Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer are unique swordsmanship techniques employing Total Concentration Breathing. Originating from Sun Breathing, the first-ever created style, these techniques are harnessed by members of the Demon Slayer Corps in combat. Each style mirrors a nature element (flame, water, wind), manifesting through movements, techniques, and weapon strikes. Demon Slayers utilizing Breathing Styles benefit from longer-ranged attacks, potentially generated by shockwaves or air pressure during swings.
Demon Slayers especially the mighty Hashiras can blend different Breathing Styles to compensate for mastery challenges. Tanjiro, unable to fully master Water Breathing or Hinokami Kagura, adeptly combines both for stronger strikes and increased stamina. Embark on a journey to comprehend the intricate world of Demon Slayer Breathing Styles, a fusion of tradition and combat mastery.
From Flame Breathing to Water Breathing, explore the myriad forms amplifying combat abilities within Demon Slayer’s captivating breathing techniques and their adept users.
Demon Slayer Breathing Styles Chart
Sun Breathing (Hinokami Kagura)
Sun Breathing, specifically Hinokami Kagura, is an exclusive technique passed down within the Kamado Family. As the first breathing technique, it serves as the progenitor for all others. The dance consists of twelve segments performed until dawn, granting the illusion of perpetual movement without exhaustion. Originated by Yoriichi Tsugikuni,
Sun Breathing was too challenging for apprentices, leading to the creation of elemental styles. Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura is a form of Sun Breathing, showcasing its formidable power and status as the “true” Breathing Style. Despite rankings, all Demon Slayer Breathing Styles are potent, with individual practitioners’ strength surpassing style rankings. Ultimately, each style contributes to the series’ allure, highlighting the uniqueness and significance of Demon Slayer’s Breathing Techniques.
Hinokami Kagura, a well-kept secret of the Kamado family, comprises 13 techniques. Unlike other styles, they are named for their movements, such as “Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance.” Although Tanjiro has yet to master it, he has begun incorporating it with his Water Breathing, noting its enhanced abilities surpassing even Water Breathing.
Every Sun Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Water Breathing
Water Breathing is one of the five fundamental elemental styles practiced by numerous characters in the series, most notably Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro himself. It is considered the easiest style to learn, although the term “easy” is highly relative. The style revolves around the flow of water currents and comprises 10 known forms, along with a special one created by Tomioka, known only to him. While Water Breathing appears versatile, it does lack in the power department.
Not only is Water Breathing directly derived from Sun Breathing, but it also has three variants of its own—Flower, Insect, and Serpent Breathing—all of which are employed by Giyu Tomioka’s fellow Hashira. It stands out as one of the more commonly-used Breathing Styles, cultivated by Sakonji Urokodaki and utilized by Tomioka, Murata, Sabito, Makomo, Tanjiro, and Aoi Kanzaki.
Water Breathing comprises 10 techniques plus the Eleventh Form, known as Dead Calm, exclusively developed and used by Tomioka. Similar to other breathing styles, Water Breathing has proven to be one of the strongest based on the developments of its users. Fans have been fortunate to witness every form used in the anime, as Tanjiro progresses towards mastering his family’s Sun Breathing style.
Every Water Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Moon Breathing
The five elemental styles all originate from one original style, and it turns out there is another style derived from this origin: Moon Breathing. Moon Breathing is a technique exclusively practiced by the Upper One demon Kokushibo, who was formerly a Demon Slayer before relinquishing his humanity in exchange for an extended life. Consequently, Kokushibo never imparted this technique to anyone else. With hundreds of years dedicated to training, Moon Breathing comprises at least 16 distinct forms, and possibly more that he never revealed or utilized. This formidable power befits a top-level demon and provides a clear explanation for how Kokushibo ascended to become Muzan’s right-hand man.
Moon Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Flame Breathing
Flame Breathing is another fundamental elemental style, notably practiced by the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. This technique involves emulating the flickering, burning nature of fire and comprises at least nine forms, although only six are witnessed, with the ninth form allegedly exclusive to Kyojuro’s family. While the style boasts powerful attacks, it appears less versatile, as none of its forms demonstrate utility outside of battle. Unfortunately, practitioners of Flame Breathing have a challenging track record on screen, impacting what could otherwise be a very high ranking.
Kyojuro Rengoku, one of the most renowned Hashira and a fan-favorite character in Demon Slayer, showcased his exceptional skills as the primary user of Flame Breathing, particularly in the recent Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Train movie.
Flame Breathing comprises nine techniques, with the ninth being a specialty of the Rengoku family. The technique leverages the movement of flames and the user’s abilities to execute intense, burning strikes. The essence of Flame Breathing lies in visualizing the manipulation of flames. Interestingly, Flame Breathing served as the foundation for the creation of Love Breathing, a technique developed by another Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, to better harness her unique muscular abilities.
