Key Takeaways
- Hashira training highlights distinct martial styles embodying individual personality traits.
- Encounters with Hashira like Giyu, Rengoku, and Shinobu reveal insights into character traits.
- Each Hashira imparts unique lessons: precision from Giyu, passion from Rengoku, strategy from Shinobu, and more.
Anime characters often get intertwined with their growth over the means by which they may confront things. One could say, in Demon Slayer, that Hashira-or the elite corps of Demon Slayers-embody this tenet: their training regimes are a testament to their unique personalities and strong suits. Each Hashira differs in fighting style and persona; it can easily be noted within every interaction with others and the way he goes about his role of protector from demons. These characters, especially as the arc of hashira training unfolds, show how their unique traits are translated into training, giving viewers more developed insight into the characters.
The Hashira, shown as the strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps, were a group of powerful individuals who projected unique traits, abilities, and philosophies. They are feared and respected at the same time by comrades and foes alike, as each Hashira shows off different elements of combat mastery, such as fire, water, or mist. As the series goes on, more of their personalities and fighting styles come into view, most notably during the Hashira Training Arc, wherein their distinct traits would show in their respective training methods. This arc allows the audience to see how the characters grow and develop in their roles of mentors, shaping not only themselves but also the new demon slayers like Tanjiro.
Water Hashira: Giyu Tomioka
The Lone Wolf
At first, Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, was introduced as a stern, silent man who mostly had a poker face that showed nothing. His quiet reserve and calmness gave the impression of distance, but such a man had an unshakable concept of duty. His fighting style, Water Breathing, will be remembered with the same calm precision and relied on smooth, flowing movements to conserve strength and wear the opponents out.
Even if something does happen, my heart will never waver. We are the nine strongest swordsmen in our organization. The literal ‘Hashira’ of the Demon Slayer Corps. That is why we will never forget who we wield our swords for and who we are protecting. There are things that must be supported. So the Hashira must act as Hashira. – Giyu Tomioka
Giyu’s training methods were expectedly composed during the Hashira Training Arc. He focused more on refining the breathing technique of the new demon slayers so that they could really master control over their breathing forms. Giyu had been training with clarity of mind and precision of movement, teaching Tanjiro and the rest to be clear-headed under duress and to fight efficiently, not necessarily with brute force. This approach also fitted with his fighting style well, based on the element of water, which he considers to be all about fluidity and adapting to situations.
Flame Hashira: Kyojuro Rengoku
Unwavering Optimism and A Fiery Determination
Flame Hashira—Kyojuro Rengoku was a high-energy, optimistic warrior who had an inner passion for protecting the weak. His personality is as fiery as his Flame Breathing techniques, and the positivity thereof is infecting. Rengoku was a natural leader who inspired courage and devotion in others. These earned him a place as one of the most popular Hashira. He was also the one to train Mitsuri Kanroji, and she turned out to be an insanely powerful and determined hashira.
Helping the weak is the responsibility of the strong that’s what my departed mom taught me! I bet you’ll surpass me in sword fighting eventually! Your strength, flexibility, and unusual hair color…can attract demon’s attention and cheer people up! Above all, you have a loving heart ! So I’m happy and proud to be your trainer! – Kyojuro Rengoku
Rengoku persisted with training physical endurance and stamina. In his opinion, a demon slayer must always be resolved to overcome everything with his body, soul, and spirit. His intensive bodily exercises, which had pushed the limits of new demon slayers, taught him how never to give in, even when their bodies are very exhausted. The enthusiasm and relentless determination of Rengoku showed up in his mindset, which influenced Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu even after his death to have the same drive to save others at all costs.
Insect Hashira : Shinobu Kocho
The Calming Healer with a Deadly Sting
First introduced, Shinobu Kocho the Insect Hashira was a nice and soft figure when speaking with a smile on her face. However, much beneath this calm exterior lay a sharp intellect with a deadly warrior inside. The sword of Kocho Shinobu is such an odd and magnificent armament; everything about the tool has been attributed to her personality. The actual sword is full of elegance, bearing a slender blade with a hilt shaped like a butterfly, which both come across as representing Shinobu’s style of combat. Using the poison on the blade shows one’s dedication to one’s family and to her, an out-of-the-box approach to slaying demons. Her kind nature masked a strategic mind, one that relied on intelligence and tact rather than brute strength.
How can you feel sorry for something that’s killed humans? I’ve never heard of anything so absurd. But if that was how my sister truly felt, then I must carry it on. If there’s a way not to kill these pitiful demons, I have to keep trying to come up with it. Without ever extinguishing the smile my sister said she loved… – Shinobu Kocho
The training methods of Shinobu were based on agility and reflex during the Hashira Training Arc. She drove the new demon slayers to be quick in their movements, to be efficient enough that they could dodge and retaliate with swiftness and precision. In addition, her training involved using one’s intellect to outsmart enemies, much as she approached combat with her breathing techniques related to insects. Shinobu taught the importance of thinking strategically in battle-that one needn’t possess raw strength to win a battle.
Sound Hashira: Tengen Uzui
Flashiness, Tactics and Sensory Awareness
The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, had finally appeared with great vigor and loudness in his introduction to being flashy in his clothes and fighting style. But behind this boisterous demeanor, he was an extremely tactical and really smart fighter who used his enhanced sense of the slightest movements of enemies and set strategic advantages in battles.
Do I look like someone with any talent? […] See, this country is vast. It’s teeming with people who’d blow your mind. Some are complete enigmas. Some can take up a sword and become a Hashira in two months. Me, chosen? Don’t give me that crap! Just how many lives do you think I’ve let slip through my fingers until now? – Tengen Uzui
This makes his training during the Hashira Training Arc just as flashy as his personality. Tengen’s idea of training focused on sensory training, building up the reflexes and awareness of new demon slayers. His exercises included sharpening their ability to detect very minute movements and sounds, even teaching them how to anticipate an attack before they saw it. Tengen’s training was for the development of all-round sensory perception, much like his own Sound Breathing, the very technique which allowed him to outclass his opponents in every available advantage on the battlefield.
