As fans await the new season of Demon Slayer, some of them might become curious about the new stories that might be unveiled and what the Hashira Training Arc holds in store for them. This arc features the harsh training that every member of the Demon Slayer Corps, including the Hashira, undergoes to become stronger and prepare themselves for the coming of Kibutsuji Muzan in his hunt to find Nezuko and assimilate with her.
This arc focuses more on Tanjiro picking up new information about the remaining Hashira that have yet to see much screen time and getting more insights into them and their unique breathing techniques. However, most of the said techniques will not debut until the Final Battle Arc. With that in mind, here are some of the new breathing styles to be introduced in the Hashira Training Arc.
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The following entries contain heavy manga spoilers. Proceed with caution.
4 Flower Breathing
Subtle Yet Deadly
The Flower Breathing style is based on the blossoming of flowers and fruits. The user derives it from first studying the water breathing technique, and then incorporating it into the movements obtained from watching said blossoms. The first known user of this style was Kanae Kocho, the Flower Hashira, who died at the hands of one of the Upper Moon Demons, although she was not the one who invented the style. Kanao Tsuyuri eventually picked up the technique and made it her own under the tutelage of the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, Kanae’s little sister.
The forms and techniques are reminiscent of the insect breathing style, as they are both filled with graceful movements that rely more on technique and agility than sheer strength. This style is also unique in the sense that it can be used to greatly improve the user's vision, taking it to superhuman levels; however, this can result in a gradual loss of vision. This breathing style has seven techniques; however, only five are known. The first and third have never been used, and the seventh is the final one.
3 Wind Breathing
Aggressive Like The Raging Winds
This breathing style is based on the movement of air, and it is fairly obvious in the user’s movements while utilizing its forms. Ironically, it is not the calm, defensive movements fans might expect to see, but more aggressive and turbulent movements of air currents like whirlwinds, mainly used to go on the offensive. This involves a lot of rotations used to imitate a typhoon and generate slashing attacks with increased range. It's reminiscent of the Jigen-ryu for fans who are enthusiastic about real-life sword styles, as it also encourages high stances and going on the offensive to get the first strike.
This style is a direct derivative of the Sun Breathing Style. It was created because Yoriichi’s student did not have the innate ability needed to bring out the style, so he was taught a style that leveraged his strength and personality. This eventually became the Wind Breathing Style. The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and his deceased close friend Masachika Kumeno, are the two characters known to use this breathing style.
2 Serpent Breathing
Silent And Slithery
Obanai Iguro, the current Serpent Hashira, is one of few characters in Demon Slayer to create their own breathing technique. AS the name implies, he got it from observing how snakes move in slithering patterns and replicating them with his sword to create techniques and forms. This breathing style also mandates the use of a flexible blade that is shaped to represent the body structure of a snake, much like love breathing. Both forms require the blade to twist and bend like a serpent, often attacking from blindspots rather than slashing directly.
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The style also incorporates some of the movements and sword techniques that can be seen in the Water Breathing Style, just like the Flower Breathing Style, and is a derivative of it. It has only five known forms.
1 Stone Breathing
The Most Well-Rounded Breathing Style
Much like other breathing styles, Stone Breathing is based on the rigidity and sturdiness of stone. The users incorporate it into their movements and using it to create fighting techniques and forms. Like the creator of Wind Breathing, the creator of this breathing style was also a student of the great Yoriichi Tsugukuni. They tried to learn Sun Breathing, but due to their limitations, they were not able to replicate it. They thus ended up making a breathing style that was inferior but better suited to their strengths, weaknesses, and personalities.
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, and the progenitor of the style are the only characters known to use this breathing style. They do so with a flail and an ax, so it is safe to assume that those are the only weapons that can be used in this breathing style. All five forms of this style utilize the earth beneath and around the user to launch solid attacks and create sturdy defensive stances. Mastery of the Stone Breathing Style is what makes Gyomei Himejima the consensus strongest Hashira in the series, enabling him to take on Kibutsuji Muzan and keep up with him for long portions of the final battle.
Demon Slayer
- Studio
- ufotable
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Number of Episodes
- 56+
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix
