柱 The elite of the Corps

The Hashira of Demon Slayer: the complete guide

In short. The Hashira, or Pillars, are the nine most powerful demon slayers in the Demon Slayer Corps, directly under the authority of Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Each one masters a breathing style, often their own, and protects a region. You become one by killing fifty demons or one of the Twelve Kizuki, the demon Moons. Tomioka, Rengoku, Shinobu, Tengen, Muichiro, Mitsuri, Obanai, Sanemi and Gyomei form the generation that accompanies Tanjiro all the way to the final battle.

  • Nine Hashira
  • Nine breathing styles
  • A meeting every six months
The nine Hashira one by one
the nine Hashira of Demon Slayer together

一 The role

What is a Hashira in Demon Slayer

Hashira is the highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps. Those who hold it are the strongest fighters in the organisation, and only the leader of the Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, stands above them. They are sent where other demon slayers have failed.

Each Hashira is assigned a region that they patrol to gather information on demons and perfect their swordsmanship. They all meet at a gathering held every six months, or earlier in an emergency.

The only members of the Corps to wear gold buttons on their uniform, the Hashira are also free to set their own pay.

Each one masters a breathing style, and several created theirs themselves. Every style is detailed on our page about the breathing styles of Demon Slayer.

9Hashira at the start of the series
50demons to slay to claim the rank
2months in the Corps is all it took Muichiro to become a Hashira
6months between two Hashira meetings

二 Recruitment

How do you become a Hashira

There are two paths, both formidable. It usually takes about five years of training to get there, two or three for the most gifted.

First path

Fifty demons slain

A demon slayer of Kinoe rank, the highest below the Hashira, who kills at least fifty demons can claim the title.

Second path

One demon Moon defeated

Killing one of the Twelve Kizuki, the most powerful demons serving Muzan Kibutsuji, is enough to prove one’s worth.

The Hashira also look for a successor, called a tsuguko, who will take their place if they die or retire: Kanao Tsuyuri is Shinobu’s, and Mitsuri Kanroji was Rengoku’s before becoming a Hashira herself.

In every era, the Corps has had a Flame Hashira and a Water Hashira, without a single exception.

三 Tanjiro’s generation

The nine Hashira of Demon Slayer one by one

Here are the nine Hashira in office when Tanjiro joins the Corps, with their breathing style and the details given by the author. Each one has a profile in our character directory.

Water Hashira

Giyu Tomioka

Taciturn, he spares Tanjiro and Nezuko on the night of the massacre and creates Dead Calm, an eleventh form that only he has mastered.

Age
21 years old
Height
176 cm
Birthday
February 8
Kanji
冨岡 義勇
Flame Hashira

Kyojuro Rengoku

Heir to a lineage of demon slayers, he guides the trio aboard the Mugen Train and falls against Akaza while protecting every passenger.

Age
20 years old
Height
177 cm
Birthday
May 10
Kanji
煉獄 杏寿郎
Insect Hashira

Shinobu Kocho

Too slight to behead a demon, she kills them with a wisteria-based poison and takes in the wounded at the Butterfly Mansion.

Age
18 years old
Height
151 cm
Birthday
February 24
Kanji
胡蝶 しのぶ
Sound Hashira

Tengen Uzui

A former shinobi with two blades linked by a chain, he leads the trio to the Entertainment District against Daki and Gyutaro.

Age
23 years old
Height
198 cm
Birthday
October 31
Kanji
宇髄 天元
Mist Hashira

Muichiro Tokito

The youngest of the nine, he became a Hashira two months after picking up the sword. He defends the Swordsmith Village and awakens his mark there.

Age
14 years old
Height
160 cm
Birthday
August 8
Kanji
時透 無一郎
Love Hashira

Mitsuri Kanroji

A former disciple of Rengoku, she owes her ability to wield a blade as thin as a whip to her extraordinary strength and flexibility.

Age
19 years old
Height
167 cm
Birthday
June 1
Kanji
甘露寺 蜜璃
Serpent Hashira

Obanai Iguro

Always accompanied by the white snake Kaburamaru, he strikes with a wavy blade that slips around the opponent’s guard.

