Giyu Tomioka

Giyu Tomioka is a major supporting character of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is a Demon Slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps and the current Water Hashira.

Appearance
Giyu is a fairly tall young man of a lean muscular stature and pale complexion, who is almost always seen wearing a serious and 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 moderately large, 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-wrapped kyahan and a pair of white zōri with dark blue straps and tabi socks underneath being 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 dark red, and the left one geometrically patterned with rhombi of green, orange, and yellow. These haori 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. After the fight, Giyu cuts his hair down to shoulder length, now wearing it loose rather than tied into a ponytail.

While Giyu was training under Sakonji Urokodaki, he wore a red haori which would later make up his current one as well as black tucked-in tattsuke-hakama pants and his current white leg-wrapped kyahan and pair of white zōri with dark blue straps. In addition, he also wears the warding masks that are signature to Sakonji's pupils. For Giyu, it is a white fox mask with light blue eyes.

Personality
Giyu always wears a stoic and unbothered expression on his face. However, he has a reserved personality and a very strong sense of justice with no tolerance towards those who don't know their own limitations and throw away their lives. Despite letting Nezuko Kamado live due to Tanjiro Kamado's persistence, he shows zero hesitation when killing other demons and has no respect or mercy towards them like most Demon Slayers. Even so, Giyu violated the Demon Slayer Corps' code of conduct without hesitation to protect 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 letting his hatred cloud his judgement.

Giyu appears to have a complex with what others think of him and is shocked when Shinobu Kocho claims he is hated by many. Besides that however, he doesn't seem to be hurt by Shinobu's other pokes, even ignoring her. Despite that, they are in fact 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. 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, especially to demons.

Beneath his seemingly unemotional and aloof attitude, Giyu suffers from an inferiority complex which he developed since his participation in 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. 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 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. 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. 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 and Muichiro Tokito.

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 the death of Muzan Kibutsuji and the eradication of demons for good, it is 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.

Overall Abilities
As a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is a very powerful and skilled combatant. From the beginning, Giyu showed how much he outclassed Tanjiro and his friends, being able to effortlessly capture Nezuko from him and later knocked him unconscious in a single blow. Later, he was able to easily defeat Father in his transformed state and Rui, Lower Rank Five, something Tanjiro and Inosuke respectively failed to accomplish. He also fought equally against fellow Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa in a sparring match. Giyu was also shown easily beating dozens of demons equal to that of the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. On top of his incredible skills as a Demon Slayer, Giyu is also a very capable teammate, able to grasp their intentions and work in tandem with it.

During his fight against Upper Rank Three Akaza, he was able to hold on his own for some time and similarly with 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. When he first awakened his mark, Giyu was able to momentarily overpower the Upper Rank demon as well, repeatedly cutting his arms, slicing his body and even cutting his neck. Akaza even states that he has not fought a Water Hashira as skilled as Giyu in fifty years. When he encountered the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, Giyu was able to hold him off for a considerable amount of time along with Tanjiro and later played a pivotal role in his defeat. Moreover, after Tanjiro became a demon, Giyu was the first to act and fend him off, defending Zenitsu and a Kakushi while fighting evenly with him, long enough for him to be turned back to a human.

Indomitable Will: Giyu possesses an undaunted will and indomitable will, never giving up despite suffering numerous injuries against Akaza, one of the strongest demons in existence and later on the Demon King, Muzan. Even when losing his arm, he still remained steadfast and managed to play an important role in defeating Muzan. When Tanjiro was turned into a demon, Giyu was the first to act in order to protect the survivors, and even when it seemed that Tanjiro was unable to be killed by any means, he was not phased and continued to fight.

Tactical Intellect: Giyu possessed great tactical intellect and sharp observation, always remaining calm, composed, and focused on analyzing the situation and reacting accordingly. When he initially fought Tanjiro, he was able to immediately understand Tanjiro’s strategy with his hidden hatchet throw. He has also displayed sharp critical thinking and accurate tactical analysis mid-battle, precisely determining and noting details with his keen observation. In his clash with Akaza, Giyu was able to keep pace during the high-speed battle, while critically noting the precision and accuracy of his techniques and instantaneous adaptation, and the intense overall nature of the Upper Rank. Additionally, Giyu also shows good survival skills; after fighting Akaza and bleeding profusely from his sustained wounds, Giyu lit a fire and heated his sword to cauterize his wounds. In his confrontation with Muzan, when Tanjiro tried to fight head on out of anger, Giyu advised the strategy of stalling the demon instead until allies arrived.

Demon Slayer Abilities
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, complementing his Breathing Style, Water Breathing. 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.
 * Bright Red Nichirin Sword: During the fight against Muzan, Sanemi forcefully clashes his sword together with Giyu's turning both of their blades temporarily red, which grants them the ability to hamper the enhanced regeneration of the Demon King, making their attacks much more effective and deadly.

