The Best Hashira In Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer is an anime that took the world by storm when it was first released, thanks to its breathtaking visuals and animations that really pushed the limits of what we thought possible. The addictive storytelling and interesting power-scaling also made it easy to get into.

Demon Slayer also has a unique trope that humanizes even the villains of the series, making it one of the most emotional anime ever as well. When it comes to the strongest characters, though, the top ranks consist of the flamboyant and colorful Hashira, all of whom compete with each other in demon kills to become the best while trying to bring Muzan Kibutsuji down.

Updated on May 10, 2026, by Jerel Levy: With the release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle, we've seen some of the Hashira put to the test as they take on more of the Upper Rank demons in the Infinity Castle and its lead-up. During this time, it's revealed that they can push themselves past their limits to gain awakened marks that help them reach their true potential. Due to this awakening and their performance in the Infinity Castle and the lead-up to it. Here's our tier list of the Demon Slayer Hashira based on their strength.

9 Shinobu Kocho

Known For Her Specialty In Poison Crafting

Shinobu, the Insect Hashira, has her unique breathing style, Insect Breathing, that works on the principle of incredibly specific strikes that can be used to inject poisons into demons. While physically weaker than her peers, Shinobu compensates with her extensive knowledge of toxicology.

Her unique fighting style revolves around injecting her opponents with deadly toxins, rather than simply beheading a demon, as she lacks the strength to do so. Shinobu's signature weapon, a thin, needle-like Nichirin Blade, is perfectly suited for delivering her potent poisons, but this means that she is the weakest of the Hashira, despite contributing to taking down Upper Moon Two, Doma.

Based on her willingness, determination, and ability showcased during Infinity Castle and her fight with Doma, we've decided to emphasize her strength. Though she doesn't have power in terms of sheer strength, her will, determination, and tenacity help prove that her strength lies in more than just her ability to cut off a demon's head.

Some people will be upset by this, but she took on and almost destroyed Doma on her own, despite lacking the physical strength to decapitate a demon.

8 Tengen Uzui

A Shinobi Who Held His Own Against An Upper Moon

Tengen Uzui is the flamboyant and powerful shinobi who has one of the most unique breathing techniques in the anime. His Sound Breathing is a variation of thunder breathing where he utilizes sounds and rhythms to predict attacks while also creating sonic booms with each swing of his double cleaver sword.

He wields his weapons against Gyutaro and fights the Upper-Rank Six demon to a standstill with only one arm, one eye, and poison coursing through his veins. Though it took the combined efforts of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu to finish Gyutaro and Daki off once and for all, Tengen carried the team almost the entire way and retired after being the first in centuries to slay an Upper-Rank demon.

Despite his speed and strength, he'd most likely struggle against some of the Upper-Rank demons encountered by other Hashira in Infinity Castle. He required the help of several others to deal with Gyutaro before eventually retiring, leaving us to believe that might have been his best work before awakening.

7 Kyojuro Rengoku

Held Akaza At Bay Till Sunrise

Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira, was the one who stole all our hearts in the Mugen Train arc when he sacrificed himself to save everyone against Upper Moon Three Akaza. His Flame Breathing techniques are representative of his personality in more ways than one, with a determination to protect the innocent.

His infectious optimism and resolve inspire those around him, making him a true leader, even among the Hashira, and if he had lived longer and developed a Demon Slayer mark, it’s possible that he would have reached number two on this list. It was bad luck that Rengoku had to face Akaza, but even still, as Upper Moon Three, Akaza almost lost against him.

6 Obanai Iguro

A Tortured Upbringing For Him

Obanai, the Serpent Hashira, and his Serpent Breathing techniques are known for their fluidity when it comes to beheading demons. Although we haven’t seen him in action yet in the anime, he is known to be a master strategist when fighting.

Obanai's signature weapon is a curved Nichirin Blade that resembles a serpent, perfectly complementing his fighting style. His calm demeanor is a mask of his determination to protect humanity from the demonic threat, as he wants no one to suffer through childhood the way he did at the hands of a demon.

5 Mitsuri Kanroji

The Love Hashira, Fought Upper-Rank Four To A Standstill

Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, is a gentle and compassionate soul who possesses extraordinary strength, making her one of the most physically powerful Hashira in the current line-up, though her delicate appearance would suggest otherwise. Her Love Breathing techniques are a combination of flexibility and power, allowing her to overwhelm demons with her whip-like sword.

Mitsuri's unique physique, with her enhanced muscle density, grants her incredible strength that she displays against Hantengu, Upper-Rank Four. Her Love Breathing is a variation of Flame Breathing, and her teacher was Kyojuro Rengoku at one point, though she surpasses him in strength after activating her Demon Slayer Mark.

When it comes to sheer strength, Mitsuri is one of the strongest Hashira, so we've moved her up slightly in the list.

4 Giyu Tomioka

The Water Hashira, An Inferiority Complex Is The Only Thing Holding Him Back

Giyu, the Water Hashira, is a stoic and reserved warrior whose demeanor is often mistaken for a superiority complex when, in actuality, he believes himself to be unworthy of the Hashira rank. His Water Breathing techniques are elegant to witness, and he honed his skills to the extreme before eventually earning his place among the Hashira.

However, his past trauma left him emotionally detached from everyone and everything, making it difficult for him to connect with others. Despite being one of the strongest Hashiras, Giyu just didn’t see himself as worthwhile until he met Tanjiro and fought Akaza alongside him.

3 Muichiro Tokito

The Only One Of The Hashira To Solo Defeat An Upper Moon

Muichiro, the Mist Hashira, holds the impressive distinction of being the only Demon Slayer to face an Upper Moon by himself and win. He demonstrates this feat against Gyokko after awakening his demon slayer mark in the Swordsmith village arc.

Muichiro's mastery of the Mist Breathing style, combined with his innate talent and exceptional swordsmanship, allows him to overwhelm demons unfortunate enough to face him, and his genetic heritage is related to that of Kokushibo, making him even more impressive. Though his backstory is incredibly sad, it motivated him to be the best and reach the level of a Hashira in record time.

2 Sanemi Shinazugawa

Has Some Serious Anger Issues

Sanemi, the Wind Hashira, is a whirlwind of aggression, with his Wind Breathing techniques being constant, devastating attack forms that were capable of overwhelming the upper ranks in the Infinity Castle arc. His fighting style reflects his personality, fierce and full of anger.

He wields his Nichirin sword with unmatched speed, which works well with his breathing style as well. We saw a sneak peek of his abilities in the Hashira Training arc, and though he is a hated character in the Demon Slayer fandom for beating Nezuko and Tanjiro, he’s still respectably strong, and only one spot below Gyomei.

1 Gyomei Himejima

The Oldest, Strongest, And Biggest Of The Bunch

Gyomei, the Stone Hashira, is at his physical peak as we see him battle Muzan in the finale of the Hashira training arc. His sheer physical strength, mastery of Stone Breathing, and his choice of weapon make him a force to be reckoned with. Even the Upper-Rank One demon, Kokushibo, acknowledged Gyomei as the toughest opponent he had faced in centuries.

Gyomei's immense power is further demonstrated during his training sessions, where he pushes a massive boulder by himself and also manages to behead Muzan once. He wields a unique weapon, an axe-flail combination, that works amazingly with his Stone Breathing, and he was without a doubt the MVP of the Infinity Castle arc.