The 9 Demon Slayer Hashira: Names, Powers, and History
In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the Pillars, also known as Hashira, represent the absolute elite of the Demon Slayer Corps. Masters of their breathing techniques, fighters capable of facing the most dangerous demons, and true bulwarks against Muzan Kibutsuji, they hold a central place in the story imagined by Koyoharu Gotouge.
Who are the Pillars in Demon Slayer?
During Tanjiro Kamado's time, nine Pillars form the heart of the organization. Each possesses a deeply different personality, fighting style, and backstory. Behind their exceptional power often lie traumas, sacrifices, and a hatred of demons forged by tragic events.
Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, Shinobu Kocho, Tengen Uzui, Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima thus make up one of the most impressive generations of slayers in Demon Slayer.
So, who are the nine Pillars of Demon Slayer? Which Breathing styles do they use? What are their powers and backstories? Here is a complete guide.
What is a Pillar in Demon Slayer?
The Pillars, or Hashira, are the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
They sit at the very top of the organization's hierarchy, directly under the authority of the Ubuyashiki family. Unlike ordinary slayers, Pillars are usually sent when a threat exceeds the capabilities of lower-ranking fighters.
Reaching this rank is extremely difficult. A slayer must have reached an exceptional level and performed extraordinary feats, such as eliminating a very large number of demons or defeating a member of the Twelve Kizuki.
Each Pillar's title generally corresponds to the Breathing style they have mastered. Thus, Giyu is the Water Pillar, Sanemi is the Wind Pillar, and Rengoku is the Flame Pillar.
The 9 Pillars of Demon Slayer at a glance
This table allows you to quickly find the name of each Hashira, their title, their breathing style, and what sets them apart from other fighters. Click on a name to go directly to their detailed profile.
| # | Pillar | Title | Breathing | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Giyu Tomioka | Water Pillar | Water Breathing | Exceptional mastery and Lull technique |
| 02 | Kyojuro Rengoku | Flame Pillar | Flame Breathing | Offensive power, willpower, and sense of duty |
| 03 | Shinobu Kocho | Insect Pillar | Insect Breathing | Wisteria poison and medical knowledge |
| 04 | Tengen Uzui | Sound Pillar | Sound Breathing | Former shinobi, explosives, and Musical Score |
| 05 | Mitsuri Kanroji | Love Pillar | Love Breathing | Exceptional muscle strength and great flexibility |
| 06 | Muichiro Tokito | Mist Pillar | Mist Breathing | Sword prodigy with exceptional progress |
| 07 | Obanai Iguro | Serpent Pillar | Serpent Breathing | Unpredictable trajectories and help from Kaburamaru |
| 08 | Sanemi Shinazugawa | Wind Pillar | Wind Breathing | Offensive combat and rare Marechi blood |
| 09 | Gyomei Himejima | Stone Pillar | Stone Breathing | Titanic strength, heightened senses, and unique weapon |
The 9 Pillars of Demon Slayer: powers and backstory
Now let's discover each of the nine Hashira in more detail. Each Pillar has their own combat style, Breathing, and personal history that helps better understand their personality.
Giyu Tomioka — the Water Pillar
Water Breathing
Giyu Tomioka is one of the first slayers encountered in Demon Slayer. He is even the one who discovers Tanjiro and Nezuko after the massacre of the Kamado family.
His power: Water Breathing
Giyu perfectly masters Water Breathing, a style based on fluid, precise, and continuous movements. He possesses excellent analytical skills and remains extremely calm, even when faced with a particularly dangerous demon.
His mastery is such that he developed his own technique: Eleventh Form: Lull. This ability allows him to enter a state of absolute calm and neutralize attacks that enter his range almost instantly.
Giyu's backstory
Behind his cold appearance lies a character marked by profound guilt. His sister Tsutako died protecting him from a demon. Later, Giyu participated in the Final Selection alongside Sabito, another student of Sakonji Urokodaki.
Sabito saved many candidates but lost his life during the trial. Giyu survived and eventually became a Pillar, but has long felt that he does not deserve his title.
This guilt partly explains his distant personality and lack of self-confidence. However, his meeting with Tanjiro will gradually allow him to regain a form of determination.
