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Among the revered nine Hashira, who is the strongest Hashira of them all?
In the world of Demon Slayer, the Hashira are the most elite group of swordsmen who have mastered their respective breathing techniques to achieve incredible strength and agility.
Among the hundreds of warriors in the Demon Slayer Corp, one man stands out as the strongest Hashira — Gyomei Himejima. What’s even more remarkable is that this giant has a significant disability.
Let’s delve deeper into the capabilities of the Stone Hashira, a towering pillar with a sensitive and devout personality. We will explore his unique strengths and why he is regarded by other characters in the series as the most formidable fighter.
Warning: Major spoilers if you have yet to read past Chapter 134 of the manga, and minor spoilers if you have yet to watch the first two Seasons of the anime.
Why Gyomei Himejima is the strongest Hashira in Demon Slayer
The Hashira, a group of nine elite warriors, are the most skilled and accomplished swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. With an unwavering commitment to their mission of eradicating demons from the world, they have devoted themselves to the relentless refinement of their combat techniques. Through years of unrelenting training and experience, they have evolved into an unstoppable force, feared and respected by all who cross their path.
While the legendary swordsman Yoriichi Tsugikuni is seen as the strongest Demon Slayer of all time, Gyomei is considered the strongest Hashira in the series’ current timeline.
Gyomei is an imposing figure, standing tall at a towering height of 220 centimeters and boasting a muscular build impressive even amongst the Hashiras. But it’s not just his physical size that makes him such a powerful fighter.
As a child, Gyomei lost his eyesight, forcing him to develop a distinctive concentration technique that allowed him to focus his energy to incredible levels. As a result, he can harness his painful memories to enhance his fighting abilities. In addition, by tapping into his emotions, he gains a heightened sense of awareness, enabling him to swiftly react to his opponents’ moves and anticipate their next steps.
Instead of wielding a katana, Gyomei uses a massive stone mace that he swings with incredible speed and precision. With his Stone Breathing technique, he can imbue his attacks with the power of the earth, heightening their impact to devastating levels.
In Chapter 134 of the manga, during the Hashira Training Arc, Tanjiro Kamado and Inosuke Hashibira agreed that the Stone Hashira was the strongest Demon Slayer they encountered.
At the start of the Infinity Castle Arc, the leader of the Corp, Ubuyashiki Kagaya, only entrusted Gyomei with his trap to kill Muzan Kibutsuji. While Gyomei’s discretion played a significant role in the plan, Ubuyashiki trusted that the Stone Hashira could kill the Demon King.
Gyomei stands out among the Hashira due to his unwavering determination. Despite facing some of the series’ strongest demons, Gyomei remains resolute in his commitment to safeguarding humanity from evil.
Even Upper Rank demons, who can regenerate instantly, are surprised by how much damage the Stone Hashira can endure. His extraordinary physical power enables him to endure even the most destructive assaults, while his unwavering concentration keeps him in the fight.
READ MORE: What is the Infinity Castle? We explain how it works
