Nichirin weapons are a Demon Slayer’s bread and butter, and they come in a variety of colors and forms to showcase their unique abilities. From the Hashira to Upper Rank Demons, Nichirin weapons are impartial to their owner’s motives and never fail to deliver some of the best final blows in anime.
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Known also as Sun Blades, Nichirin Katanas are the most common weapons used by the Demon Slayer Corps, crafted with Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore by the relentless Swordsmiths. However, some slayers rely on niche Nichirin weapons to do the job. Here are some of the best Nichirin weapons inDemon Slayerin terms of power and aesthetic.
Spoiler warning: Spoilers ahead for the Demon Slayer anime and manga!
10Giyu Tomioka’s Nichirin Katana
Giyu is the first Demon Slayer Tanjiro encounters, and he possesses a standard-sized Nichirin Katana that boasts a deep blue color to match its owner’s Water Breathing style. Giyu’s katana also has a bronze, hexagonal tsuba with a fuchsia border and is finished with the words Destroy Demons engraved on the blade.
Even though Giyu’s katana broke during his fight against the Upper Three Kizuki, Akaza, in Chapters 146-156 of the manga, it was resilient against the Hashira’s battle against the Lower Five Kizuki, Rui. While it supports Giyu’s performance as a master swordsman, it is not especially hardy and there are more impressive weapons to come.
9Mitsuri Kanroji’s Whip Nichirin Katana
Love Hashira Mitsuri owns a rather unique Nichirin Sword that resembles a whip more than a katana, with a thin blade that is extremely malleable. The weapon is pink to match the slayer’s bright aesthetic, with a tsuba similar to a four-leafed clover finished with a green and pink grip to stay in tone with her color palette.
Forged by Tecchin Tecchikawahara, Mitsuri’s Katana is a perfect asset to match her speed and flexibility when battling Upper Rank Demons. Its unique form, paired with theHashira’s Love Breathing, is a worthy match for foes, though its unconventional style means that it doesn’t quite pack the raw punch of some Nichirin weapons.
8Inosuke Hashibira’s Dual Nichirin Katanas
The great boar is one of the few Demon Slayers to wield two katanas when fighting. His blades feature an iconic chipped design, frequently shown as he tears into opponents. Inosuke’s blades are indigo-gray, and he’s the only warrior to refuse a tsuba or a sheath to protect his hands. He uses bandages to create a grip around the blade instead.
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Inosuke’s dual katanas may not be the best Nichirin weapon in terms of power, but their build is symbiotic with the slayer’s beastly nature and Beast Breathing techniques. This certainly makes them one of the more unique weapons in the series.
7Gyomei Himejima’s Nichirin Chained Spiked Flail and Ax
The first Nichirin weapon on this list that’s not a katana is Gyomei’s signature Chigiriki (flail) and Ono (ax), which are both made from pure iron. Engraved on the tsuba of Gyomei’s ax are the words Destroyer of Demons, and his assets are renowned throughout the Demon Slayer Corps for being top-tier weapons.
As the Stone Hashira, Gyomei is considered to be one of the strongest in the ranks, and his raw power is aided by these unique tools that deserve a higher place in this list. His Stone Breathing techniques even surpassedKokushibo’s Moon Breathing, and the Hashira’s sharp hearing also allows him to use his space wisely while using the flail.These weapons have not, however, been showcased to the same extent as some others.
6Kyojuro Rengoku’s Standard Nichirin Katana
The late Flame Hashira unleashed a previously unseen amount of power during the Mugen Train arc, filtered through his standard-sized katana that boasts its eye-catching red and orange color. The blade is also detailed with the words Destroyer of Demons, and there are flames running down each side of the katana. The formidable effect is finished with a white grip and a flame-shaped tsuba.
