The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series features elite warriors known as the Hashira. They are the strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps, a group dedicated to fighting demons and protecting humanity. Each Hashira specializes in a unique Breathing Style, allowing them to perform powerful sword techniques.
There are nine active Hashira in the main story, but several former Hashira are also introduced. In total, 12 characters have held the title of Hashira. This article provides an in-depth introduction to each one.
1. Gyomei Himejima – The Stone Hashira
Gyomei Himejima is the strongest Hashira. He is a large, muscular man who is blind but has incredible senses. Despite his kind nature, he is a fierce warrior.
Breathing Style: Stone Breathing
Weapon: A massive spiked flail and axe connected by a chain
Personality: Calm, compassionate, and deeply religious
Fighting Skills: Uses brute strength and precise movements to defeat demons
Key Battles: Fights Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, in an intense battle
2. Sanemi Shinazugawa – The Wind Hashira
Sanemi is a hot-headed and aggressive Hashira with deep hatred toward demons. His body is covered in scars, showing his experience in battle.
Breathing Style: Wind Breathing
Weapon: Nichirin sword
Personality: Harsh and intense, but caring in secret
Fighting Skills: Uses wild and unpredictable attacks, making him difficult to counter
Key Battles: Fights Kokushibo alongside Gyomei and other Hashira
3. Giyu Tomioka – The Water Hashira
Giyu is a quiet and serious warrior. He is the first Hashira introduced in the series when he saves Tanjiro Kamado.
Breathing Style: Water Breathing
Weapon: Blue-colored Nichirin sword
Personality: Reserved and calm, but deeply emotional
Fighting Skills: Excels in fluid and precise movements, using the special Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
Key Battles: Helps fight Akaza, Upper Rank Three, and later battles Muzan Kibutsuji
4. Kyojuro Rengoku – The Flame Hashira
Kyojuro is one of the most popular Hashira due to his positive attitude and strong sense of justice. He plays a major role in the Mugen Train Arc.
Breathing Style: Flame Breathing
Weapon: Red-colored Nichirin sword
Personality: Passionate, cheerful, and always encouraging others
Fighting Skills: Uses fast and powerful flame-based attacks
Key Battles: Fights Akaza, Upper Rank Three, in a legendary duel
5. Tengen Uzui – The Sound Hashira
Tengen is a flashy and eccentric Hashira with a background as a shinobi (ninja). He values style and enjoys standing out.
Breathing Style: Sound Breathing
Weapon: Dual Nichirin cleavers connected by a chain
Personality: Bold, confident, and caring toward his wives
Fighting Skills: Uses explosive attacks and enhanced hearing to predict enemy movements
Key Battles: Leads the fight against Gyutaro and Daki, the Upper Rank Six demons
6. Mitsuri Kanroji – The Love Hashira
Mitsuri is cheerful, friendly, and has a kind heart. However, she possesses incredible strength due to her unique muscle composition.
Breathing Style: Love Breathing
Weapon: A long, whip-like Nichirin sword
Personality: Energetic, warm, and romantic
Fighting Skills: Uses her flexibility and speed to strike unpredictably
Key Battles: Fights alongside Obanai Iguro against Muzan Kibutsuji
7. Muichiro Tokito – The Mist Hashira
Muichiro is a young but incredibly talented swordsman. Though he appears forgetful and detached, he is a deadly fighter.
Breathing Style: Mist Breathing
Weapon: White-colored Nichirin sword
Personality: Calm, indifferent, but deeply emotional when his memories return
Fighting Skills: Uses mist-like movements to confuse and overwhelm enemies
Key Battles: Defeats Upper Rank Five, Gyokko, and later fights Kokushibo
8. Obanai Iguro – The Serpent Hashira
Obanai is a serious and disciplined Hashira. He has a snake companion named Kaburamaru, which helps him in battle.
Breathing Style: Serpent Breathing
Weapon: Curved Nichirin sword
Personality: Strict and secretive, but deeply loves Mitsuri Kanroji
Fighting Skills: Uses unpredictable and twisting sword techniques, like a snake
Key Battles: Helps fight Muzan Kibutsuji in the final battle
9. Shinobu Kocho – The Insect Hashira
Shinobu is the smallest and physically weakest Hashira, but she is highly intelligent and specializes in poison techniques.
Breathing Style: Insect Breathing
Weapon: A thin, needle-like Nichirin sword
Personality: Polite and cheerful, but hides deep anger toward demons
Fighting Skills: Uses speed and poison-based attacks instead of brute force
Key Battles: Fights Doma, Upper Rank Two, in a tragic battle
10. Jigoro Kuwajima – The Former Thunder Hashira
Jigoro is Zenitsu Agatsuma’s mentor and a retired Hashira.
Breathing Style: Thunder Breathing
Weapon: Nichirin sword (before retirement)
Personality: Wise, strict, but deeply caring for his students
Fighting Skills: Once a master of Thunder Breathing, but retired due to age
Key Events: Trained Zenitsu but was devastated by Kaigaku’s betrayal
11. Shinjuro Rengoku – The Former Flame Hashira
Shinjuro is Kyojuro Rengoku’s father and a former Flame Hashira. He fell into depression after his wife’s death.
Breathing Style: Flame Breathing
Weapon: Nichirin sword (before retirement)
Personality: Bitter and harsh, but deeply regrets his mistakes
Fighting Skills: Once a great warrior but later lost motivation
Key Events: Encourages Tanjiro after Kyojuro’s death and helps guide him
12. Kanae Kocho – The Former Flower Hashira
Kanae is Shinobu Kocho’s older sister and a former Hashira who was killed by Doma.
Breathing Style: Flower Breathing
Weapon: Nichirin sword
Personality: Gentle, kind, and caring
Fighting Skills: Skilled in Flower Breathing, but not as aggressive as other Hashira
Key Events: Dies in battle against Doma, inspiring Shinobu’s revenge
Conclusion
The Hashira are the most powerful warriors in Demon Slayer. Each of them has a unique fighting style and personality. They play a crucial role in defeating demons and protecting humanity. Some are tragic heroes, while others serve as mentors and inspirations to younger demon slayers.
Related topics:
- Who Are the Pillars in Demon Slayer?
- Who Defeated Sukuna 1000 Years Ago?
- Who is the Second Strongest Hashira in Demon Slayer?