Kyojuro Rengoku — the Flame Pillar
Flame Breathing
It is impossible to talk about the Pillars without mentioning Kyojuro Rengoku. Charismatic, enthusiastic, and extremely determined, Rengoku is one of the most popular characters in Demon Slayer.
His power: Flame Breathing
Rengoku uses Flame Breathing, a style based on powerful, explosive, and extremely fast attacks. His techniques often favor direct offense and highlight his immense physical strength.
Among his most iconic attacks is the Ninth Form: Rengoku, a devastating technique in which he charges his opponent with extraordinary power.
Rengoku's backstory
Kyojuro belongs to a family closely tied to the Corps. His father, Shinjuro Rengoku, was a Flame Pillar himself.
But after the death of his wife Ruka, Shinjuro gradually sank into bitterness and abandoned his sons' training. Kyojuro, however, refused to give up.
He continued his training alone using his family's old records and eventually reached the rank of Pillar.
His confrontation with Akaza, the Upper Rank Three, is one of the most memorable moments in Demon Slayer. Even when faced with an opponent with terribly superior regenerative capabilities, Rengoku refused to abandon his humanity.
His legacy goes far beyond his own journey: his determination has a lasting influence on Tanjiro and his companions.
Shinobu Kocho — the Insect Pillar
Insect Breathing
With her permanent smile and delicate appearance, Shinobu Kocho might seem less threatening than the other Pillars. She is, however, a particularly dangerous fighter.
Her power: Insect Breathing
Shinobu has one significant characteristic: she does not have the physical strength necessary to easily decapitate a demon. She therefore developed a totally different method.
Her Nichirin sword has a unique shape that allows her to inject a wisteria-based poison into her opponents.
Thanks to her knowledge in medicine and pharmacology, Shinobu can adapt her poisons to eliminate different types of demons. Her exceptional speed also allows her to land a multitude of piercing attacks.
Shinobu's backstory
The hatred Shinobu feels toward demons stems largely from the death of her older sister, Kanae Kocho. Kanae was the Flower Pillar herself.
Unlike Shinobu, she hoped that coexistence between humans and demons might one day be possible.
After her death, Shinobu kept her smile and tried to adopt some of her sister's attitudes. But behind this calm appearance lies an extremely deep anger.
Her story ultimately becomes directly linked to Doma, the Upper Rank Two.
Tengen Uzui — the Sound Pillar
Sound Breathing
Extravagant, imposing, and obsessed with everything "flamboyant," Tengen Uzui brings a very different energy to the Pillar group. Before becoming a slayer, Tengen was a shinobi.
His power: Sound Breathing
Tengen uses Sound Breathing, a combat style derived from Thunder Breathing.
He combines his physical abilities with explosives and two gigantic Nichirin blades connected by a chain.
He also possesses a method called Musical Score, through which he progressively analyzes the rhythm of his opponent's attacks to anticipate their movements.
Tengen's backstory
Tengen comes from a family of shinobis who underwent extremely brutal training. Refusing this philosophy that viewed individuals as mere tools, he eventually left his clan.
He then became a Demon Slayer with his three wives: Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru.
Tengen plays a central role during the Entertainment District Arc, where he faces Gyutaro and Daki alongside Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
Seriously injured during the fight, he notably loses an arm and an eye before retiring as a Pillar. He continues, however, to assist the Demon Slayer Corps.
Mitsuri Kanroji — the Love Pillar
Love Breathing
With her enthusiastic and particularly affectionate temperament, Mitsuri Kanroji contrasts with several other much more austere members of the Hashira.
But her appearance should certainly not be mistaken for weakness.
Her power: Love Breathing
Mitsuri developed Love Breathing, stemming from her apprenticeship in Flame Breathing.
Her body has an extremely unusual constitution: her muscles are much denser than those of an ordinary human.
This particularity grants her remarkable physical strength while maintaining great flexibility.
Her Nichirin sword is also unique. Very thin and flexible, it resembles a whip more than a traditional katana.
This weapon would be extremely difficult for an ordinary fighter to wield, but Mitsuri's flexibility allows her to execute particularly fast and unpredictable attacks.
Mitsuri's story
In her youth, Mitsuri suffered from the way others looked at her because of her strength, her appetite, and her appearance.
After being rejected during a marriage proposal, she even tried to hide her true personality to fit into society's expectations.
