Hashira in Demon Slayer Explained: Who Are They, Who Is the Strongest, Is Tanjiro Hashira Level?

In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the word Hashira has been mentioned a couple of times. Hashira is a group of powerful combatants in the Demon Slayer Corps organization. The objective of the organization is to protect humans from demons. Even if there are hundreds of members, the government does not recognize it officially. 

Upon joining, demon slayers will start from the lowest rank which is Mizunoto and he or she will rank up depending on the missions he or she takes. The highest rank is the Hashira, aside from being the most powerful swordsmen of the group, who are comprised of the elite members.  

Hashira in Demon Slayer Explained: Who Are They?

Also known as the Hashira, the Pillars are nine powerful members in the entire organization who focus on the more dangerous threats or stronger demons. They are Giyu Tomioka (Water Pillar) Shinobu Kocho (Insect Pillar), Kyojuro Rengoku (Flame Pillar), Tengen Uzui (Sound Pillar), Muichiro Tokito (Mist Pillar), Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Pillar), Obanai Iguro (Snake Pillar), and Gyomei Himejima (Stone Pillar).

They sustain the entire organization. There are nine Hashira, each with a specific region to protect and patrol. They gather information about the demons residing in their area, and they are deployed on missions that cannot be completed by lower ranks, like what happened to Rengoku during the Mugen Train arc. 

Aside from having their own specific region, each Hashira has his or her own distinct Breathing Style. Some styles are passed on to the other while some are created by themselves. 

Hashira in Demon Slayer Explained: Who Is the Strongest?

All nine Hashira are powerful with different fighting styles but when it comes to being the strongest, Gyomei Himejima owns the title. Although he did not get a lot of screen time during the Season 1 and movie of Demon Slayer, those who have read the manga will agree that he did a major supporting role in the story. 

He is physically stronger than all the Hashira, and he has one of the best Nichirin blades in history. He became a Demon Slayer after he was spared from execution and was immediately promoted to Stone Pillar after 2 months. 

With just his physical strength, he can keep a demon at bay. Did we mention that he is blind? Gyomei was born blind but with this disability, he has a superhuman hearing that gives him an advantage during battle. He follows the sound of the chain from his ax to track his weapon during combat. He is also skilled in deductive reasoning and tactics. 

Tanjiro, Inosuke, and other demon slayers consider Gyomei as the strongest demon slayer. Even Upper Rank 1 demon Kokushibo agreed with this. 

Hashira in Demon Slayer Explained: Is Tanjiro Hashira Level?

Tanjiro did not become a Hashira towards the end of the series but defeating Muzan is enough reason to say that he is Hashira level. He was trained by Urokodaki and learned the Breath of the Water, which is considered a difficult sword technique. 

He mastered Full Focus Breathing, which only the Hashira can do. If that is not enough, he learned Dance of the Fire God and incorporated it into his fighting style. He also unlocked the “See-through World Ability” that allows him to foresee his opponent’s moves and enter a mental state where his opponents cannot sense him. 

Will there be a Demon Slayer Season 2? Find out here. 

RELATED: 5 Strongest Demon Slayers and Hashira in Kimetsu no Yaiba