Physical Abilities
Immense Speed & Reflexes: Giyu possesses inhuman speed and reflexes, as shown when he took Nezuko away from Tanjiro's grasps at blinding speeds, which took him several seconds to register. Later, he was able to hoist and tie Inosuke up to a tree before he even realized what happened, causing him to remark that he's extremely fast. Giyu also easily caught up to Shinobu when she was pursuing Tanjiro. In his battle with Lower Five, Giyu could cut all of Rui's threads so fast that it seemed like he didn't move his arms at all, and was later able to nonchalantly decapitate the demon in the moment he had blinked. He was also able to keep up with Upper Rank Three, Akaza, who is one of the fastest demons in existence and when he awakened his mark, Giyu managed to surprise him several times and appeared to "teleport" even to Akaza. Giyu also managed to evade many of Muzan's attacks and negate them with his form Dead Calm.

Immense Stamina & Endurance: Due to extremely harsh training, Giyu has attained incredible stamina and endurance. In his battle against Akaza, he managed to continue fighting even after sustaining dozens of injuries all over his body, severely weakening him, a feat which pleasantly surprised Akaza. During the final clash with the Demon King, Giyu managed to hold off Muzan despite initially being inflicted with his poisonous blood, and later still played a pivotal role in his defeat after his arm was cut off by helping Tanjiro turn his blade bright red. Even after the entire ordeal, when Tanjiro was transformed into a demon, Giyu still had enough energy left to fight him off for a brief period of time. Giyu was also one of only two Hashira to survive the final battle in the end.

Immense Strength: As a Hashira, Giyu has honed his physical strength to beyond what is conceivable for human. Even since the first encounter with Tanjiro and Nezuko, he has displayed impressive feats of strength, such as swinging his blade with so much force that he caused an enormous gust of wind that knocked both Tanjiro and Nezuko back a far distance, holding down a berserk Nezuko with one hand effortlessly, and later knocking her unconscious in one strike to the neck. In his spin-off story, he could break extremely strong ropes tied around his wrists with ease while nonchalantly talking to Shinobu Kocho.

In his battle with Rui, he could nonchalantly slice through the demon's threads no matter what attack he used, and later able to cut through the Lower Rank's neck with ease, something even Tanjiro could not accomplish. During his battle in the Infinity Castle, Giyu was able to cut Akaza's body and limbs during a multitude of occasions, despite the fact that Akaza possesses one of the highest levels of durability among all demons. He could also turn his Nichirin Sword bright red through sheer force with the assistance of Sanemi, a feat which requires an absurd amount of grip strength to accomplish.

Fighting Style
Master Swordsman: Being a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is one of the most powerful and skilled swordsman in the entire organization. Upper Rank Three, Akaza, who has fought countless swordsman in the past, was impressed with Giyu's skill, stating that he possesses finely developed swordsmanship.

Breathing Style
Water Breathing (の): A Breathing Style taught to him by the Water Hashira before him, Sakonji Urokodaki. As the Water Hashira, Giyu is his generation's most skilled Water Breathing user. Giyu has completely mastered this swordsmanship style, to the point that he created an entirely new technique within the Breathing Style and impressed Akaza who had fought Water Hashira in the past.

Techniques

 * First Form: Water Surface Slash (ノ　り) - The user generates enough momentum to create a powerful single concentrated slash.


 * Second Form: Water Wheel (ノ) - The user leaps and vertically spins forward in the air while releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion.


 * Third Form: Flowing Dance (ノ　い) - The user swings and bends their blade in a winding motion along with their body and dances in a flowing pattern, slicing everything in its path.


 * Fourth Form: Striking Tide (ノ　ち) - The user makes multiple consecutive slashes while twisting their body and sword in a flowing fashion to deliver multiple blows simultaneously.


 * Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought (ノ　の) - The user changes the grip on their sword and decapitates the opponent in a single flowing strike that causes little to no pain. It is a “sword strike of kindness” used when the enemy willingly surrenders.


 * Sixth Form: Whirlpool (ノ　ねじれ) - The user fiercely twists their upper and lower body, creating a whirlpool of air that cuts anything caught in it. Its effect and efficiently is enhanced underwater, where the user can draw water around their weapon to enhance their slashes.


 * Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust (ノ　き) - The user performs a fast and accurate stab, capable of reducing the impact of a moving target.


 * Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin (ノ) - The user cuts the target vertically in a flowing motion which is most effective when they are falling downward.


 * Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow (ノ) - The user changes their footwork in a way that 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 (ノ) - The user performs a continuous flowing attack which seemingly takes the form of a water dragon that increases in strength and power with each rotation due to momentum.


 * Eleventh Form: Dead Calm (ノ) - A form of his own personal creation, the user ceases all body movements and enters a state of complete tranquility, deflecting, blocking and cutting any incoming attacks with imperceptible speed with his blade. However, its effectiveness is limited as fast and numerous attacks can break through.

Game Exclusive Techniques

 * Eleventh Form: Dead Calm, Tidal Waves (ノ　・り) - An offensive variation of Dead Calm. The user initiates Dead Calm, before suddenly appearing behind their opponent, having already moved and unleashed a delayed-barrage of sharp water sword slashes that completely lacerates them before summoning multiple towering tidal waves and causing them to slam downwards on their enemy with tremendous force.

