First introduced through the Hinokami Kagura that was passed down through generations of the Kamado family, Sun Breathing is the source of all other Breathing Styles in Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Invented by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, this Breathing Style played a huge role in his near-defeat of the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

Sun Breathing is especially effective on demons due to how it turns their main weakness against them. As seen in Tanjiro's use of this Breathing Style at various junctures throughout Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sun Breathing is perhaps the only weapon capable of forcing the Demon King back into a corner, but why is it such a potent force for eliminating demons?

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What Is Sun Breathing?

As the progenitor of all other Breathing Styles inDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Sun Breathing and Hinokami Kagura are said to echo the movements of the Sun itself. Consequently, it has been stated that users of Sun Breathing were taught to visualize themselves manipulating solar flames, to channel their power into its various forms and techniques.

Developed by Yoriichi Tsugikuni during Japan's Sengoku Era, Sun Breathing was his primary Breathing Style. There are 12 Forms of Sun Breathing, as well as a special Thirteenth Form which Yoriichi developed for the sole purpose of fighting Muzan. While training members of the Demon Slayer Corps, Yoriichi modified it in order to create other Breathing Styles better suited to those who could not use Sun Breathing.

In Tanjiro's case, he experienced an exponential increase in his speed, strength, and overall combat power whenever he used Hinokami Kagura. This was mainly a result of his body being more naturally attuned to this Breathing Style as opposed to the Water Breathing he was originally trained in by Sakonji Urokodaki. While it is not unusual for members of the Demon Slayer Corps to modify or switch their Breathing Style, Tanjiro's situation was unique due to the Kamado family's heritage.

Passed Down Over Generations

Since the Sengoku Era, Sun Breathing has been passed down over generations of the Kamado family in the form of a ritual dance known as the Hinokami Kagura. In Shinto traditions, Kaguras are ritual ceremonial dances that hold great cultural significance even in the present day. Within the scope of the series, the Hinokami Kagura is performed annually and comprises 12 segments that replicate the forms of Sun Breathing.

All 12 segments are repeated throughout the night from sunset to sunrise as an offering to the Fire God to ward off threats and diseases. From the time of Sumiyoshi Kamado, who was the first Kamado family member to watch Yoriichi perform Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the Hinokami Kagura has been passed down from father to son alongside a pair of Hanafuda earrings.

Harnessing The Demon King's Original Weakness

Fundamentally, Sun Breathing evokes the movements and rhythm of the Demon King's primary weakness — the Sun itself. The manner in which it augments a sword-user's basic physical conditioning is immense, although the initial strain of using this Breathing Style might be a bit hard to handle, especially if it is the Hinokami Kagura variant.

Originally, Tanjiro's use of Hinokami Kagura inDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba allowed him to surpass his physical limits and confront members of the Twelve Kizuki alongside his allies, despite only being a novice in the Demon Slayer Corps. Additionally, when Tanjiro's father, Tanjuro Kamado performed the Hinokami Kagura, he was able to dance non-stop throughout the night, without ever appearing to tire, despite suffering from a disease that made him extremely frail in his later years.

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This makes it an ideal weapon against demons when mastered, since its breathing rhythm allows the user to continue fighting without too much drain on their stamina, focusing on efficient movements executed with precision. Moreover, the fluidity and variations in the 12 forms make them extremely versatile against all types of demons.

For the most part, the lack of any set patterns in the movements of the forms, and the intensely focused and efficient sword strikes of Sun Breathing make it the most potent weapon against the regenerative powers possessed by demons. Unfortunately, users of Hinokami Kagura will initially find it hard to perform it for extended periods, as seen in how much it strained Tanjiro's body during his first few uses of this Breathing Style.

The Untold Power Of The Thirteenth Form

After encountering Muzan Kibutsuji, Yoriichi refined his swordsmanship even further, and devised an unnamed Thirteenth Form of Sun Breathing, which was created solely for the purpose of tackling the Demon King's unique physiology. Essentially, this form combines the strength of all the preceding 12 forms into a formidably fluid sequence of attacks. However, it is likely that Tanjiro still has not accessed the perfected version of Sun Breathing along with the Thirteenth Form in the anime, as performed by Yoriichi.

Such a problem could stem from flaws in how the Breathing Style's movements were passed down over generations. This is not too surprising given how Sun Breathing was thought to be lost for generations, until Tanjiro rediscovered it during his mission to Mount Natagumo in Season 1 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. As the war against the Demon King reaches a point of no return in the anime, it is certain that Sun Breathing will have a huge role to play in the battles that lie ahead once the Hashira Training concludes.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime.

Demon Slayer

Action

Adventure

Based on Koyoharu Gotouge's shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Studio

ufotable

Creator

Koyoharu Gotoge

Number of Episodes

56+

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix