The Hashira Training arc is already over in the Anime. If you have watched all the episodes of Demon slayer, have you ever wondered if Tanjiro Kamado is a Sun Hashira or Water Hashira? This is a question that has emerged in minds of many Anime fans.

The main reason for this doubt in many anime fans is Tanjiro can use both Water Breathing and Sun breathing, even in one episode, he combined both the techniques. So, which breathing technique does Tanjiro use? Let’s find out if he fits the role of a Sun Hashira or Water Hashira.

Understanding the Hashira Ranks

Hashiras stand as the top fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps. These powerful warriors have one main job, to hunt down and destroy the strongest demons, including the feared Twelve Kizuki. A demon slayer can earn the Hashira rank by killing one of the Twelve Kizuki or by defeating 50 demons. This rank requires amazing fighting skills, incredible strength, and complete mastery of Breathing Techniques.

The Hashiras use different Breathing Techniques, which are special swordfighting styles that make them stronger by controlling their breath. In the current group of Hashiras, you will find slayers who use elements like Flame, Water, Wind, Stone, and Insect. Each one brings their own special abilities to help in the battle against demons.

Tanjiro’s Background

Tanjiro Kamado began his story as a caring boy who lived in the mountains with his family. His life changed forever when a demon attacked his home, killing his family and turning his sister Nezuko into a demon. After this tragedy, Tanjiro decided to become a demon slayer with two goals and finding a way to turn Nezuko back into a human and getting revenge for his family.

Under the mentorship of Sakonji Urokodaki (a former Water Hashira) Tanjiro learned the Water Breathing technique.

Water Breathing Techniques

Water Breathing is a swordsmanship style that mimics the flow and flexibility of water. It allows the user to perform swift and fluid attacks. Tanjiro learned many Water Breathing forms while training with Urokodaki.

1. First Form: Water Surface Slash – A straightforward yet powerful vertical slash.
2. Second Form: Water Wheel – A circular slash where Tanjiro spins his body to deliver a powerful blow.
3. Third Form: Flowing Dance – A non-stop, flowing attack that can hit many enemies at once.
4. Fourth Form: Striking Tide – Several slashes in a row that get faster and faster.
5. Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought – A soft slash that gives enemies a peaceful end.
6. Sixth Form: Whirlpool – A rotating slash that creates a whirlpool effect to trap and slice enemies.
7. Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust – A swift and powerful thrust attack.
8. Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin – A powerful overhead slash strong enough to break rocks.
9. Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent -A form that makes you move faster, like flowing water.
10. Tenth Form: Constant Flux – A continuous attack that gains power and momentum, mimicking a raging tide.
11. Eleventh Form: Dead Calm – This special form belongs only to Giyu Tomioka. It lets the user become completely calm and stop any attacks coming their way. Tanjiro never learned this advanced form.

Sun Breathing Techniques

Sun Breathing (also known as Hinokami Kagura) is the original Breathing Technique from which all other forms have evolved. Tanjiro’s family passed it down to him as a special dance ritual. Unlike Water Breathing, Sun Breathing is explosive and fierce. It has the burning power of the sun.

Here are some of the known Sun Breathing forms used by Tanjiro:

• First Form: Dance – A fast, spinning slash that deals significant damage to the opponent.
• Second Form: Clear Blue Sky – A full spinning attack using momentum for a powerful circular cut.
• Third Form: Raging Sun – A dual-combo attack that slices through enemies with swift and strong cuts.
• Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun – A quick horizontal slash that unleashes a scorching wave of heat.
• Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation – A downward slash followed by a twisting motion to quickly slice through an opponent.
• Sixth Form: Solar Heat Haze – A deceptive attack that creates an illusion of a haze
• Seventh Form: Beneficent Radiance – A multi-directional attack that covers a wide area with searing slashes.
• Eighth Form: Sunflower Thrust – A powerful thrust technique that pierces through the opponent.
• Ninth Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance – A continuous and flexible series of slashes that resemble a dragon’s movements.
• Tenth Form: Fire Wheel – A spinning attack that moves forward while dealing burning damage.
• Eleventh Form: Fake Rainbow – An evasive technique that creates afterimages to distract the enemy.
• Twelfth Form: Flame Dance – A two-combo attack that consists of a powerful slash followed by a quick strike.

Combining Water and Sun Breathing

During one important battle, Tanjiro was able to combine both Water and Sun Breathing techniques. As I told you before, this combination scared even Muzan Kibutsuji himself. Tanjiro could not keep using both styles together for very long. However, the short time he did was enough to show how dangerous mixing these two styles could be.

The problem is that using both techniques together drained Tanjiro’s energy and hurt his body. He needed to focus really hard to control both breathing styles at once. This made it impossible to use in long fights.

Is Tanjiro a Sun Hashira or Water Hashira?

Now, if you consider his abilities and mastery then Tanjiro could be seen as a Sun Hashira due to his connection with the Sun Breathing technique. On the other hand, some people say he is more like a Water Hashira since he first learned Water Breathing from a former Water Hashira.

The truth is that Tanjiro is not officially a Sun Hashira or a Water Hashira because he never got that rank. Even though Tanjiro fought and beat many strong demons (including Kizuki members), nobody ever gave him the title of Hashira.

Why Did Tanjiro Not Get the Title of Hashira?

There are a few reasons why Tanjiro never became a Hashira:

1. Tanjiro did not work as a demon slayer long enough to earn the Hashira rank.
2. The Demon Slayer Corps dissolved after Muzan’s defeat. So there was no chance to be promoted.
3. Although he fought alongside Hashira members and defeated upper-rank demons, Tanjiro was never formally appointed to the position.
4. His primary goal remained saving Nezuko rather than earning titles.

Conclusion

Tanjiro Kamado remains one of the characters that fans love most in Demon Slayer. The fact that he learned both Water and Sun Breathing shows how adaptable and determined he is – qualities that would make a great Hashira.

Even though Tanjiro does not have the title of Sun Hashira or Water Hashira, people will always remember what he did as a demon slayer.