However, she eventually realized she needed to accept what made her different. She joined the Demon Slayer Corps and transformed these peculiarities into strengths.
Her journey is therefore also a story of self-acceptance.
Muichiro Tokito — the Mist Hashira
Mist Breathing
Muichiro Tokito is one of the youngest Hashira in Demon Slayer. Yet, behind his constantly absent-minded look hides a true prodigy.
His talent is exceptional: he became a Hashira after only an extremely short period of training.
His power: Mist Breathing
Muichiro masters Mist Breathing, a derivative of Wind Breathing.
His style aims to disrupt his opponent's perception with changes in rhythm and movements that are difficult to anticipate.
Muichiro notably developed a personal technique: Seventh Form: Obscuring Clouds.
He brutally modifies the speed of his movements to give the impression of disappearing into a mist.
Muichiro's story
Muichiro once lived with his twin brother Yuichiro. After their parents' death, the two children had to survive on their own.
A demon attack later shattered their existence, and Muichiro suffered trauma that caused, among other things, a significant loss of his memories.
At the beginning of his appearance in the story, he seems detached from everything. His meeting with Tanjiro and the events of the Swordsmith Village arc gradually caused the return of his memories and his true personality.
His past also has a particularly significant connection to the Tsugikuni lineage and one of the most powerful demons in the entire series.
Obanai Iguro — the Serpent Hashira
Serpent Breathing
Mysterious and particularly strict, Obanai Iguro is the Serpent Hashira. He is almost always accompanied by his white snake, Kaburamaru.
His power: Serpent Breathing
Obanai uses Serpent Breathing, a style characterized by extremely sinuous trajectories.
His attacks seem to curve around the opponent, making their direction difficult to predict.
His katana itself even has a wavy blade adapted to his particular style. Kaburamaru is not just a pet: the snake can also help Obanai analyze his environment during combat.
Obanai's story
Obanai's past is probably one of the darkest among the Hashira.
He was born into a family that had a terrifying relationship with a snake-like demon. During his childhood, Obanai was kept locked up and destined to become an offering.
His face was mutilated to make him resemble the demon venerated by his family more closely. He finally managed to escape, but he kept significant psychological scars from this childhood.
This explains in particular why Obanai is often extremely harsh on himself. Beneath his cold attitude, however, hides a personality capable of great tenderness, particularly visible in his relationship with Mitsuri Kanroji.
Sanemi Shinazugawa — the Wind Hashira
Wind Breathing
Impulsive, violent, and particularly hostile toward demons, Sanemi Shinazugawa makes an unforgettable first impression.
During the Hashira meeting, he is the one who tries to prove that Nezuko remains dangerous despite her unusual behavior.
His power: Wind Breathing
Sanemi masters Wind Breathing, an offensive style producing fast and extremely aggressive attacks.
His techniques use wide, sweeping movements capable of cutting through everything around him.
Sanemi also possesses an extremely rare blood type called Marechi. Its scent is capable of strongly disorienting demons, giving Sanemi an additional advantage when he fights.
Sanemi's story
Sanemi grew up in a family marked by violence. After his father's death, he tried to protect his many siblings with his brother Genya.
But one day, their mother was turned into a demon. Sanemi was then forced to kill her to protect the children.
When he discovered the scene, Genya did not immediately understand the situation and accused Sanemi of having murdered their mother.
This tragedy created a deep rift between the two brothers. Sanemi's extremely harsh attitude toward Genya, however, hides a desire to protect him: he would prefer for his little brother to leave the Slayers and live a normal existence rather than risk his life against demons.
Gyomei Himejima — the Stone Hashira
Stone Breathing
Immense, blind, and often in prayer, Gyomei Himejima is instantly recognizable.
Despite his deeply compassionate character, he possesses terrifying physical power and is considered one of the most formidable fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps.
His power: Stone Breathing
Gyomei uses Stone Breathing, but does not fight with a classic katana.
His weapon consists of an axe and a gigantic flail connected by a chain.
Thanks to his extremely developed hearing and senses, Gyomei can analyze his opponents' movements despite his blindness.
His mastery of his environment, physical strength, and experience make him an extraordinary fighter.
Gyomei's story
Before becoming a slayer, Gyomei looked after several children in a temple. One night, a demon entered the building.
Gyomei tried to protect the children, but almost all were killed.
