Demon Slayer: 10 Best Swordsmen, Ranked

Demon Slayer showcases a captivating array of swordsmen, each wielding their katana with a unique Breathing Technique that defines their fighting style. These swordsmen are the heart of the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization committed to protecting humanity from the threat of demons.

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From the fiery strikes of the Flame Hashira to the fluid movements of the Water Hashira, their mastery in swordsmanship is both an art and a fierce weapon against the nightmarish creatures that haunt their world. This list ranks the best swordsmen in Demon Slayer, examining their skills and the distinctiveness of their techniques that make them stand out.

10 Zenitsu Agatsuma

Thunder Breathing User

Zenitsu Agatsuma's Abilities

• Superhuman hearing
• Can fight after becoming unconscious
• Techniques include Thunderclap Flash and Flaming Thunder God

Zenitsu Agatsuma is a complex character known for his contrasting persona. Often seen as cowardly and crying, he's plagued by self-doubt and fear. However, when unconscious or pushed beyond his limits, Zenitsu displays profound courage and skill. His primary ability is the Thunder Breathing technique, a style of swordsmanship that mimics the speed and ferocity of lightning.

Zenitsu has mastered the First Form, called Thunderclap Flash, which allows him to move at speeds that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, his self-devised Seventh Style, Flaming Thunder God, manifests a fiery, dragon-shaped lightning, which he uses to defeat Upper Moon Six, Kaigaku.

9 Shinobu Kocho

Insect Hashira

Shinobu Kocho's Abilities:

• Sword can inject a deadly poison
• Skilled in medical expertise
• Techniques include Butterfly Dance and Dance of the Dragonfly

Shinobu Kocho is the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, known for her serene and smiling demeanor. Petite and unable to decapitate demons due to a lack of physical strength, she compensates with her intelligence, agility, and mastery of poison. Shinobu employs Insect Breathing, a technique that mimics the movements and stings of insects.

She wields a unique, thin sword coated in wisteria-based poison, which paralyzes and kills demons upon entering their bloodstream. One of Shinobu's notable fights is against Doma, the Upper Moon Two demon. While she does not defeat him outright, she sacrifices herself to poison and weaken him.

8 Obanai

Serpent Hashira

Obanai's Abilities

• Blind in his right eye
• Has a snake named Kaburamaru
• Techniques include Winding Serpent Slash Slithering Serpent

Obanai is proficient in Serpent Breathing, a technique that allows him to mimic the movements and strikes of a serpent. His swordsmanship is characterized by its fluidity and unpredictability, much like the slithering of a snake, making it difficult for opponents to predict and counter his moves. His sword is uniquely curved, resembling a snake, which complements his breathing style.

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He demonstrates his combat prowess in the fight against Muzan Kibutsuji, the series' main antagonist. Obanai's skills and determination allow him to inflict significant damage on Muzan. Even when severely injured, Obanai continues to fight, showcasing the strength of his spirit and his dedication as a Hashira.

7 Tengen Uzui

Sound Hashira

Tengen Uzui's Abilities

• A former ninja
• Enhanced hearing with echolocation
• Techniques include Roar and String Performance

Tengen Uzui is the flamboyant character and Sound Hashira, who stands out with his striking appearance and exuberant personality. Uzui's unique Sound Breathing technique, derived from his shinobi background and Thunder Breathing, allows him to fight using sound waves and enhanced hearing to read opponents' movements.

He wields dual cleavers that can be connected by a chain, creating a unique weapon that complements his flashy, acrobatic fighting style. In his most significant battle, Uzui faces off against Gyutaro and Daki, the demon siblings (Upper Moon Six). Utilizing his Sound Breathing, Uzui detects their movements with his superhuman hearing and launches precise, rhythm-based attacks.

6 Sanemi Shinazugawa

Wind Hashira

Sanemi Shinazugawa's Abilities

• Can manipulate his muscles to close wounds
• Has a rare blood type that can intoxicate demons
• Techniques include Sudden Gusts and Primary Gale Slash

Sanemi Shinazugawa is the volatile and fierce Wind Hashira. Recognized for his scar-covered visage and wild, aggressive demeanor, Sanemi is deeply driven by a personal vendetta against demons. He wields the Wind Breathing technique, which harnesses the power of wind to create powerful, slicing attacks that can cut through demons with incredible force.

