The Hashira are the nine highest-ranking swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps during the period when Tanjiro Kamado is brought before the organization’s leaders. Each holds a title linked to a Breathing Style, and each brings a sharply different fighting method and personality to the story.
Giyu Tomioka is the first Hashira Tanjiro encounters, while the full group is introduced later during the trial of Tanjiro and Nezuko. This guide lists all nine Hashira, explains how each is introduced, and separates the active roster from former Hashira.
Spoiler warning: The character summaries include major plot developments from the anime and manga.
The nine Hashira at Tanjiro’s trial
These are the nine Hashira introduced as the main active roster during the early story. Their official English titles are based on the Breathing Styles they use.
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| Hashira | Title | How they are introduced |
|---|---|---|
| Giyu Tomioka | Water Hashira | Meets Tanjiro and Nezuko in Episode 1 |
| Shinobu Kocho | Insect Hashira | Appears after the Mount Natagumo battle |
| Kyojuro Rengoku | Flame Hashira | Receives a major mission with Tanjiro’s group |
| Tengen Uzui | Sound Hashira | Leads the Entertainment District mission |
| Mitsuri Kanroji | Love Hashira | Appears at the Hashira meeting and later leads a major role in Swordsmith Village |
| Muichiro Tokito | Mist Hashira | Appears as a prodigious but initially detached swordsman |
| Obanai Iguro | Serpent Hashira | Appears at the Hashira meeting with his snake, Kaburamaru |
| Sanemi Shinazugawa | Wind Hashira | Is introduced as an outspoken opponent of Nezuko |
| Gyomei Himejima | Stone Hashira | Appears as the physically largest and spiritually devout Hashira |
1. Giyu Tomioka — Water Hashira
Giyu is the first Hashira shown in Demon Slayer. In the anime, he encounters Tanjiro and Nezuko in Episode 1, “Cruelty,” after Nezuko has been transformed into a demon.
Rather than simply killing Nezuko, Giyu notices Tanjiro’s determination and gives him a possible path forward. He directs Tanjiro to Sakonji Urokodaki, the former Water Hashira, beginning Tanjiro’s connection with the Demon Slayer Corps.
Giyu is reserved, formal, and highly skilled with Water Breathing. His quiet nature can make him appear distant, but his first appearance establishes that he is capable of judging a situation beyond the Corps’ usual rules.
2. Shinobu Kocho — Insect Hashira
Shinobu is introduced during the aftermath of the Mount Natagumo battle. She arrives as the conflict involving Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the spider demons is reaching its conclusion, and she becomes involved in the dispute over whether Nezuko should be allowed to live.
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Unlike most Demon Slayers, Shinobu cannot decapitate demons through ordinary physical strength. Instead, she uses a sword designed for thrusting and relies on wisteria-based poison to kill them. Her knowledge of medicine and poisons also makes her one of the Corps’ most important medical specialists.
Shinobu’s outwardly pleasant manner contrasts with her hostility toward demons. She is also the Hashira mentor of Kanao Tsuyuri and is connected to the former Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho, her older sister.
3. Kyojuro Rengoku — Flame Hashira
Rengoku receives his major introduction in the Mugen Train storyline. He travels with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko on a mission involving a series of disappearances aboard the train.
As the Flame Hashira, Rengoku uses Flame Breathing and fights with direct, powerful attacks. His defining traits are confidence, energy, cheerfulness, and an uncompromising sense of duty. He treats protecting civilians as an obligation rather than a choice.
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Rengoku’s role on Mugen Train gives Tanjiro’s group its first extended experience working alongside a Hashira. It also demonstrates the enormous gap between an ordinary Demon Slayer and one of the Corps’ elite fighters.
4. Tengen Uzui — Sound Hashira
Tengen leads the mission in the Entertainment District arc. A former shinobi, he uses two large Nichirin cleavers connected by a chain and combines swordsmanship with explosives.
His introduction is deliberately flamboyant. Tengen speaks in terms of spectacle and “flashiness,” but beneath that presentation he is a capable commander who takes responsibility for the people under his protection.
The Entertainment District battle leaves Tengen without his left eye and left arm. He subsequently retires from active Hashira duty, although he remains involved with the Corps and later assists with training.
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5. Mitsuri Kanroji — Love Hashira
Mitsuri is bright, affectionate, and unusually open about her emotions. That warmth can make her seem less intimidating than the other Hashira, but it hides exceptional physical strength and a highly specialized fighting style.
She uses Love Breathing, a style derived from her personal physical abilities and swordsmanship. Her flexible Nichirin sword allows her to attack with movements that differ from conventional blade fighting.
Mitsuri becomes especially important during the Swordsmith Village conflict. Her role there shows that the Hashira’s personalities vary widely: the group includes not only stern military figures, but also someone expressive, romantic, and openly compassionate.
6. Muichiro Tokito — Mist Hashira
Muichiro is a prodigy who becomes a Hashira only two months after beginning his training. When first presented, he appears distracted and emotionally detached, often focusing on whatever has caught his attention rather than on the people around him.
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His Mist Breathing creates a fighting style built around obscuring movement and confusing an opponent’s perception. Despite his young age and absent-minded manner, his swordsmanship places him among the Corps’ most dangerous combatants.
The Swordsmith Village arc develops Muichiro beyond his initial impression. His memories and relationships gradually restore a stronger sense of empathy and purpose, turning his introduction as an aloof prodigy into the beginning of a substantial character arc.
