The things entrusted to me are connected to the future. I will not let my friends or family die in front of me again. I will protect. I will protect Tanjiro. Just as he would have done for me.
Giyu is a tall young man of a muscular stature and pale complexion, who is almost always seen wearing an unimpressed or emotionless expression. He has unruly black hair of uneven lengths that sticks up in tufts around his head, which he wears tied back in a low messy ponytail at the base of his neck. His bangs fall over his eyes in an uneven fringe. His eyes are sharp and reasonably thin, their irises a deep sapphire that fades to a lighter blue and their pupils a bluish-black, and are framed by thin eyebrows.
Giyu wears a dark cyan-tinted version of the standard Demon Slayer uniform with buttoned white leg-wraps and a pair of white zōri with dark blue straps, the socks underneath the same cyan color as his uniform. Over this, Giyu wears a haori that's split down the middle into two different patterns: the right one a solid pink-red and the left one geometrically patterned with squares of green, orange, and yellow. These haoris were later noted to have belonged to his late older sister, Tsutako Tomioka, and his deceased friend Sabito.
During his battle with Muzan Kibutsuji, he loses his right arm.[3] After the fight, Giyu cuts his hair down to shoulder length, now wearing it loose rather than tied into a ponytail.[4]
Gallery
Giyu's new haircut.
Personality
Giyu always wears a serious expression on his face. He has a reserved personality and a strong sense of justice with no tolerance towards those who don't know their own limitations and throw away their lives.[5] Despite letting Nezuko Kamado live due to Tanjiro Kamado's persistence, he shows zero hesitation when killing other Demons and has no respect towards them like most Demon Slayers.[6] Even so, Giyu violated the Demon Slayer Corps' code of conduct when he protected Nezuko during Shinobu's attempt to kill her. This implies that he doesn't completely despise Demons as some other Hashira do, and is willing to make an exception for a Demon by letting them live if they don't kill and eat humans. This shows that he is more pragmatic in dealing with Demons rather than out of hatred for Demons like some other Hashira do.
Giyu appears to have a complex with what others think of him and is shocked when Shinobu Kocho claims he is hated by many.[7] Besides that however, he doesn't seem to be hurt by Shinobu's other pokes, even ignoring her. Despite that, they are in fact decent friends with a good amount of history together.
He is a man of very few words and has trouble interacting with others, so he usually keeps himself at a distance.[8] He even goes out of his way to tell Akaza that he hates talking, and wants to keep his name to himself, as he thinks names are not meant to be shared.
It is revealed later on that Giyu suffers from an inferiority complex which he developed since his participation in the Final Selection. It gets severe to the point where he contemplates abandoning his position as the Water Hashira until Tanjiro helps him realize that instead of acting on his survivor's guilt, he should cherish his life and live on for the people who sacrificed their lives for him.[9] This feeling of survivor's guilt strikes again when he believes Tanjiro has died after the fight against Muzan. Giyu, while he sheds tears, admits how he is always the one who is saved.
Despite his aloof and stoic nature, Giyu is shown to be protective and caring towards those he is close to and considers his friends. This is first shown when he puts his life on the line for Tanjiro and Nezuko by vowing to commit seppuku if the latter were ever to eat a human.[10] Giyu has been shown to lose his composure and usual stoic demeanor when those he cares about are in danger, as seen when he is greatly angered by Akaza's attempt to kill Tanjiro and visibly shocked when he hears the news of Shinobu's death.[11] This is further shown in the fact that he still wears half of Sabito, his late best friend's, and his older sister's haori as a memento of them. However, Giyu appears to be particular in who he shows emotions for, as he doesn't appear to react at all when informed of the passing 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 need to take him down, despite his brotherly-type relationship with Tanjiro. Following this whole conflict, its clear that Giyu has been able to embrace his happier side, shown by his smiles towards the Kamado siblings and even Sanemi, which shows how much their combative relationship has slowly developed into one of mutual respect.
