All Of Demon Slayer’s Sun Breathing Techniques Explained

The battles of Demon Slayer are truly one-of-a-kind, featuring beautiful visuals and stylistic gore that most people won’t find in modern anime. It’s easy to see how Demon Slayer has managed to depose One Piece as one of the highest-selling manga of all time. Every Breathing technique present in this show is a thing of beauty, allowing talented demon slayers to even the odds against imposing demons and take them out using a wealth of flashy swordsmanship techniques.

However, there’s one particular technique in this regard that anime fans are getting to know a lot about in the recent arcs — the amazing Hinokami Kagura technique, known more colloquially as the Sun Breathing technique. While viewers have seen many glimpses of this technique in the anime, the true depths of this technique are yet to be explored. Those who can’t wait to find out more about this breathing style should make it a point to learn about all Sun Breathing forms and why manga fans can’t get enough of the beautiful Hinokami Kagura.

Updated September 9, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra: Demon Slayer is one of the greatest shonen anime of all time that fans can’t get enough of. Ufotable has done an amazing job of animating what could’ve been a by-the-numbers series, turning it into a worldwide phenomenon so legendary that the upcoming Infinity Castle release is shaping up to be the biggest cinematic spectacle of this decade.

Along with the many amazing fights the Hashira and Upper Rank Demon Moons will get into, everyone is looking forward to Tanjiro’s Sun Breathing and the new heights he can reach with this technique. Suffice it to say, fans are salivating at the prospect of seeing the protagonist bring the heat against the toughest demon in the series.

Warning! Spoilers Ahead!

Sun Breathing 101

When Tanjiro was fighting for his life against Rui, he realized that his Water Breathing skills simply weren’t up to the mark when it came to dealing with such a powerful foe. As a result, he was forced to look back on his past and remember a certain dance passed down in his family that could be interpreted as a breathing technique.

This led to Tanjiro unwittingly using Sun Breathing for the first time, allowing him to get the upper hand against Rui. It was a great moment that solidified Tanjiro as a powerful Demon Slayer who could attain the skills required to beat Muzan down once and for all. That being said, there’s still some time left before Tanjiro faces off against Muzan and whips out all Sun Breathing forms.

Sun Breathing is considered to be the originator of all breathing techniques, which is perhaps why it’s one of the most powerful breathing techniques around. This breathing style is part of the Kamado family’s legacy and is taught from generation to generation, with the father teaching the move to their son. The chosen practitioner of the Sun Breathing style also does a ritual dance in the new year as a tribute to the Fire God. Once Tanjiro manages to master all Sun Breathing forms, there’s no telling what heights his power may reach in Demon Slayer.

First Form: Dance

A Powerful Slash Made Even Stronger With The Use Of Thunder Breathing

• Manga Debut: Chapter 40
• Anime Debut: Episode 19

The simplest Sun Breathing technique on this list is a high-powered slash. Tanjiro unwittingly pulls off this move during his fight against Rui, marking the first instance of him using the Sun Breathing technique. It’s a sign of things to come and proves that Tanjiro is more than just a one-trick pony. The manner in which he builds upon this move is impressive, something that fans get to see during the Swordsmith Village arc.

Variation: Dancing Flash

Tanjiro expanded on this move with the Dancing Flash, combining this technique with Thunderclap and Flash to allow for a blisteringly fast slash that can absolutely decimate opponents. This move might not be as fast as Zenitsu’s Thunderclap and Flash, but it is still extremely powerful when executed correctly.

Given how powerful Zenitsu is, it’s easy to see why Tanjiro was inspired by his friend to form this variation in the first place. It’s a testament to how much he respects his friends that he would improve upon the first form in such a manner — an art that Zenitsu has honed to a T.

Second Form: Clear Blue Sky

A 360-Degree Slash

• Manga Debut: Chapter 61
• Anime Debut: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train

The Clear Blue Sky technique is the second move that Tanjiro pulled off, this time in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. With this move, the user rotates their body to deliver a powerful 360-degree slash. Watching this move in the film and show was an absolute blast for audiences.

Poetically enough, the use of this technique makes it look like the Sun, further hammering in the resonance of this technique with Sun Breathing. It’s clear to see why Enmu was finally defeated after one of the toughest battles Tanjiro has engaged in. Ufotable should be commended over and over again for making the animation of this move so beautiful that fans could believe that Tanjiro had become strong enough to behead the Lower Rank One Demon Moon, which is no mean feat.

Third Form: Raging Sun

Two Powerful Horizontal Slashes That Can Be Used For Both Attack And Defense

• Manga Debut: Chapter 77
• Anime Debut: Episode 38

All Sun Breathing forms are a blast to witness firsthand, and the third form is no exception to this golden rule. Both the Demon Slayer anime and the manga do a great job of showing off just how powerful this technique is, even though it may seem rather simple at first glance.