Age
21 years old
Height
162 cm
Birthday
September 15
Kanji
伊黒 小芭内
Wind Hashira

Sanemi Shinazugawa

The most hostile towards Nezuko during the trial. Genya’s older brother, he chains spinning attacks like gusts of wind.

Age
21 years old
Height
179 cm
Birthday
November 29
Kanji
不死川 実弥
Stone Hashira

Gyomei Himejima

A blind monk recognised as the strongest of his era, he fights with an axe and a spiked flail, linked by a chain.

Age
27 years old
Height
220 cm
Birthday
August 23
Kanji
悲鳴嶼 行冥

四 Before them

The former Hashira

Several key characters of Kimetsu no Yaiba held the title before Tanjiro’s generation. Retired or gone, they continue to train, guide or haunt the heroes.

  • Sakonji Urokodakiformer Water Hashira, Tanjiro’s master
  • Jigoro Kuwajimaformer Thunder Hashira, Zenitsu’s master
  • Kanae Kochoformer Flower Hashira, Shinobu’s older sister
  • Shinjuro Rengokuformer Flame Hashira, Kyojuro’s father

Their students have taken over: Giyu and Tanjiro for Sakonji Urokodaki, Zenitsu for Jigoro Kuwajima, and Kanao, heir to the Flower Breathing that Kanae practised.

Sakonji Urokodaki, former Water Hashira of Demon Slayer

五 In numbers

The Hashira compared: height, strength and speed

The author had fun ranking the nine Hashira in the series’ guidebooks. Three rankings, three different podiums.

From tallest to shortest

  • Gyomei Himejima220 cm
  • Tengen Uzui198 cm
  • Sanemi Shinazugawa179 cm
  • Kyojuro Rengoku177 cm
  • Giyu Tomioka176 cm
  • Mitsuri Kanroji167 cm
  • Obanai Iguro162 cm
  • Muichiro Tokito160 cm
  • Shinobu Kocho151 cm

The arm wrestling tournament

  • Gyomei Himejimaof boundless strength
  • Tengen Uzuivery strong
  • Rengoku, Sanemi, Tomioka and Mitsuristrong, tied
  • Muichiro Tokitoaverage
  • Obanai Iguroa little weak
  • Shinobu Kochoweak

Tanjiro would rank between Muichiro and Obanai.

The fastest runner

  • 1. Tengen Uzuithe former shinobi
  • 2. Sanemi Shinazugawalike a gust of wind
  • 3. Gyomei Himejimaimpressive
  • 4. Shinobu Kocholight, little stamina
  • 5. Kyojuro Rengokuexplosive speed
  • 6. Giyu Tomiokafluid as water
  • 7. Obanai Igurohe slithers
  • 8. Muichiro Tokitothe youngest
  • 9. Mitsuri Kanrojitoo soon after a meal
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, during Tanjiro’s trial

六 First meeting

The Hashira meeting and Tanjiro’s trial

After Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro and Nezuko are brought before the Hashira and their leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. A demon slayer who protects a demon breaks every rule of the Corps, and several Hashira demand their execution.

Sanemi Shinazugawa stabs Nezuko, then holds out his own blood to her to prove she is dangerous. Nezuko refuses to drink it, Tanjiro headbutts Sanemi, and Kagaya finally accepts a demon into the Corps, on the guarantee of Sakonji Urokodaki and Giyu Tomioka.

This episode opens the Rehabilitation Training arc, summarised on our page covering every arc of the story.

七 Before the war

The Hashira Training: what each one teaches

Before the battle against Muzan, the Hashira organise intensive training for every demon slayer, who move from master to master. Many experience it as a descent into hell; the Hashira, for their part, also improve by facing wave after wave of students.

  1. 1

    Tengen Uzui

    Basic stamina, to get rusty bodies back into shape.

  2. 2

    Muichiro Tokito

    Speed of movement, through fast sequences.

  3. 3

    Mitsuri Kanroji

    Flexibility, in training as painful as it is joyful.

