Tanjiro Kamado is just another boy, taking care of his family as the man of the house when tragedy strikes. The family he has been working so hard to provide for is murdered by a demon, except for his sister, Nezuko, who has instead turned into a demon herself. In this new life of despair, Tanjiro finds hope for revenge and a possible cure for Nezuko in the form of demon-slaying.
Giyu Tomioka, the demon slayer, recruits Tanjiro to join the ranks of demon slayers after attempting to kill Nezuko, not understanding the relationship between brother and sister. Tanjiro, having proven a capable fighter while protecting his sister from Giyu, starts his adventure into the world of the demon slayers. Tanjiro is able to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and is given a special Nichirin blade to help him defeat demons. With this blade and all he has learned through his training with Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro is ready to avenge his family.
But what about that sword? Each member of the Demon Slayer Corps is allowed to choose the specific ore from which their Nichirin blade is forged, though all are forged from the same type of material. This doesn’t prevent the blades from having some very significant differences; both visual and utilitarian.
Nichirin Blade Material
A Nichirin blade is a specialized katana made for the Demon Slayer Corps. Nichirin swords are also known as “Color-Changing Swords”. These swords have the ability to change not only color but shape and composition depending on the user and their fighting style.
It is not uncommon to see a specialty material used in the forging of powerful weapons or equipment. Many shows take advantage of a super infused version of metals found around the world today. This is no different in the creation of Nichirin blades.
All Nichirin blades are formed from using Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore. These materials are found on high peaks, bathed in sunlight. A common site for obtaining this material is the Sunlight Mountain, whose peak is lit with the light of the sun all throughout the year.
This particular mix of materials is especially effective against demons due to the sunlight absorption the metal possesses. Demons are weak to the effects of sunlight, making the ore ideal for fighting against them. It is nearly impossible to kill a demon without a Nichirin blade, as sunlight is one of their only weaknesses.
Swordsmiths in the Swordsmith Village perform the forging process for the demon slayer after they have passed the Final Selection and have earned the right to choose their ore. The smith will deliver the sword themself after forging it, bestowing the great blade upon the demon slayer personally. Though the swordsmiths do not possess special powers, they are unusually skilled at the craft of forging.
Nichirin Blade Colors and Style
The Nichirin blades of the Demon Slayer Corps are individualized based upon the owner of the blade. The unique properties of each blade do not come from the materials used to make it, nor the craftsman, but rather the demon slayer who carries it. Upon creation, all Nichirin blades are standardized, when the user of the blade takes it up from the swordsmith, the color changes, imbuing the blade with different properties.
In the Demon Slayer universe, most colors are single-use to a blade. Many colors are the only instance of their existence, though black and light pink both have two separate blades of that color. Each color also has a breath style, or fighting style, associated with it, though any breath style can be learned and used with any color of the blade.
Tanjiro’s blade is black, a color that is not understood by the Demon Slayer Corps, and comes with the superstition that there will be an early death for the wielder. When he is given his blade by the swordsmith Hotaru, the swordsmith is visibly disappointed in the color. The other carrier of a black Nichirin blade was Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who lived fighting demons far into old age. Yoriichi lived well before Tanjiro’s time.
Nichirin Black Blade
The black Nichirin blade is not associated with a specific breath style as the Demon Slayer Corps knows very little about the meaning of this coloring. Known wielders of the black blades areTanjiro Kamado and Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
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Nichirin Blue Blade
The breath style of the blue blade Nichirin is that of water. Breath of Water style is one of the five main breath styles, said to be the most common among demon slayers due to the ease of learning it. There are eleven different motions associated with the Breath of Water style, making it a versatile training style, even when used by beginners. Giyu Teomioka a the wielder of the blue blade.
Nichirin Grey Blade
Grey Nichirin blade color is associated with the Breath of Stone fighting style. Breath of Stone is also a main fighting style, deriving directly from the Breath of the Sun style. Though being one of the main five styles, Breath of Stone only contains five attacks compared to the eleven of the water style. One known person to wield the grey sword is Gyomei Himejima.
Nichirin Green Blade
The Breath of the Wind style are associated with the green-colored Nichirin blade. Breath of the Wind is another of the five main styles used by the Demon Slayer Corps. With eight fighting moves, Breath of the Wind is a potent method with a good range of uses. One wielder of a green blade is Sanemi Shinazugawa, pictured above.
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Nichirin Red Blade
Red is an intensely interesting blade coloring. A blade can be changed to the red coloring by some Demon Slayers, allowing the blade to prevent regeneration in demons. Additionally, when a red blade meets another blade in combat, the red will bleed over to the opposing Nichirin blade, imbuing it with the properties of the red blade. This blade is associated with the Breath of Flames style. As another of the primary derivatives from the Breath of Sun style, Breath of Flames has persisted since the time of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. There are nine forms within Breath of Flames. Wielding a red blade, Kyojuro Rengoku uses his abilities to protect the weak as one of the strong.
