Giyu Tomioka | Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba
Information about Giyu Tomioka
The current Water Hashira; he is the first demon slayer Tanjiro meets. He first tries to kill Nezuko, but reverses his decision after seeing her protecting an unconscious Tanjiro. He makes them both go to Urokodaki in the hope that Tanjiro will master water breathing, and follow in his footsteps as Hashira, while achieving his goal of healing Nezuko. He does not consider himself a true Hashira, although he has mastered water breathing. He believes that one of his peers, Sabito, who died saving other demon slayers in training, was the only one who could play this role. He has developed an additional technique to Water Breathing, which only he knows. He lost an arm in the final battle against Muzan, but survived after the demon was destroyed.
History of Giyu Tomioka
When Giyu was young, his family was killed by demons. Giyu survived because he was protected by his older sister.
At the age of 13, Giyu met Sabito and they were close friends because of their similar backgrounds and ages. They both participated in the final selection in Wisteria Flower Mountain. However, Giyu was injured by a demon that attacked him. Fortunately, Sabito saved him before heading to another call for help. It seems that Giyu passed out and by the end of the week, he was accepted. As for Sabito, he was the only one to die during this selection.
Personality of Giyu Tomioka
Giyu has always a serious expression on his face. He has a reserved personality and a great sense of justice, without any tolerance towards those who don’t know their own limits and ruin their life. Although he let Nezuko Kamado live thanks to Tanjiro Kamado’s perseverance, he doesn’t hesitate to kill other demons and has no respect for them like most demon killers. Despite this, Giyu violated the code of conduct of the Demon Slayer Corps when he protected Nezuko during the attempted murder of Shinobu. This implies that he doesn’t completely despise Demons like some other Hashira do, and is willing to make an exception for a Demon by letting it live if it doesn’t kill and eat humans. This shows that he is more pragmatic in his treatment of demons than out of hatred for demons as some other Hashira do.
Giyu seems to have a complex with what others think of him and is shocked when Shinobu Kocho says that he is hated by many. But other than that, he doesn’t seem to be hurt by Shinobu’s other moves, even while ignoring him. Despite this, they are actually good friends with a good amount of shared history.
He’s a man who doesn’t talk much and has a hard time interacting with others, so he usually keeps his distance. He even goes out of his way to tell Akaza that he hates talking and wants to keep his name to himself, as he believes that names are not meant to be shared.
It is later revealed that Giyu suffers from an inferiority complex that he has developed since his participation in the final selection. He becomes severe to the point that he considers giving up his position as Water Hashira until Tanjiro helps him realize that instead of acting on his survivor’s guilt, he should cherish his life and continue to live for the people who sacrificed their lives for him. This sense of survivor’s guilt strikes again when he believes that Tanjiro died after the fight against Muzan. Giyu, while shedding tears, admits that he is still the one who is saved.
Despite his aloof and stoic nature, Giyu shows himself to be protective and caring towards his loved ones and considers his friends. He shows this for the first time when he puts his life in danger for Tanjiro and Nezuko by swearing to commit seppuku if he were to eat a human. Giyu has lost his usual calm and stoic demeanor when his loved ones are in danger, as we see when he is very angry after the attempted murder of Tanjiro by Akaza and visibly shocked when he hears the news of Shinobu’s death. This is also shown by the fact that he still wears half of the haori of Sabito, his deceased best friend, and his older sister in memory of these people. However, Giyu seems to be particularly sensitive to the person for whom he shows emotions, as he does not seem to react at all when he is informed of the deaths of Genya Shinazugawa, Muichiro Tokito and Kyojuro Rengoku.
However, Giyu will not let his personal relationships get in the way of his duty. When Tanjiro begins his assault as a demon, Giyu is the first to announce that they must slay him, despite his brotherly relationship with Tanjiro. After all the conflict, it is clear that Giyu has been able to embrace his happier side, as evidenced by his smiles towards the Kamado siblings and even Sanemi, which shows how slowly their combative relationship has turned into one of mutual respect.
Giyu Tomioka’s abilities and powers
As Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is a very powerful swordsman. He is able to easily defeat the Spider Demon Father in his transformed state and Rui, Low Rank 5. During his fight against Akaza, Upper Rank 3, he was able to hold his own for some time and like Kyojuro, Akaza is amazed by Giyu’s skills to the point that he offers to transform the Hashira into a Demon, which Akaza only asks of the most worthy of his opponents.Akaza claims that he hasn’t fought a water Hashira as skilled as Giyu for fifty years.
The art of the sword
Water Breathing: Taught by Sakonji Urokodaki. The user can increase the amount of oxygen in his blood by controlling his breathing rate. This increases his strength and agility to that of a demon. He has learned to breathe in total concentration at all times like all Hashira, which further increases his basic strength, speed and endurance. He knows all the water breathing techniques and has developed an additional form of his own.
First Style: Water Surface Slash – The swordsman generates enough momentum to create a single, powerful, focused slice.
Second Style: Water Wheel – The swordsman jumps and spins vertically forward in the air while launching a fluid attack in a circular motion.
Third style: Flowing dance – The swordsman swings his blade at his opponent in a way that mimics the movement of waves on the surface of the water.
Fourth style: Striking Tide – The swordsman makes several consecutive cuts while twisting his body in a fluid manner, similar to a strong tide.
Fifth Style: Blessed Rain After the Drought – A “sword of kindness” that kills the target with little or no pain. Used when the enemy surrenders.
Sixth Style: Whirlpool – The swordsman ferociously twists his upper and lower body, creating a whirlwind that cuts through everything in sight.
Seventh Style: Drop Ripple Thrust – A quick and precise stab. The fastest Water Blast technique.
Eighth Style: Waterfall Basin – The swordsman cuts the target vertically.
Ninth Style: Splashing Water Flow – Minimizes the landing time and area needed for landing, allowing the user to move without limits. Ideal for fighting in an area where there is no solid foothold.
Tenth Style: Constant Flux – A continuous attack that increases in power with each rotation, creating a strong slash.
Eleventh Style: Dead Calm – Created by Giyu, the swordsman stops all body movement and enters a state of total defense, deflecting and blocking any incoming attacks with imperceptible speed. However, its effectiveness is limited because the speed and attacks can be numerous.
