The Hashira are the elite pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps—masters of their respective Breathing Styles and the strongest swordsmen who stand between humanity and Muzan Kibutsuji’s demonic army. Each Hashira is a powerhouse in their own right, wielding unique techniques and harboring backstories that are as compelling as their fights. Ranking them from weakest to strongest is no easy feat, especially considering that even the “weakest” among them could decimate lower-ranked demons with ease. But when factoring in combat ability, feats, strategy, endurance, and overall strength demonstrated in the manga and anime, a power hierarchy begins to form. Here’s our ranked list of the Top 10 Demon Slayer Hashira—from formidable to God-tier.
#10: Shinobu Kocho
At first glance, Shinobu Kocho doesn’t appear to be a threat. With her petite frame and soft voice, she seems more suited for a tea party than demon hunting. But that assumption is what often leads enemies to underestimate her—fatally so. Shinobu is the Insect Hashira, and her fighting style is unlike any other. Because she lacks the physical strength to decapitate demons, she relies on a unique poison made from wisteria flowers, injected into her enemies via her needle-like sword. Her intellect and medical knowledge are her deadliest weapons. She reverse-engineered poisons to kill demons that even other Hashira struggled with. Despite being the “weakest” in terms of brute strength, she more than makes up for it with cunning and lethality. Her final act—sacrificing herself to poison Doma, the Upper Rank Two demon—showcased her terrifying strategic mind. Her haunting smile, dark humor, and tragic past, losing her sister to demons, shaped her into one of the most quietly intense Hashira in the Corps. Though she doesn’t possess raw power, her ingenuity makes her unforgettable.
#9: Tengen Uzui
The flamboyant Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, is a warrior of both flair and ferocity. A former shinobi, Tengen brings speed, agility, and showmanship to the battlefield, wielding twin Nichirin cleavers connected by a chain. He specializes in using sound to analyze demon movements and strike with surgical precision. In the Entertainment District Arc, Tengen went toe-to-toe with the Upper Rank Six demon siblings, Daki and Gyutaro. Despite being poisoned and heavily injured, he still protected his comrades with explosive resolve. His performance in that battle was impressive, but his limitations became evident—he nearly died and ultimately retired due to his injuries. His strength is undeniable, but he lacks the monstrous durability and late-story feats of other Hashira. What makes Tengen particularly likable is his devotion to his three wives and his belief that living life flamboyantly doesn’t mean abandoning empathy or teamwork. He’s strong, flashy, and heroic, but in a squad of monsters, he sits just below the top-tier.
#8: Kyojuro Rengoku
Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, is the embodiment of honor, courage, and resolve. With a heart as blazing as his sword, Rengoku left a profound impact on Demon Slayer fans despite only being in the spotlight for a brief time. His fight against Akaza in the Mugen Train Arc was nothing short of legendary. Rengoku fought valiantly against the Upper Rank Three demon and, though he ultimately fell, he held his ground and protected everyone on the train. His flame-based techniques were precise and devastating, and his endurance was awe-inspiring—fighting to the death with severe injuries. However, his limited exposure and defeat prevent him from ranking higher. He didn’t get the extended opportunities to grow or display newer techniques like others on this list. That said, his legacy burns bright. Rengoku inspired Tanjiro and the others to push forward and demonstrated that true strength comes not just from muscle, but from spirit and resolve.
#7: Obanai Iguro
The Snake Hashira, Obanai Iguro, is a mysterious figure wrapped in bandages and coiled in enigma. Quiet, disciplined, and obsessive about structure, Obanai harbors a deep sense of duty to the Corps and a hidden love for Mitsuri Kanroji. His Serpent Breathing technique is agile and unorthodox, allowing him to strike from unexpected angles with precision. What makes Obanai particularly formidable is his battle against Muzan Kibutsuji in the final arc. Even after being blinded, he continued to fight with ferocity and synchronization, relying on his pet snake Kaburamaru to “see” for him. That level of adaptability under duress speaks volumes about his willpower and training. He also awakened the Demon Slayer Mark during the battle, pushing his limits even further. Though he doesn’t have as many standout solo fights as some of the other Hashira, his performance against Muzan showed he could hold his own at the highest level. His tragic past, involving a cursed bloodline and escape from a snake-worshipping cult, adds depth to his strict demeanor and explains his obsessive need for control.
#6: Mitsuri Kanroji
Don’t be fooled by Mitsuri Kanroji’s pink hair and bubbly personality—she’s one of the most physically powerful Hashira. Known as the Love Hashira, Mitsuri combines flexibility with brute strength, thanks to her unique muscle composition that allows her to wield a whip-like Nichirin sword. Her Love Breathing forms are unpredictable, fast, and have incredible range. Mitsuri’s strength is on full display during the battle against Hantengu’s clones, where she holds her own and saves multiple lives. She also awakened her Demon Slayer Mark, significantly boosting her strength, agility, and reflexes. Her blend of emotional resilience and physical might makes her an underrated powerhouse. While she doesn’t have the hardened demeanor of others, her optimism and compassion are assets. She proves that strength can come from kindness, and her feelings for Obanai add a touching layer to her character arc. She may fight with love, but that doesn’t make her any less lethal.