  4. 4

    Obanai Iguro

    Precision in swordsmanship, between obstacles that must never be touched.

  5. 5

    Sanemi Shinazugawa

    Relentless combat, against a Hashira who does not hold back his blows.

  6. 6

    Gyomei Himejima

    Muscle strengthening, under waterfalls and against enormous boulders.

八 The end

Which Hashira die in Demon Slayer

This section reveals the ending of Demon Slayer
Fallen in battle

Six Hashira do not survive

Rengoku dies against Akaza on the Mugen Train. In the Infinity Castle, Shinobu falls against Doma and Muichiro against Kokushibo. Gyomei, Obanai and Mitsuri succumb during the Sunrise Countdown.

Survivors

Three Hashira see the dawn

Giyu Tomioka and Sanemi Shinazugawa survive the final battle. Tengen Uzui, retired after the Entertainment District, watches over the Corps to the very end. The battles of that night are detailed on our page about Muzan and the demon Moons.

読 On the blog

Blog articles about the Hashira

Each Hashira has a full portrait on the blog, and the great moments of their story, from Tanjiro’s trial to the final battle, each have their own article.

The nine Hashira

Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira of Demon Slayer, sword drawnGiyu Tomioka, the Water HashiraRead the article Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, smiling and self-assured at the Hashira meeting, Demon SlayerKyojuro Rengoku, the Flame HashiraRead the article Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira of Demon Slayer, butterfly-wing haoriShinobu Kocho, the Insect HashiraRead the article Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira of Demon Slayer, his cleaver on his shoulderTengen Uzui, the Sound HashiraRead the article Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira of Demon SlayerMuichiro Tokito, the Mist HashiraRead the article Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira of Demon Slayer, all smiles, pink and green braidsMitsuri Kanroji, the Love HashiraRead the article Obanai Iguro and his snake Kaburamaru in the middle of Serpent Breathing, illustration from the game The Hinokami Chronicles 2, Demon SlayerObanai Iguro, the Serpent HashiraRead the article Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira of Demon Slayer, blade raisedSanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind HashiraRead the article Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira of Demon Slayer, red prayer beads around his neckGyomei Himejima, the Stone HashiraRead the article Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, cheerful, fists clenched, her long pink braids with green tips, Demon SlayerWhy does Mitsuri have pink and green hair?Read the article Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, in tears, one hand on his cheek, his red-beaded prayer beads around his neck, Demon SlayerWhy does Gyomei cry all the time?Read the article Giyu Tomioka, standing apart at the edge of the group, next to the Hashira Gyomei Himejima, Obanai Iguro and Sanemi Shinazugawa, at night, Demon SlayerWhy does Tomioka say he is not a Hashira?Read the article Close-up of Obanai Iguro, the lower half of his face hidden under a white bandage, one eye yellow and the other turquoise, his white snake Kaburamaru rearing on his shoulder, Demon SlayerWhy does Obanai wear a bandage over his mouth?Read the article

The former Hashira and the masters

Kanae Kocho, former Flower Hashira of Demon Slayer, a butterfly clip in her hairKanae Kocho, the former Flower HashiraRead the article Shinjuro Rengoku, former Flame Hashira of Demon Slayer, in profileShinjuro Rengoku, the former Flame Hashira and Kyojuro’s fatherRead the article Sakonji Urokodaki, former Water Hashira in Demon SlayerSakonji Urokodaki, the former Water Hashira and Tanjiro’s masterRead the article Jigoro Kuwajima, former Thunder Hashira, white moustache and a scar on his cheek, Demon SlayerWho is Jigoro Kuwajima, Zenitsu’s master?Read the article Tengen Uzui, the former Sound Hashira, bursts out laughing, a wooden sword on his shoulder and a patch over his eye, Demon SlayerThe former HashiraRead the article

