Demon Slayer's Entertainment District arc was another great example of the show's quality. The arc focused on Tengen Uzui, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke as they tried to find Uzui's three wives. The group faced off against two extremely strong demons, who were a part of the Twelve Moons.
This was the second Demon Slayer arc, which focused on a Hashira fighting against a formidable demon. The Hashira involved in the Entertainment District arc, Tengen Uzui, is an interesting character, and has drawn comparisons to Kyojuro Rengoku, the former Flame Hashira, who died in the Mugen Train arc. Both of them are exceptional in their respective ways, but who comes out on top when they go head-to-head?
7 Strength: Tengen
Rengoku was an elite fighter with immense strength. He was able to fight Akaza, who was a member of the Upper-Rank Three. Even after sustaining serious injuries, Rengoku still had enough power to hold down Akaza, and was able to send Akaza fling into the forest with a single slash.
On the other hand, Tengen was able to wield two Nichirin cleavers, which are extremely heavy. He was ranked second in an arm-wrestling contest, with only Gyomei being able to best him. Furthermore, even after losing his left hand and being poisoned, Tengen still had enough strength to fight Gyutaro. In terms of strength, Tengen is the superior Hashira.
6 Breathing: Rengoku
Breathing Styles are important for all Demon Slayers, as they enable them to fight against eventhe strongest demons. Rengoku used Flame Breathing, which is one of the oldest forms of Breathing. Rengoku showed the power of Flame Breathing in the Mugen Train arc, where he was able to push Akaza to the extreme.
In comparison, Tengen uses Sound Breathing, which he created himself. This Breathing Style utilizes Tengen's heightened hearing, and it allows him to read his opponent's movements better and swing his sword more efficiently. At his peak, Tengen was able to completely surprise Gyutaro with his Sound Breathing. However, Sound Breathing is extremely limited and tough to use, especially without having heightened senses. Flame Breathing is easier and more versatile, and a better option in most circumstances.
5 Speed: Tengen
Rengoku's fight in the Mugen Train arc showed his incredible speed and reflexes. He was able to match Akaza's speed, and his movements were so fast that it was almost impossible for the naked eye to keep up.
Tengen, meanwhile, is the fastest runner out of all the Hashira. With his speed, he is able easily able to produce incredible reflexes, enabling him dodge attacks that would be impossible for others to avoid. Furthermore, he was able to behead Daki so quickly that she couldn't even comprehend what happened. Tengen's incredible speed allowed him to counter Gyutaro's barrage of attacks. Tengen's speed also helped him to save others around him quite easily.
4 Durability: Tengen
Both the Hashira are extremely close in terms of durability. Rengoku sustained major injuries in his fight against Akaza, but he was still able to keep him at bay and prevent any harm to Tanjiro and the others. In his previous fights, Rengoku managed to survive despite being shot multiple times and suffering other wounds.
Tengen's endurance is just as good, if not better. While fighting Gyutaro, Tengen got his arm and eye sliced off by the demon, however, it didn't stop Tengen from attacking him. In addition to the physical injuries, Tengen was also poisoned. It is remarkable that Tengen was able to carry on. In terms of durability, Tengen has the edge over Rengoku.
3 Intelligence: Tengen
Intelligence plays an important role in fights, but it also comes in handy in various other situations. Rengoku showed that he was able to make smart decisions in a very short time. When Akaza used one of his special moves, Rengoku was able to figure that he would be at a disadvantage if he didn't decrease the fighting distance between him and the demon.
While Tengen appears to be flashy and dim-witted, he is actually one of the smartest characters in the series. He is a much more experienced fighter than Rengoku, and his experiences have helped him develop his techniques. Tengen was able to trick Gyutaro into believing that he was dead by stopping his heart momentarily, which gave the Demon Slayer an opening to attack him. Tengen is a very efficient fighter, and he always finds out the best strategy to take down an opponent. In terms of battle tactics and intellect, Tengen has the edge thanks to his experience.
2 Willpower: Rengoku
When all else fails, sometimes a strong will is enough to spur a character to victory. Between the two Hashira, Rengoku's willpower was truly indomitable. Even when he was fighting Akaza, one of the strongest demons in the entire series, Rengoku's spirit remained resolute. His determination earned him the admiration of Akaza, who offered Rengoku multiple chances to become one of the demons, but Rengoku remained firm.
Tengen, of course, has a strong will as well. In one particularly difficult fight, he not surrender and remained on the battlefield even after losing one of his limbs. But, Rengoku's willpower was simply superior.
1 Final Verdict: Tengen Uzui
Tengen Uzui and Kyojuro Rengoku were both very powerful Hashira. They made numerous sacrifices for the sake of others, which won't be forgotten. They both inspired the younger generation of Demon Slayers to be resolute even in the face of danger.
But, when it comes to who was the better Hashira, Tengen wins by a considerable margin. His experiences as a shinobi and as a Demon Slayer far exceeded Rengoku's, and led to him developing far superior strength, battle tactics, and techniques.