Demon Slayer is one of the most popular anime of the last couple of years, and one need only look at its stellar animation to realize why this is the case. Ufotable has proven time and time again that their animation work is second to none, with Demon Slayer setting the bar for what is possible in the realm of animation.
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The first season of the anime ended with the reveal of the powerful Hashira and the role they play in saving humanity from demons. Viewers who want an in-depth look into the powers of these Hashira need only take a look at this list to inform themselves.
Updated March 12, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra: Demon Slayer is easily one of the biggest anime of all time, with the series breaking several records ever since its release. Viewers were left spellbound by the sheer intensity of the animation, bringing the combat sequences to life while its dark and mysterious world served as a great backdrop for the battle between humanity and demons. Tanjiro's adventures from dealing with the death of his family at the hands of Muzan to becoming one of the most powerful demon slayers around has been an absolute joy to witness.
Of course, his development would've been stunted quite a bit had he not encountered the great Hashira. These powerful demon slayers have been quite a treat to witness in the series, dishing out a ton of damage and making it clear that they're not here to mess about. Given the sheer levels of power these Hashira have shown over the course of the series, it's obvious that fans would want to know everything possible about this group. Here are all the Hashira shown in demon slayer, ranked according to how powerful they are.
| Name | Position | Strongest Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Jigoro Kuwajima | Former Thunder Hashira | Thunder Breathing - Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash |
| Sakonji Urokodaki | Former Water Hashira | Water Breathing - Tenth Form: Constant Flux |
| Shinjuro Rengoku | Former Flame Hashira | Flame Breathing - Ninth Form: Rengoku |
| Kanae Kocho | Former Flower Hashira | Flower Breathing - Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye |
| Tengen Uzui | The Sound Hashira | Sound Breathing - Fifth Form: String Performance |
| Shinobu Kocho | The Insect Hashira | Insect Breathing - Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag |
| Kyojuro Rengoku | The Flame Hashira | Flame Breathing - Ninth Form: Rengoku |
| Mitsuri Kanroji | The Love Hashira | Love Breathing - Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love |
| Obanai Iguro | The Serpent Hashira | Serpent Breathing - Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent |
| Muichiro Tokito | The Mist Hashira | Mist Breathing - Seventh Form: Obscuring Clouds |
| Giyu Tomioka | The Water Hashira | Water Breathing - Eleventh Form: Dead Calm |
| Sanemi Shinazugawa | The Wind Hashira | Wind Breathing - Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon |
| Gyomei Himejima | The Stone Hashira | Stone Breathing - Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice |
13 Jigoro Kuwajima, The (Former) Thunder Hashira
In their current states, the former Hashira won't really be able to hold a candle to the strengths of their modern counterparts. However, this in no way indicates that these people were weak in their past — it just means that the new generation has caught up to them and, in some cases, surpassed them.
After all, no one can really say that Jigoro Kuwajima is an outright weak person. The fact that he was once the Thunder Hashira clearly indicates he used to possess vast power. It's only natural that he'd be overtaken, but he set the groundwork for the Hashira who came after him. The fact that he taught a genius like Zenitsu to become a master of Thunder Breathing by mastering just a single style is proof enough of how powerful he really is.
12 Sakonji Urokodaki, The (Former) Water Hashira
Just like Kuwajima, it would be impossible to write off Urokodaki as an outright weak person. His title as the Water Hashira of the past means that he was one of the most powerful Demon Slayers around, at a certain point.
As a master of the technique, Urokodaki even taught Water Breathing to the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. This, in itself, should prove just how vast and amazing Sakonji's legacy really is. After all, he was able to turn Tanjiro into a powerful user of Water Breathing, even though that wasn't his natural style. Given how talented and powerful Tanjiro has become since, his mentor should be commended for setting a great foundation that Tanjiro could build up on.
11 Shinjuro Rengoku, The (Former) Flame Hashira
The Rengoku family has held the mantle of being the Flame Hashira for generations. Kyojuro's passion for his craft could be seen in each and every scene featuring him, and it's a shame that he bid his farewell a bit too soon.
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Not much is known about Shinjuro Rengoku, Kyojuro's father who once held the position of the Flame Hashira. However, achieving this title is no meager feat in itself. It's clear that Shinjuro had to go through a lot of trials and tribulations to be recognized at such a high level. While his image may have been marred following his alcoholic rant deriding his own son's sacrifice, it's clear that this character has his own personal demons that he's been dealing with for quite some time.
10 Kanae Kocho, The (Former) Flower Hashira
Just like Shinjuro, not a lot is known about Kanae's time as the Flower Hashira. However, it's a given that she was extremely powerful since everyone holds her in high regard to this day.
