Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the epitome of shonen battle anime, with larger-than-life fights, inhuman demons, and heroic, sword-wielding, elemental heroes that save the day.
Among the mightiest demons and demon slayers alive during the manga and anime, two groups stand out — the Twelve Kizuki and the Hashira. While the Twelve Kizuki represent the strongest of the demons, it’s the Hashira who inevitably overcome their challenge and save the day, though not without loss. But who are the Hashira, and what special powers do they conceal?
Shinobu Kochō
The younger sister of the late Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho and reigning Insect Hashira, Shinobu always keeps her cool. Though physically weaker than the other Hashira, she utilizes her unassuming strategy and secret poisons to overcome her foes. Shinobu doesn’t rely on nichirin steel or strength to cut through demons, opting for a slim cutting edge coated in poison. She’s also uniquely agile and speedy even next to other hashira.
Mitsuri Kanroji
Another unconventional fighter, the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji uses a uniquely soft blade and her incomparable physical strength to dispatch demons like no other. Her nichirin sword is so soft — and Mutsiru so strong — that she controls the blade like a whip, lashing and grabbing rather than slashing. For those watching the anime, we haven’t yet seen the raw power of Mitsuri.
Tengen Uzui
The stylish, recently retired Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui is an unflappable opponent. Hailing from an elite shinobi family, the Tengen uses his Sound Breathing to locate, telegraph, and outmaneuver opponents. Whether dual wielding his heavyweight nichiren swords or biting hard on a demon with bare teeth, Tengen moves with years of training and strong conviction behind him.
Kyojuro Rengoku
The most wholesome of the Hashira is perhaps the fiercest. While Kyojuro Rengoku inherited the position of Flame Hashira from his Father, Shinjuro, he’s worked harder than anyone to prove himself a competent, worthy demon slayer. With his immense training, Kyojuro wields immense focus and stamina that can outlast the toughest demons, fighting well beyond the point others would fall.
Muichiro Toccata
The Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito may come off as more aloof than deadly, but he knows how to wield a katana. At just 14 years old, Muhciro is the youngest of the Hashira and a powerful descendent of the Upper Rank One demon Kokushibo. Motivated by revenge, Muichiro completed his Hashira training in a record took two months time and has shown his prowess among the older Hashira by deriving new forms to his breathing style.
Sanemi Shinazugawa
He may be the Wind Hashira, but Sanemi Shinazugawa is the most fiery of the bunch. Ready to combust at any moment, Sanemi takes his rage out on any demon unfortunate enough to cross his path. While he struggles to get along with anyone and everyone, Sanemi secretly harbors a well-hidden soft side for his brother, Genya.
Giyu Tomioka
The first Hashira Tanjiro and manga-readers encounter, Giyu Tomioka is the most humble of all the Hashira. The demon slayer who sent Tanjiro on his journey and saw the good in Nezuko, we simply wouldn’t have a Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba without him. And as his generation’s master of Water Breathing, Giyu invented a new, eleventh form: Dead Calm.
Gyomei Himejama
Regarded as the strongest Hashira among his peers, Gyomei Himejama is a surprisingly gentle giant. Still, the Stone Hashira knows how to put his large frame to good use, domineering over demons on the battlefield. Unlike other Hashira who wield swords or variations on the weapon, the former monk wields a large ax and flail with his great strength and has high defenses thanks to his superhuman hearing.