Giyu Tomioka/Synopsis

Past
Giyu grew up alongside his older sister, Tsutako Tomioka. When he was still a child, his sister sacrificed herself to protect him from Demons.

After the death of Tsutako, Giyu tried to tell others that she was killed by a Demon, however, he was labeled as mentally ill and was sent away to one of his relatives, a doctor. Giyu ran away during the journey there and almost died on the mountain, but he was rescued and became apprenticed under Sakonji Urokodaki.

Giyu was 13 years old when he met Sabito while training under Sakonji, and they became good friends due to their similar pasts and age. Togther, they entered the Final Selection on Fujikasane Mountain. Giyu was injured after a Demon's attack and was saved by Sabito, who defeated nearly every Demon on the mountain. However, after the week went by, it was revealed to Giyu that Sabito was the only one who died during their selection. As a result of this, Giyu started developing a doubt for the authenticity of his position after becoming the Water Pillar.

Final Selection Arc
While Tanjiro Kamado was struggling to fend off the attack from his Demon-turned sister, Nezuko Kamado, Giyu attacks the latter from behind, only to fail as Tanjiro moves Nezuko out of the way. Recovering quickly, the swordsman asks the boy why he protected the Demon, and he replies that the Demon is his sister. Looking at the maddened Nezuko, Giyu questions this statement before swiftly removing the girl from her brother's grip.

As Tanjiro calls out to his sister in alarm, Giyu tells him not to move, stating that it is his job to kill Demons like Nezuko. The swordsman then listens as Tanjiro attempts to defend his sister and explain their current predicament, commenting afterwards that her change in demeanor is simple to explain: any open wound bathed in Demon blood causes that person to become a Demon themselves, thus increasing their overall numbers. When the boy exclaims that his sister hasn't eaten any humans, Giyu reminds him of what had just transpired, shortly thereafter bluntly remarking that there is no way to cure a person once they are turned into a Demon, despite Tanjiro petitioning that there must be a way. As Tanjiro continues pleading for his sister to be released, Giyu brings his sword up to Nezuko's throat.

Tanjiro prostrates himself before the swordsman, begging for his sister's life. Giyu grows angry at his actions, stating that he has no authority over who lives or who dies. He continues that Tanjiro was too weak to protect his family, and all of his talk about finding a cure for his sister's condition and finding his family's killer is ridiculous. Stating that neither he or the Demon Lords would have any respect for such a miserable display, Giyu demands that Tanjiro prove his dedication to protecting his sister by drawing his axe. As the boy ponders these words, Giyu silently encourages him to find the resolve necessary to accomplish all of the lofty goals he had placed upon himself. He then stabs Nezuko in the chest, causing Tanjiro to throw a stone at him in fury.

Giyu blocks the stone with the hilt of his sword, avoiding another of the projectiles as Tanjiro charges at him. Seeing the attack attempt as only a simple act of emotion, the swordsman angrily drives the hilt of his sword into his attacker's back, knocking him to the ground. Staring down at the fallen boy, Giyu wonders where his opponent's axe is. Looking up, he sees the weapon spinning towards him through the air, narrowly dodging it. He then muses over Tanjiro's clever strategy, without even realizing that the boy was empty-handed when he attacked. Deciphering Tanjiro's plan, Giyu realizes that Tanjiro likely thought to take him out with the surprise attack, even if it meant perishing as well.

Distracted, the swordsman is attacked by Nezuko, dodging backwards from her kick. Cursing himself, Giyu watches as the girl reaches for her brother, certain that she was going to devour him. To his surprise, she instead stands protectively in front of his prone body, before charging at him again in rage. Giyu recalls Tanjiro's previous assertion that Nezuko wouldn't eat humans, noting that somebody a long time ago had said the same thing and had been killed regardless. He reflects on the nature of Demons, in particular, the high amount of stamina lost during the transformation process, and what they do to alleviate the lost stamina and prevent starvation: eat humans, even those closest to them. Seeing that Nezuko was not following this example, Giyu sheathes his sword, incapacitating the unusual Demon with a barehanded blow to the neck.

While Tanjiro and Nezuko are unconscious, Giyu wraps the Demon in a clean cloth and straps a bamboo, muzzle-like tube across the girl's mouth. When Tanjiro regains his consciousness, the swordsman instructs him to visit Sakonji Urokodaki and to also to not take his sister out in the sun, before promptly leaving. He would later send a letter to Sakonji, requesting for him to train Tanjiro and explaining the boy and his sister's circumstances.

Natagumo Mountain Arc
After receiving news of the many Mizunoto-ranked Demon Slayers perishing on Natagumo Mountain, Kagaya Ubuyashiki orders Pillars Giyu and Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Pillar, to assist the lower-ranked swordsmen.

Upon arriving, Giyu saves Inosuke Hashibira from the Father Spider Demon by cutting off its arm and easily beheading the Demon with Breath of Water, Fourth Style: Striking Tide. Inosuke is quickly impressed with his strength and demands him for a fight, assuming that the Father Spider Demon was a member of the Twelve Demon Moons and by defeating Giyu who defeated the Demon, he would be made a Pillar. Giyu berates him for his lack of awareness, stating the Demon wasn't one of the Twelve Demon Moons and ties Inosuke up after he tries to argue.

Later on, Giyu rescues Tanjiro from the attack of Lower Moon Five, Rui. He praises the boy for holding out so long and that he would take care of the rest. When Rui tries to use Blood Demon Art: Wheel of Chopped Threads on the Pillar, Giyu nullifies the attack with his own Breath of Water, Eleventh Style: Dead Calm, cutting apart all the threads. Rui attempts to attack him again, but is swiftly beheaded.

After Rui disintegrates with Tanjiro's head on his back, Giyu steps on his kimono, telling Tanjiro to not feel sorry for Demons as they take human lives.

Giyu later defends Nezuko from Shinobu's attack, breaking the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps. However, he stands by as Tanjiro and Nezuko are arrested following Oyakata's order.

Dimensional Infinity Fortress Arc
Following Oyakata's death, Giyu is seen with the other Pillars attacking Muzan Kibutsuji. He eventually enters Nakime's Dimensional Infinity Fortress alongside Tanjiro. The two are soon ambushed by Akaza, with Giyu quickly sent flying away by Akaza's Destructive Leg Form: Flowing Light Flash. Giyu soon returns, angry, and finally manifests a mark as he begins fighting Akaza, causing his speed to increase. Akaza immediately matches Giyu's new speed and eventually gains the upper hand, breaking Giyu's blade with a punch. As Akaza closes in for the final blow, his hand is cut off by Tanjiro mid-attack, saving Giyu. Giyu then re-engages Akaza once more, but is eventually defeated by Akaza's End Style: Chaotic Blue Metal Afterglow, breaking through Giyu's Eleventh Style: Lull. Giyu then watches as Akaza is beheaded by Tanjiro.

After Akaza's beheaded body begins attacking Tanjiro, the injured Giyu defends Tanjiro, vowing to protect Tanjiro with his life even as he continues to take damage. After Akaza's death, Giyu falls unconscious from fatigue alongside Tanjiro.

Navigation
Гию Томиока Giyu Tomioka