Love Hashira: Mitsuri Kanroji
Strength and Flexibility With A Mix of Flirting
Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, was depicted as soft and gentle in nature. However, she was a muscular lady whose physical strength was quite incomparable and contradicted her gentle nature. She is emotionally deep, which her breathing technique of love reflects by using flexibility and grace in order to deliver strong strikes. Despite being delicate in nature, Mitsuri is one of the strongest, and no Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki, let alone any ordinary demon, stood a chance against her.
In the Demon Slayer Corps, everyone valued me. The people I saved from demons thanked me with tears in their eyes[…] Is it okay for a girl to be this strong? I still worry that someone may ask that, as though I’m not human. In my fear, I was suppressing my strength. But not anymore. Leave this to me. I will protect everyone. – Mitsuri Kanroji
In the Hashira Training Arc, Mitsuri had to polish her agility and physical strength. Her practice included many difficult exercises that required flexibility and balance in order to make the new demon slayers graceful but powerful at every strike. According to Mitsuri, emotional strength can fuel the physical one, and that is why she tries to help students find their own inner strength and channel it into their combat techniques.
Mist Hashira: Muichiro Tokito
The Quiet Genius with Silent Determination
Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, initially came off as unreachable and standoffish in his demeanor. His Mist Breathing style was elusive and difficult to predict, much like his own personality. Muichiro very much seemed to be in a world of his own, but once it came to fighting, he was in fact quite well-focused; his evasive movements managed to outmaneuver enemies so he could strike with precision.
Even the strongest attacks are pointless if they don’t hit. – Muichiro Tokito
Muichiro’s training in the Hashira Training Arc was about evasion and focus. He showed the new demon slayers how to be elusive during the fight, using the environment to their advantage and avoiding direct confrontation when not necessary. The training drills he conducted were meant to whet both the mind and body and make his students develop a quiet, unshakable focus that would see them through during battle. Muichiro’s training encourages spontaneity, fluid movements-much like the mist he uses.
Serpent Hashira: Obanai Iguro
The Silent Observer with Deadly Precision
Obanai Iguro is the Serpent Hashira and one of the more enigmatic figures among the Hashira. He was introduced as a very serious and almost cold individual who hardly opens his mouth to let others know his thoughts and emotions. However, with the snake-breathing technique, he is one of the most effective and deadly fighters ever-really quick at precision, swift strikes.
I want to die defeating Muzan, and I pray that it will purify my filthy blood. Then, if I am reborn as a human being in a peaceful world without demons, I will tell you of my feelings for you. – Obanai Iguro
Agility and evasion are the focal points in Obanai’s training during the Hashira Training Arc. He orders his trainees to move fluidly, like a serpent, with precision. He would say, as always, that he wanted them to dodge and counterattack immediately. His way of training fully revealed his style of combat: sudden, fast, and deadly accurate. Obanai’s quiet and watchful personality is mirrored in his approach to battle, where patience and observation are key.
Wind Hashira: Sanemi Shinazugawa
Tireless Strength and Anger
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, initially appeared as an aggressive and intemperate warrior, with very little patience for timidity. It was only because of his abrasive personality and relentless fighting style that Sanemi became one of the most feared Hashira, enabling him to perform brutal and unyielding Wind Breathing that truly reflected his combative nature and unyielding resolution. Though under all his brutal and mean exterior, he does care about his fellow demon slayers, especially his little brother.
Why do you think I went so far as to kill our mother? To protect you. You should have had a house somewhere and raised a family and grow old. To make up for what I couldn’t do for mother and our little brothers and little sisters, you should have had a wife and children and made them happy. And I would’ve never let a demon get near you. – Sanemi Shinazugawa
Sanemi’s training during the Hashira Training Arc is as hardcore as his personality. He pushed the new demon slayers to their limits, basically building them up to have raw strength and stamina. His approach to methods is intense physical training that gives no room for hesitation or weakness. This is an approach that grew upon him through believing that only the strongest will survive; hence, instilling in his students the importance of relentless determination and unwavering resolution before danger.
Stone Hashira: Gyomei Himejima
Unshakeable Resolution and Compassion
Gyomei Himejima is an imposing figure of a man, but is also very gentle. Being one of the largest men and one of the strongest, Gyomei was a deeply compassionate man who based his methods upon spiritual doctrine. Such unrelenting strength and solid resolution were what defined his Stone Breathing techniques, making him one of the most powerful Hashira.
The feeling of punching a living thing was like hell. I can never forget my disgust. For the first time I swung my fists with my full might—with a power frightening even to me. If a demon had never attacked… I would never have known my own strength. – Gyomei Himejima
The training he used in the Hashira Training Arc put more emphasis on mental and spiritual strength. This would then involve training exercises that pushed the emotional and mental limits of the new demon slayers to make sure that they would remain calm in all situations, even when they were in the midst of battling. Gyomei focused on inner strength and self-discipline, teaching his students that if a man comes from a place of compassion and unyielding spirit, then he is powerful, as proved by the unconquerable spirit of himself.
The Hashira Training Arc reflected their different personalities and fighting styles even further, and it reflected their strength and values in their particular training method. From Giyu’s calm precision to Rengoku’s fiery passion, each of them imparts wisdom in his own way, teaching the new demon slayers-including Tanjiro-to mature and develop as warriors. They taught the new generation how to fight the demons as their lives depend on it, but also all the qualities that have made the Hashira stand out.