Rengoku’s Flame Breathing was on spectacular display during his battle against Akaza. The bout perfectly demonstrated the way the Hashira’s power is filtered through his elemental weapon. Despite being bested, Rengoku’s katana remained unbroken while in these mighty forms, only shattering later when its master was weakened. This battle alone earns the character’s weapon a middle-tier ranking on an already impressive list.
5Sanemi Shinazugawa’s Standard Nichirin Sword
Even though Sanemi’s abilities will not be showcased until the Infinity Castle Arc and Sunrise Countdown Arc in the anime, the Wind Hashira’s standard-sized katana is perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing weapons on this list. Sporting a tsuba shaped like an eight-pointed star complete with a grip and blade washed in green, Sanemi’s weapon is definitely one for a wall display.
The Hashira’s blade has similar jagged edges to Inosuke’s, but is much more refined, and he also shares an angry demeanor with the beast breather as well. Furthermore, his skills in Wind Breathing come second only to Gyomei in terms of raw power, however, its aesthetic allure bests the Stone Hashira’s weapons within this ranking.
4Kokushibo’s Flesh Katana
The only demon appearing on this list is the Upper Rank One Kizuki, Kokushibo, wielding his Flesh Katana. Since he used to be a Demon Slayer, Kokushibo has demonically modified his Nichirin Katana by reforging it from his own flesh, meaning the sword boasts a grotesque aesthetic: blood, veins, and eyeballs decorate the blade, tsuba and grip.
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Kokushibo is said to have named his weapon Kyokokukamusari, meaning Hollow Cry of the Godless, and it’s undoubtedly a more unique (if hideous) entry on this list. Despite being imbued with flesh and blood, the katana’s blade is still durable and mighty, earning its fourth place in the ranking.
3Zenitsu Agatsuma’s Standard Nichirin Katana
Zenitsu’s weapon may not be very impressive while he’s awake, but once the Demon Slayer is asleep, it can light up the entire night sky. Zenitsu’s standard-sized katana boasts streaks of lightning down the blade, with small, silver triangles gracing the tsuba in front of the white and gold grip. There are also small ribbons hanging off the hilt, which is a unique addition to the weapon.
Once Zenitsu begins to sleep, his Thunder Breathing comes alive. Thunderclap and Flash electrically charge the slayer’s katana, creating one impressive attack to witness. Taking up his iconic stance while fighting, Zenitsu is an incredibly fast slayer to contest. The character can only unleash his frightening potential in specific scenarios, however.
2Tengen Uzui’s Dual Nichirin Cleavers
The Sound Hashira, Tengen, owns an ostentatious set of cleavers. They are amber-colored and resemble nunchaku, with the chain between both hilts. There is a circular notch taken out of both blades which aids in tearing opponents apart, as with Inosuke and Sanemi’s blades.
Tengen’s cleavers are some of the most colorful weapons in Demon Slayer, and their added weight allows incredible force to be put behind attacks. Coming from a family of shinobi, Tengen’s speed is also something to be admired while using his cleavers. Only one weapon in the series tops their flashy flair.
1Tanjiro Kamado’s Standard Nichirin Katanas
Despite bearing a basic design in comparison to the other katanas on this list, the weapon wielded by the protagonist, Tanjiro, is the most important Nichirin weapon in the story. The slayer’s first katana was forged by Hotaru Haganezuka, and he broke it three times after his battles with Rui, Akaza, and Daki. Since it’s clearly not the most resilient weapon, its abilities compensate for this.
Tanjiro’s first katana turned from a metallic color to black, seemingly representing a swordsman with an important destiny ahead of him. His first katana also has the ability to glow red through his sister Nezuko’s Blood Demon Art.
Tanjiro’s second katana is discovered during the Swordsmith Village arc, when he finds the legendary weapon inside aYoriichi Type Zero. This blade was black to begin with, and was later modified to incorporate Rengoku’s hilt in the design. This second katana was much stronger than Tanjiro’s first, engraved with the word Slay, and was thwarted only during his final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji in the manga.
