Demon Slayer: Every Hashira's Name & On-Screen Entrance (2024)

The Hashira are some of the most interesting and mysterious characters in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Although all nine of the Demon Slayer Corps' most elite swordsmen have already been introduced, with seven of the Hashira debuting in one fell swoop, most of them are yet to reveal the full extent of their powers and abilities.

Only one Hashira was in the spotlight for the Mugen Train arc, but Kyojuro Rengoku lost his life against Akaza the Upper-Moon 3. Thankfully, several others have appeared since then. Fans got to see Tengen Uzui fight in the Entertainment District arc, while the Swordsmith Village arc featured Mitsuri Kanroji and Muichiro Tokito. Let's look back at each Hashira's introduction as a refresher on these ultra-powerful Demon Slayers.

Updated on June 21, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: With the Hashira Training arc in full swing, every single member of this elite demon-slaying group is certain to become an established character. Backstories will be fleshed out, powers will be revealed, and, most importantly, the Hashira will seriously enter that battlefield. As such, we've updated this article with some more information.

Giyu Tomioka Makes His Debut In The Very First Episode

The Water Hashira

Giyu was the first Hashira to be introduced in the series, making his debut in the very first episode. After rescuing Tanjiro from the newly transformed demon Nezuko, Giyu prepares to execute her as he would any other demon. Despite Tanjiro's pleas, Giyu is initially unsympathetic to the fact that Nezuko is the young man's sister. However, impressed by Tanjiro's will and battle instincts, Giyu agrees to spare Nezuko's life in the hopes that Tanjiro will one day cure her.

Giyu even directs Tanjiro to find Sakonji Urokodaki, a master swordsman who will train Tanjiro in the art of slaying demons. Interestingly, Sakonji Urokodaki used to be Giyu's own master as well as the former Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Although the old man doesn't exactly fight anymore, it appears that both his surviving students — Tanjiro and Giyu — are doing exceptionally well for themselves.

Shinobu Kocho Is Yet To Make Her Final Mark On The Story

The Insect Hashira

Shinobu's first appearance comes when she's dispatched alongside Giyu during the Natagumo Mountain arc. Here, she deals with the powerful demons who have been slaughtering Corps members. Encountering the demon that Lower-Rank Five, Rui, has given his power to play the role of his sister, it is revealed that Shinobu is too physically weak to behead a demon. Instead, her specialized katana injects demons with lethal poison.

The Insect Hashira's experience with both poisons and antidotes helps her prevent Zenitsu from turning into a demon spider thanks to another demon's poison. That said, Shinobu's personality works on two levels: her usual enthusiastic demeanor and her violent rage against all demonkind. She masks her true feelings quite well, only revealing them when she comes face to face with a demon. On the other hand, Shinobu is yet to make her final mark on the story.

Kyojuro Rengoku Proves His Strength And Courage Before Dying

The Flame Hashira

The remaining Hashira are all introduced together at a meeting called by Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Kyojuro is the first of these new Hashira to speak. However, the Flame Hashira quickly announces his intent to execute both Nezuko and Tanjiro for the crimes of being a demon and harboring a demon, respectively. When Ubuyashiki decrees that the Kamado siblings are to be spared, Kyojuro, respectfully, announces his disagreement with his master's decision.

That said, Kyojuro soon grows to realize that the bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko transcends anything that he's ever seen before. A human protecting a demon is unbelievable enough, but that demon risking her life to save humans makes Kyojuro wholeheartedly accept Nezuko. Unfortunately, the beloved Flame Hashira was later defeated and killed by Upper Moon 3 Akaza.

Tengen Uzui Takes Flamboyance To A Whole New Level

The Sound Hashira

In agreement with Kyojuro's opinion that Tanjiro and Nezuko need to be executed, Tengen's first words are that he would be flamboyantly pleased to flamboyantly execute them with max flamboyance. Like Kyojuro, the Sound Hashira cannot comprehend Ubuyashiki's decision to spare the Kamados. Then again, Tengen's stance on Tanjiro appears to change upon learning that Tanjiro has met Kibutsuji.

The Sound Hashira subsequently ceases calling for the young Kamado's head and instead demands information on the Progenitor of Demons. Tengen eventually observes both Tanjiro and Nezuko in battle, realizing that both of them are exceptional fighters as well as incredibly loyal to their allies. Although Tengen's post-battle condition effectively forces his retirement from the Sound Hashira position, he plays a notable role training Demon Slayers in the Hashira Training arc.

Mitsuri Kanroji Is The Kindest And Gentlest Of Her Peers

The Love Hashira

The gentlest Hashira introduced thus far, Mitsuri is highly distressed by the notion of executing a child as adorable as Tanjiro. Free of the vehement anger towards Tanjiro and Nezuko, Mitsuri spends most of her introduction in awe of her fellow Hashira. When Ubuyashiki appears, Mitsuri laments that she didn't get the opportunity to properly greet him, and she decides she will faithfully abide by whatever decision her master makes regarding Nezuko and Tanjiro.

