Many warriors in the anime seriesDemon Slayerfight with styles as effortless as a katana slashing through the air swiftly. The concept of this beloved show comes from the mind of Koyoharu Gotouge, a brilliant storyteller famous for how well he blends action and emotions together.His storytelling has brought us to the world of Demon Slayer, where humans stand against demons in a never-ending battle.

All of the breathing styles, however, originate from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the creator of the legendary Sun Breathing, which later laid the foundations for almost all other styles. Among these breathing styles, the Water Breathing style is considered to be the most elegant and adaptable, as it mirrors the way water travels smoothly, yet it is strong enough to wear down even the toughest.

Giyu in Demon Slayer using water breathing 11th form.

Origins of Water Breathing

The origins of Water Breathing go back to Shinji Oda, one of the disciples ofYoriichi Tsugikuni, who, in an attempt to learn his master’s original breathing technique,created his own style. While practicing sun breathing,Shinji discovered that he lacked the natural talentto control it. However,when he refused to surrender, his persistencegave birth to the water-breathing styleinspired by nature’s most abundant element, water.

At first,Shinji wasn’t very confident in his technique, but as he trained hard, he madehis breathing style reach a statusthat becameone of the most used techniques within the Demon Slayer Corps. Due to its versatility, many Demon Slayers,including Tanjiro, preferred it, as we see him using it in the first season.

The original Hashiras, led by Yoriichi that created the main breathing styles.

First Form

Water Surface Slash

Opening move, a horizontal sword strike that aims for opponent’s head.

Second Form

Water Wheel

The swordsman leaps into the air while performing a spinning, vertical sword slash. Most effective in mid-air.

Third Form

Flowing Dance

Much like a slashing of the waves, the warrior slashes his blade on his opponents.

Fourth Form

Striking Tide

A series of rapid, consecutive slashes to target the opponents in rapid succession.

Fifth Form

Blessed Rain After the Drought

Graceful, painless attack using which the swordsman decapitates the opponent with a single strike.

Sixth Form

Whirlpool

The swordsman rotates his whole body to create a vortex to slice through enemies.

Seventh Form

Piercing Rain Drop

Quick and precise stab that can stop the momentum of any moving target

Eighth Form

Waterfall Basin

A powerful vertical slash, cutting through the target with force. In the upgraded version Waterfall Basin, Destruction, the swordsman strikes in spinning motion, followed by a curved attack.

Ninth Form

Splashing Waterflow, Turbulent

Ideal technique for fighting in areas with no solid footing, as the swordsman changes his footwork to limit his surface contact.

Tenth Form

Constant Flux

A swordsman creates continuous flowing attack, forming a water dragon that grows stronger with each rotation.

Eleventh Form

Dead Calm

A defensive technique, allows warriors to remains completely still, while deflecting incoming attacks with incredible speed.

Who was Shinji Oda?

Centuries before the series’ main plot lived the water Hashira, Shinji Oda,considered one of the strongest Demon Slayers in the Demon Slayer Corps.Getting trained as fearsome warriors under Yoriichi, both Shinji and his brother Hajime Oda tried to master sun breathing. However,they instead ended up creating their own styles. WhileShinji mastered Water Breathing, Hajime created Flame Breathing.

With the strength of his Nichirin Blade,Shinji would attempt to mimic the movement of waterto obliterate his opponents completely. Many warriors after Shinjiadopted the water-breathing style, keeping his legacy alive and inspiring all the new demon slayers.