Anyone familiar with Demon Slayer would know how important Nichirin Swords are to the Demon Slayer Corps members. What differentiates these swords from standard katanas are the materials or minerals used to forge them. The use of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore from the perpetually sunlight bathed regions like Mount Yoko is particularly stressed upon by the swordsmith of the Swordsmith Village, who then brings it personally to the demon slayer to use in battle.
The swords have the ability to change colors, which is why they are also known as ‘Color Changing Katanas.’ However, the color changing aspect depends from user-to-user, so Kanao’s Flower Breathing entails a light pink Nichirin Sword that is different from Love Hashira Mitsuri’s dark pink blade or Zenitsu’s yellow Nichirin Sword. But one of the most exciting parts of Demon Slayer is its range of Hashiras, and all nine of them have beautiful color swords. So, based on that, this listicle will rank the Hashiras and their Nichirin Swords.
Note: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga.
Shinobu Kocho, Obanai Iguro, and 7 other Demon Slayer Hashiras with beautiful Nichirin Swords
9. Giyu Tomioka
As a standard rule for all Hashiras, Giyu Tomioka’s standard Nichirin Sword has the “Destroyer of Demons” engraving. Much like the Water Hashira, his katana too has a classy aesthetic, using colors like red, white, and black. His blade is black with a blue outline to suggest his Breathing Style. The hilt is covered in a white material that has a dark cyan (in anime) diamond shaped pattern. The handguard has a red fuschia hexagonal shape whose core has a bronze color. Later in the Demon Slayer manga, while fighting Akaza, he gets another katana which is deep blue in color but the handguard has patterns resembling a whirlpool.
Giyu’s sword is pretty average in terms of aesthetics as it doesn’t boast a flashy design or unique structure like the Nichirin swords of other Hashiras. However, this doesn’t affect his skills as a proficient swordsman who is the only Hashira beside Sanemi to have survived out of the battle with an Upper Moon and Muzan Kibutsuji.
8. Muichiro Tokito
Amazing episode from Demon Slayer once again no surprise there. Can we talk about muichiro sword tho HELLO ?!???! It’s Pretty Asf. Complements his Breathing technique so well
•#鬼滅の刃 #demonslayer #muichiro pic.twitter.com/2TuDGmHEfK— Bennett Witch Bussy (@augeyy) May 28, 2023
Muichiro Tokito uses a standard Nichirin sword that is sometimes seen as white (in the manga) and sometimes as diamond blue (in the anime). But taking into account the anime Nichirin Sword, the Mist Hashira also has the “Destroyer of Demons” engraved into his katana. The hilt is dark in color with a diamond shaped pattern of the same color as his blade, while the handguard consists of a pattern that has four rectangular hollows in gold.
The Mist Hashira was first seen with a black sword, but after receiving his new Nichirin Sword from Kozo Kanamori (based on the instructions of his former swordsmith, Tetsuido), Muichiro was able to save many residents of the Swordsmith Village. He also single-handedly took down Upper Moon Five, Gyokko, in a 1v1 match. Later, he was able to hold off even against his predecessor and the Upper Moon One, Kokushibo.
7. Sanemi Shinazugawa
Like Giyu, Muichiro, and Rengoku, Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa uses a standard Nichirin Sword with an engraving of “Destroyer of Demons.” The blade is black as usual but has a jagged pattern in green that is representative of his rough use of Wind Breathing. The most detailed part of his Nichirin weapon is the handguard that has an abstract shape with eight sharp points. The handguard is green in color, but the borders have silver linings. The hilt resembles the same as the aforementioned Hashiras’ except it is green in color and Sanemi’s has bandages covering the top and bottom part of the hilt. His grey scabbard, on the other hand, is simple and has silver marks that look like scars.
Undoubtedly, Sanemi is one of the greatest Hashiras in Demon Slayer, having been able to put up with Kokushibo and later Muzan. He was even able to adapt to Gyomei’s fighting style and use other kinds of weapons to battle the former. With the Infinity Castle arc now set to receive an adaptation, it will be incredible to finally see Sanemi’s swordsmanship in the Demon Slayer anime.
6. Gyomei Himejima
The Stone Hashira doesn’t use a standard katana as his Nichirin choice of weapon. The reason is that his swordsmith took into consideration his physical disability, i.e., his blindness to forge a weapon that would help him to feel the movements of his targets around him. The Nichirin Kusarigama that he uses includes a scythe and a heavy iron weight that is attached to a metal chain. Wielders of such a unique weapon can develop their own style with the use of Kusarigamajutsu.
As such, Gyomei uses his Kusarigama skills to hold off against Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, and Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji quite proficiently. The former has had an experience of almost five centuries of swordsmanship, while the latter uses a long range of attack using his body. Yet, Gyomei proved to be a superior combatant who met these two villains back-to-back and was able to take them down (along with other Demon Slayer Corps) using his Stone Breathing and Kusarigama. To see Gyomei and his uber cool weapon in action in the upcoming season will be a treat to watch.
