The Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps are referred to as Hashira in official documents. The other characters in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba have a great deal of respect and affection for these overpowered characters, and with good cause.
The Hashira help tip the scales in favour of humanity by counteracting the demons' might, brutality, and violent instincts, which few individuals can do. Although Kagaya Ubuyashiki and the Demon Slayer Pillars serve as the first line of defence, Muzan Kibutsuji and his Twelve Kizuki make an effort to maintain a persistent threat.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge remains as popular as ever, as proven by the recently released and still ongoing Swordsmith Village arc. Although the manga finished in 2020, anime-only fans will have to wait a long time to find out what happened to Tanjiro and Nezuko. Given the importance of the Demon Slayer pillars, we've added some new information to this list of the strongest Hashira.
11 Shinobu Kocho
The Insect Pillar
Shinobu Kocho has played an important role in the Demon Slayer Corp mission, and her involvement extends beyond the battlefield. Her Insect Breathing skills, as well as her customised Nichirin Blade, suit her quick combat style. Shinobu's chemical expertise, however, makes her both a significant threat to demons and a saviour of humanity.
Shinobu's ultimate purpose was not simply to exterminate all demons, but to promote a climate of worldwide peace. Although she frequently lets her wrath drive her actions, it's evident Shinobu shares the same goal as her Hashira counterparts: the complete and total destruction of Muzan, the Demon King.
10 Tengen Uzui
The Sound Pillar
During the Taisho Period, Tengen Uzui was born into one of Japan's last surviving Shinobi households. Even after losing a hand while fighting Upper Moon 6 Gyutaro, the Sound Hashira's upbringing made him an effective warrior all-around.
From the nunchuck-style wielding of his Nichirin Blades to his jewel-laced clothes and accoutrements, everything about this Demon Slayer Pillar exudes his favourite word: flamboyance. Tengen's Sound Breathing enables him to mentally record his struggles as if they were a musical score and then act on his insights.
9 Kyojuro Rengoku
The Flame Pillar
Kyojuro Rengoku, descended from a line of Flame Breathing swordsmen, takes great satisfaction in his work. The vow he made to his dying mother, in which he firmly stated that he would always utilise his tremendous strength to protect others, is a powerful motivator for his passion.
Kyojuro is a prominent combatant in the Demon Slayer Corps, with one of the strongest personalities among Kagaya Ubuyashiki's Pillars. Many of his teammates, like Giyu Tomioka and Mitsuri Kanroji, look up to him as an inspiration. Despite the fact that Kyojuro dies after fighting Akaza, the Flame Hashira technically wins the combat.
8 Sakonji Urokodaki
The Former Water Pillar
Sakonji Urokodaki, also known as the "Cultivator of Swordsmen" is well-known in the demon slayer community. Having said that, obtaining the Hashira status and living to old age is a notable achievement for anyone in the Corps.
Sakonji is said to wear his tengu mask because demons mock him for his kind face. He also has a good sense of smell, which he shares with Tanjiro Kamado. Sankonji's martial prowess is demonstrated by his ability to successfully instruct both Giyu and Tanjiro in the subtleties of Water Breathing.
7 Mitsuri Kanroji
The Love Pillar
Before Mitsuri Kanroji, there was no Love Pillar in the Demon Slayer Corps. In actuality, this legendary Hashira creates the Love Breathing style to fit her unique preferences, yet the principles are derived from Flame Breathing. Mitsuri is obviously one of Demon Slayer's strongest characters, as evidenced by her duel with Upper Moon 4 Hantengu.
Mitsuri not only has a distinct physique, but the Love Hashira is also known for her diverse fighting style and physical flexibility. When confronted by Zohakuten, Mitsuri awakens the Demon Slayer Mark, effectively changing the tides of combat in her favour.
6 Kanae Kocho
The Flower Pillar
Kanae Kocho, the Flower Pillar, died long before the Demon Slayer era begins. Almost everything she does as Shinobu's older sister centres around keeping her sibling safe. Interestingly, Kanae is far more powerful than Shinobu, successfully blending the Flower Breathing method with raw physical strength.
Kanae actually fights on par with Upper Rank 2 Doma for a long time before succumbing to the overpowered demon. Kanae's famous Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion is highly perilous to utilise, but the destructive results far outweigh any personal dangers.
5 Obanai Iguro
The Snake Pillar
Directionally nuanced attacks may be the method for Obanai's Snake Breathing techniques, but his attitude is strict and straightforward, even if it means someone has to suffer — save Kagaya Ubuyashiki, of course. The Serpent Pillar's right eye is effectively blind, but this doesn't impede his movements in the slightest.
Obanai personally crafts and hones the Serpent Breathing style, a remarkable achievement for anyone, even a Hashira. Obanai is also extremely cutting with his words toward others, but he makes it clear when someone has his favor. He doesn't hide his infatuation with Mitsuri the Love Pillar, but she seems totally oblivious until the very end of Demon Slayer.
4 Muichiro Tokito
The Mist Pillar
Muichiro arguably inherits his prodigious swordsmanship from his ancestor, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, who later devolves into Upper Moon 1 Kokushibo. As a result of his genetic legacy, Muichiro is strong enough to join the Demon Slayer Corps at the young age of 11.
Muichiro quickly rises to the rank of Hashira, inevitably becoming the official Mist Pillar. Muichiro's swordsmanship is unparalleled — he can fight on even ground with Yoriichi Type Zero, an automaton that's said to mimic the movements of the eponymous demon slayer. Muichiro's greatest accomplishment is defeating and decapitating Upper Rank 5 Gyokko during the Swordsmith Village arc.
3 Sanemi Shinazugawa
The Wind Pillar
Because of his marechi, or rare blood type, Sanemi Shinazugawa has had plenty of experience fighting demons long before joining the Corp. His ruthless resolve as a demon slayer is easy to understand when considering that his blood is like gluten-free liquor to demons.
Not to mention the fact that, in his youth, Sanemi was forced to kill his demon-infected mother after she had finished devouring his younger siblings. As a practitioner of Wind Breathing, Sanemi's powers and abilities are equivalent to the Upper Moon Demons, all of whom turn out to be overpowered. Very few fighters are capable of defeating the Wind Hashira.
2 Giyu Tomioka
The Water Pillar
Giyu Tomioka is a masterful swordsman, but he doesn't always give himself the credit he deserves. The patterned half of the haori he wears is in honor of Sabito, a young swordsman who died saving all of the other students during their Final Selection Exam.
With some motivation from his peers, Giyu eventually accepts his position as the Water Pillar. His Water Breathing techniques are far beyond Tanjiro's, which is saying something. When Giyu triggers his Demon Slayer Mark, he temporarily becomes capable of fighting Muzan himself.
1 Gyomei Himejima
The Stone Pillar
Gyomei Himejima is the strongest demon slayer under Kagaya Ubuyashiki's leadership. Despite his blindness, Gyomei fights using a spiked ball and hand-axe on a chain — made of the same materials as Nichirin Blades — with very keen accuracy.
Gyomei employs chanting and meditation to augment his overall strength, but nothing bolsters his powers as much as awakening his Demon Slayer Mark. When this happens, the Stone Hashira transforms into an incomparable combatant, forcing even the likes of Kokushibo to take him seriously.
