All 14 Demon Slayer Breathing Styles Explained + Abilities

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Learn about Kimetsu no Yaiba fighting styles

Co-authored by Brandon Riley and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: March 20, 2026 Fact Checked

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• What are Breathing Styles?
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• Water Breathing
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• Thunder Breathing
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• Beast Breathing
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• Insect Breathing
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• Sun Breathing
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• Flame Breathing
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• Sound Breathing
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• Mist Breathing
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• Love Breathing
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• Serpent Breathing
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• Wind Breathing
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• Stone Breathing
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• Flower Breathing
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• Moon Breathing
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Curious about the different Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer? Whether you're curious about your favorite character or confused about the abilities, we'll show you how each Style works. These Breathing Styles influence each character's movements, abilities, and attacks. Here's everything you need to know about Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer.

This article contains spoilers for the entire Demon Slayer story.

Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer

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Demon Slayer has different combat techniques called Breathing Styles. These replicate different elements in their movement and power. The Breathing Styles are: Water, Thunder, Beast, Insect, Sun, Flame, Sound, Mist, Love, Serpent, Wind, Stone, Flower, and Moon.

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Section 1 of 15:

What are Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer?

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1. 
   Breathing Styles are combat techniques used within the Demon Slayer Corps. These swordsmanship styles focus on Total Concentration Breathing, and when done correctly, the user's movements can perfectly imitate an element. It doesn't actually create an elemental attack; any onlookers may think they see and feel it, but the visuals are meant to showcase how the user's movement mimics that particular element. However, some styles (such as Thunder Breathing) can seem to imitate thunder due to the intense sound created from the lightning-speed movements.

   • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has the following Breathing Styles:
     • Water Breathing
     • Thunder Breathing
     • Beast Breathing
     • Insect Breathing
     • Sun Breathing
     • Flame Breathing
     • Sound Breathing
     • Mist Breathing
     • Love Breathing
     • Serpent Breathing
     • Wind Breathing
     • Stone Breathing
     • Flower Breathing
     • Moon Breathing
   • If you haven't caught up with Demon Slayer yet, check out our watch guide for the correct order.
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Section 2 of 15:

Water Breathing

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1. 
   Water Breathing is one of the five main Breathing Styles. This Breathing Style is introduced early in the series by Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. It mimics the flow and flexibility of water, giving the user's weapon fluid motion during demon slaying. This is the first Breathing Style Tanjiro learns from his teacher, Urokodaki, and is the most common for beginners to learn. Water Breathing has eleven forms, with the eleventh being the personal creation of Giyu.

   • Known users: Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro Kamado, Sakonji Urokodaki, Murata, Sabito, Makomo, Aoi Kanzaki

Section 3 of 15:

Thunder Breathing

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1. 
   Thunder Breathing is another one of the five main Breathing Styles. This Breathing Style is shown by Zenitsu, one of the main characters. It replicates lightning in its incredibly swift movement by the user, and it often creates a loud thunderclap-like sound just from their footsteps. Zenitsu has only mastered the first form (Thunderclap and Flash), though he creates a seventh form to rival his opponent in the Infinity Castle.

   • Known users: Zenitsu Agatsuma, Jigoro Kuwajima (Gramps), Kaigaku
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Section 4 of 15:

Beast Breathing

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1. 
   First seen used by Inosuke Hashibira, Beast Breathing imitates wild animals and beasts. This includes unpredictable attacks and animalistic movements. This Breathing Style was created by Inosuke while he was fighting for survival in the mountains. It uses two Nichirin katanas and an impressive sense of touch. It has eleven forms, with the eleventh created during his battle with Doma in the Infinity Castle.

   • Known user: Inosuke Hashibira

Section 5 of 15:

Insect Breathing

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1. 
   Created by the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, Insect Breathing takes the movement and poison from insects to stab and cut down opponents. Shinobu's Nichirin katana was uniquely created to resemble an insect's stinger, which injects Wisteria poison into demons. This compensates for her lack of strength and allows her to effectively slay any foe in her path. Insect Breathing is derived from Flower Breathing.