Abilities and Powers
As a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is a very powerful swordsman.[12] He is able to easily defeat the Father Spider Demon in his transformed state[13] and Rui, Lower Rank 5.[14] During his fight against Akaza, Upper Rank 3, he was able to hold on 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 Demon, something Akaza only asks of the most worthy of his opponents.[15] Akaza states that he has not fought a Water Hashira as skilled as Giyu in fifty years.[16]
Natural Abilities
Master Swordsman: Being a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is one of the most powerful and skilled swordsmen in the entire organization.[12] Akaza, the Upper Rank 3, states that Giyu possesses finely developed swordsmanship.[17]
Enhanced Physical Prowess: As a member of the Hashiras, his physique has been increased to superhuman levels through years of harsh training combined with the use of the Total Concentration: Constant (全集中・常中,Zen Shūchū Jōchū?). The members of the Hashira in general have incredible movement speed, all of them have displayed the capability to use blinding bursts of speed that make it seem like they teleported to even talented swordsman like Tanjiro Kamado. The Hashira also possess incredible physical strength, shown when a severely weakened Kyojuro Rengoku could hold down a an Upper Rank Demon with his bare hands, Giyu and Shinobu Kocho who can leap great distances effortlessly and Gyomei Himejima who can move gigantic boulders with his bare hands. They also possess superhuman stamina and durability, being able to fight for nearly hours with severe injuries.
Enhanced Speed: Giyu is very fast, being able to tie up Inosuke Hashibira before he even realized what happened.[18] He was also able to cut off Rui's head in the blink of an eye.[19]
Enhanced Endurance: Giyu possesses great levels of endurance, as shown when he endures a powerful attack from Akaza, the Upper Rank 3, and continues to fight with only minor bruises.[20][21] After being hit by Muzan's attack and being injected with his blood, he was able to keep on fighting alongside Obanai, unlike his other fellow Hashira, Mitsuri, who was greatly affected by the same attack.
Enhanced Mental Prowess: As a seasoned swordsman who underwent incredibly harsh and intense training, Giyu possesses above average mental capabilities. He could process information and think clearly at supernatural speeds, proven by fighting Upper Rank Demons, who can think at equally or slightly faster speeds. As another testament to his mental capabilities, he has incredible concentration abilities and wits. With an arsenal of techniques at his disposal, Giyu has to be really decisive and sagacious when using them, proven when he could hold his own against Akaza and Muzan Kibutsuji.
Keen Intellect: Giyu, despite having a quiet disposition, has displayed incredible judgement. In his Spin off, he was able to surmise Yae's location and save her from being devoured from her father. In the battle against Akaza, he was able to roughly discern his abilities and could gauge his strength and counter with his own Water Breathing techniques. During the Sunrise Countdown Arc, he accurately inferred the extent of the regernative abilities of Muzan Kibutsuji. Giyu also possesses medical knowledge, displayed when he could cauterize his wound without cutting himself and heal his wounds.
Giyu activates his Demon Slayer Mark.
Demon Slayer Mark: During his battle against Akaza, Giyu awakens his Demon Slayer Mark, appearing as a fluid-water like design on his left cheek.[22] When activated, he gains a tremendous increase in speed, precision, and endurance to the point where he could engage in a long battle against the Upper Rank 3 on even ground.[23] However, he was unable to come close to cutting Akaza's head, which ultimately led to his sword being broken and nearly fatally injured if it weren't for Tanjiro's intervention.
Crimson Red Nichirin Blade: During the fight against Muzan, Sanemi forcefully clashes his sword together with Giyu's turning both of their blades temporarily red,[24] which grants them the ability to hamper the enhanced regeneration of Demons.
Swordsmanship
Water Breathing (水の呼吸,Mizu no kokyū?): One of the five main Breathing Styles directly derived from the Sun Breathing. The Water Breathing combat style mimics the element of water, specifically the flow and flexibility of water, and infuses it with the users swordsmanship.
