Through its unique sword technique called Breathing Styles Kimsetsu, no Yaiba has distinguished its action from the other common action-movie series.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba literally translates to “Demon Slayer: Demon-Slaying Blade,” in a way demonstrating how crucial swordsmanship is in the story.
The story is set during The Taisho Period in Japan when it was rife with Demons Blades, a sword and a hilt are the basis of the majority of the interactions between them as well as the Demon Slayers from the anime.
But the Demon Slayers do not get to start fighting with swords, hoping that one will strike an unfathomable blow.
They are trained to challenge their limits and broaden the range of what human beings have and, to achieve this they utilize Breath Style techniques.
These methods are very old but as time passes by, the conditions and the creativity that slayers’ opening possibilities for growth.
What Are Breathing Style Techniques?
Breathing or Breath Style Techniques are swordsmanship skills that are taught, practiced, and taught in the Demon Slayer Corps assists them in building their ability to take on the same or even better Demon.
These are used with Nichirin Blades and are used with some exceptions.
Breath-Style Techniques (BST) are precise and focused breathing patterns that enable the practitioner to improve their lung capacity as well as the amount of oxygen they have in their blood.
This allows them to achieve a peak of mental focus and increases their physical ability in the same way as Demons.
These methods are extremely beneficial in reducing the amount of poison in the body, and also in making wounds clot quicker – even those that are caused by serious injuries.
About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series illustrated and written by Koyoharu Gotoge. The series’ release in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump began in February 2016, with 19 collectible volumes of tankobon released to date.
In a world populated by demons and demon-slayers, Kimetsu no Yaiba is a story about characters like siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, following being murdered by their family members by a demon.
Their suffering doesn’t end when Nezuko’s death is saved only to become a demon.
In his role as the eldest sibling Tanjiro promises to protect and heal his sister. The story explores the bond of this sister-brother or, better yet the demon slayer combination against the challenges of an arch-enemy and the social system.
How Many Breathing Styles Are There?
There are 14 Breathing Styles employed in the Demon Slayers of Kimetsu no Yaiba. They all stem from The Breath of the Sun which was the first Breath Style to ever be invented.
7. Breath of the Sun
- Number of Forms –12 Forms
- Known Users – Tanjiro Kamado
- Branch Styles –Every Breathing Style
The Breath of the Sun is the most effective Breathing Style of Demon Slayer and can be thought of as the original or the parent style of the rest.
It is an old and yet-to-be-discovered swordsmanship style that was employed by the very initial Demon Slayers.
Later, it was rebranded in Breath of Flames, Breath of Water, Breath of Wind, Breath of Stone, and Breath of Thunder and served as a base for a variety of other styles.
The Breath of Sun users was believed to be extinct. However, its existence Hinokami Kagura (Dance of the Fire God) was a way to guarantee the survival of the art.
This breathing method and the earrings were passed on through the generations of father and son within the family of Kamado.
So, the only people who have been identified as individuals who used Breath of Sun is Tanjuro Kamado as well as Tanjiro Kamado.
6. Breath of the Moon
- Number of Forms –16 Forms
- Known Users –Kokushibo (Michikatsu Tsugikuni)
- Branch Styles –None
*Spoiler Alert*
Breath of the Moon is a style of foundation developed by Michikatsu Tsugikuni (Kokushibo) that is derived from Breath of the Sun.
After his transformation into a Demon, Michikatsu took on the role of an Upper-Level One Demon with the pseudonym Kokushibo and was one of the first Demons to use breathing methods.
Because of his status being Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s twin and also a Demon Slayer, Michikatsu had ample time and knowledge to perfect Moon Breathing.
From a simple form that generated chaotic blades, he redesigned it until that it now has 16 distinct forms, and easily beats the majority of others. Breathing Styles.
5. Breath of Stone
- Number of Forms –4 Forms
- Known Users –Gyomei Himejima
- Branch Styles –None
Breath of Stone is one of the six fundamental branch styles of Breath of Sun.
The most famous person who uses Breath Of Stone has been identified as Gyomei Himejima. He is the greatest Hashira.
It has four forms known to give its user a terrifying amount of strength.
4. Breath of Wind
- Number of Forms –7 Forms
- Known Users –Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Branch Styles –Breath of the Mist, Breath of the Beast
Breath of Wind is an emanation of Breath of Wind, which is derived from Breath of Sun. It utilizes an increased sensation of touching.
There are seven styles associated with it, and they are used by Sanemi Shinazugawa who is one of the Hashira.
