Giyu is the Water Hashira, meaning he’s one of the best of the best in the Demon Slayer Corps. He specializes in a fighting style called Water Breathing, which makes his swordsmanship look almost like a dance,smooth, fluid, and deadly. He earned his rank through sheer talent and hard work, but he doesn’t really flaunt it. In fact, he’s quieter and more reserved than most of the other Hashira. He doesn’t show much emotion, and he’s not exactly the social type.
Tomioka’s Story
Tomioka grew up with his older sister, Tsutako, who was his whole world. When he was just a kid, a demon attacked them out of nowhere, and Tsutako, without a second thought, gave her life to protect him. That loss was devastating. It left Giyu with a hole in his heart and a fierce sense of responsibility. From that day on, he felt like he had to become stronger, to make sure nobody else would lose someone they loved to a demon. So he decided to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
After Tsutako’s death, Giyu found a mentor in Sakonji Urokodaki, the Water Hashira at the time. Urokodaki was tough on him, but Giyu threw himself into the training. It was brutal, but he pushed through every challenge, driven by that need to protect others. Over time, he mastered the Water Breathing techniques, even creating his own unique move, Dead Calm. Eventually, he earned the rank of Water Hashira himself, a high honor in the Corps.
Feeling even more guilty
During this time, he met Sabito, another one of Urokodaki’s students. Sabito wasn’t just a training partner; he became like a brother to Giyu. They had each other’s backs through the toughest parts of training, pushing each other to get better, and that bond meant everything to Giyu. When it came time for the Final Selection exam, the dangerous test that all demon slayers have to pass, they entered it together, side by side.
But the exam turned into a nightmare. Giyu was struggling to hold his ground. And during this exam, Sabito sacrificed himself saving Tomioka and his group. Passing the exam felt hollow; it increased Tomioka’s sense of guilt and unworthiness. To him, it felt like Sabito was the one who deserved to live and become a Hashira, not him.
That’s part of why Giyu is so distant from the other Hashira. He feels like an outsider, weighed down by the memory of his friend who gave everything to save him. It’s also why he can seem so serious and closed-off; he doesn’t believe he’s worthy of the friendships or respect that come with his rank.
Giyu’s Powers and Fighting Abilities
Giyu’s fighting style is called Water Breathing, and it’s both beautiful and strong. His movements mimic water, smooth, adaptable, and powerful.
Water Breathing Techniques
Giyu has mastered several unique moves within Water Breathing, each one designed for different situations. Here are some of his most impressive techniques:
- First Form: Water Surface Slash – With this move, Giyu can slice through enemies in a single, clean strike. It’s quick, sharp, and precise, like a ripple cutting through a calm lake.
- Third Form: Flowing Dance – This move is exactly what it sounds like. Giyu spins and flows around his opponents, almost dancing, which makes it hard for them to track where his next strike will come from.
- Eleventh Form: Dead Calm – This is Giyu’s personal, signature move, he created it himself. When he uses Dead Calm, he becomes completely still and controlled, blocking attacks with incredible speed. It’s a powerful defensive move that can stop multiple attacks at once.
Physical and Mental Strength
Giyu isn’t just skilled in Water Breathing; he’s also incredibly fast, strong, and durable. He can keep up with some of the most powerful demons, even in long, grueling battles. His physical strength is impressive, but his real strength might be his mental toughness. Giyu stays calm and focused even in the most dangerous situations, which has saved him more than a few times.
Giyu’s Relationships
Giyu might seem like a loner, but he does have a few meaningful connections, especially with Tanjiro Kamado and Shinobu Kocho.
Giyu and Tanjiro
Tanjiro Kamado, the series’ main character, is a young demon slayer with a similar drive to protect others. Giyu is actually the first Hashira Tanjiro meets, and it’s a tense encounter. Giyu tries to kill Tanjiro’s sister, Nezuko, who’s been turned into a demon, to protect Tanjiro from her. But he ends up sparing her life, trusting Tanjiro’s promise that Nezuko won’t harm humans. This was a rare decision for a Hashira to make, showing that Giyu isn’t just a rule-follower; he’s also compassionate.
Over time, Giyu becomes a sort of mentor figure to Tanjiro. They fight together, face danger together, and Tanjiro learns a lot from Giyu’s discipline and fighting style. Giyu, in turn, finds a quiet sense of purpose in guiding Tanjiro, almost like he’s found someone he can pass his legacy to.
Giyu and Shinobu
Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, has a unique relationship with Giyu. She often teases him for being so serious and “friendless,” which seems playful but is actually her way of showing she cares. Their personalities are total opposites, she’s cheerful and chatty, while he’s quiet and serious, yet they share a mutual respect and understanding.
Some fans wonder if there was something deeper between them, but it’s never confirmed. At the very least, there’s a connection there that goes beyond the usual camaraderie. Their relationship might not be romantic, but they clearly care about each other, even if they show it in very different ways.
Giyu’s Inner Struggle
One of the most compelling things about Giyu is his struggle with self-worth. Despite his strength and dedication, he constantly questions if he truly deserves his role as a Hashira. This doubt comes from the survivor’s guilt he’s carried since his sister’s death. He often wonders why he survived when others didn’t, and that guilt makes him feel like he doesn’t belong.
This inner struggle sometimes isolates him, making it hard for him to connect with others. But it’s also what drives him to keep fighting. Giyu’s not expressive, and he doesn’t show his emotions easily, but his commitment to protecting humanity is fierce. Even if he doubts himself, he keeps going, because he knows the fight matters more than his own feelings.
The Final Battle and Giyu’s Fate
In the final arc of Demon Slayer, Giyu faces some of the deadliest enemies alongside Tanjiro. Together, they take on Muzan Kibutsuji and the powerful Upper Moon demons. These battles push Giyu’s skills to the limit, especially when he goes up against Upper Moon demons like Akaza. It’s a brutal, high-stakes fight, and Giyu has to dig deep into his strength and resolve to survive.
Despite his doubts and insecurities, Giyu stands firm in the end. He may not fully believe he deserves to be a Hashira, but he fights with everything he has to protect the people he cares about.
