“Demon Slayer” exploded onto the scene in 2019 when its anime arrived with a bang. Since then, the manga has closed with a flourish, always at the top of bestseller lists around the world, with millions of copies sold. Just imagine, the story takes place in Taisho-era Japan, but full of demons!
Here comes the story of Tanjiro Kamado, who loses his family to the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, and to make matters worse, his sister Nezuko becomes a demon. Tanjiro doesn’t think twice and joins the Demon Slayer Corps after bumping into Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira half in the dark and half sad. These people are the final defense against the demons that rule at night. Only the toughest Demon Slayers can take on Muzan and his Upper Moons and make a profit.
15. Genya Shinazugawa and his almost demonic ability
To begin with, Genya is kind of the ugly duckling of the Demon Slayers, seen as the least threatening by Upper Moon 1 in a fight against him and some Hashiras. But the guy has a trick up his sleeve: he can grab a piece of a demon and take the creature’s abilities, becoming a kind of half-demonic. His “Vampiric Trees” are even made from Kokushibo’s katana.
Genya also regenerates, which is no small feat. His weapon of choice is a Nichirin shotgun, which he uses along with a Nichirin blade. Unlike the Demon Slayer crowd, Genya wouldn’t last long alone against an Upper Moon. But hey, the guy has the courage and determination to make you jealous. Without using any breathing style, Genya shows that he has his value, even though he is last on the list.
14. Kanao Tsuyuri: The Unwavering Determination of a Warrior
Kanao Tsuyuri, from the first moment she crossed paths with Tanjiro, showed herself to be on the verge of becoming a Hashira, thanks to her exceptional skill and the rigorous training she received from Shinobu Kocho and Kanae Kocho. A survivor of the rigorous Final Selection, Kanao’s willpower is what truly sets her apart. His iron determination allowed him to face and play a crucial role in defeating Doma, the Upper Moon 2.
Kanao’s unique ability to see the world in slow motion, thanks to her breathing style, and her formidable swordsmanship were instrumental in fighting demons. Despite her shy nature and initial reluctance to make decisions without resorting to coin toss, Kanao has grown immensely, emerging from her shell to become a formidable warrior. Although her abilities are remarkable, she has not yet reached the pinnacle of this list, but her contribution to the fight against demons is indisputable.
13. Shinobu Kocho: The Deadly Grace of the Insect Hashira
Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, can always be seen with a smile, an expression that hides the ruthless demon hunter that she is. Her approach to battle, utilizing the Insect Breathing Style, a derivative of the Flower Breathing Style, is both unique and effective. Armed with a thin sword that, instead of cutting, is used to inject deadly poison into her opponents, Shinobu has a way of fighting that makes up for her lack of physical strength to directly decapitate demons.
Shinobu’s true strength lies in her extensive knowledge of poisons, making her a feared adversary among demons. Her contribution to the development of the Anti-Kibutsuji drug, along with Yushiro and Tamayo, was vital in the battle against Muzan, highlighting her crucial role not only in direct combat, but also in long-term strategies against the demons. Shinobu Kocho isn’t just a fighter; she is a visionary who uses her intelligence and skills to combat the demonic threat.
12. Obanai Iguro and his epic confrontation with Muzan
Obanai is the Serpent Hashira who, despite being seen as the second weakest after Shinobu, showed what he came for. Unlike Shinobu, he managed to activate his Demon Slayer mark, which boosted his performance, even though he was unable to see. He counts on the help of his white snake, Kaburamaru, to know what’s going on around him.
Despite not being the strongest in size and agility, Obanai did well in the fight against Muzan in the Infinity Castle, with his Demonic Mark giving him that extra strength. And to top it off, his Bright Red Nichirin Sword did damage to the Demon King, proving that he is a respectable demon hunter.
11. Mitsuri Kanroji: The Surprising Strength of Love Hashira
Mitsuri Kanroji, known as the Love Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, is the embodiment of strength that defies appearances. Despite her shy, gentle and cheerful nature, Mitsuri hides overwhelming physical strength, with a muscle density eight times that of an average human being. This extraordinary ability not only allows him to withstand attacks that would pulverize anyone, but also gives him the power to rip off the arm of Muzan, the supreme demon.
The Love Breathing technique that Mitsuri employs is as unique as her strength. She wields a sword that looks more like a whip, extremely thin and flexible, adapted especially for her use. This unconventional weapon, combined with her unmatched strength, makes Mitsuri a formidable opponent against any demon. Her combat prowess was crucial in the battle against Hantengu, one of the Upper Moons, proving that her unique approach and skills as a swordsman are indispensable to the Demon Hunter Corps.
10. Inosuke Hashibira, the wild boar with a heart of gold
Our favorite boar, Inosuke, is that crazy wild animal-like mix of flexibility, speed, and sharp senses. He went through the same tough training as Zenitsu and Tanjiro, but needed a little push to move forward. His rivalry with Tanjiro is a show in itself, both funny and inspiring.
Raised in the mountains and accustomed to animals, Inosuke has surprising agility and strength. Your Animal Mimicry adds a special touch to your fighting style, putting many opponents to shame. But looking at the big picture, he has some demon hunters on his list that give him a boost.
9. Zenitsu Agatsuma, the power hidden in sleep
Zenitsu, the guy who never wanted to be a Demon Slayer and only got into it to pay off a debt, has a desperate look for marriage. But when the bug catches him and he falls asleep, the guy becomes a fighting machine. He faints from fear, but his body fights automatically.
