Spoilers for the manga series Demon Slayer ahead of time.
A major component of Demon Slayer’s appeal is its breathing styles, which have been masterfully rendered in the anime. To be formally acknowledged, prospective Demon Slayers must train in at least one style; however, they are not limited to using many styles. There are quite a few of them—14, to be exact—and each style is distinct. Since just a handful of these characters use them throughout the entire series, those signature looks have practically become synonymous with the character.
The effectiveness of a style in combat should be taken into account, as should its versatility, which is best gauged by the quantity of known forms it can take on.
Breathing Style |
Derived From |
| Sun Breathing | Original Breathing Style |
| Water Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Moon Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Flame Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Thunder Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Stone Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Wind Breathing | Sun Breathing |
| Serpent Breathing | Water Breathing |
| Flower Breathing | Water Breathing |
| Insect Breathing | Flower Breathing |
| Love Breathing | Flame Breathing |
| Sound Breathing | Thunder Breathing |
| Beast Breathing | Wind Breathing |
| Mist Breathing | Wind Breathing |
Another factor is how hard they are to utilize; easier styles aren’t quite as striking as ones that are harder to get right.
14
Flower Breathing
Kanae Kocho and Kanao TsuyuriÂ
Shinobu’s adopted sister Kanao Tsuyuri and her teacher Kanae Kocho, the former Flower Hashira and Shinobu’s sister, also studied Flower Breathing. Unfortunately, hardly much Flower Breathing is shown in the series because Kanae dies before it starts, which contributes to its poor ranking.
It is believed that Flower Breathing originated from Water Breathing and has some characteristics in common with it. Although this style’s form numbering suggests there should be at least seven, the series only uses five, and the last form has the potential to render the user blind. Flower Breathing seems weak because Kanao doesn’t receive much attention.
13
Insect Breathing
developed and used by Shinobu Kocho
Only Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho practices Insect Breathing, a distinct form that is derived from Flower Breathing. Due to Shinobu’s stature, she is unable to physically decapitate most demons, hence this technique mainly uses poisons made from wisteria, which demons detest. There are only four known types of Insect Breathing as well, which restricts Shinobu’s options in combat. Given Shinobu’s, to put it mildly, inconsistent record against it, it appears that Insect Breathing is disadvantageous against opponents who are aware of its venoms.
12
Water BreathingÂ
Practiced by Sakonji Urokodaki, Giyu Tomioka, and Tanjiro Kamado
One of the five fundamental elemental methods is water breathing, which is used by a lot of the characters in the anime, including Tanjiro and Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka. Though “easy” is a somewhat relative phrase, it is thought to be the easiest style to master.
Other people who have been known to use water breathing include Aoi Kanzaki, Sabito, Murata, and Makomo.
The style, which has ten recognized forms and one unique form that only Tomioka knows how to employ, is based on the flow of water currents. Water breathing appears to be quite adaptable, but its power isn’t up to par.
11
Beast Breathing
developed by Inosuke HashibiraÂ
Inosuke Hashibira, the boar-headed man, is the sole one who practices the strange art of beast breathing. Since most demon slayers lack access to Nichirin Swords, Inosuke’s style is unique in that regard.
Wind Breathing’s distant progeny is Beast Breathing.
It has ten forms, though it’s debatable if they really count since Inosuke created them all with little instruction. Surprisingly, Beast Breathing may be used for non-combat purposes. Its seventh form, Spatial Awareness, allows him to detect movement even from a great distance. Although Beast Breathing lacks sophistication, it is a powerful style.
10
Flame Breathing
Practiced by Mitsuri Kanroji, Shinjuro Rengoku, and Kyojuro Rengoku
Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, is the most famous practitioner of Flame Breathing, another fundamental elemental method. There are nine different forms of Flame Breathing, but only six are visible at this time, and the ninth is said to be exclusive to Kyojuro’s family. Flame Breathing simulates the flickering, burning quality of fire.
Flame Breathing practitioners, regrettably, have a poor cinematic history, which detracts from what may otherwise be a very high score.
Flame Breathing appears to be a somewhat limited style, with no forms having any practical application outside of combat, but having some quite potent strikes. Flame Breathing practitioners, regrettably, have a poor cinematic history, which detracts from what may otherwise be a very high score.
9
Love Breathing
developed and used by Mitsuri Kanroji
Demon Slayer’s Mitsuri Kanroji is the only practitioner of the Love Breathing method, which she developed from Flame Breathing. Love Breathing appears to be a sophisticated, delicate dance with lots of stunts.
There are six kinds total, however only five are displayed. There are four offensive and one defense method. This style uses a blade that resembles a whip, therefore it’s doubtful that anybody else could master it unless they have Mitsuri’s abnormally powerful physique. For the most part of the series, Mitsuri does fairly well in combat, which highlights the potency of her technique.
