Every Tanjiro Breathing Style, Explained

Breathing styles are the foundation of combat for the Demon Slayer Corps. These swordsmanship techniques allow slayers to enhance their physical abilities and deliver devastating attacks. Each breathing style is inspired by elements such as water, fire, wind, and lightning, with slayers dedicating their lives to mastering just one.

Our sweet 15-year-old Tanjiro, however, breaks the mold as one of the few known characters capable of using multiple breathing styles. But why can Tanjiro use multiple breathing styles? And how does each style and technique work?

Related

The Impact of Demon Slayer on Modern Anime Fight Scene Choreography

Demon Slayer didn’t just raise the bar for anime fights scenes; it picked it up and launched it into the stratosphere with breathtaking choreography!

The Reason Why Tanjiro Can Use Multiple Breathing Styles

Before he officially joined the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro had to go through some gruesome training under Urokodaki Sakonji, a former Water Hashira who trained him in the Water Breathing Style.

Later, during a near-death experience, Tanjiro unlocked his family’s ancestral Hinokami Kagura—a ritual dance that had been passed down for generations in an attempt to keep Yorrichi’s legacy alive. This dance was actually designed to preserve the ancient Sun Breathing style, making Tanjiro one of the only few people capable of performing the Sun Breathing Style.

Related

Demon Slayer: Why Was Muzan Afraid Of The Sun Breathing Technique?

Muzan isn’t afraid of much, but something about Sun Breathing makes his skin crawl. What’s so special about it?

Tanjiro’s Breathing Styles: A Complete Breakdown

Water Breathing

Water Breathing is the first breathing style Tanjiro learns. This style focuses on fluid, continuous movements, mimicking the flow and adaptability of water. It’s known for its versatility and defensive techniques, making it an ideal foundation for beginners.

Origins of the Water Breathing Style

Urokodaki’s rigorous training helped Tanjiro build the strength, endurance, and precision necessary to survive as a demon slayer. Although Tanjiro eventually shifts his focus to Sun Breathing, his mastery of Water Breathing remains a crucial part of his fighting style till the very end of the series.

Notable Water Breathing Techniques:

1. First Form: Water Surface Slash – A single, powerful slash that generates enough force to decapitate a demon in one stroke.
2. Sixth Form: Whirlpool – Tanjiro spins his body to create a swirling vortex that cuts anything caught in its path, particularly effective underwater.
3. Tenth Form: Constant Flux – A continuous attack that takes the form of a water dragon, growing stronger with each rotation. This is Tanjiro’s most powerful Water Breathing technique.

Despite its strengths, Water Breathing doesn’t align perfectly with Tanjiro’s natural abilities. His body isn’t suited for the fluid, calculated movements it requires, which leads him to adopt Sun Breathing later on.

Related

Demon Slayer: Could Demons Develop Their Own Breathing Techniques?

Breathing techniques are a Demon Slayers’ secret weapon in their fight against Demons. But what if Demons could use them too?

Sun Breathing (Hinokami Kagura)

Sun Breathing is the original and most powerful breathing style, from which all others are derived. In Tanjiro’s case, this technique manifests as the Hinokami Kagura—a ceremonial dance passed down through his family for generations. Unknown to Tanjiro at first, the dance is a preserved form of Sun Breathing, designed to keep the technique alive.

Origins of the Hinokami Kagura (Sun Breathing Style)

Tanjiro first awakens the Hinokami Kagura during his battle with Rui, a Lower Moon demon. His memories of his father performing the dance trigger his latent ability, allowing him to unleash devastating attacks. Over time, Tanjiro refines his Sun Breathing techniques through intense training and observation of Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s doll during the Swordsmith Village Arc.

Notable Techniques

1. Dance – A high-powered vertical slash capable of overwhelming most enemies.
2. Clear Blue Sky – A 360-degree spinning slash that counters multiple attacks at once.
3. Raging Sun – A pair of horizontal slashes that serve as both offensive and defensive maneuvers.
4. Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance – A rapid succession of attacks resembling a fiery dragon, capable of decapitating multiple targets at once.
5. Thirteenth Form – A continuous loop of all twelve Sun Breathing forms. This technique was created specifically to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji by targeting his twelve vital organs.

Related

Demon Slayer: How Tanjiro’s Kindness Sets Him Apart

Unlike other shonen heroes, Tanjiro Kamado’s strength lies in his ability to empathize with others, even with demons he must defeat.

Sun Breathing’s raw power is unmatched, but its techniques are highly demanding on the body. Initially, Tanjiro struggles with the physical toll it takes, often collapsing from exhaustion after using it. However, through relentless training, he eventually masters all its forms, becoming one of the strongest fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps (though he still never becomes a Hashira)..

The Power of Combining Breathing Styles

One of the most impressive aspects of Tanjiro’s combat style is his ability to blend different breathing techniques. This fusion is first seen during the Entertainment District Arc when he combines Water and Sun Breathing to save Hinatsuru from Gyutaro’s attack. By combining the agility and precision of Water Breathing with the raw power of Sun Breathing, Tanjiro creates a balanced attack that compensates for the weaknesses of each individual style.

This unique capability allows Tanjiro to fight more efficiently and for longer periods. Water Breathing’s fluid movements reduce the strain on his body, while Sun Breathing provides the offensive power necessary to defeat high-ranking demons.