Raging Sun is a simple yet powerful attack that unleashes two powerful horizontal slashes. This move can be used for either attack or defense, making it incredibly versatile. The way this move negated Daki’s fatal obi attacks is a testament to the effectiveness of Sun Breathing, especially since Tanjiro was using these attacks when he had yet to master the true power of this breathing style.

Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun

A Circular Slash Envelops The Area Around The User

• Manga Debut: Chapter 81
• Anime Debut: Episode 39

Just like the Raging Sun, this particular Sun Breathing move can also be used for both attack and defense. However, the manner in which this attack is carried out makes it even more powerful.

Unlike the two horizontal slashes of the Raging Sun, this technique allows for a circular slash that completely covers the area around the user. This makes Burning Bones, Summer Sun a perfect move to both dish out some pain and defend from blows, too. It was the perfect move for Tanjiro to pull out when he needed to pressure Daki while also avoiding her obi attacks, with his awakened Demon Slayer Mark being so intimidating that Daki feared for her life after being overwhelmed.

Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation

The Momentum Of A Backflip Is Used To Deliver A Powerful Slash

• Manga Debut: Chapter 152
• Anime Debut: N/A

The Setting Sun Transformation is easily one of the most flamboyant Sun Breathing techniques around. The movement of this technique involves a backflip to build up momentum. Following this, the user delivers a powerful slash, using this momentum to great effect.

With the right application, this technique can easily dismember and decapitate lesser enemies. It’s easy to see why manga fans can’t wait for this technique to be adapted, especially given the epic moment when this technique is shown in all its beautiful splendor. The Infinity Castle movie will show Ufotable throw all their money into this single scene as Tanjiro gets his much-awaited revenge for Rengoku’s demise.

Sixth Form: Solar Heat Haze

The Sword Strikes Enemies, Making Them Believe The Blade Is Yet To Hit

• Manga Debut: Chapter 149
• Anime Debut: N/A

This is easily one of the most clever Sun Breathing techniques around. It involves a sword slash covered in a haze that seems easy to avoid. However, that’s where the Solar Heat Haze proves to be quite damaging.

The haze covering the blade is meant to distract enemies from the fact that the blade has already slashed them, making them dodge the blow well after it has already struck them. It’s one of the best moves a Sun Breathing user can employ to bamboozle their enemies and inflict substantial damage to them.

Seventh Form: Beneficent Radiance

The User Spirals Into The Air, Coming Down With A Deadly Slash

• Manga Debut: Chapter 191
• Anime Debut: N/A

Sun Breathing is a powerful technique, and incorporating a move that gives the enemy no chance of escape makes it even more powerful. This is precisely what Beneficient Radiance aims to accomplish. This technique involves the user spiraling into the air while unleashing a powerful blade strike.

The force behind this move is so immense that it can completely envelop an enemy and spell their doom. Only the most accomplished Sun Breathing users can use this technique to lay waste to their foes, with Tanjiro showing the immense effectiveness of his training by pulling this move off in a high-stakes battle against Muzan without a hitch. It’s easy to see why the Demon King, even in his transformed state, was rattled by Tanjiro’s mastery over Sun Breathing.

Eighth Form: Sunflower Thrust

A Powerful Stabbing Attack Meant To Impale Enemies

• Manga Debut: Chapter 106
• Anime Debut: Episode 47

A litany of impressive moves has already been discussed on this list. In comparison to all that, the Sunflower Thrust seems almost mundane in comparison. However, the power of this move should not be understated.

True to its name, the Sunflower Thrust delivers a powerful stabbing attack with the point of the blade to impale enemies. Since Sun Breathing is one of the most powerful techniques in the series, it’s easy to see why this simple stabbing motion can damage a demon heavily, injuring them and possibly leaving an opening for Tanjiro to follow up with a fatal blow.

Ninth Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance

The User Channels The Aura Of A Flame-Wreathed Dragon

• Manga Debut: Chapter 113
• Anime Debut: Episode 49

The Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance is easily one of the flashiest Sun Breathing moves on this list. The impressive name itself should be indicative of just how powerful this move is.

With this move, the user lets loose a single continuous attack in the same vein as Constant Flux. Fittingly enough, this attack takes the form of a flame-coated dragon that can decapitate multiple enemies in one go.

Tenth Form: Fire Wheel

The User Jumps Behind An Enemy And Strikes With A Circular Sword Slash

• Manga Debut: Chapter 77
• Anime Debut: Episode 38

There are several wheel-themed attacks present across multiple Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer. However, the Fire Wheel attack of the Sun Breathing style boasts one unique difference.

Unlike the other attacks that are pretty direct without any fancy movement, the Fire Wheel technique mandates the user to jump behind the enemy to flank them before unleashing this circular sword attack. It’s an attack befitting a rousing action manga. The fact that Tanjiro’s natural aptitude for using this technique allowed him to whip out the Tenth Form against Enmu to finish him off proves why he’s such a powerful Hashira.