The Hashira are some of the most interesting and mysterious characters in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Although all nine of the Demon Slayer Corps' most elite swordsmen have already been introduced, with seven of the Hashira debuting in one fell swoop, most of them have not reappeared since. With Season 2 complete, it's clear that only one Hashira will be in the spotlight this season, drawing the audience further away from the rest of the heroes who are so vital to the Demon Slayer Corps. Let's look back at each Hashira's introduction as a refresher on these ultra-powerful Demon Slayers.
Giyu Tomioka: The Water Hashira
Giyu was the first Hashira to be introduced in the series, making his debut in the very first episode. After rescuing Tanjiro from the newly transformed demon Nezuko, Giyu prepares to execute her as he would any other demon. Despite Tanjiro's pleas, Giyu is initially unsympathetic to the fact that Nezuko is the young man's sister. However, impressed by Tanjiro's will and battle instincts, Giyu agrees to spare Nezuko's life in hopes that Tanjiro will one day cure her. He even directs Tanjiro to find Sakonji Urokodaki, a master swordsman who will train Tanjiro in the art of slaying demons.
Shinobu Kocho: The Insect Hashira
Shinobu's first appearance comes when she's dispatched alongside Giyu during the "Natagumo Mountain" Arc to deal with the powerful demons who have been slaughtering Corps members. Encountering the demon that Lower-Rank Five, Rui, has given his power to play the role of his sister, it is revealed that Shinobu is too physically weak to behead a demon. Instead, her specialized katana injects demons with lethal poison. Shinobu's experience with both poisons and antidotes helps her prevent Zenitsu from turning into a demon spider thanks to another demon's poison.
Kyojuro Rengoku: The Flame Hashira
The remaining Hashira are all introduced together at a meeting called by Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Kyojuro is the first of these new Hashira to speak, and he quickly announces his intent to execute both Nezuko and Tanjiro for the crimes of being a demon and harboring a demon, respectively. When Ubuyashiki decrees that the Kamado siblings are to be spared, Kyojuro, respectfully, announces his wholehearted disagreement with his master's decision.
Tengen Uzui: The Sound Hashira
In agreement with Kyojuro's opinion that Tanjiro and Nezuko need to be executed, Tengen's first words are that he would be flamboyantly pleased to flamboyantly execute them with max flamboyance. Like Kyojuro, Tengen cannot comprehend Ubuyashiki's decision to spare the Kamados. Although, Tengen's stance on Tanjiro appears to change upon learning that Tanjiro has met Kibutsuji, as he ceases calling for the young Kamado's head and instead demands information on the Progenitor of Demons.
Mitsuri Kanroji: The Love Hashira
The gentlest Hashira introduced thus far, Mitsuri is highly distressed by the notion of executing a child as adorable as Tanjiro. Free of the vehement anger toward Tanjiro and Nezuko, Mitsuri spends most of her introduction in awe of her fellow Hashira. When Ubuyashiki appears, Mitsuri laments that she didn't get the opportunity to properly greet him, and she decides she will faithfully abide by whatever decision her master makes regarding Nezuko and Tanjiro.
Gyomei Himejima: The Stone Hashira
Gyomei, ever the gentle giant, is brought to tears by his pity for Tanjiro, lamenting the cruelty of Tanjiro ever having been born in the first place. Unlike Kyojuro and Tengen, it's not anger but overwhelming sorrow that makes Gyomei wish to execute the Kamado siblings, as he wants only to put them out of their misery. While professing his profound love and respect for Ubuyashiki, Gyomei tearfully admits that he cannot accept his master's decision to allow Nezuko and Tanjiro to live.
Muichiro Tokito: The Mist Hashira
Unlike his fellow Hashira, Muichiro could not possibly care less about the situation with Tanjiro's harboring of his demon sister. In fact, to say he could not care less may not be strictly accurate, as there's no indication that he is even aware of what is happening. His eyes on the sky, Muichiro simply wonders about the names of birds and cloud formations, ignoring the drama around him. When Ubuyashiki announces that Nezuko and Tanjiro will be spared, Muichiro comments that he is indifferent because he is going to forget about it either way.
Iguro Obanai: The Serpent Hashira
From his position lounging in the trees, Iguro's primary point of concern is that Giyu also violated the code by preventing Shinobu from executing Nezuko during the "Natagumo Mountain" Arc. The snake-wearing Hashira is still no fan of Tanjiro's, stating that the fact that Nezuko is his sister means that they cannot trust a word he says. Surprisingly, he does not argue against Ubuyashiki's decision like some of the others, merely saying that he will never trust the Kamado siblings.
Sanemi Shinazugawa: The Wind Hashira
The final Hashira to be introduced, Sanemi arrives late to the meeting with Nezuko's wooden box in his hands. The most violent Hashira, bordering on sadistic, Sanemi tortures Nezuko by stabbing her through the box, his opinion clear that all demons must die. Sanemi does, however, show a surprisingly civilized side when Ubuyashiki appears, treating his master with the utmost respect. Ironically, as the most violently opposed to allowing Nezuko to live, it is Sanemi's actions that prove Nezuko undeniably refuses to attack humans, sparing her and Tanjiro's lives.