ANIME NEWS: Who is the All-Time Strongest Demon Slayer? The Story of The First Demon Slayer

• Yoriichi Tsugikuni was the most powerful demon slayer – born a prodigy with unique abilities & Demon Slayer Mark.
• Yoriichi invented Breathing Styles, including Sun Breathing, which revolutionized fighting techniques in Demon Slayer.
• Yoriichi almost killed the feared demon Muzan, instilling terror in all demons; his legacy lives on through Tanjiro posthumously.

There are many skilled fighters in Demon Slayer, and they kill demons whenever they get the chance. There are many great heroes in the series for fans to look up to, from the overmatched Hashira to the lead character Tanjiro. The greatest hero of Demon Slayer, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, may not be well known to all spectators, nevertheless.

All subsequent demon slayers came from Yoriichi, the first one. Tanjiro’s journey would have been different and Breathing Styles would not exist without him. Action, scary demon encounters, and incredible combat prowess characterize Yoriichi’s history.

He has made a few appearances in the series, including a flashback in the Entertainment District Arc. When demon Daki suddenly sees a vision of Yoriichi in this flashback, he knows it’s Muzan’s recollection of his early demon days. Though memories play a major role in Yoriichi’s presence in the narrative, this significant demon slayer’s tale is far more complex than that.

Yoriichi was born a prodigy, possessing special abilities from the moment he was born.

The hero’s power was demonstrated by the Demon Slayer Mark he bore from birth.

Five centuries after his passing, Yoriichi’s influence on the series is still felt today. He is without a doubt the most skilled and powerful demon slayer to have ever existed, and he set the path for all other demon slayers to follow. He was a born prodigy, a great talent. It was evident from the start that Yoriichi was not your typical persona, as seen by his Demon Slayer Mark, exceptional sword skills, and natural combat ability. It’s particularly intriguing that he has had a Demon Slayer Mark since birth because typically slayers don’t get these until much later in their quest.

It takes years for other characters—including Hashira—to get Demon Slayer Marks, and they frequently battle countless demons before the mark ever appears. Yoriichi’s mark, which existed from birth, was a premonition that he was unique. Those who have the Demon Slayer Mark typically pass away at an early age, yet Yoriichi astonishingly lived to be 85 years old. Apart from the mark, Yoriichi’s innate abilities increased to even greater heights as he used his innate talent throughout training. In addition to his legendary physical prowess, he was renowned for having unrivaled intelligence and insight.

Breathing Styles, Developed by Yoriichi, Are Essential to Demon Slayer

He also learned how to use Sun Breathing, which Tanjiro eventually did.

Yoriichi has acquired a wide range of abilities over his life, including strength, speed, agility, and all the other fundamental qualities required to excel as a demon slayer. But he perfected these mediocre skills to the point of almost godlike perfection. He was also a master with a Nichirin Sword, dispatching demons with ease. But his Sun Breathing method was his most amazing talent of all. Not only did Yoriichi master the Hinokami Kagura breathing technique, but he also invented Breathing Styles—a concept that is central to the Demon Slayer narrative.

Sun breathing requires a great deal of work and is not an easy style to master. It was not available for Tanjiro to utilize until he faced Rui, the Spider Son Demon. Yoriichi, the master and initial user, is still the best at using Sun Breathing even after much practice. This is just one more reason why he is the most significant and indispensable demon slayer—the other slayers would not be as capable of defeating their adversaries if he had not invented Breathing Styles. His work improved the demon-slaying profession as a whole.

Muzan Nearly Died at the Hand of Yoriichi

The monster barely evaded Yoriichi’s grasp.

The reputation Yoriichi has among the demons themselves is another important component of his character development that adds to his amazing qualities. Demon slayers are feared by most demons, and for good reason—they are a serious threat to them. But Yoriichi instills a fear in these animals that surpasses the terror a normal demon slayer could possibly cause. Even if demons have never seen the notorious demon slayer, Yoriichi terrifies them on a cellular level, as Daki’s flashback demonstrates. Though Daki had never met him, the thought of him filled her with a terrible sense of dread thanks to Muzan’s recollections.

For decades after Muzan’s death, no other demon slayer came close to doing what Yoriichi had, which was to actually fear the villain and even almost kill him. He engaged in combat with Muzan, and while the demon managed to flee, the encounter permanently terrified it of the legendary demon slayer. In fact, the terror spread to all of Muzan’s allies and fellow demons. This explains why other demons occasionally experience disorienting and frightening flashbacks of Yoriichi, making them fearful of a person they have never even met.

Even after his passing, Yoriichi’s influence on the series cannot be denied.

His actions made Tanjiro and the Hashira’s victory possible.

At the age of 85, Yoriichi was killed by Kokushibo, an Upper Rank One demon. Yoriichi was on the verge of victory in this very close duel. It’s really amazing that despite his advanced age, he could still hold his own against an Upper Rank demon. Despite Yoriichi’s passing, the series still relies heavily on him as the original originator of Sun Breathing and Breathing Styles. Without his influence, Muzan would still be spreading havoc, Tanjiro would never have become into the formidable demon slayer he is now, and Demon Slayer would not be the same as fans know it today.