In the anime and manga series Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), one of the most intriguing and powerful groups of characters are the Pillars. These individuals are elite members of the Demon Slayer Corps, a group dedicated to fighting demons and protecting humanity. The Pillars, also known as the Hashira (meaning “pillar” in Japanese), are the strongest swordsmen in the Corps.
Each of the nine Hashira has mastered a specific Breathing Style and possesses incredible strength, skill, and determination. They are instrumental in the fight against Muzan Kibutsuji, the leader of the demons, and his powerful demon army.
This article will take a deep dive into who the Pillars are, their individual abilities, personalities, and roles in the story of Demon Slayer. We will explore their importance in the series and why they are beloved by fans around the world.
What Are the Pillars?
The Pillars are the highest-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps. They are selected based on their immense skill in combat and their mastery of their respective Breathing Techniques. The term Hashira is used to describe these elite warriors who have proven themselves through battle and devotion.
The main duty of the Pillars is to defend humanity from demons. Each Pillar is responsible for a specific aspect of demon hunting and trains other demon slayers to fight. They are the ones leading missions to eradicate demons, and their strength is unmatched in the Corps.
While the Pillars are warriors, they also have deep personalities, backstories, and motivations. The story of Demon Slayer showcases their growth, struggles, and sacrifices as they fight to protect the world from the demons.
The Nine Pillars in Demon Slayer
There are nine Pillars in total, each specializing in a different Breathing Style. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
1. Giyu Tomioka – The Water Pillar
Giyu Tomioka is the first Pillar introduced in Demon Slayer. He is the Water Hashira, and his Breathing Style focuses on fluid, swift movements that allow him to attack with great precision.
Giyu is a calm and serious individual who holds a strong sense of duty. He is also one of the first to show interest in Tanjiro Kamado and his quest to turn his sister, Nezuko, back into a human. Despite his stoic nature, Giyu cares deeply about the safety of others, even if he does not always express it openly.
Giyu’s swordsmanship is incredible, and he is considered one of the strongest warriors in the Corps. His battle with Muzan’s demons showcases his skill in Water Breathing, especially when he employs the Eleventh Form: Dead Calm, a move that allows him to defend against overwhelming attacks.
2. Kanao Tsuyuri – The Insect Pillar
Kanao Tsuyuri is the Insect Hashira. She is known for her agility and uses Insect Breathing, a technique derived from the Flower Breathing style. Her Breathing Style incorporates the use of poison and agility, as she is able to wield a specially designed sword that can release poison into her enemies.
Kanao is a quiet, reserved character who has been trained by Shinobu Kocho, the former Insect Hashira. Kanao’s backstory is tragic, as she was taken in by Shinobu after suffering immense trauma as a child. Her personality, while calm and composed, is deeply affected by her past experiences.
Despite her cold demeanor, Kanao is fiercely loyal to Shinobu and is an excellent fighter. She uses her Breathing Style to overwhelm demons with quick, precise movements and poison-based attacks.
3. Shinobu Kocho – The Insect Pillar
Shinobu Kocho is the Insect Hashira and one of the most intelligent and analytical Pillars. Unlike other Hashira who rely on raw physical strength, Shinobu uses Insect Breathing to focus on agility and poison. She specializes in creating poison-based attacks that weaken and kill demons.
Shinobu is a kind-hearted character, though she hides a deep sadness from her past. She lost her family to demons and has dedicated her life to avenging them by eradicating demons. Her soft-spoken nature contrasts with her deadly combat abilities, making her an intriguing character.
Shinobu’s Breathing Style involves techniques that can rapidly kill demons by injecting them with poison. She also carries a unique sword that has a special mechanism for releasing poison.
4. Mitsuri Kanroji – The Love Pillar
Mitsuri Kanroji is the Love Hashira, known for her energetic personality and immense physical strength. Her Breathing Style, Love Breathing, is unique and based on her passionate nature. She is one of the most physically strong of the Pillars, able to perform rapid and powerful attacks.
Mitsuri is cheerful, kind-hearted, and deeply caring for others, especially her fellow demon slayers. She holds strong emotions toward her comrades and the mission to protect humanity.
Her fighting style involves high-speed, fluid movements and powerful strikes, using the power of love to channel her strength. Her sword is long and flexible, allowing her to fight in a way that is both graceful and powerful.
5. Kanao Tsuyuri – The Insect Pillar
Kanao Tsuyuri is the Insect Hashira, and her Breathing Style is one of the most unique. She is extremely agile and uses the Insect Breathing technique, which utilizes poison and rapid movements to defeat her enemies.
6. Sanemi Shinazugawa – The Wind Pillar
Sanemi Shinazugawa is the Wind Hashira. His Breathing Style, Wind Breathing, focuses on powerful, sweeping attacks that can cut through nearly anything. Sanemi is known for his fiery temper and his willingness to fight even in the most dangerous situations.
Sanemi’s background is tragic, as he has endured immense suffering due to demons and their impact on his family. His distrust of others often makes him seem cold and hostile, but he is ultimately a protector of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Sanemi’s power is immense, and his Wind Breathing techniques are capable of creating devastating gusts and sharp slashes.
7. Gyomei Himejima – The Stone Pillar
Gyomei Himejima is the Stone Hashira. He is the physically strongest of all the Pillars and uses Stone Breathing to unleash devastating blows. Gyomei is a calm, compassionate individual who is highly revered by the other Pillars.
Despite his intimidating appearance, Gyomei is deeply spiritual and seeks peace. He uses his Breathing Style to protect the innocent and fight demons without hesitation. His strength is unmatched, and he is capable of overwhelming powerful demons with his raw power.
8. Tengen Uzui – The Sound Pillar
Tengen Uzui is the Sound Hashira. He is flamboyant, confident, and always looking to have a good time. His Sound Breathing techniques focus on using sound waves and vibration to attack and defend. Tengen’s Breathing Style is based on the concept of creating powerful, resonating attacks that disorient and damage his enemies.
Tengen is a skilled strategist and a highly capable fighter. His flashy personality makes him stand out, but his skills in battle are what make him truly impressive. Tengen is also deeply loyal to his comrades and will go to great lengths to protect them.
9. Rengoku Kyojuro – The Flame Pillar
Rengoku Kyojuro is the Flame Hashira. His Flame Breathing techniques allow him to create powerful and intense flame-based attacks that overwhelm his enemies. Rengoku is known for his unwavering sense of duty and his positive, charismatic personality.
Rengoku’s backstory is one of deep familial love, and his resolve to carry on his father’s legacy as a Flame Hashira makes him a deeply inspiring character. His flame-based attacks are some of the most visually striking and powerful in the series.
Conclusion
The Pillars are a central part of Demon Slayer, each with their own unique skills, personalities, and backstories. These nine warriors represent the highest level of skill and dedication within the Demon Slayer Corps, and their individual Breathing Styles make them key players in the fight against demons.
Their strength, character development, and relationships with one another make them some of the most beloved figures in the series. While they each have their own struggles and motivations, they are united by a shared purpose: to protect humanity and defeat the demons that threaten it.
Understanding the Pillars not only provides insight into the world of Demon Slayer, but it also shows the values of courage, sacrifice, and friendship that are central themes throughout the story.
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- Will Tanjiro Become a Hashira?
- What Is Sukuna’s Real Name?
- Who is the Most Beautiful Character in Demon Slayer?