His swordplay is as fierce as his personality, characterized by relentless assaults and unpredictable, gusty maneuvers. One of Sanemi's most notable battles is against Kokushibo, the Upper-Rank One demon, who was once a legendary Demon Slayer himself. In this intense confrontation, Sanemi's Wind Breathing is pushed to its limits.

5 Muichiro Tokito

Mist Hashira

Muichiro Tokito's Abilities

• Youngest Hashira
• Can sense the aura of demons
• Techniques include Rapid Slashes and Thrust Attacks

Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, is a prodigious talent with an air of absent-mindedness. Despite his young age, Muichiro's exceptional skills earned him the Hashira title. He is a master of Mist Breathing, which allows him to create and manipulate mist to disorient his opponents and camouflage his movements.

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His swordsmanship is fluid and unpredictable, much like the mist itself, enabling him to launch surprise attacks from various angles. In a defining battle, Muichiro faces Gyokko, the Upper Moon Five. His Mist Breathing techniques, coupled with his quick learning ability and adaptability, enable him to counter Gyokko's bizarre and deadly arts.

4 Mitsuri Kanroji

Love Hashira

Mitsuri Kanroji's Abilities

• Uses a whip-like sword
• Eight times stronger than a human
• Techniques include Love Pangs and Swaying Love, Wildclaw

Mitsuri Kanroji is a beloved character and Love Hashira, known for her extraordinary strength. Mitsuri is characterized by her unusually flexible and muscular body, which is a result of her rare genetic composition that gives her eight times the muscle density of a normal human. Mitsuri's swordsmanship style is Love Breathing, a technique she developed derived from Flame Breathing.

Her unique, whip-like sword allows her to perform powerful and swift strikes. Mitsuri's notable combat achievements include her fight against Hantengu, the Upper Moon Four. Although she does not defeat Hantengu alone, her contributions significantly weaken the demon and pave the way for his eventual defeat.

3 Kyojuro Rengoku

Flame Hashira

Kyojuro Rengoku's Abilities

• Has demon-level strength
• Mastered Total Concentration Breathing
• Techniques include Flame Tiger and Rengoku

Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, is a character of unwavering integrity. He is known for his relentless optimism, sense of justice, and contagious enthusiasm that inspires those around him. Kyojuro is a master of Flame Breathing, a technique that allows him to execute attacks with the ferocity and unpredictability of fire.

His swordsmanship is powerful and precise, marked by explosive bursts of speed and strength that can overwhelm opponents. Aboard the Mugen train, Kyojuro's most significant battle takes place against Akaza, the Upper-Rank Three demon. Rengoku displays a variety of techniques, such as the Flame Tiger and Ninth Form, Rengoku.

2 Giyu Tomioka

Water Hashira

Giyu Tomioka's Abilities

• Powerful swordsman
• Immense speed and reflexes
• Techniques include Water Surface Slash and Dead Calm

Giyu Tomioka is the stoic and introspective Water Hashira. He is a man of few words and strong principles, valuing action. Giyu is proficient in Water Breathing, a technique that channels the form and flow of water, allowing for smooth, powerful, and adaptable swordsmanship. He wields these abilities with precision and calm, befitting his composed personality.

A defining moment for Giyu is his battle against the demon Rui to protect Tanjiro. Giyu employs the eleventh form of Water Breathing, which is a calm, steady stance that counters the demon's ferocious attacks and severs Rui's head before he has time to regenerate.

1 Tanjiro Kamado

Water And Sun Breathing User

Tanjiro Kamado's Abilities

• Mastered 10 Water Breathing Forms
• Unlocked Bright Red Nichirin Sword
• Techniques include Flowing Dance and Constant Flux

Tanjiro Kamado is our #1 pick and the protagonist of Demon Slayer, whose life changes tragically when demons slaughter his family and his sister Nezuko is turned into one. Tanjiro's primary technique is Water Breathing; however, he later adopts the Hinokami Kagura (Dance of the Fire God), a breathing style passed down through his family.

Tanjiro's swordsmanship is dynamic and versatile, allowing him to adapt to various opponents. During the Infinity Castle arc, Tanjiro faces Upper Moon Three Akaza, where he unleashes the powerful Thirteenth Form, known as the Sun Breathing Style. This forces Akaza to unleash his most powerful techniques, providing an opening for Giyu to kill Akaza.

NEXT: Strongest Demon Slayer Characters, Ranked