Demon Slayer: How Breathing Styles Were Invented, Explained

Key Takeaways

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was a prodigy who invented Breathing Styles, starting with Sun Breathing.
Breathing Styles evolved into Wind, Water, Fire, Stone, and Thunder to suit different abilities.
The Breathing Styles are rooted in Total Concentration Breathing, enhancing physical abilities.

As I delve deeper into the captivating tale of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the prodigious Demon Slayer who revolutionized combat and gave birth to the Breathing Techniques, I find myself utterly awestruck by his life’s work. Born with an innate understanding of Total Concentration Breathing, he mastered this technique at a young age, outsmarting even his most seasoned instructors.

In the realm of Demon Slayer, Breathing Techniques serve as the vital force for humanity’s struggle against the horrific demons that lurk during the darkness. For five long centuries following Muzan Kibutsuji’s emergence, humans found themselves largely powerless, unable to rival the terrifying might, swiftness, and regenerative powers of the demons. The situation seemed dire, and though the Demon Slayers were valiant, they were outclassed in every imaginable aspect.

Everything shifted significantly following the creation of Breathing Styles – an innovative approach that empowered warriors to maximize their physical capabilities. Equipped with these methods, Demon Slayers were finally capable of matching their supernatural adversaries, ultimately swaying the course of battle towards humanity. However, the origins and underlying strength of these techniques remain a mystery. How did they come into being, and why are they so potent?

Yoriichi Tsugikuni: The Legend Behind Breathing Styles

A Miraculous Prodigy Beyond Compare

To fully comprehend the roots of the Breathing Styles, it’s crucial to delve into the remarkable life of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the extraordinary figure responsible for their creation. From the very start, Yoriichi was born with a destiny that shone brightly, his abilities so exceptional they verged on the supernatural. At only seven years old, without any prior sword-wielding experience, Yoriichi outmatched a veteran sword instructor in a duel. His unprecedented skill was so breathtaking that those who beheld it could scarcely find words to describe him other than a living miracle.

Yorrichi Almost Killed Muzan

Demon Slayer: How Breathing Styles Were Invented, Explained

Over time, tales about Yoriichi grew grander, as his abilities within the Demon Slayer Corps were legendary. His prowess was such that he could effortlessly defeat numerous demons, an accomplishment that left even his elder brother, Kokushibo, astonished. It’s worth noting that Kokushibo went on to become a powerful demon, yet admittedly, as a child, Yoriichi outmatched him significantly. However, Yoriichi’s greatest feat was cornering Muzan, the demon lord himself.

In an instant, Yoriichi nearly killed Muzan, a feat once thought unattainable by any human. Although Muzan barely survived, the encounter left him severely rattled. He later labeled Yoriichi as the genuine “monster” among them, a being so formidable that just seeing Yoriichi’s Hanafuda earrings caused Muzan to quiver. The very memory of Yoriichi was enough to strike terror into demons who had never even crossed paths with him.

Yorrichi Was Born With The Demon Slayer Mark

Yoriichi was unique among Demon Slayers because he was born with the Demon Slayer Mark, a special trait that gave him extraordinary physical prowess. Unlike other slayers who earned the mark at great personal cost and usually perished by age 25 due to its acquisition, Yoriichi naturally wielded the power of the mark throughout his life. His exceptional skills and unparalleled bravery served as the basis for the development of the Breathing Techniques, fundamentally altering the course of human history in their struggle against demonic forces.

The Birth of Breathing Styles: Yoriichi’s Legacy

The Creation of Sun Breathing

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was not just an exceptional warrior but also the brilliant mind behind the development of Breathing Styles, a crucial element in the strength of the Demon Slayer Corps. He was the creator of the very first Breathing Style—the Sun Breathing. This original method proved so powerful that it served as the basis for all other Breathing Styles known today. As time passed, Sun Breathing transformed into the Hinokami Kagura, a technique utilized by Tanjiro Kamado and subsequently handed down through the generations of the Kamado family.

The Evolution of Breathing Styles

Sun Breathing’s inception signified a pivotal moment in the battle against demons, yet Yoriichi didn’t rest on his laurels. Recognizing the challenges his students faced in mastering Sun Breathing, he customized his technique to cater to their distinct abilities. This personalization led to the emergence of the five fundamental Breathing Styles: Wind, Water, Fire, Stone, and Thunder. Each style was designed to complement the specific strengths and weaknesses of its users, thus enabling a broader range of Demon Slayers to harness the power of Breathing Techniques.

As succeeding generations of Demon Slayers honed and personalized the fundamental methods, unique offshoots arose. For example, Mitsuri Kanroji crafted the Love Breathing Style based on Fire Breathing, which was originally derived from Sun Breathing. Each style embodies the ingenuity and fortitude of the Demon Slayer Corps as they tailored Yoriichi’s teachings to carve their individual paths.

How Yoriichi Invented Breathing Techniques

What’s the backstory behind Yoriichi developing these techniques? His fighting style is based on a unique swordsmanship method called Total Concentration Breathing. This technique works by filling the lungs to their maximum capacity, increasing blood circulation and heart rate, as well as boosting the body heat. This heightened state makes the bones and muscles more responsive, granting the user exceptional physical prowess. Since birth, Yoriichi seemed to have a natural affinity for this method, intuitively adjusting his breathing to amplify his battle skills—a talent that was evident even when he was just a kid, as he casually outmatched his instructor during their sparring sessions.

In his journey towards becoming a samurai, Yoriichi transformed his inherent reflexes into deliberate skills. He honed this skill to such an extent that he could label it a “Breathing Technique.” The element linked with each Breathing Technique – like water, fire, or wind – represents the imagery that the user envisions during combat. For instance, those practicing Water Breathing imagine the fluidity of water and move their bodies in a manner that mirrors its flow. Sun Breathing, the strongest of them all, demands the user to visualize and perform precise movements in sync with Total Concentration Breathing, allowing them to inflict devastating blows against demons.

When Yoriichi tried to teach Sun Breathing to his disciples, he found that they could grasp the Total Concentration Breathing method well, but had difficulty mirroring his actions. Aware of their constraints, Yoriichi inspired them to create unique techniques tailored to their respective abilities. This tactic not only empowered his pupils but also paved the way for the varied Breathing Styles that would eventually prove invaluable in the fight against demons among the Demon Slayers.

2024-09-09 19:34