Summary
TheDemon SlayerCorps is the foremost defense that humanity has against the forces of the Muzan Kibutsuji. These warriors have dedicated their lives to honing their skills in order to kill demons, with the strongest among them, the Hashira, being masters of the blade. Though the disparity in skill between them and the rest of the Corps is massive, they’re similar in the sense that they use weapons forged from the same mysterious ore.
This ore is called Nichirinand is, arguably, the most important tool in the possession of theDemon Slayers. Due to its natural affinity for absorbing sunlight, it can be seen as the perfect weapon to use against demons, which is why every weapon within the Corps is made of this powerful metal. However, not every character uses the same kinds of weapons, so let’s take a look at the most unique Nichirin weapons in the series!
Breathing Style
Beast Breathing
Inosuke is a very interesting character. Even before his formal enrollment into the Demon Slayer Corps, he was seen to have been using his serrated swords to kill demons, which work perfectly well withhis very own Beast Breathing style. This is because this style of swordsmanship perfectly mirrors his wild and beast-like combat, prioritizing ripping and shredding motions to lacerate his opponents.
I’m the King of Mountains, It’s a pleasure to meet you!
After officially becoming a Demon Slayer, Inosuke was given a set of Nichirin swords that were originally supposed to be used as they were. However, he took a rock and chipped the swords himself, much to the shock of the blacksmiths there!
Insect Breathing
Shinobu Kocho was one of the first Hashira ever seen in the series when she and Giyu saved the heroes from the Lower Moon Demon on Mount Natagumo. Here, she was seen to have arather unique sword and fighting style. Since she had a very small frame and was the physically weakest of all the Hashira, her sword was made for thrusting more than slashing or cutting.
It isn’t about whether we can or cannot do. There are things we have to do.
This is because she knew that she did not have the physical strength to cut off the heads of stronger demons like her fellow Hashira. To compensate for this, she used a unique sword that was very light and thin, seemingly missing part of its cutting edge. This was deliberate, however, since the blade carried a potent Wisteria poison that could easily kill most demons, which Shinobu used to jab her opponents with like a needle to inject it in them.
Sound Breathing
When fans first saw the towering Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui and his massive dual-Nichirin cleavers, it was tough for them to believe that this was the fastest Hashira of them all. However, Tengen uses his weapons masterfully and at blinding speeds, which he was seen to have done when he fought againstUpper Moon 6, Gyutaro, on equal grounds.
Starting now, things are going to get real flashy!
Tengen uses 2 weapons at the same time. These are essentially Nichirin cleavers that have a far wider blade than usual with a semicircular cutout that Uzui uses to trap his enemies' weapons. These weapons are generally stronger owing to their heftier size and greater weight, and both blades are connected by a chain at the end of their hilts. This design allows Uzui to use them at exceptional speed, like nunchucks!
Love Breathing
Mitsuri is the Love Hashira who usesan offshoot of Flame Breathingcalled Love Breathing. This is a style that is quite powerful and difficult to master, as it requires the user to have incredible flexibility, agility, and acrobatic prowess. To perfectly mirror such abilities, Mitsuri’s Nichirin weapon is an incredibly strange one, since its blade is very long and limp, functioning more like a whip than a sword.
You can’t change the past, but you can create a better future!
However, despite acting like this, the blade is still incredibly sharp and sturdy, making it the perfect companion to Mitsuri’s fighting style. Due to her strength and acrobatic skills, her fighting style acts similarly to ribbon dancing, where her Nichirin blade can freely move around her with incredible reach and flexibility.
Demon Slayer, Episode 22, “Master of the Mansion”
Serpent Breathing
Much like Mitsuri, Obanai’s blade is the perfect one for his specific Breathing Style. This is because Obanai is thecreator and user of Serpent Breathing, which is an offshoot of Water Breathing and mimics the movements and dexterity of serpents. Just like the movement of a snake, Obanai’s sword undulates in a wavy pattern, allowing him to deal precise and fast strikes.
Stay away from Kanroji, you scum!
Such a fighting style focuses on the blade twisting and turning at awkward angles to strike the opponent in a way that they would not expect, catching them off guard. These strikes can connect from anywhere and, due to the awkward flow of the blade, the opponent can never truly be sure where the sword could attack from.
Stone Breathing
Gyomei is the greatest of the current generationof Hashira and is the most respected member of the entire Corps. Since his Breathing Style is that of Stone Breathing, Gyomei uses the most unique Nichirin weapon of them all; a Flail and Axe. This is essentially a short axe and a spiked flail connected by a very long chain, all of which are made of Nichirin.
We are proud to live and die as human beings!
The nature of the weapon makes it such that it can only be used by the physically strongest characters in the world and is also a weapon that greatly compliments Stone Breathing, since it is used to perform devastating strikes and earth-shaking blows. The only example of something similar was used by a Stone Hashira from the time of Yoriichi, who used a Kusarigama.
Demon Slayer
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.