#5: Muichiro Tokito
Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, may come off as absent-minded and aloof, but that quiet haze hides a genius-level prodigy with monstrous talent. At just 14 years old, Muichiro became a Hashira after only two months of training—a feat unmatched by anyone else. He’s a descendant of the first Breath users and possesses incredible reflexes, speed, and tactical instinct. His Mist Breathing techniques are elusive and disorienting, allowing him to vanish and reappear mid-combat like a phantom. What truly elevates him is his battle against Upper Rank Five, Gyokko. Muichiro not only defeats the demon single-handedly but does so after being poisoned and trapped—awakening both his Demon Slayer Mark and later, the transparent world. He even gains a red blade, all rare feats that mark the highest level of Demon Slayer prowess. His stoic exterior hides deep trauma; the loss of his twin brother shaped his emotional growth and fueled his hidden rage. Muichiro may look like a daydreamer, but when the mist clears, he’s a blinding force of nature with some of the fastest kill times in the Corps.
#4: Giyu Tomioka
Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, is the quiet sentinel who first introduced audiences to the world of Demon Slayers. Calm, reserved, and disciplined, Giyu is a master of the Water Breathing technique, creating fluid, continuous forms that slice with elegance and power. But what really sets Giyu apart is his unique Eleventh Form: Dead Calm—a technique that completely nullifies movement, making him virtually untouchable when used. Giyu’s stoicism stems from survivor’s guilt, having outlived his closest friends during Final Selection. This guilt drives his cold demeanor but also his unshakable commitment to protecting others. His battle alongside Tanjiro against Akaza is a standout moment, showcasing his tactical mindset and endurance. Giyu later awakens the Demon Slayer Mark and survives the grueling final battle against Muzan, contributing critical strikes. Despite being overshadowed by louder personalities, Giyu’s consistent strength, adaptability, and clear-headed leadership mark him as one of the most reliable and powerful Hashira in the Corps.
#3: Sanemi Shinazugawa
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, is a hurricane of rage, scars, and raw fury. He’s one of the most aggressive Hashira, both in temperament and in combat. His Wind Breathing techniques are sharp and wild, reflecting his unrelenting desire to destroy demons with no mercy. Sanemi’s physical strength is nearly unmatched—he’s shown lifting massive objects, tanking blows, and moving with terrifying speed. What truly makes Sanemi a monster on the battlefield, however, is his resistance to demon blood due to his rare Marechi blood type, which intoxicates demons and dulls their senses. He’s also a seasoned fighter with combat intuition that borders on animalistic. In the final arc, Sanemi goes head-to-head with Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, and holds his own in a battle that pushes even the strongest to their limits. He awakens the Demon Slayer Mark and shows an iron will to survive. Beneath his rage lies trauma—he lost his family to demons and was forced to kill his demon-turned mother. That pain made him hard but not heartless. Sanemi is all edge and emotion, and that volatile mix turns him into a juggernaut when it matters most.
#2: Gyomei Himejima
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, is the physically strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps and is revered even by his fellow Hashira. Blind since childhood, Gyomei uses his heightened senses to wield a spiked flail and axe connected by a chain—an unconventional weapon that requires both precision and overwhelming force. Gyomei’s strength is not just brute power; it’s paired with incredible spiritual discipline and emotional clarity. Despite his soft-spoken and monk-like demeanor, he unleashes catastrophic power in battle. Kokushibo himself admits that Gyomei is the most powerful Hashira he has faced in 300 years. Gyomei awakens the Demon Slayer Mark, accesses the transparent world, and gains a red blade—all the hallmarks of an elite warrior. His backstory—protecting orphans and being wrongly imprisoned—adds to his mythic aura. He cries for the children he couldn’t save and prays for peace yet wields divine wrath against demons. Gyomei is the definition of controlled destruction: serene in thought, cataclysmic in action.
#1: Tokito Yoriichi Tsugikuni (Honorable Mention) and Final Rank Clarification.
While Yoriichi Tsugikuni was not a Hashira in the timeline of Demon Slayer, his legend looms overall. For clarity, our top spot for Hashira power ranks within the active Corps members, so Yoriichi stands as an honorary, mythic benchmark. In his absence, the true top rank goes to Gyomei.
The Hashira represent more than just warriors—they are walking embodiments of will, loss, love, vengeance, and sacrifice. Whether it’s Shinobu’s venomous cunning, Rengoku’s fiery spirit, or Gyomei’s towering strength, each Hashira brings a unique kind of power to the table. These rankings may shift in fans’ hearts, but what remains consistent is the unbreakable resolve they carry. They are the final defense between humanity and the abyss—and they’ve earned their place in anime history.