5. Tengen Uzui
Tengen Uzui, the former Sound Hashira of Demon Slayer Corps, uses large Dual Nichirin Cleavers that seem to match his flashy personality. Since he is a ninja aside from being a Hashira, his dual cleavers have been modelled in a way that they are attached together with a metal chain, making it have a similar resemblance to nunchuks. The hilt has four circular shaped indentations that have a maroon middle and golden borders. His cleavers also have the “Destroyer of Demons” engraving but he doesn’t use a sheath to cover them. Instead he uses long strips of white cloth to wrap them. Aside from that the Cleavers have a black blade with a golden wavy pattern on it, with the hilt being covered in a maroon fabric.
In a similar fashion to Gyomei, Tengen uses the weight of the Dual Nichirin Cleavers to generate immense force. This was first seen when he used it against Upper Moon Six Gyutaro created a blast. He has also used to ground himself while facing an explosive attack. In Demon Slayer, it has also been said that until Gyutaro, no other demons were able to survive the impact of the Dual Nichirin Cleavers.
4. Obanai Iguro
The Serpent Hashira of Demon Slayer, Obanai Iguro uses an unusual kind of Nichirin Sword. Having been inspired from the Indonesian Kris Sword, Obanai’s blade has a wave-like pattern that is meant to resemble the slithering of a snake. The lavender colored blade has the “Destroyer of Demons” engravings. The handguard has a golden circular plate with two snakes that are attached by floral patterns. As for his leather sheath, it is unique in the sense that it has a magnetic pull that retains the original shape of his katana.
Like the Wind Hashira, Obanai’s swordsmanship skills are yet to be seen in the anime adaptation. As per the manga, despite being weak compared to other Hashiras (except for Shinobu), the Serpent Hashira fought valiantly against the Demon King even though he was rendered blind by the latter. In fact, there is a point that he is able to deliver large blows, slashing off his arms and almost beheading Muzan. Although he died by the time the Demon King was subdued, he remained one of the major contributors of the Final Battle arc.
3. Kyojuro Rengoku
RENGOKU KYOJURO pic.twitter.com/anRy6ftz4c https://t.co/fS3ulpaW8m
— Demon Slayer (@DemonSlayerSc) June 13, 2023
Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku was the last of his Breathing Style user in Demon Slayer. However, since he was shown in the series to have been a contemporary of all the other Hashiras in the list, he is also considered among the current generation. The jovial and eccentric Kyojuro used a conventional Nichirin Sword with a “Destroyer of Demons” engraved on it. Like his Breathing Style and personality, the dramatic flair of the katana came from its red flame like pattern on a black blade. The hilt is in white, and the handguard had a flame like pattern that had a red middle with the borders in orange.
Kyojuro’s sword was beautiful, and the abilities of the Flame Hashira while using this weapon was seen during the Mugen Train arc. With much fiery passion and extraordinary skill, the Flame Hashira took down Lower Moon One, Enmu, with the help of Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the Kamado siblings. Moreover, he gravely injured Upper Moon Three, Akaza, but his own fatal injuries led to the demise of the inspirational Flame Hashira.
2. Shinobu Kocho
The finese in which Shinobu Kocho wields her sword is masterful. pic.twitter.com/bVEhEsQDJE
— Necro Spectre (@Necrospectre) August 17, 2019
Since Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho is the weakest among all the Hashiras in the Demon Slayer Corps, she has to rely on her keen intellect to defeat demons. As such, her stinger Nichrin Sword has the shape and design of a rod but the tip is needle-like, so that it can be used to pierce through the demon’s skin to inject wisteria poison and kill them. Shinobu’s katana is shaped like that of a four-petalled aqua flower but with bronze outlines. The hilt is similar to the standard Nichirin katanas other Hashiras use. However, unlike the other Hashiras, her lavender-blue blade has the engravings “Evil Demon” and “Destruction” on either side of her sword. Moreover, her scabbard has been modified to be used as a poson mixer.
Shinobu’s medical expertise has been her greatest strength while facing demons (especially when defeating Upper Moon Two, Doma), reducing the value of her Nichirin Sword to that of a stinger only. However, it is among the prettiest swords in the series, making it have the second position in this listicle.
1. Mitsuri Kanroji
Mitsuri kanroji, breath of love, her whip like sword😭💖🫶 I love it all so much. I will forever obsess over her fight scenes!! pic.twitter.com/fWB0hld19P
— 🌸Lizzy🌸 (@admiringmitsuri) June 12, 2023
If viewers were impressed with Tengen’s unusual Nichirin blades during the Entertainment District arc, then Mitsuri’s is an upgrade from swords with a solid shape in general. Made by Tecchin Tecchikawahara, the Love Hashira’s sword is thin and flexible like a ribbon but moves like a whip and can cut like a katana. Given her whip-like Nichirin sword has specific characteristics that demand certain kinds of battleground expertise, only Misturi can use it. The greatest display of her swordsmanship was seen recently during her fight with Zohakuten in the Swordsmith Village arc, where her employment of bending, weaving, and slashing through Hantengu’s final form impressed Demon Slayer fans.
Mitsuri’s Nichirin Sword is dark pink in color due to her Love Breathing, with the handguard having a four-leaf clover pattern that is pink in color but has golden borders. Her katana also has the “Destroyer of Demons” engraved in it. However, a downside of the Nichirin Sword might be the need to fold it multiple times to sheath it properly in its scabbard. However, the Love Hashira seems fine with it.