He finally managed to fight the demon barehanded for hours until the sun rose.
When the authorities arrived, the situation was misunderstood, and Gyomei was accused of the massacre.
He was finally saved thanks to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. This meeting completely changed the course of his life.
Who is the most powerful Hashira in Demon Slayer?
The question is obviously debated among fans, partly because each Hashira possesses different skills.
However, Gyomei Himejima occupies a special place. His physical power, experience, extremely developed senses, and mastery of Stone Breathing make him an exceptional fighter.
Other Hashira nonetheless possess particularly impressive abilities. Muichiro is a prodigy who progressed at an exceptional speed, Sanemi has considerable endurance and experience, while Giyu reaches an extremely high mastery of Water Breathing.
The power of a Hashira therefore also depends on their fighting style, experience, and the opponent they face.
Why are the Hashira so important in Demon Slayer?
The Hashira are not just the most powerful characters in the Slayer Army. They also represent different ways of reacting to suffering.
⚔️ The elite of the Slayers
The Hashira constitute humanity's main bulwark against the Upper Moons and the most dangerous demons.
❤️ Deeply human stories
Their trauma, their losses, and their personal relationships give each one an identity that goes far beyond their simple fighting power.
Giyu shuts himself off in guilt. Sanemi transforms his pain into anger. Shinobu hides it behind a smile. Muichiro forgets his past. Obanai considers himself unworthy of happiness.
Mitsuri, on the contrary, seeks to accept her differences. Rengoku chooses to transform the legacy passed down by his mother into a will to protect others.
Each of them has been deeply marked by demons, but each uses that trauma in a different way.
This is largely what makes the Hashira so important in the story of Demon Slayer. They are not just super-powered warriors: they also embody the human cost of the war waged for generations against Muzan Kibutsuji.
FAQ about the Hashira of Demon Slayer
How many Hashira are there in Demon Slayer?
At the beginning of the main story, nine Hashira make up the elite of the Demon Slayer Army: Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, Shinobu Kocho, Tengen Uzui, Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima.
What does Hashira mean?
The Japanese word Hashira (柱) literally means "pillar". The term refers to the most powerful fighters of the Demon Slayer Army.
Who is the Water Hashira?
The Water Hashira is Giyu Tomioka. He masters Water Breathing and has developed an eleventh form called Dead Calm.
Who is the Flame Hashira?
The Flame Hashira is Kyojuro Rengoku, one of the central characters of the Mugen Train arc.
Who is the strongest Hashira?
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, is presented as one of the most powerful fighters among the Hashira of this generation. His physical strength, senses, experience, and combat mastery put him at an exceptional level.
Who is the youngest Hashira?
Muichiro Tokito is among the youngest Hashira and stands out for his exceptionally rapid progress, which testifies to his immense talent.
Why doesn't Shinobu use her katana like the other Hashira?
Shinobu does not possess the physical strength required to easily decapitate demons. She therefore uses a blade specially designed to inject them with a wisteria-based poison.
Why is Tengen Uzui no longer a Hashira?
After his fight in the Entertainment District, Tengen suffered serious injuries, including the loss of an arm and an eye. He then decided to retire from active duty while continuing to support the Demon Slayer Corps.
What are the Breathing Styles used by the nine Hashira?
The nine Hashira use the Breathing Styles of Water, Flame, Insect, Sound, Love, Mist, Serpent, Wind, and Stone, respectively. Several of these styles are themselves derived from the fundamental breathing forms in the Demon Slayer universe.
The Hashira, true symbols of Demon Slayer
The Hashira of Demon Slayer are among the most memorable characters in Koyoharu Gotouge's work.
Giyu represents mastery and guilt, Rengoku willpower, Shinobu intelligence and vengeance, Tengen experience, Mitsuri self-acceptance, Muichiro raw talent, Obanai sacrifice, Sanemi rage, and Gyomei power combined with compassion.
But despite their differences, they all share the same goal: to protect humans and put an end to the reign of Muzan Kibutsuji.
Throughout the various arcs, their role becomes increasingly important, leading up to the decisive confrontations against the Upper Moons and Muzan.
It is precisely this combination of spectacular techniques, tragic backstories, and unique personalities that has made the Hashira some of the most popular characters in the entire Demon Slayer universe.