Demon Slayer: The Most Versatile Breathing Style, Explained

Summary

All breathing techniques in Demon Slayer originate from the Sun Breathing technique, evolving into 14 different forms.
Sun Breathing is the most versatile technique, giving users immense strength and potential to be the strongest.
Sun Breathing has 12 forms and a 13th for an all-out attack, making it second only to Moon Breathing in forms known.

In the realm of Demon Slayer, numerous individuals within the Demon Slayer Corps employ diverse breathing methods as tools against demons. Each method encompasses various forms, capabilities, and drawbacks, enabling members of the Demon Slayer Corps to excel and effectively utilize them. Notably, all known breathing methods share a commonality – they stem from the ancient Sun Breathing technique.

In essence, it means that in Demon Slayer, not every brave fighter had access to all the breathing techniques at first. Over time, each method grew more potent, and some demon slayers discovered ways to enhance these techniques or create unique variations that developed from the initial five. To the present day, there are 14 distinct breathing methods, with one being particularly adaptable.

The Most-Versatile Technique: Sun Breathing

How Sun Breathing Evolved Over The Years

Approximately five centuries prior to the Taisho Era, the mightiest Demon Slayer known as Yoriichi Tsugikuni invented Sun Breathing, introducing this art of Breathing Styles to his fellow Demon Slayers. Although they wielded immense powers, none of Yoriichi’s students mastered the Sun Breathing technique as skillfully as their teacher. This paved the way for other techniques, all stemming from Sun Breathing but weaker in power.

Sun Breathing — The original Breathing Style
Water Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Moon Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Flame Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Thunder Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Stone Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Wind Breathing — Created from Sun Breathing
Serpent Breathing — Created from Water Breathing
Flower Breathing — Created from Water Breathing
Insect Breathing — Created from Flower Breathing
Love Breathing — Created from Flame Breathing
Sound Breathing — Created from Thunder Breathing
Beast Breathing — Created from Wind Breathing
Mist Breathing — Created from Wind Breathing

The initial Sun Breathing method gave birth to its first five offspring: Water Breathing, Moon Breathing, Flame Breathing, Thunder Breathing, and Stone Breathing, along with Wind Breathing. Some of these were purely offensive in nature, while others combined strength and defense for the versatile Demon Slayers. Subsequently, seven additional techniques emerged, each derived from the six original methods.

The further a technique strays from the Sun Breathing method, the less effective it tends to be in raw power. However, Demon Slayers have significantly improved over time, and some have adapted their techniques to play to their strengths and conceal their weaknesses. For instance, Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho hides her inability to decapitate demons by employing her Insect Breathing to administer poison from wisteria instead.

What Makes Sun Breathing Versatile?

It All Comes Down To The User’s Ability To Properly Apply The Technique

Sun Breathing isn’t just the originator of all other breathing techniques; it additionally offers numerous benefits that significantly boost a user’s power. Currently, Tanjiro stands alone as the sole living Demon Slayer who can utilize this technique, which positions him to potentially become the strongest in existence. Known as the most powerful breathing technique globally, any Demon Slayer who masters it becomes highly sought after.

“I Can Do It. I Know I Can Do It.”

In numerous battles, the Sun Breathing method used by Tanjiro is the unique technique that leaves lasting harm on demons who aren’t defeated in combat. This damage can be seen as burn marks or scars, showcasing its power being greater than a demon’s healing abilities. Additionally, the Sun Breathing style was crafted to prevent fatigue, enabling Tanjiro to move effortlessly and exert energy for extended periods without tiring out.

Sun Breathing Has The Most Forms Known By Humans

Second Only To Moon Breathing, Upper Rank One Demon Kokushibo’s Technique

Sun Breathing consists of twelve distinct techniques, and a thirteenth technique that merges all twelve for a powerful, cumulative strike. This makes Sun Breathing second only to Upper Demon Kokushibo’s Moon Breathing in terms of number of techniques, which boasts an impressive sixteen. Here is a list of the thirteen forms of the Sun Breathing technique.

Dance — A singular, downwards-vertical slash.
- Dancing Flash — Tanjiro’s modified version of Dance, using Thunder Breathing as a secondary source of power.
Clear Blue Sky — A 360° slash involving the user spinning their upper body in a circular pattern.
Raging Sun — A form that launches two horizontal slashes to protect the user from demon attacks.
Burning Bones, Summer Sun — Similar to Raging Sun, allowing the user to protect themselves from front attacks by performing a slash while in a spiraling pattern.
Setting Sun Transformation — A decapitation attack involving the user performing a backflip while launching a slashing attack.
Solar Heat Haze — The user uses heat to mask the position of the blade, allowing a pre-emptive strike.
Beneficent Radiance — The user performs a spiral slash while launching themselves into the air.
Sunflower Thrust — The user attacks with the tip of the blade, thrusting it towards the target.
Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance — The user unleashes many consecutive slashes in the form of a Japanese dragon created from solar flames, capable of decapitating multiple targets.
Fire Wheel — The user unleashes a circular swing of fire, mimicking a blazing wheel that is capable of cutting the target in half.
Fake Rainbow — A defense form that creates illusions for the user, allowing them to escape or evade attacks.
Flame Dance — The user launches one vertical slash, followed by a horizontal slash for a two-swing combination.
Thirteenth Form — Created for the sole purpose of killing Muzan Kibutsuji, the user performs all twelve Sun Breathing forms, meant to target the seven hearts and five brains of Muzan.

2025-03-23 22:06