All Flame Breathing Users from Demon Slayer:
Thunder Breathing
Thunder Breathing is one of the basic elemental styles, notably practiced by Zenitsu Agatsuma and his former fellow student, Kaigaku. This Breathing Style emulates the speed of a lightning strike, enabling rapid movement. While Zenitsu is acquainted with only one form, there are at least six, along with an original one created by Zenitsu himself. The remarkable speed of Thunder Breathing stands out as one of its primary strengths, as Zenitsu has demonstrated the ability to execute a dozen or more attacks in a single movement, proving its effectiveness and difficulty to defend against.
Directly descended from Sun Breathing, Thunder Breathing mimics the swiftness of lightning. Voiced by Hiro Shimono, Zenitsu Agatsuma describes it as a strength coursing through the muscles and blood vessels in the legs.
Thunder Breathing encompasses seven forms in total, yet fans have only witnessed Zenitsu’s mastery of the First Form: Thunderclap and Flash. He further developed three variations—Six Fold, Eight Fold, and God Speed—along with a Seventh Form, exclusively depicted in the manga as Honoikazuchi no Kami. This seventh form enables Zenitsu to dash forward with a single strike in the form of a yellow dragon-shaped lightning bolt.
All Thunder Breathing Users from Demon Slayer:
Stone Breathing
Stone Breathing, practiced exclusively by the Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, is the final basic elemental style. Inspired by the stability of earth and stone, it incorporates attacks using the ground. With five known forms covering both offense and defense, it is the most balanced of the elemental styles. Gyomei, wielding an unconventional axe chained to a mace, is renowned as the strongest Hashira, largely due to his mastery of Stone Breathing.
Derived from Sun Breathing, Stone Breathing’s five known forms are all mastered by the blind Gyomei Himejima, who achieved proficiency in this unique style within just two months. His blindness from birth fostered a connection with the Earth, enhancing his ability to utilize Stone Breathing effectively.
Comprising five techniques that mimic the solidity of earth and stone, Stone Breathing utilizes the ground for sturdier attacks. While its power is closely tied to Gyomei’s expertise, its uniqueness adds to the challenge of mastering this formidable technique.
Stone Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Wind Breathing
Flame Breathing is another fundamental elemental style, notably practiced by the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. This technique involves emulating the flickering, burning nature of fire and comprises at least nine forms, although only six are witnessed, with the ninth form allegedly exclusive to Kyojuro’s family. While the style boasts powerful attacks, it appears less versatile, as none of its forms demonstrate utility outside of battle. Unfortunately, practitioners of Flame Breathing have a challenging track record on screen, impacting what could otherwise be a very high ranking.
Sanemi Shinazugawa currently holds the position of Wind Hashira, specializing in Beast Breathing, a direct derivative of Sun Breathing. Beast Breathing, originating from Wind Breathing, serves as the foundational technique for Inosuke Hashibira’s later development, emphasizing a finely tuned sense of touch.
Wind Breathing stands as another fundamental elemental style, with Sanemi Shinazugawa as its primary practitioner. Characterized by swirling and rotating motions reminiscent of a cyclone, it enhances attacks with additional power and speed. The style consists of nine forms, predominantly offensive in nature, although at least one form has defensive applications. Known for its surprisingly aggressive nature, Wind Breathing aligns well with the battle-crazed approach of Sanemi. As a Breathing Style designed for swift and decisive takedowns, it proves exceptionally potent when wielded by an expert.
All Thunder Breathing Users from Demon Slayer:
Flower Breathing
Flower Breathing is a style once practiced by Kanae Kocho, the former Flower Hashira and Shinobu’s sister, and her adoptive sister and pupil, Kanao Tsuyuri. However, the limited appearance of Flower Breathing in the series, owing to Kanae’s early demise, contributes to its low rank. Derived from Water Breathing, Flower Breathing shares traits with it, and though it should have at least seven forms, only five are showcased in the series, with the final form carrying the risk of causing blindness for the user. Due to the limited focus on Kanao, Flower Breathing may appear underpowered.
As the name implies, Flower Breathing revolves around creating attacks, movements, and techniques inspired by flowers and fruits. It is one of two techniques derived from Water Breathing, the other being Serpent Breathing.
The series features two known users of Flower Breathing, Kanae Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri. Despite its ability to produce graceful movements and powerful attacks, Flower Breathing has drawbacks. Users gain the ability to perceive the world in slow motion during the breathing technique but risk long-term damage to their eyes. Given its potential harm to the user, there are more advantageous breathing techniques to master.
