Summary
DemonSlayeris easily one of the biggest and most popular shonen series of all time, which is certainly surprising given how short the series has been. The amazing adaptation of this series by Ufotable has certainly lit the spark for this series' popularity, withthe movieDemon Slayer: Mugen Trainestablishing itself as the highest-grossing Japanese movie of all time.
A big part of what makes the combat inDemon Slayerso enthralling to watch is its various breathing techniques, witheach notable Demon Slayerspecializing in a particular breathing technique that allows them to pull off some truly fantastic and amazing moves. Thestrongest breathing styles inDemon Slayerfeature a wealth of powerful techniques that, when executed correctly, can bring the fight to the toughest demons and give them a run for their money.
Updated on June 10, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:With Demon Slayer’s Hashira Training arc drawing to a close with one of the most tantalizing cliffhangers in anime history, fans can’t wait to check out the trilogy of films that will do justice to the Infinity Castle arc and help Demon Slayer end on a strong note. This series has captured the mainstream in a way no one could’ve imagined, with Ufotable’s stellar animation work going a long way in ensuring that people get to enjoy some fabulous fight sequences as the titular demon slayers put everything on the line to ensure that humanity doesn’t need to be afraid of these heinous demons that have tormented them time and time again. There are numerous abilities that stem from some of thestrongest breathing styles in Demon Slayerand can give fans a run for their money.
23*Water Breathing - Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent
Sakonji Urokodaki, Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro Kamado
Water Breathing is one of the most beautiful andstrongest breathing styles inDemon Slayer, with Tanjiro relying on a style that didn’t naturally suit him to somehow defeat a suite of powerful demons, including a former Lower Rank who did everything possible to take him out. Kyogai was no joke, and Tanjiro had to whip out some of his toughest techniques to ensure that this demon could be stopped for good.
With the revolving room making it hard for him to maintain his footing, Tanjiro decided to use the Ninth Form of Water Breathing which emphasized constant movement and helped him use the lack of footing to his advantage. He closed the distance to Kyogai and avoided his attacks before landing a finishing blow and stopping this demon in his tracks once and for all.
22*Moon Breathing - Ninth Form: Waning Moonswaths
Kokushibo/Michikatsu Tsugikuni
Watching Kokushibouse his Moon Breathing styleinDemon Slayeris going to be an absolute treat for fans, especially given the fact that he was originally Yoriichi’s sibling who couldn’t fathom the gulf of power between him and his sickly brother. It pushed him down a dark path where he became a demon for the sole purpose of eclipsing his brother’s strength and legacy.
Kokushibo boasts one of thestrongest breathing styles inDemon Slayer, with the addition of demon powers adding actual crescent moon blades to his attacks that make them even harder to deal with. Such is the case with this technique’s Ninth Form, which unleashes multiple sword slashes that can be a pain for any fighter to deal with.
21*Hinokami Kagura - Fake Rainbow
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjiro Kamado
Hinokami Kagura is easily one of thestrongest breathing styles inDemon Slayer, and the proof can be seen in Muzan’s reaction to Tanjiro’s mere existence. The Demon King had never felt true fear until Yoriichi almost managed to take out his five hearts in one fell swoop despite his aging body. This makes it clear that each and every technique in the Sun Breathing style will be a treat to witness for fans of the series.
Even something as simple as the Fake Rainbow is diabolical in the right hands, with the user leaving an afterimage of themselves that bamboozles enemies. Given how split-second reactions can make or break a fight inDemon Slayer, it’s easy to see why catching a powerful demon unawares with this technique can leave them open for a quick counterattack that can leave them headless in record time.
20Moon Breathing — Fourteenth Form: Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon
Kokushibo is one of the most heinous villains in the series, and it’s clear that his power is off the charts. This can be seen in his Moon Breathing technique, which is quite powerful and is further enhanced by his abilities as a demon.
The Fourteenth Form of this technique is quite powerful in its own right, creating a damaging vortex using the larger version of his dangerous blade. This technique has a wide range that can absolutely decimate anything in its path.
19Hinokami Kagura — Flame Dance
Hinokami Kagura, also known as Sun Breathing, is easily one ofthe strongest Breathing Styles in the seriesby a wide margin. It’s the Breathing Style that served as the base for every other style in the series, which is no mean feat.
Flame Dance is one of the many useful and powerful moves that Tanjiro can pull off while using this Breathing Style. It’s a simple attack that combines a vertical and horizontal slash to great effect.
18Thunder Breathing — First Form: Thunderclap and Flash - Godspeed
Jigoro Kuwajima, Zenitsu Agatsuma
Zenitsu is one of the most beloved characters in the series. Despite seeming like a character who exists solely for comic relief, he’s actually a prodigy whomastered the first form of Thunder Breathingand can use it effectively to tackle even the strongest enemies around.
This First Form is something that Zenitsu has worked on quite a bit, allowing him to build up on this technique and completely obliterate most opponents in the blink of an eye. The variation of this technique, Godspeed, is even faster and more deadly.
17Beast Breathing — Tenth Fang: Whirling Fangs
Inosuke Hashibira
Inosuke is another entertaining character who hides his face at all times despite looking quite pretty. He uses Beast Breathing, a crazy and erratic Breathing Style that turns Inosuke into a beast-like swordsman who slices and dices anything in his path.
The forms of this style are called Fangs, with each one of them being quite effective in its own right. The Tenth Fang: Whirling Fangs serves as an attack that is both offensive and defensive in nature, with Inosuke spinning rapidly to deflect any ranged projectiles while also cutting up any demon unlucky enough to get in his way.
16Moon Breathing — Tenth Form: Drilling Slashes, Moon Through Bamboo Leaves
Fans can’t wait to see Moon Breathing in the anime, given how awe-inspiring its techniques look in action. No other move personifies this best than the Tenth Form: Drilling Slashes, Moon Through Bamboo Leaves.
Kokushibo’s sword can increase in size to make his attacks more potent, allowing him to use this form that involves a massive triple-layered slash. It covers a ton of range and can easily obliterate anyone caught in its way.
15Love Breathing — Sixth Form: Cat-Legged Winds of Love
Mitsuri Kanroji
The Love Hashira is easily one of the most unique characters in the show. After all, what person isn’t confused about the mechanics of Love Breathing and how it would aid someone in battle?
In the manga, Mitsuri has already shown the power of Love Breathing to full effect. Her sixth form is the most powerful of the lot, featuring an extended slashing attack that happens in the blink of an eye and deals massive damage.
14Serpent Breathing — Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent
Obanai Iguro
Given how flexible a snake is, it’s only a given that Serpent Breathing would incorporate this movement as well. This is precisely what Obanai Iguro manages to accomplish with his unique blade.
The Fifth Form of Serpent Breathing that he uses is great for both crowd control and solitary enemies. It curves the user’s sword and lets them attack multiple targets at once with ease.