Over time, Zenitsu shows that he can be an awake beast too, putting up a fight against Upper Moon 6 with his Thunder Breath. The coolest thing is that he even developed a new form of this breathing, a feat that only great names like Muichiro and Giyu have achieved. Zenitsu is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful of the bunch.
8. Tengen Uzui: The Unique Brilliance of the Hashira Sound
Tengen Uzui is not just another pretty face in the world of “Demon Slayer”. Coming from a shinobi family, he decided to take a different path from his father and joined the Demon Slayer Corps as the Sound Hashira. Not only does the guy have strength and speed to spare, but what really makes him stand out is his unique style of Sound Breathing, an innovation of his own that came out of Thunder Breathing.
Tengen has unusual hearing, capable of using echolocation to map everything around him. Furthermore, he turns his fights into true symphonies with his Musical Score technique. As one of the few to have defeated an Upper Moon, Tengen definitely has his place among the greats.
7. Kyojuro Rengoku: The Last Battle with Fire and Honor
Kyojuro Rengoku, Flame Hashira, is that high-spirited guy who doesn’t let the environment get too serious. With his Flame Breathing Style, he puts any demon to run. Before the famous Mugen Train incident, he had already offered to be a kind of mentor to Tanjiro.
Even though he appeared in few fights, Kyojuro left his mark by protecting more than 200 passengers on the train and facing Upper Moon Akaza. His battle, full of courage and honor, left fans with the feeling that, even in defeat, he was the true winner. Kyojuro is not only remembered for being the first Hashira to die in the series, but also as one of the strongest.
6. Muichiro Tokito: The Misty Domain of the Hashira Mist
Muichiro Tokito may seem like he’s always on the moon, but when it comes to hunting demons, the guy is serious. As the Mist Hashira, he takes the Mist Breathing Style to another level, doing things that leave even Upper Moons speechless.
Not only has Muichiro completely mastered his style, but he has also unlocked a Demon Slayer mark, which gives him a gigantic power-up. His Endless Rage is an ace up his sleeve that gives him energy and stamina that few can match. Before taking his last breath, Muichiro still managed to mark Kokushibo, contributing to the downfall of one of the most powerful demons.
5. Tanjiro Kamado: The Protagonist’s Empathetic Heart
Tanjiro Kamado is not the protagonist of “Demon Slayer” for nothing. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family and the transformation of his sister into a demon, Tanjiro brings something rare to the battlefield: empathy.
Not only does he defeat his enemies with the Water Breathing Style, but he also tries to understand the tragic stories behind each demon. Additionally, Tanjiro unlocks the Dance of the Fire God, a powerful technique passed down in his family. With this ability, he becomes fundamental in the fight against the Superior Moons and even against Muzan. Despite being one of the strongest characters, there are still other demon hunters on this list who surpass Tanjiro in power.
4. Sanemi Shinazugawa: The Unstoppable Fury of the Hashira Wind
Sanemi Shinazugawa, known for his explosive personality and deep aversion to demons, is not just a sea of hatred for no reason. The scars he bears bear witness to the battles he fought, and his blood, of a rare and powerful type, disorients demons to the point of affecting even Kokushibo.
His sword mastery and Wind Breathing style are so impressive that even Kokushibo, a demon with centuries of experience, could not help but recognize Sanemi’s power. Surviving the final battle was just the cherry on top of his already remarkable career.
3. Giyu Tomioka: The Unshakable Solidity of the Water Hashira
Giyu Tomioka is not only the first Demon Slayer that Tanjiro crosses paths with, but also a pillar of strength and strategy within the Demon Slayer Corps. Although his social skills leave something to be desired, his mastery of the Water Breathing style and the incredible Eleventh Form: Dead Calm place him among the strongest.
He faced formidable demons like Father Spider and Rui of the Lower Moon with ease, and even received praise from Akaza, a demon of the Upper Moon, cementing his position as one of the most skilled Water Hashira in half a century.
2. Gyomei Himejima: The Incomparable Strength of the Stone Hashira
Gyomei Himejima stands out not only for his role as the Stone Hashira, but also for his unique weapon: a kusarigama that combines a devastating ax with a flail, in tune with his Stone Breathing style.
Kokushibo, the feared demon of Upper Moon 1, recognized Gyomei as the most formidable warrior he had encountered in 300 years, a testament to his exceptional physical abilities and training taken to the extreme. The acquisition of his Demon Slayer Mark and access to the Transparent World only amplified his strength, making him a living legend capable of defeating Kokushibo alongside Sanemi.
1. Yoriichi Tsugikuni: The Ultimate Power of Demon Slayer Legend
Yoriichi Tsugikuni is more than just a member of the Demon Slayer Corps; he is the incarnation of death itself to demons. Since he was a child, he has demonstrated extraordinary combat skills, going so far as to almost exterminate Muzan, which left the Demon King in a state of perpetual fear.
The breathing that Tanjiro employs, Hinokami Kagura, is derived from Yoriichi’s Solar Breathing, the original and most potent style of breathing. Yoriichi possessed the innate ability to access the Transparent World, a feat no other has achieved. His strength, skill and legacy position him not only as the strongest on this list, but as the most powerful being within the “Demon Slayer” universe.