7. Obanai Iguro — Serpent Hashira
Obanai is introduced as a strict and suspicious swordsman. His lower face is covered with bandages, and he is accompanied by Kaburamaru, a white snake that moves around his shoulders and assists him.
Obanai uses Serpent Breathing, whose curved, unpredictable attacks reflect the movements of a snake. His behavior toward Tanjiro is severe, particularly because he is deeply concerned with the Demon Slayer Corps’ rules and the danger posed by demons.
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8. Sanemi Shinazugawa — Wind Hashira
Sanemi is introduced during the Hashira trial as one of the most openly aggressive members of the group. He is especially hostile toward Nezuko and challenges the idea that a demon can be trusted to avoid attacking humans.
His Wind Breathing produces fast, forceful attacks suited to his confrontational style. Sanemi’s abrasiveness is not limited to demons: he is argumentative with fellow Demon Slayers and rarely softens his words.
Sanemi is also Genya Shinazugawa’s older brother. Their difficult relationship adds personal history to Sanemi’s otherwise hostile first impression and becomes important as the story explores his past.
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9. Gyomei Himejima — Stone Hashira
Gyomei is the physically largest Hashira and one of the Corps’ most formidable fighters. He does not use a conventional sword. His weapon is a combination of a spiked flail and an axe, connected by a chain.
Despite his imposing appearance, Gyomei is compassionate and deeply religious. He frequently cries while chanting Buddhist prayers, creating a striking contrast between his immense physical power and his emotional sensitivity.
His reputation within the Corps is exceptionally high. Gyomei’s first group appearance establishes him as a solemn, respected figure whose judgment carries considerable weight among the Hashira.
When are the Hashira introduced in the anime?
The anime does not introduce all nine Hashira in one scene. Their appearances are spread across the first season and later story arcs.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Episode 1, “Cruelty”: Giyu Tomioka encounters Tanjiro and Nezuko.
- Episode 20, “Pretend Family”: Giyu appears at the end of the Mount Natagumo battle.
- Episode 21, “Against Corps Rules”: Shinobu Kocho appears during the confrontation over Nezuko.
- Episodes 22–23: The other Hashira appear at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Episode 23 is officially titled “Hashira Meeting” and presents the trial of Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Episode numbering can cause confusion. Some guides call Episode 22 the Hashira debut because the group begins appearing during the headquarters sequence. The official anime site labels the formal trial episode as Episode 23, “Hashira Meeting.”
When are the Hashira introduced in the manga?
In the manga, the Hashira first appear together in Chapter 44. Their meeting and individual introductions continue in Chapter 45, titled “Trial by Hashira.”
This means the most precise answer depends on what “introduction” means:
| Meaning | Anime | Manga |
|---|---|---|
| First Hashira encountered by Tanjiro | Giyu in Episode 1 | Early chapters of the manga |
| First group appearance | Episodes 22–23 | Chapter 44 |
| Formal trial and individual group presentation | Episode 23, “Hashira Meeting” | Chapter 45, “Trial by Hashira” |
Former and deceased Hashira
The nine-person list describes the principal roster introduced around Tanjiro’s trial. It is not a complete list of every person who has ever held a Hashira title.
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- Kyojuro Rengoku: Former Flame Hashira after his death following the Mugen Train mission.
- Tengen Uzui: Former Sound Hashira after retiring because of the injuries he suffered in the Entertainment District.
- Kanae Kocho: Shinobu’s older sister and the previous Flower Hashira. Kanae died before the main nine-person roster was introduced and should be labeled a former Hashira rather than added to the active group.
Official Hashira titles
For a definitive English-language list, use these titles:
- Giyu Tomioka — Water Hashira
- Shinobu Kocho — Insect Hashira
- Kyojuro Rengoku — Flame Hashira
- Tengen Uzui — Sound Hashira
- Mitsuri Kanroji — Love Hashira
- Muichiro Tokito — Mist Hashira
- Obanai Iguro — Serpent Hashira
- Sanemi Shinazugawa — Wind Hashira
- Gyomei Himejima — Stone Hashira
“Snake Hashira,” “Bug Hashira,” and “Rock Hashira” may appear in informal translations, but the official English anime terminology uses Serpent, Insect, and Stone.
FAQ
How many Hashira are there in Demon Slayer?
There are nine Hashira in the main roster introduced during Tanjiro’s trial: Giyu, Shinobu, Rengoku, Tengen, Mitsuri, Muichiro, Obanai, Sanemi, and Gyomei.
Who is the first Hashira introduced in Demon Slayer?
Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, is the first Hashira Tanjiro meets. He appears in anime Episode 1, “Cruelty.”
Which episode introduces all the Hashira?
The Hashira begin appearing at the headquarters in Episodes 22–23 of the first anime season. Episode 23, officially titled “Hashira Meeting,” presents the formal trial of Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Is Kanae Kocho one of the nine Hashira?
No. Kanae was the former Flower Hashira and Shinobu Kocho’s older sister. She had died before the nine-person roster introduced at Tanjiro’s trial was assembled.
The Bottom Line
The nine main Hashira are Giyu Tomioka, Shinobu Kocho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Tengen Uzui, Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima. Giyu is the first to meet Tanjiro, while the full group is formally presented during the Hashira meeting in anime Episode 23 and manga Chapter 45.
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