Man/Madhouse)Growing up under the rigorous training of the Ninja Village turned Sonic into an expert in ninjutsu—a traditional martial art that revolves around stealth, strategy, and unconventional combat tactics.
This specialized training allowed him to master a wide range of deadly techniques, making him an even more unpredictable fighter. Among his signature moves is the Wind Blade Kick, an attack where he utilizes the momentum from spinning at high speed to deliver a devastating strike.
This maneuver was displayed during his skirmish with Deep Sea King, proving its effectiveness against powerful opponents. Another one of his deadly techniques is Hail of Carnage, which involves hurling a barrage of exploding shurikens at his target, each detonating upon impact.
Another ability that gives Sonic an advantage in battle is his afterimage technique, a deceptive move designed to disorient his opponents. By moving at an almost untraceable speed, he creates multiple afterimages of himself, making it difficult for enemies to determine his actual position.
Initially, he could generate four afterimages, a skill known as Four Shadow Burial. However, after further training, he revealed an enhanced version of this technique—Ten Shadows Burial—where he produced ten afterimages, achieving super-supersonic speed in the process.
Sonic’s arsenal of weapons adds even more versatility to his combat style. He carries an ultra-sharp sword as his primary weapon, alongside an assortment of kunai and explosive shurikens.
While he may not be the most powerful character in One Punch Man, his unmatched speed, precise techniques, and strategic combat style make him a dangerous adversary. His skills as a ninja continue to make him a standout character, earning him a reputation as both a formidable warrior and a fan favorite.