   • Known user: Shinobu Kocho
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Section 6 of 15:

Sun Breathing

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1. 
   Sun Breathing is the first and original Breathing Style that later influences other Breathing Styles. Because of this, Sun Breathing is the most powerful Breathing Style. It originates from the Kamado Family and later becomes Tanjiro's main Breathing Style which increases his speed and power. Sun Breathing allows the user to move without exhausting themselves, and the unique fighting style makes it extremely effective when slaying demons. Tanjiro's mastery of this Breathing Style plays an important role in the final battle with Muzan.

   • Known users: Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Sumiyoshi Kamado, Tanjuro Kamado, Tanjiro Kamado, Kanata Kamado, Sumihiko Kamado

Section 7 of 15:

Flame Breathing

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1. 
   Flame Breathing is another one of the five main Breathing Styles. This Breathing Style imitates the powerful strikes of flames, often struck from a high position. It was created by the head of the Rengoku family as an alternative to Sun Breathing, as many demon slayers lacked the immense power needed for the original (unlike Yoriichi). Flame Breathing was then passed down the Rengoku lineage for many generations, fulfilling the Flame Hashira position as well.

   • Known users: Shinjuro Rengoku, Kyojuro Rengoku, Mitsuri Kanroji (formerly)
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Section 8 of 15:

Sound Breathing

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1. 
   Sound Breathing, shown by Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, replicates explosive and disorienting loudness to overpower opponents. Tengen also possesses an extreme sense of hearing that allows him to analyze his opponents movements through their rhythm, which then alerts him of opportunities to strike. Sound Breathing was presumably created by Tengen Uzui, as it can only be used with his specific weapons—two large Nichirin Cleavers held together by a chain.

   • Known user: Tengen Uzui

Section 9 of 15:

Mist Breathing

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1. 
   Mist Breathing is derived from Water Breathing, and is shown by Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. When using Mist Breathing, attacks will mimic the obscurity of mist, confusing the enemy with hidden strikes and unexpected movement. To support this Breathing Style, Muichiro wears baggy clothing that helps hide his movements from his enemies.

   • Known user: Muichiro Tokito
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Section 10 of 15:

Love Breathing

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1. 
   Derived from Flame Breathing, Love Breathing takes the feeling of love and channels it into movement and techniques. This Breathing Style was created by Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, to better suit her body's unique muscle density, flexibility, and strength. Mitsuri uses a katana that moves like a whip, though a regular katana may be used.

   • Known user: Mitsuri Kanroji

Section 11 of 15:

Serpent Breathing

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1. 
   Derived from Water Breathing, Serpent Breathing replicates the movement and strikes of a snake/serpent. This Breathing Technique is used by Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, who is presumably the creator. Obanai uses a sword that twists and bends similar to a serpent, and it allows him to land surprise attacks from any angle.

   • Known user: Obanai Iguro
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Section 12 of 15:

Wind Breathing

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1. 
   Wind Breathing is one of the five main Breathing Styles. It is directly derived from Sun Breathing, the original Breathing Style. This is shown through Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. Wind Breathing takes the overwhelming power of wind and air and channels it into fast, offensive attacks. Wind Breathing increases the user's attack range, allowing them to utilize swift and sharp slashes against enemies.

   • Known users: Sanemi Shinazugawa, Masachika Kumeno

Section 13 of 15:

Stone Breathing

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1. 
   Stone Breathing is one of the five main Breathing Styles directly derived from the original Sun Breathing. It is shown by Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima. This Breathing Style grants the user both offensive and defensive capabilities. It takes the elements of stone and channels it into powerful, grounding attacks that mimic the surge of the earth.

   • Known user: Gyomei Himejima
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Section 14 of 15:

Flower Breathing

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1. 
   Flower Breathing is derived from Water Breathing, and it was most notably used with Shinobu Kocho's older sister, Kanae Kocho. At the time, Kanae Kocho was the Flower Hashira. This Breathing Style includes agile and graceful attacks that mimic flowers and fruit blossoms. It also grants the user enhanced vision to aid in their battles.

   • Known users: Kanae Kocho, Kanao Tsuyuri

Section 15 of 15:

Moon Breathing

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1. 
   Moon Breathing is derived from Sun Breathing. However, this breathing style was created to rival its counterpart. It was created by Michikatsu Tsugikuni (Kokushibo) when he was unable to learn Sun Breathing, which was created by his twin brother, Yoriichi. This Breathing Style mimics the behavior of the changing moon, manifesting in erratic and powerful movement against opponents.

   • Known user: Kokushibo
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