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Nichirin Yellow Blade
Nichirin blades that are colored yellow are associated with the Thunder Breath aspect. In this fighting style, the primary focus of strength is the legs of the performer. This style has seven main attacks, but the first style has three iterations. Zenitsu Agatsuma carries a yellow blade.
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Nichirin Indigo Blade
The color indigo is related to another tier of breath skills. The Breath of the Beast, a derivative of the Breath of Wind fighting style was developed by the indigo sword wielder, Insouke Hashibira. With eleven focuses, Breath of the Beast was created for survival in distant places.
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Nichirin White Blade
Another color that related to a Breath of Wind successor is the white Nichirin blade. The white blade is associated with the Breath of Mist style, a style used by Muichiro Tokito, a wielder of that color of blade.
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Nichirin Pink Blade
The Nichirin blade of pink is the symbol of the Breath of Love style. The Breath of Love style has six styles within it, all created by Mitsuri Kanroji. This style is a follow up to the Breath of Flames style, created specifically by Mitsuri for her powerful yet small body type.
Nichirin Light Pink Blade
Light pink blades are the blades of flower. The Breath of Flower fighting method is an updated Breath of Water style used by both Kanae Kocho and her sister Kanao Tsuyuri. There are seven forms of the Breath of Flowers style, culminating in a style that renders the rest of the world in slow motion.
Nichirin Purple Blade
There are only five forms within the Breath of Serpent style. This form is a subset of the Breath of Water style and is associated with the purple blade. The wielder of a purple blade is Obanai Iguro, whose sword wriggles with the motions like a snake might slither.
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Nichirin Lavender Blade
The lavender blade is the only blade associated with a fourth tier of style, the Breath of Insect. Breath of Insect branches out further form Breath of Water, through Breath of Flower. With a focus on stabbing and thrusting, it reduces the need for raw physical strength in demon-slaying. There are four different attacks within this method. Shinobu Kocho, the creator of the Breath of Insect technique, is a carrier of the lavender sword.
Other Styles Used With Nichirin Blades That Aren’t Associated With a Color
There are three types of Nichirin blades that do not have a color specific to them, but carry their own breath style nonetheless.
- The Breath of Sound style is utilized by Tegen Uzui and is a subset of the Breath of Thunder method. There are five forms to the Breath of Sound and all are related to music, or the beats contained within.
- A unique breath style, the Breath of the Moon is a direct follower of the Breath of the Sun style, but not one of the main five used by the Demon Slayer Corps. The Breath of Moon style the style of demons, created by Michikatsu Tsugikuni’s demon form Kokushibo. This man was a demon slayer originally but joined the demons by becoming one as a means to become powerful. As a human, Kokushibo was the brother of Yuriichi Tsugikuni. The Breath of Moon style has the most attacks, settled at sixteen unique moves.
- A special breath style used by the Kamado family, the Dance of the Fire God, is a style utilized by Tanjiro Kamado using the black Nichirin blade. This method of fighting is passed down from father to son through the family, all the way down to Tanjiro. There are thirteen attacks within the Dance of the Fire God style, with the first being broken further into two substyles.
Nichirin Blade Strength
Though the Nichirin sword is the key to the success of the Demon Slayer Corps, their function is not much greater than that of a regular weapon outside of their material’s ability to soak in the sunlight. This is similar to the weapon of Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto, the wielder is the real strength, not the blade. By the breaking of Tanjiro’s sword, it is clear that this weapon is just a tool and that he must power through if it cannot. His weapon has been broken twice and chipped another.
Beyond the many times Tanjiro has damaged his sword, there have been occasions of other demon slayers damaging their most essential tool. Inosuke broke his sword as well and was met with a similar anger from the sword maker. Inosuke was shown to chip away at the blade of his sword using a rock, making the edge jagged, as if it had teeth.
Much to the dismay of his swordsmith, Hotaru, the weapons are not stronger than any other steel. These blades can be damaged if the wielder is not careful with their battles. In one instance the demon Rui broke Tanjiro’s sword with a well-timed counter-attack.
Without the use of the blade, Tanjiro must show his ability as a fighter or die at the hands of Rui. In this moment of near-death, Tanjiro is taken back to his youth, learning the Dance of the Fire God style, which ultimately saves his and his sister’s lives. Although the blade’s remnant is the only thing that can complete the battle with Rui, Tanjiro is shown to be a strong fighter without this important asset.
Conclusion
Whether fighting for yourself or fighting to save the world, there aren’t many ways to slay a demon. With the specialty Breath Styles taught to those of the Demon Slayer Corps, at least the world stands a chance at peace. Hopefully, Tanjiro can keep his blade together long enough to cure his sister, Nezuko.
There are many amazing pieces of ability and weaponry in the Demon Slayer show, but none filled with more mystery than the elusive black bladed Nichirin sword. The weapon has become such a popular piece of today’s culture that you can even purchase your own premade replicas! Be sure you’re prepared to fight off demons and avenge your family, the monsters won’t wait for you.