First Form: Water Surface Slash (壱ノ型水面斬り,Ichi no kata: Minamo Giri?)[25] - The swordsman generates enough momentum to create a powerful single concentrated slash.
Second Form: Water Wheel (弐ノ型水車,Ni no kata: Mizu Guruma?)[26] - The swordsman leaps and vertically spins forward in the air while releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion.
Third Form: Flowing Dance (参ノ型流流舞い,San no kata: Ryūryū Mai?)[27] - The swordsman swings his blade at his opponent in a way that mimics the movement of waves on the surface of water.
Giyu using Fourth Form: Striking Tide to kill Father Spider Demon.
Fourth Form: Striking Tide (肆ノ型打ち潮,Shi no kata: Uchishio?)[28] - The swordsman makes multiple consecutive slashes while twisting their body in a flowing fashion similar to a harsh tide.
Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought (伍ノ型干天の慈雨,Go no kata: Kanten no Jiu?)[29] - A "sword strike of kindness" that kills the target with little to no pain. Used when the enemy surrenders.
Sixth Form: Whirlpool (陸ノ型 ねじれ渦,Roku no kata: Nejire Uzu?)[30] - The swordsman fiercely twists his upper and lower body, creating a whirlpool that cuts anything caught in it.
Seventh Form: Piercing Rain Drop (漆ノ型雫波紋突き,Shichi no kata: Shizuku Hamon Tsuki?): [31] - A fast and accurate stab. The fastest Water Breathing technique.
Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin (捌ノ型滝壷,Hachi no kata: Takitsubo?)[32] - The swordsman cuts the target vertically.
Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow (玖ノ型水流飛沫,Ku no kata: Suiryū Shibuki?)[33] - Minimizes the landing time and surface needed when landing, allowing the user to move without limits. Ideal when fighting in a place with no solid foothold.
Tenth Form: Constant Flux (拾ノ型生生流転,Jū no kata: Seisei Ruten?)[34] - The most powerful Water Breathing technique. A continuous flowing attack which takes a form of a water dragon that increases in strength and power with each rotation.
Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
Giyu using Eleventh Form: Dead Calm against Rui.
(拾壱ノ型凪,Jū Ichi no Kata: Nagi?)[35] - An extremely powerful defensive technique and the personal creation of the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. Giyu ceases all body movements and enters a state of complete tranquility, deflecting and blocking any incoming attacks with imperceptible speed. However, its effectiveness is limited as fast and numerous attacks can break through.
Giyu's name contains the kanji for "heroism, loyalty and courage" (義勇,giyū?).
Giyu's favorite food is simmered salmon with daikon (Winter radish). Seeing a fresh plate made Giyu smile, a sight which impressed and also disgusted Shinobu.[36]
Giyu's rankings in the popularity polls are as follows:
Giyu ranked 4th place in the first popularity poll with 2,190 votes.
Giyu ranked 2nd place in the second popularity poll with 13,281 votes.[37]
Giyu's crow is a very old crow, so it tends to make mistakes when giving messages. He is said to also make Giyu very nervous.
Giyu's Japanese and English voice actors both share the role of Sasori from Naruto: Shippuden.
Koyoharu Gotōge's initial design for Giyu was roughly the same as the official design, except it featured him with fingerless sleeves, a cloth that tied the ends of his haori around his waist, and looser hakama pants.[38]
Quotes
(To himself regarding Tanjiro Kamado) "Don't cry. Don't despair. Those things will do you no good. Your family is dead and your sister has become a Demon. Your heart is crushed. I know your pain, how you must want to cry out. If I'd come half a day sooner your family might have survived. But there is no turning back time. Fill your heart with anger. Strong, pure anger that gives no quarter. Anger that becomes the unwavering force that drives your limbs. Weakness and empty promises cannot protect your sister or find her a cure. And they certainly cannot avenge your family."[39]
(To himself) "She must've been craving a feast right from the start, even her own brother. But she protected him and turned her attention to me. I wonder if... just maybe... these two are different."[40]
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