The role, the battles and the fate of the Hashira

the nine Hashira of Demon Slayer in portraits, from Rengoku to GyomeiHow do you become a Hashira?Read the article Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Giyu Tomioka, the top three in the Demon Slayer Hashira rankingHashira ranking: who is the strongest?Read the article Tanjiro Kamado, furious, pinned to the ground during the trial, and Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, his arm cut open, Demon SlayerThe Hashira meeting and Tanjiro’s trialRead the article Bare-chested demon slayers run during training, teeth clenched, in the Hashira Training, Demon SlayerThe Hashira Training, stage by stageRead the article Tanjiro Kamado, the Demon Slayer Mark on his forehead, sword raised, Demon SlayerHow does the Hashira mark awaken, and at what cost?Read the article The swords of Rengoku, Mitsuri and Sanemi, each with its own guard, Demon Slayer katanas from the shopWhich weapons do the Hashira use?Read the article Kyojuro Rengoku, Shinobu Kocho, Muichiro Tokito, Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro and Gyomei Himejima, the six Hashira who die, Demon SlayerWhich Hashira die, and how?Read the article Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma, Tengen Uzui’s three wives, preparing a meal during the Hashira Training, Demon SlayerMakio, Suma and Hinatsuru, Tengen Uzui’s wivesRead the article The title pages of Kyojuro Rengoku Gaiden and Giyu Tomioka Gaiden, the two Demon Slayer spin-offs drawn by Ryoji HiranoWhat are Giyu Gaiden and Rengoku Gaiden, the spin-offs, about?Read the article Tengen Uzui in an art teacher's smock and Kyojuro Rengoku in shirt and tie, teachers at Kimetsu Academy, Demon SlayerWhat becomes of the Hashira in Kimetsu Academy?Read the article Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, smiling, her pink and green braids, Demon SlayerMitsuri and Obanai: the Hashira love storyRead the article Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, a calm gaze, in a room bathed in light, Demon SlayerGiyu and Shinobu: what the series really showsRead the article

九 In the shop

Hashira products in our shop

The nine Hashira have their place, all product types combined, in the Demon Slayer Corps collection, alongside Tanjiro and his companions. Display case fans will find a 30 cm figure for almost every one of them, and cosplayers will find the outfits of all nine in the Hashira cosplays.

Gyomei 30 cm figureGyomei 30 cm figureView the product Sanemi 30 cm figureSanemi 30 cm figureView the product Tengen 30 cm figureTengen 30 cm figureView the product Shinobu 30 cm figureShinobu 30 cm figureView the product Rengoku backpackRengoku backpackView the product Obanai Roman numeral watchObanai Roman numeral watchView the product Muichiro katana penMuichiro katana penView the product Mitsuri backpackMitsuri backpackView the product

All the figures of Tanjiro’s generation are gathered in the demon slayer figures, and the rest of the catalogue on our Demon Slayer Universe page.

問 Your questions

Frequently asked questions

How many Hashira are there in Demon Slayer?

Nine at the start of the series. The Japanese character for Hashira, 柱, has nine strokes, which would explain this number.

Who is the strongest Hashira?

Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, is recognised as the strongest of his era, including by the other Hashira. He also tops the height ranking and the arm wrestling tournament.

Who is the youngest Hashira?

Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, who is 14. He became a Hashira just two months after joining the Corps.

Does Tanjiro become a Hashira?

No. Tanjiro improves until he can rival them, but the series ends without him receiving the title.

Who is the fastest Hashira?

Tengen Uzui, the former shinobi, ahead of Sanemi Shinazugawa and Gyomei Himejima, according to the ranking drawn up by the author.

What does the inscription engraved on the Hashira’s swords mean?

Almost all of them bear the characters Akki Messatsu, “destroy evil demons”, engraved on the blade. Because of the shape of her weapon, Shinobu Kocho has half of it on each side.

Which Hashira survive at the end?

Warning, ending spoiler: Giyu Tomioka, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Tengen Uzui, who retired before the final battle.

道 The road ahead

To explore more of the Demon Slayer universe

Breathing stylesevery breathing style explained Nichirin swordscolours, forging and meaning The demonsMuzan and the demon Moons Every characterthe complete directory of the series Tanjiro Kamadoall about the hero of the series Every arcthe story from beginning to end