Updated on February 13, 2:15 p.m. (GMT+8): Added images.

If you’re venturing into the grim world of Demon Slayer for the first time, you may find yourself asking: “Who are the Hashira?”

These mighty swordsmen are the ones who stand against the most dreadful demons in the series. They are the main supporting cast to Tanjiro Kamado, the series’ protagonist, and his allies.

Hashira in Demon Slayer in ONE Esports featured image for article "Demon Slayer Hashira ranking: Who is the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps?"
Credit: ONE Esports, ufotable, Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer Hashira ranking: Who is the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps?

Given how significant the Hashira are to the series, they serve a pivotal role in the brutal war between humans and demons.

Their journey to the upper ranks of the Demon Slayer Corp isn’t easy — and it proves that they are a cut above the rest.

Who are the Hashira, and what defines them in the Demon Slayer series?

It is the survival of the fittest in Demon Slayer.

Demon Slayer watch order: How to watch the anime and movies in chronological order, a ONE Esports guide
Credit: ONE Esports, ufotable
Demon Slayer watch order: How to watch the anime and movies in chronological order

As the most powerful swordsmen, the Hashira are the highest-ranked members in the Corp. They answer directly to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the organization.

At the start of the series, there were nine active Hashira, but numerous swordsmen came before them. They also serve as the pillars of the Corp who have mastered their respective Breathing Style — the swordsmanship technique used to fight against demons. These Breathing Styles were either created by them or taught to them by their mentors.

Close up of Muzan Kibutsuji's red right eye in ONE Esports featured image for article "Who is Muzan Kibutsuji in Demon Slayer? Story, personality, first appearance"
Credit: ONE Esports, ufotable, Koyoharu Gotouge
Who is Muzan Kibutsuji in Demon Slayer? Story, personality, first appearance

Each Hashira is assigned to a region in Japan where they are required to patrol and gather the information that might lead to Muzan Kibutsuji, the series’ main antagonist. They are tasked with the most challenging missions in the organization.

There are different ways to become a Hashira. They need to make their way up each ranking: Mizunoto, Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe, Hinoto, Hinoe, Kinoto, and Kinoe.

Demon Slayer manga key visual with main characters and Hashira in ONE Esports featured image "Demon Slayer manga ending explained: Breaking down the events after the final arc"
Credit: ONE Esports, Shueisha
Demon Slayer manga ending explained: Breaking down the events after the final arc

Once they’ve achieved the 10th tier, Kinoe, they need to kill 50 demons to become a Hashira. A faster way to become a Hashira is to defeat a member of the Twelve Demon Moons, the strongest villains in Muzan’s army.

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The Hashira rank can also be passed down to a young and talented swordsman. In the series, there are many successors, who are called Tsuguko.

Here are all Demon Slayer episodes from every season and where to watch them

These immensely skilled newcomers are scouted out by active Hashira and are trained to take their place once they retire.

Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer season 1, a featured image for ONE Esports article "Here are all Demon Slayer episodes from every season and where to watch them"
Credit: ONE Esports, uftotable, Koyoharu Gotouge
Here are all Demon Slayer episodes from every season and where to watch them

If you want to know how many Hashira are in the series, we’ve listed each one that was mentioned in the anime and manga.

To learn more details about the current Hashira and how powerful they are, we created a power ranking.

Funko Demon Slayer Giyu Tomioka Pop Figure
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