All Flower Breathing Users from Demon Slayer:
Serpant Breathing
Serpent Breathing is a distinctive Breathing Style that emulates serpents or snakes, specifically replicating their slithering motions in the user’s movements, techniques, and abilities. The known techniques and forms predominantly focus on twisting and bending the sword, mirroring a serpent’s sinuous movements. These attacks are indirect and meandering, capable of striking from unpredictable angles. Practitioners of Serpent Breathing also envision the manifestation of white serpents accompanying them when employing its techniques.
Presently, this unique technique is exclusively wielded by Obanai Iguro and requires the use of a twisted blade resembling an Indonesian Kris Sword, with the sword’s shape crafted to resemble the bodily structure of a snake.
Serpant Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Insect Breathing
A derivative of Water and Flower Breathing, Shinobu Kocho employs Insect Breathing, a technique she created to replicate the lethal stings and movements of insects. Her uniquely designed sword, known for its thinness and needle-like tip, mimics the function of a stinger to inject Wisteria poison into demons.
Insect Breathing comprises four techniques: Butterfly Dance, Dance of the Bee Sting, Dance of the Dragonfly, and Dance of the Centipede. Shinobu adeptly matches the movements of butterflies, dragonflies, and centipedes, incorporating the stinging speed of bees to swiftly behead her demon adversaries.
This Breathing Style mirrors insects in their lethal stings and movements, incorporating stabbing, thrusting, and shallow cuts with a specially coated or crafted sword. The goal is to inflict multiple wounds and inject various lethal wisteria-based poisons. Practitioners of Insect Breathing also visualize the manifestation of insects, primarily butterflies, when unleashing its techniques.
Insect Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Love Breathing
Among the likable Hashira in Demon Slayer, Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, stands out. She has developed a breathing style called Love Breathing, derived from Flame Breathing.
Through Love Breathing, Mitsuri achieves superhuman strength without altering her muscle mass, maintaining her agile figure. This allows her to deliver fast and impactful blows that can surprise opponents, given the disparity between her body’s appearance and the power she wields. Currently, Mitsuri is the sole user of Love Breathing in the series, as it is uniquely tailored to her body composition.
Love Breathing is a Breathing Style centered around the emotion of love, replicating it in the user’s movements, techniques, and abilities. The known techniques incorporate a rhythmic, gymnastic approach to attacks, leveraging superhuman flexibility, dexterity, and agility for wide, winding, and weaving slashes with mid-to-long range applications. Practitioners of Love Breathing also visualize the creation of pink and green sparks, along with pink lines that follow the direction of their attacks.
Love Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Sound Breathing
Sound Breathing is a unique style that mimics sound, emphasizing its disorienting loudness in the user’s movements, techniques, and abilities. Known forms utilize explosives for massive damage, combining rapid movements akin to the speed of sound with heightened hearing. Practitioners visualize themselves generating loud sounds and explosives.
The sole user, Tengen Uzui, employs the Musical Score technique, leveraging his superhuman hearing to read opponents’ movements and deconstruct them into sound for strategic strikes. Paired with anti-demon bombs, Tengen wields two gigantic Nichirin Cleavers, each with notched blades and connected by a chain. These swords possess formidable explosive power, and no demon had survived a blow until Tengen’s encounter with Upper Rank Six.
Sound Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Beast Breathing
Beast Breathing is a unique Breathing Style that mirrors the unpredictable, ferocious nature of beasts and wild animals. It replicates their movements, attacks, and senses in the user’s techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known forms involve simple, straight-forward yet wild, unpredictable, and animalistic movements and attacks. Notably, one technique utilizes the powerful sense of touch to mimic an animal’s primal senses. Practitioners of Beast Breathing visualize themselves manifesting the fangs and claw slashes of a wild animal when executing techniques.
Inosuke Hashibira personally created and self-taught this Breathing Style after living in the mountains and fighting for survival. It can be assumed that Beast Breathing is exclusive to someone with dual Nichirin katanas and an extremely acute sense of touch.
Beast Breathing User from Demon Slayer:
Mist Breathing
Mist Breathing is a distinctive Breathing Style that mimics mist, specifically focusing on the obscurity it brings. This technique replicates mist in the user’s movements, techniques, and abilities. Most, if not all, known forms involve obscure movements and attacks designed to disorient and confuse the target, akin to how a thick layer of mist obscures vision. Practitioners of Mist Breathing visualize themselves creating and manipulating mist when unleashing its techniques.
Muichiro Tokito, the sole known user of Mist Breathing, provides insight into its application. He wears baggy clothing that covers his arms and legs, aiming to conceal his movements as much as possible. It can be assumed that other users of Mist Breathing would similarly need clothing to hide their limbs, maximizing the potential of this unique Breathing Style.