Breath of Wind continues to branch in two different styles.
- Breath of Mist was derived in Breath of Wind and is used by Muichiro Tokito, a Hashira. The style initially had six types, and Muichiro developing the seventh form during his fight with the Upper Moon Demon.
- Breath of the Beast is a different derivation from Breath of Wind practiced by Inosuke Hashibira. It enhances the sensation of touch using various methods. It has ten different styles, with an additional technique invented by Inosuke himself.
3. Breath of Thunder
- Number of Forms –7 Forms
- Known Users – Zenitsu Agatsuma, Jigoro Kuwajima
- Branch Styles –Breath of the Sound
Breath of the Thunder or Breath of Lightning is among the five styles that are part of Breath of Sun. Its most prominent user is thought as Jigoro Kuwajima who was trained by Zenitsu Agatsuma.
(spoiler warning for anime-only watchers*)
The form was comprised of six styles at first however, Zenitsu invented seven styles during his fight against the Upper Moon Six.
Breath Of The Thunder provides its user with incredible speed, which makes them more able to take on more powerful demons. The style is further developed into Breath of the Sound.
Breath of the Sound is inspired by Breath of Thunder. It is only available to Tengen Uzui the Hashira who makes use of it to detect the movements of his opponents and analyze the movements of opponents as sound with rhythmic movements, allowing him to strike in a powerful way.
2. Breath of Water
- Number of Forms –11 Forms
- Known Users – Giyu Tomioka, Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro Kamado
- Branch Styles –Breath of the Flower, Breath of the Serpent, Breath of Insects
Breath of Water is another foundational style, which was first employed by Sakonji Urokodaki.
The initial form consisted of 10 different styles, with Urokodaki’s student Giyu Tomioka composing the 11th version later on. Tanjiro utilizes the Breath of Water style when Urokodaki’s mentor.
Breath of Water is known as one of the most flexible styles of Breathing since it allows users to utilize it in conjunction in conjunction with different styles. It further breaks into:
- Breath from The Flower Style:It is estimated by the manga , that it comprises of seven different variations. This style was used by Kanae Kochi, and is currently employed by Kanao Tsuyuri.
- Breath of the Serpent: It is employed by Obanai Iguro. It focuses on the ability of the sword to bend – bent and twisting the sword like snakes do. The number of possible styles in the style is known however it is believed to go through to the fifth.
- Breath of Insects: It is used by Shinobu Kocho, an a hashira. The form was invented by Shinobu to make up for her physical weakness The form concentrates on inflicting multiple injuries on their opponents and inflicting lethal Wisteria-based poisons. At present there are four known attacks in the style.
1. Breath of Flames
- Number of Forms –9 Forms
- Known Users –Kyojuro Rengoku, Shinjuro Rengoku
- Branch Styles –Breath of Love
Breath of Flames is one of the six primary Breath Styles that are derived from the Breath of Sun.
It comes in nine different forms, each of which is more dangerous than the previous. One of the most well-known users of this type is Kyojuro Rengoku, a member of the Hashira.
Breath of Flames was re-emerged into an individual Breath Style developed by Mitsuri Kanorji and an artist from Hashira named Breath of Love. The form is made up of six different styles inspired by sword-slashing.
What Is Total Concentration Breathing?
There is a significant difference between the slayers in the form of their numbers.
The massive difference in capabilities between normal demon slayers and those of the elite, also known as “the Hashira” (Pillars) is very apparent.
What causes this massive distinction is Hashiras capability to learn the Full Focus Breathing, or TCT Breathing throughout the day.
What is Total Concentration Breathing You may ask:
The state of total concentration breathing is an enlightened state in which Demon Slayers take in the maximum amount of oxygen by breathing in specific patterns, which enable them to reach the maximum potential of their mental and physical abilities.
Most often the state is experienced by normal slayers who want to end a fight, and then in preparation for a final strike. This is where the differences in the training and capabilities are evident.
The Hashira or the Pillars always are in this state of Total Concentration, even while sleeping.
Tanjiro’s battle against Rui and the repercussions of it exposed the rigorous training needed to be in a similar state for the duration of.
Tanjiro said he was unable to remain in the state for longer than 10 minutes. This clearly shows the difference of capabilities of Hashira and a regular Slayer.
Kanao appears to be able to master her Total Concentration technique as it is claimed that she could make a specially-designed gourd explode simply by blowing it.
Contrastingly, Tanjiro struggled immensely to the very end of his awareness to beat Rui and was eventually killed by Giyu Tomioka.