Despite her empathetic nature as the Love Hashira, Mitsuri can be quite the ruthless warrior. This is seen in the Swordsmith Village arc, when she fiercely battled Zohakuten, one of Upper Moon 4 Hantengu's clones. Interestingly, Mitsuri's Love Breathing is her own invention, although loosely based on the principles of Flame Breathing taught to her by Kyojuro Rengoku.

Gyomei Himejima Is Unlikely To Go Against Tradition

The Stone Hashira

Gyomei, ever the gentle giant, is brought to tears by his pity for Tanjiro, lamenting the cruelty of Tanjiro ever having been born in the first place. Unlike Kyojuro and Tengen, it's not anger but overwhelming sorrow that makes Gyomei wish to execute the Kamado siblings, as he wants only to put them out of their misery. While professing his profound love and respect for Ubuyashiki, Gyomei tearfully admits that he cannot accept his master's decision to allow Nezuko and Tanjiro to live.

However, even the words of the oldest and wisest Hashira fail to sway Ubuyashiki. The respected Oyakata-sama rightly decides that both Tanjiro and Nezuko are going to be invaluable in the upcoming battle against Muzan. Gyomei naturally accepts Ubuyashiki's decision, as the Stone Hashira isn't someone to go against tradition and protocol. However, even he has the same ultimate realization about Nezuko as the rest of his peers.

Muichiro Tokito Has No Interest In The Drama Around Him

The Mist Hashira

Unlike his fellow Hashira, Muichiro could not possibly care less about the situation of Tanjiro's harboring his demon sister. In fact, to say he could not care less may not be strictly accurate, as there's no indication that he is even aware of what is happening. His eyes on the sky, Muichiro simply wonders about the names of birds and cloud formations, ignoring the drama around him. When Ubuyashiki announces that Nezuko and Tanjiro will be spared, Muichiro comments that he is indifferent because he is going to forget about it either way.

Although he certainly can appear distracted and occasionally mindless, Muichiro is the Mist Hashira for a reason. As of the Hashira training arc, he is the only character to have single-handedly an Upper Moon demon, whereas the other two were killed by combined attacks. Muichiro also has his Demon Slayer Mark, so he's only going to get even stronger from this point onward.

Iguro Obanai Prefers To Observe From His Tree Perch

The Serpent Hashira

From his position lounging in the trees, Iguro's primary point of concern is that Giyu also violated the code by preventing Shinobu from executing Nezuko during the Natagumo Mountain Arc. The snake-wearing Hashira is still no fan of Tanjiro's, stating that the fact that Nezuko is his sister means that they cannot trust a word he says. Surprisingly, he does not argue against Ubuyashiki's decision like some of the others, merely saying that he will never trust the Kamado siblings.

Given his reliance on rules and regulations, it's no surprise that the Serpent Hashira refuses to place his faith in Tanjiro and Nezuko. In fact, his adherence to the code of conduct is so strict that he actually mocks the Sound Hashira for being a coward, insisting that the only right thing to do is die in battle. While he generally doesn't care for most people, Obanai Iguro has a special spot in his heart for Mitsuri, who returns the favor.

The Wind Hashira

The final Hashira to be introduced, Sanemi arrives late to the meeting with Nezuko's wooden box in his hands. The most violent of all his peers, Sanemi tortures Nezuko by stabbing her through the box. As such, the Wind Hashira's opinion that all demons must die becomes very clear. Sanemi does, however, show a surprisingly civilized side when Ubuyashiki appears, treating his master with the utmost respect.

Ironically, as the most violently opposed to allowing Nezuko to live, it is Sanemi's actions that prove Nezuko undeniably refuses to attack humans. Despite waving his injured arm in her face, tempting her with his blood, Nezuko turns her head away from Sanemi. Ubuyashiki uses this opportunity to justify his reasons for saving Nezuko, and none of the other Hashira can argue against his decision.

The Hashira Training Arc Features The Eight Surviving Hashira

The Hashira played increasingly important roles through the Entertainment District and Swordsmith Village arcs, with fans getting to see more of their personalities and powers. Most viewers immediately fell in love with the Flame, Love, and Sound Hashira — although the Mist Hashira only became likable after his devastating backstory was revealed. Further, only two of them have currently acquired the Demon Slayer Mark, and the Corps can't afford to send just Mitsuri and Muichiro to fight Muzan.

As such, the current Hashira Training arc revolves around maximizing their strength by manifesting as many Demon Slayer Marks as possible. In addition, there has already been a spectacular fight between Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro, while Muzan has seemingly planted a bug in the Corps. There's a lot of incredible stuff to get through in this arc, and fans couldn't be happier to see some of their favorite Hashira characters in action.

Demon Slayer

TV-MA

When Tanjiro Kamado returns home to find his family was attacked and killed by demons, he discovers his younger sister Nezuko was the only survivor. As Nezuko slowly becomes a demon, Tanjiro sets out to find a cure for her and become a demon slayer so he can avenge his family.

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Cast

Natsuki Hanae , Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Yosh*tsugu Matsuoka

Main Genre

Anime

Studio

ufotable

Creator

Koyoharu Gotouge

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu , Amazon Prime Video , Netflix