Who is Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, in Demon Slayer?

When you think of Demon Slayer, the first images that might come to mind are those of powerful swordsmen, mystical breathing techniques, and, of course, the terrifying demons they fight. Among the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira stand as the most formidable warriors, each a master of a unique Breathing Style. Every other Hashira during Tanjiro’s time as Demon Slayer has already been covered, except for one — the Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka.

We can’t be leaving the very first Hashira that the Kamado siblings met, especially since he first discovered Tanjiro’s potential for demon slaying. Furthermore, Giyu even put his head on the line just to vouch for Nezuko’s allegiance. So definitely last but not least, here’s everything to know about Giyu Tomioka.

Warning: Just like those times with Shinobu Kocho and Gyomei Himejima, this article will contain spoilers for anime-only fans.

Who is Giyu Tomioka?

Giyu Tomioka holds the position of Water Hashir during Tanjiro’s time as a Demon Slayer, though he has always wanted to relinquish the title. He is a man of few words, often seen as calm and collected. But despite his seemingly aloof nature, Giyu is deeply compassionate and cares immensely for those around him, especially his fellow Demon Slayers.

The best testament to his kind nature is when he put his life to vouch for Nezuko’s unique situation. Alongside his master Sakonji Urokodaki, he vowed to commit seppuku should Nezuko ever consume human flesh. Furthermore, his caring nature is the reason why the haori he wears has two designs. The right side is of solid red color, while the left side has a green, yellow, and orange cubic pattern. The solid red side belonged to his deceased older sister, while the other side belonged to his savior and friend, Sabito.

Giyu also suffers from survivor’s guilt. He believes he doesn’t deserve to be one of the Hashira, hence he actively distances himself from the others. It’s also the reason he adamantly pushes Tanjiro to be his successor as soon as possible.

Tsutako and Sabito’s deaths

Giyu’s survivor’s guild is deeply rooted in his tragic past. Growing up, Giyu lived with his older sister Tsutako Tomioka. However, their lives took a dark turn when a demon attacked them a day prior to Tsutako’s wedding. Tsutako sacrificed herself to save her brother. The loss of his sister at such a young age left a deep scar on Giyu, both emotionally and mentally.

To make matters worse, nobody believed him when he told them his sister was killed by a demon Instead, they thought he was mentally ill and sent them to a relative, who is also a doctor. Giyu ran away on his way there, got in danger in the mountains, and was saved by a hunter. He later on became Urokodaki’s apprentice, where he also met Sabito.

The two young boys quickly formed a close bond, sharing a similar past and being of the same age. Sabito also helped him overcome the despair of losing his sister by reminding him that his sister’s sacrifice would be in vain if he threw his life away. Unfortunately, Giyu’s survivor’s guilt would relapse during his Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane.

At the time, he and Sabito took the exam together. However, Giyu was injured by a demon and was saved by Sabito. Sabito then entrusted him to another examinee. After a week of recovery, Giyu learned that Sabito had killed almost every demon in the area, ultimately losing his life. As such, Giyu saw himself unworthy of becoming a Demon Slayer and, more so, the Water Hashira title.

How strong is the Water Hashira?

Despite his doubts, Giyu Tomioka, as the Water Hashira, is one of the strongest swordsmen in the force. His Demon Slayer training has granted him superhuman physical abilities, including strength, speed, and reflexes. In addition, he has complete mastery over Water Breathing, the Breathing Style he inherited from Urokodaki.

Water Breathing is a versatile style that mimics water’s adaptability to any situation, flowing seamlessly between offense and defense. Giyu’s proficiency in this technique is evidenced in his formulation of the Eleventh Form: Dead Calm. It’s a move that completely nullifies any incoming attack, allowing him to strike with precision and lethality.

In the final battle, Giyu will also awaken his Demon Slayer Mark, further boosting his combat abilities. While he would fail to defeat Upper Moon 3 Akaza, he could hold his ground for a long period of time. He would also protect Tanjiro from the Upper Moon’s onslaught until the demon perished.