8
Serpent Breathing
developed and used by Obanai Iguro
One individual, Obanai Iguro, practices a different form called serpent breathing, which is derived from water breathing. The design aims to mimic a snake’s coiling and crawling motions. There are five offensive varieties of serpent breathing. But the fifth form is particularly noteworthy since it can summon enough energy in a single swipe to decapitate several demons. Additionally, Obanai wields a highly unique sword—its blade is wavy, resembling a crawling snake. Obanai undoubtedly demonstrated his strength, and it is likely that his breathing style gave him this ability.
7
Thunder Breathing’
Practiced by Jigoro Kuwajima, Kaigaku, and Zenitsu Agatsuma
One of the fundamental elemental forms is Thunder Breathing, which is primarily used by Zenitsu Agatsuma and Kaigaku, a previous pupil. This Breathing Style enables quick movement by simulating the speed of a lightning strike. Although Zenitsu is only aware of one form, there are at least six in all, in addition to the original that Zenitsu invented. One of Thunder Breathing’s greatest advantages is its extreme speed, which Zenitsu has demonstrated can be used to launch a dozen or more assaults in a single movement. It’s one of the more potent styles because it’s hard to counter.
6
Wind Breathing
by Masachika Kumeno and Sanemi Shinazugawa
Another fundamental elemental style is Wind Breathing, which is primarily practiced by the Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa. It gives assaults more force and speed by using whirling, spinning motions akin to those of a cyclone. It comes in nine forms, the majority of which are offensive, while one form can be used defensively as well. It’s an unexpectedly fierce style that fits a slayer obsessed with combat like Sanemi. When executed by a skilled practitioner, Sound Breathing Style can be extremely potent as it is intended to eliminate opponents rapidly.
5
Sound BreathingÂ
developed and used by Tengen Uzui
Tengen Uzui is the only one who uses Sound Breathing, which is a variation of Thunder Breathing. As the name implies, it uses loud noises, and Sound Breathing can be useful in disrupting an opponent’s focus. There are only three known varieties of Sound Breathing, and only one of them can be used defensively. Tengen’s unique Nichirin, which consists of two tiny, knife-like blades connected by a chain, is also utilized in this style. In order to further intensify the effect of this approach, he also incorporates actual bombs into it.
4
Mist Breathing
 by Muichiro Tokito
Muichiro Tokito is the only one who uses Mist Breathing, which is a variation of Wind Breathing. The technique is based on the ability of mist or fog to obscure one’s movements and trick the opponent. There are seven variations of Mist Breathing, one of which was created by Tokito.
If ever a feat could be accomplished, Tokito’s use of Mist Breathing allowed him to slay an Upper Rank demon by himself. When battling alone, as Demon Slayers frequently do, Mist Breathing’s ability to confuse enemies is incredibly useful.
3
Stone Breathing
by Gyomei Himejima
The final fundamental elemental style that Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima practices is called Stone Breathing. With numerous assaults utilizing the ground in some kind, it is modeled after the stability of stone and dirt.
The most balanced of them is Stone Breathing, which has five known forms that cover both offense and defense. Gyomei’s tactics are quite unique since his Nichirin weapon is an odd axe attached to a mace. Gyomei’s Stone Breathing forms play a significant role in his reputation as the strongest Hashira in Demon Slayer.
2
Moon BreathingÂ
developed and used by Kokushibo
The five elemental styles are all descended from a single original style, however it turns out that Moon Breathing is another style that is descended from the original. The Upper One demon Kokushibo, a former Demon Slayer who gave up his humanity to live a longer life, is the only one that uses moon breathing.
Kokushibo never passed this method on to anyone else as a result. Moon Breathing possesses at least 16 distinct forms, and it’s possible that he has more that he hasn’t utilized due to his extensive training over hundreds of years. That’s a power worthy of a top-level demon, and it explains nicely how Kokushibo rose through the ranks to become Muzan’s right-hand man.
1
Sun Breathing
practiced by Sumiyoshi Kamado, Tanjiro Kamado, Tanjuro Kamado, and Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
There used to be just one Breathing Style—known as Sun Breathing—for defeating demons. Yoriichi Tsugikuni invented it, but his apprentices found it too challenging to grasp. He assisted them in developing their individual styles, which eventually evolved into the several elemental styles. All of these elemental techniques, meanwhile, only make up a minor portion of Sun Breathing as a whole.
Fans have witnessed the potency of Tanjiro’s Sun Breathing technique, which is also used in Hinokami Kagura. Sun Breathing is undoubtedly the strongest Breathing Style in Demon Slayer since it is the “true” Breathing Style, whose effectiveness and strength are practically unquestionable.
Demon Slayer is available from MANGA Plus and Viz Media.
