Summary
Giyu Tomioka is a stoic and formidable Water Hashira inDemon Slayer, and he stands out due to his strength and resilience within the Demon Slayer Corps. Like many other hashiras who possess exceptional techniques, Giyu’s combat prowess is rooted in his mastery of the water breathing technique. Unlike other breathing styles emphasizing raw power, Giyu’s water breathing focuses on precision, adaptability, and control. Also, beyond the water hashira’s exceptional skills, his emotional resilience allows him to maintain focus and clarity in even the most chaotic of battles, an element that sets Giyu apart in theDemon Slayerseries.
Mastery Of The Water Breathing Technique
The Offensive And Defensive Capabilities
Giyu’s mastery ofthe Water Breathing techniqueis excellent, especially with techniques like Water Breathing Eleventh Form: Dead Calm, which allows him to repel incoming attacks with the attack taking the form of a water dragon. Since Giyu’s breathing mimics water’s properties, Giyu can adapt seamlessly to various combat scenarios with his flowing movements. This form’s easy-flowing movements make Giyu’s attacks difficult to predict and counter, giving him a strategic edge over his opponents. In this view, his ability to precisely execute these forms demonstrates his deep understanding and control over his breathing style. This mastery is evident in his battle against the Lower Rank Five demon, Rui, where he effortlessly decapitates the demon with a single, swift strike.
Moreover,Giyu’sbreathing techniquehinged upon its excessive speed and precision. Also, the versatility of his attack patterns makes Giyu invincible during battle. In other words, water breathing offers a range of attack patterns that Giyu can adapt to different combat situations. For instance, Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel involves a spinning attack that can be used offensively and defensively, allowing Giyu to engage multiple opponents or deflect incoming attacks.
The adaptability of the water breathing technique is one of its greatest strengths, allowing Giyu to transition between offense and defense seamlessly. His ability to adjust his techniques based on the situation at hand makes him a versatile and unpredictable fighter, capable of countering various demonabilities as a hashira.
The full extent of Giyu’s exceptional water breathing techniques is fully unleashed in the Infinity Castle arc battle against Akaza and Muzan Kibutsuji. During the long and tedious fight againstthe Upper Rank Three demon in the Infinity Castle, Akazais amazed by Giyu’s skills. Interestingly, Akaza commends him and offers to transform Giyu into a demon, which shows that the young hashira is in a league of his own. Also, Giyu and Tanjiro could holdMuzan Kibutsujioff for some time as they waited for the sun to rise. Even when Tanjiro became a demon, Giyu was the first to act and fend him off while defending Zenitsu Agatsuma so that Tanjiro could turn back into a human. In this vein, Giyu’s strategic thinking and ability to analyze opponents and devise effective countermeasures is an essential aspect of his strength.
The Making Of A Great Water Hashira
Overcoming His Inferiority Complex
As a child,Giyu witnessed the brutal death of his sister, Tsutako, who sacrificed herself to protect him from a demon attack. This trauma made Giyu feel a sense of guilt for surviving when it should have been his sister. This guilt starts to eat deep in his heart, thus making him question his own worth and capabilities. Also, under the training ofSakonji Urokodaki, Giyu formed a close bond with Sabito, a fellow trainee who was exceptionally talented. When Sabito was killed during the Final Selection, Giyu felt more unworthy because Sabito also saved him during the selection. Giyu believed that Sabito was the more deserving warrior. This comparison exacerbated Giyu’s feelings of inadequacy and reinforced his belief that he was not as capable as his peers. Even when he became a hashira, the highest rank inthe Demon Slayer Corps, the feeling of unworthiness still lingers.
Despite his undeniable skill and accomplishments, Giyu struggled to acknowledge his achievements. His inferiority complex caused him to downplay his successes and focus on his perceived failures. This reluctance hindered his ability to fully embrace his role as a hashira and have confidence in his abilities. His inferiority complex made him believe giving up his role as a hashira was right until Tanjiro changed his mind during the Hashira Training arc. Though Tanjiro’s approach to convince Giyu to carry on as a demon slayer was instigated by their master,Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Tanjiro still played a vital role in helping the hashira confront his self-doubt. Tanjiro’s compassionate approach forced Giyu to acknowledge his feelings and vulnerabilities. Tanjiro believed in Giyu’s potential and how he was reminded of the sacrifices of the past−Sabito and Tsutako−provided Giyu with the encouragement and validation he needed to start believing in himself. Moreover, during the final battle to defeat Muzan, Giyu manifestedthe Demon Slayer Mark, reflecting his mental resilience and true acceptance of his role as a hashira with greater confidence and conviction to defeat evil.
Demon Slayercan be streamed onAmazon Prime VideoandNetflix.
Demon Slayer
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.