The fact that Doma killed her is going to be a source of great anger for both Shinobu and Kanao. Only time will tell how both warriors will deal with this battle, once they come face to face with this upper rank demon. Demon Slayer's manga might've ended its run, but anime-only fans are still in the dark when it comes to this impending confrontation.
9 Tengen Uzui, The Sound Hashira
The Sound Hashira might have a cool character design, but his power isn't really anything noteworthy. This is especially true when compared to some other Hashira in Demon Slayer who boast truly impressive powers.
As a result, Tengen Uzui has to deal with the moniker of being the least powerful Hashira around. Of course, that's not the worst thing in the world, as all Hashira are strong. He's still incredibly powerful and can give any demon a run for their money. It's a shame that he retired before getting a power boost that would let him enhance his abilities and deal with tougher demons.
8 Shinobu Kocho, The Insect Hashira
Shinobu Kocho is a capable Demon Slayer whose worthy of being the Insect Hashira. That being said, she's arguably the weakest Hashira when it comes to pure strength.
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However, brawn is not the only way to determine power in Demon Slayer. Shinobu's sharp mind coupled with the effective way in which she wields poisons in battle makes her a force to be reckoned with no matter what. Brute strength may be missing in Shinobu's arsenal, but its her other powers that really make her a force to be reckoned with regardless.
7 Kyojuro Rengoku, The Flame Hashira
Rengoku is easily one of the most lovable Hashira in Demon Slayer. This is why it's a shame that he succumbed to the wounds that he suffered in his fight against Akaza.
Regardless, the strength that Rengoku showed in this encounter was still incredible to behold. In fact, he could've actually defeated Akaza had he not been exhausted after saving everyone on the Mugen Train. Fans will rue the fact that he missed out on a power up that would've made this likable character ever more daunting in battle.
6 Mitsuri Kanroji, The Love Hashira
At a glance, the Love Hashira doesn't really look like a fighter who boasts a ton of raw strength. However, looks can be very deceptive — Mitsuru Kanroji actually boasts one of the highest raw strength levels in the Hashira.
Most viewers who are underrating the abilities of this Hashira will be in for a rude awakening once Mitsuri shows precisely how much power she houses in her body. After all, no mere mortal would be able to rip out Muzan's tentacles with ease. Her role has been pretty low-key in the anime. but it's only a matter of time before she shows just how powerful she really is.
5 Obanai Iguro, The Serpent Hashira
The Serpent Hashira hasn't really got the time to shine in the anime. However, manga readers know precisely how much power Obanai Iguro houses.
He's easily one of the strongest members of the Hashira and can hold his own in a fight against the toughest demons around. One can only wait and see how the anime will do justice and display the massive strength of this character.
4 Muichiro Tokito, The Mist Hashira
Muichiro is another Hashira whose true potential is yet to be seen in the anime. That being said, manga readers aren't worried — given his immense power, it won't take that long for the Mist Hashira to carve out a stellar reputation amongst the fanbase.
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Muichiro's mist abilities already sound quite alluring enough as is. Only time will tell whether these powers will be as amazing to witness in the anime as they were in the manga.
3 Giyu Tomioka, The Water Hashira
Out of all the Hashira present in Demon Slayer, Giyu Tomioka has had the most valuable screentime in the anime as of now. His powers were a treat to behold, and the manner in which he was able to make short work of Rui made it extremely clear that the high-level Hashira was a force to be reckoned with.
Given Tanjiro's talents with Water Breathing, one can certainly expect him to spend a ton of time with Giyu Tomioka as he strives to improve his swordsmanship. Of course, Tanjiro's real ace in the hole is Hinokami Kagura, and one can only wait and see how this Sun Breathing develops over the course of the anime.
2 Sanemi Shinazugawa, The Wind Hashira
Like most of the Hashira in the series, anime viewers don't really know a ton about Sanemi Shinazugawa. However, his wild look and demeanor should be indicative enough of just how powerful this Hashira really is.
This ferocity, coupled with the cutting nature of his Wind Breathing, should make it infinitely clear that Sanemi has a ton of tricks up his sleeve. Hopefully, the anime will give this ferocious fighter the spotlight he deserves.
1 Gyomei Himejima, The Stone Hashira
At a glance, Gyomei Himejima might not seem like all that powerful a fighter. The fact that he carries the unimpressive title of being the Stone Hashira means that most people won't really take him all that seriously either.
However, these people are bound to be surprised when they find out that Gyomei is actually the strongest Hashira in the entire group. Suffice to say, his destructive power will be an absolute treat to witness in the series.
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