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In Demon Slayer, the titular swordsmen use various breath techniques to aid them in their fight against the flesh-eating demons plaguing Japan. While some Demon Slayers, like Giyu Tomioka, opt for more common styles such as water breath, there are a potentially limitless number of breath techniques, thanks to Demon Slayers like Inosuke creating their own style. Let’s see how some breath techniques are more unique than others.
Since Muzan’s demons are nearly invincible and the demon slayers are normal humans, a massive boost in power is required to take down even the weakest of demons. First, a demon slayer must learn to use the breath of integral focus. It’s about inhaling as much oxygen as possible, in specific breath patterns, to dramatically increase your physical and mental abilities. This ability is used in conjunction with Blast Techniques, which are forms and styles of combat centered around the use of the katana or similar handguns.
Understanding Demon Slayer’s Five Breath Techniques
In the world of Demon Slayer, there are five main forms of breath techniques: water, flame, wind, stone and thunder. However, these main elements are all derived from the breath of the sun, the original breath technique. The five main forms are more prevalent because they have been passed down more reliably through the generations, while the breath of the sun has been all but lost, except for Tanjiro’s ancestors and their friendship with the early users. of the breath of the sun
Creating your own form of breath technique does not necessarily translate to superior strength or skill. Inosuke, who uses beast breath, is nowhere near as powerful as Pillar Sanemi, who uses wind breath. Interestingly, the breath of the beast is itself derived from the breath of the wind. The breath techniques form a kind of family tree, where certain techniques can branch out into others while being able to go back to the source. For example, the blowing of the wind has multiple ramifications, with the blowing of the Tokito Pillar Mist also being derived from the wind.
That’s not to say that Giyu, the Pillar of Water, is limited in his abilities. Water is the form that best suits him, so he does not need to move away from it. However, users like Giyu can still make the main forms of Blast Techniques their own by creating their own forms, such ase Giyu did this by creating the 11th form of Water Breaths, Storm’s End. The opposite is true for Tanjiro, as Sun Breath suits him much better than Water Breath, which is why his Hinokami Kagura is more powerful than his Water Breath forms.
Some Pillars develop their own breath techniques
The Pillars use strange breath techniques, such as love, snake, insect, and sound. It’s no mere coincidence that the Pillar Iguro has an affinity with snakes and uses snake breath. Iguro’s first breath technique was water breath, and his unique skills, movements, and personality allowed him to develop a derivative technique that better suited his style, serpent breath. In theory, he can teach this breath technique to others, which could one day lead to serpent breath being as widespread as its predecessor, water breath.
Kanroji, the Pillar of Love, uses his own breath technique, derived from flame breath. Becoming Demon Slayer and Pillar to find someone to marry, it’s only natural that her Technique changed to a style that matches her personality and goals. In Kanroji’s case, his unique breath technique also requires a new weapon, whereas Demon Slayers usually use katanas. Instead, Kanroji uses a blade that is more like a whip, as the movements it performs with the breath of love are unsuitable for a traditional katana.
At the end of the day, breath techniques are self-expression. Water, flame, wind, thunder and stone are basically classic breathing techniques. They are no less deadly for their popularity, since Himejima, the most powerful of all the Pillars, uses a simple stone breath. After all, Ubuyashiki just wants his Demon Slayers to decapitate demons, he’s not very fussy about the breath techniques they use to do it.