Most heroes in Demon Slayer belong to the titular Demon Slayer Corp, a centuries-old institution committed to liberating the world from the demon plague. It operates autonomously and outside political jurisdiction, answering only to Kagaya Ubuyashiki. While the Corp contains dozens of Demon Slayers, the Hashira (or Pillars), are undoubtedly the organization's most powerful members.
Each Hashira has mastered a specific form of Breathing, but not all of them are built equally—some are naturally stronger, whereas others require specific conditions to channel the bulk of their power. That being said, there are a few non-Hashira who surpass their superiors with intense training and determination.
Warning: Manga spoilers below!
10 Genya Shinazugawa's Potential Is Significantly Greater Than Most People's
On paper, Genya Shinazugawa should be a lot weaker than his older brother Sanemi, the Wind Hashira. However, it seems that Genya's potential is significantly greater than most people's in Demon Slayer. He can develop demon powers by eating their bodies—the resulting amplification is directly proportional to the power of his "prey."
Genya becomes nigh-invulnerable when he ingests Zohakuten's wood and further magnifies his core strength after consuming Kokushibo's hair. While Genya has no experience in Breathing styles, one can only imagine the consequences of feeding him Muzan's flesh.
9 Tengen Uzui Earns His Position Among The Upper Echelon Of Demon Slayers
The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, tends to react with extreme exaggeration, suggesting emotional instability. This turns out to be a facade, as Tengen proves capable of handling Gyutaro and Daki simultaneously, despite the noxious poison in his bloodstream.
The Sound Hashira earns his position among the upper echelon of Demon Slayers due to his innate gift for reading, translating, and interpreting his opponents' movements using nothing more than sound vibrations. In addition, Tengen's childhood training as a shinobi vastly augments his Hashira techniques.
8 Obanai Iguro Is The Living Incarnation Of Serpent Breathing
Obanai Iguro is the living incarnation of Serpent Breathing, a combat mode that he personally invents and hones to perfection. His sword is nearly impossible to follow, let alone dodge or parry, given that it follows an undulating pattern of motion.
Even Muzan is astounded when Obanai reveals his unique skillset. The Serpent Hashira manifests five known Forms, including Venom Fangs of the Narrow Head, Twin-Headed Reptile, and the devastating Slithering Serpent. The latter ability can be used against several enemies in flawless synchrony.
7 Shinobu Kocho Incorporates Her Advanced Knowledge Of Poisons Into Her Battle Routine
Shinobu Kocho's Insect Breathing offsets her physical weakness and lends her the strength required to decapitate demons without relying on her body. She fights Doma, the Upper Rank Two, on equal footing, illustrating her remarkable combat prowess and durability.
The Insect Hashira incorporates her advanced knowledge of poisons and toxins into her battle routine, as depicted in her various Dances: Butterfly, Bee Sting, Dragonfly, and Centipede. These techniques require extraordinary speed, force, and dexterity, a combination that is as deadly as it is relentless.
6 Mitsuri Kanroji Is Resilient, Tough, And Her Techniques Apparently Move Faster Than Light
Mitsuri Kanroji sails through the Final Selection exam after training for barely half a year, a record that remains unbroken among Demon Slayers. Despite her lithe appearance, Mitsuri's muscles have special high-density properties, imbuing her with a level of resilience and vigor that exceeds her colleagues'.
Although Mitsuri's body movement speeds are relatively negligible, her abilities are clearly swifter than those of Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira. During her fight with Hantengu's clone, she effortlessly avoids being struck by lightning and thunder. Mitsuri's Love Breathing is truly a sight to behold.
5 Inosuke & Zenitsu Overpower Most Opponents When They Fight In Sync
Inosuke Hashibira's spontaneous nature results in the creation of the Beast Breathing style. His biggest drawback is his overly aggressive approach towards both enemies and friends, but this belligerence diminishes over time, particularly under Tanjiro's calming presence.
Inosuke's grit might be unbreakable, even if it occasionally verges on pigheadedness. On the other end of the personality scale is Zenitsu, a jittery Demon Slayer whose real powers emerge when he falls asleep. Zenitsu's mastery over Thunder Breathing takes practically everyone by surprise.
4 Kyojuro Rengoku Is On The Brink Of Achieving Higher Planes Of Existence
Kyojuro Rengoku demonstrates his exceptional diligence by becoming a Hashira even after his father loses interest in his training. Akaza is so impressed by Kyojuro's raw power that he "tempts" the latter to accept demonhood, but the Flame Hashira mocks the Upper Rank Three for his presumptuousness.
Further, Akasa hints that Kyojuro is on the brink of achieving the Sukitoru Sekai and Muga no Kyochi, planes of awareness far beyond the capabilities of ordinary Demon Slayers. Unfortunately, Kyojuro simply doesn't pack enough firepower to bring a permanent end to Akaza's life.
3 Giyu Tomioka Ultimately Takes Part In The Final Battle Against Muzan
Giyu Tomioka's apathetic demeanor keeps his emotional state hidden from everyone else, but this doesn't mean he always keeps his feelings locked up. After the awakening of his Demon Slayer Mark, Tomioka's evolved power allows him to blitz overpowered enemies without sacrificing energy.
Giyu embodies the abstract concept of water, making it impossible to differentiate between him and his Breathing techniques. Giyu ultimately becomes an essential participant in the final battle against Muzan, who would have likely survived if not for the Water Hashira's presence.
2 Gyomei Himejima Is Arguably The Most Powerful Hashira In Existence
Gyomei Himejima is widely recognized as the most powerful Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Stone Hashira radiates an aura of power so strong that Kokushibo is forced to acknowledge his opponent's unrivaled stature.
Blindness isn't a barrier blocking Gyomei's journey towards greatness; on the contrary, he visualizes the environment through his sense of hearing. The Stone Hashira employs a range of Breathing Forms in battle, such as Serpentinite Bipolar, Stone Skin, and Arcs of Justice. Gyomei is eventually killed while fighting Muzan.
1 Tanjiro Kamado Adapts To New Situations Faster Than Anyone Else
As with most shonen heroes, Tanjiro is a (mostly) helpless tween at the beginning of Demon Slayer. His family's massacre and his sister's demon-conversion, however, set him on a radically different path, one that is initially fueled by vengeance.
Tanjiro adapts to new situations faster than anyone else in Demon Slayer and is on par with characters like Bleach's Ichigo Kurosaki and Gurren Lagann's Simon. Tanjiro expands his combat palette from Water Breathing to Sun Breathing—acquiring a power beyond his wildest dreams in the process.