In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the Demon Slayer Corps fights demons. The Pillars, as well as Tanjiro and his friends, each use their own unique breathing techniques during battle. Breathing techniques are absolutely essential in combat. What breathing techniques do the Pillars use? And what breathing techniques does Tanjiro and his friends use? This time, we'll take a closer look at these breathing techniques!
What breathing techniques does Tanjiro use?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
First, let's look at the protagonist Tanjiro's breathing technique. After losing his entire family except for Nezuko to Kibutsuji, Tanjiro mastered the Water Breathing technique after two years of intensive training. However, this Water Breathing technique doesn't suit Tanjiro, and he is searching for a new breathing technique that is unique to him.
Tanjiro uses Hinokami Kagura in addition to Water Breathing
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Tanjiro learned the Hinokami Kagura technique from his father at a young age, and now uses it in addition to Water Breathing. However, the power is too great and his body cannot keep up, so he has not yet mastered it. Incidentally, as the name suggests, this technique has a strong fire element.
What breathing technique does Zenitsu use?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Agatsuma Zenitsu is a fellow student and often works alongside Tanjiro. His breathing technique is Thunder Breathing. There are actually six types of Thunder Breathing techniques, but Zenitsu has only mastered the first form. However, he has mastered only the first form, "Hekireki Issen," and has achieved speeds as fast as lightning. However, he loses consciousness during battle due to fear.
Inosuke's breathing techniques are his own style!
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Like Zenitsu, Inosuke is a fellow student of Tanjiro and often travels with him. His breathing technique is the Beast Breathing technique. While it's a fitting breathing technique for the wild-child Inosuke, it's actually his own style! He fights his enemies using his senses and sense of smell, relying primarily on his superhuman physical abilities.
The first Pillar to appear. What is Giyu Tomioka's breathing technique?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Early in the story, Tomioka appears when Nezuko, transformed into a demon, attacks Tanjiro. She uses the same Water Breathing technique as Tanjiro, but her mastery level is far superior. She seems to be able to identify Tanjiro's Water Breathing techniques and then use Water Breathing techniques to match them.
She's a great friend of Tanjiro's. What is Shinobu Kocho's breathing technique?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
At first, Shinobu identified Nezuko as a demon and tried to kill her, but she later became one of Tanjiro's allies and became one of the Hashira. Her breathing technique is the Insect Breathing Technique. Unlike the other Hashira, she doesn't decapitate demons by sheathing them, but instead mixes poison into her sword and kills them with that poison. He's well-versed in not only poisons but also medicines, making him an indispensable companion to Tanjiro, who is often injured.
The breathing techniques used by the passionate man, Rengoku, are of course...
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Rengoku lived and died with one of the most passionate lives in the series. The breathing technique he used was the Flame Breathing technique. He fights by literally controlling flames using the Flame Breathing technique passed down through generations of his family. It seems he uses flames not only for attack but also for movement. When in a hurry, he moves so fast that Tanjiro is invisible, leaving only the flames behind.
What kind of breathing technique does the flashy Uzui Tengen use?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Though he was a ninja before becoming a Pillar, Tengen wears a very distinctive, flashy, and eccentric outfit and calls himself the "God of Festivals." His breathing technique is Sound Breathing. While "Sound Breathing" sounds elegant, it's actually a rather brutal fighting style. Of course, he's also specialized in sound, and can instantly distinguish whether someone is inside a house or not.
What breathing technique does the lovesick girl, Kanroji Mitsuri, use?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Kanroji is a heroine who instantly falls in love with anyone. Her breathing technique is the Breath of Love. Just hearing his name doesn't give you a clue as to his fighting style, but he wields a thin, flexible Nichirin sword that undulates like a whip. All of his techniques have the character "love" (koi) in their names.
What breathing technique does Muichiro Tokito, the genius who rose to the rank of Pillar in just two months, use?
Source: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
Tokito, a genius who appears to be about the same age as Tanjiro and the others, became a Pillar in just two months. His breathing technique is the Mist Breathing technique. Tokito has many flashy techniques such as charge moves, aerial moves, and spin slashes, but when he awakens he uses the walking technique "Oboro," and with his hazy movements he is able to toy with and defeat the Upper Rank demons.
Demon Slayer Breathing Techniques Summary
Source: Demon Slayer © Koyoharu Gotouge/Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
This article has already introduced the breathing techniques of the Pillars and Tanjiro's allies who fought against the Upper Rank demons, but we're sure to see even more new breathing techniques and their details in the future. Keep an eye out for new breathing techniques!