Equipment
Standard Nichirin Katana: Giyu carries around a standard sized and shaped Nichirin katana with a black blade that has a deep blue outline. His katana's handguard is hexagonal shaped with a bronze core and with an overlapping red fuschia border. As a Hashira, Giyu's blade has the words Destroyer of Demons engraved on the side. Along with his katana, Giyu has a standard sword sheath that is deep black in color.

During his battle against Akaza, Giyu's katana is broken by the Upper Rank. Subsequently, during the final battle against Muzan, he loses his katana and is thrown another by Sanemi Shinazugawa which supposedly belonged to a deceased Water Breathing Demon Slayer that had a deep blue blade and a bronze-coloured handguard which resembled a whirlpool in appearance.

Trivia

 * Giyu's surname contains the Kun'yomi reading of the kanji for "wealth" and "knoll". His first name contains the Go-on'yomi reading for "righteousness, justice" and "bravery, heroism".
 * Giyu's favorite food is simmered salmon with daikon. Seeing a fresh plate even made Giyu smile once.
 * 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.
 * Giyu is one of two characters who have their own spin off, the other being Kyojuro Rengoku. Giyu's spin off is a two-part story depicting events after Giyu's encounter with Tanjiro and Nezuko, called Giyu Tomioka's Story.
 * Giyu's crow is a very old crow, so it tends to make mistakes when giving messages and move slowly during battles.
 * Giyu's Japanese and English voice actors both share the role of Sasori from Naruto: Shippūden.
 * Koyoharu Gotoge'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 loose umanori-hakama pants.
 * Giyu viewed the other Hashira as follows:
 * "I like him. He talks to me a lot." - Flame Hashira
 * "I haven't spoken with him much." - Mist Hashira
 * "He's unkind to me. It makes me sad." - Serpent Hashira
 * "I respect and like him. He talks to me every now and then, and he's kind." - Stone Hashira
 * "She speaks to me a lot. She's serious and hardworking. But sometimes her pallor isn't so great." - Insect Hashira
 * "I'm envious of how unrestrained he is." - Sound Hashira
 * "She talks to me whenever she's around, but I think she shows too much skin." - Love Hashira
 * "He's hotheaded." - Wind Hashira
 * Giyu's overall level of openness was ranked 30%.
 * Giyu's haori was almost torn to shreds after the decisive battle against Muzan, however, Nezuko managed to restore most of it with her craftsmanship and sewing. Giyu was so moved by this that he sent her so many different gifts (kimonos, Western clothes, hair ornaments, etc.), which caused Zenitsu to consider him a potential love rival.
 * Giyu, as well as Tanjiro and Sanemi, fell into a coma after the battle. Everyday, Nezuko would go to Giyu with his mended haori and call for him to come back. For a while, it was unknown whether Tanjiro and Sanemi would also regain consciousness due to their state (taking at least 3 months for a full recovery).
 * Giyu befriends Tengen and his family after the battle. When Tengen's child was born, he was allowed to hold the baby.
 * Giyu is one of only four Hashira that use a normal Nichirin Katana. The other three are Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Muichiro Tokito.
 * In Kimetsu Academy, Giyu is a gym teacher. He's such a spartan that several complaints have been issued about him from the PTA, and the Board of Education might even have to make a move.

Quotes

 * (To himself, regarding Tanjiro Kamado) "Don't cry. Don't despair. Now's not the time for that. I know you're devastated. Your family was massacred, and your sister became a demon. I know it's painful. I know you want to scream. I get it. If only I'd gotten here a half-day sooner, your family might not have ended up dead. But there's no way to turn back time. Feel the rage. The powerful pure rage of not being able to forgive will become your unswerving drive to take action!"
 * (To himself, regarding Sabito and Tsutako) "Why did I forget that exchange with Sabito? It's important. I didn't want to remember because my tears would never stop. When I did remember, I was so sad I couldn't do anything. Tsutako. Sabito. I'm sorry I'm so immature."
 * (To himself, regarding Tanjiro Kamado) "Tanjiro... your techniques have improved by a lot. It would not be an overstatement to say that your ability is equal to a Hashira's. You do this well against an Upper Rank Kizuki. That snowy day all you could do was hang your head in despair. You wailed and begged for your sister's life. But now you can fight. Now you won't lose... either life... or dignity."
 * (To himself) "I really don't want to draw my sword. And I don't like to fight anyone for amusement. But now, for the first time in a long while, I'm up against a strong opponent who can overwhelm me and I realize that my senses have been sharply honed in a short time. Senses that were closed off to me have been awakened and dragged out to the place where my strong opponent stands. Now I understand how the intense struggle to survive increases in one's skills."
 * (To himself, regarding Tanjiro Kamado) "I must pass on what was entrusted to me. Never again will I let family and friends die before my eyes. I'll save him. I will save Tanjiro the same way I was saved."
 * (To Yae) "What is it now? You know this already. That is a monster that can no longer be called a human. A demon. Face it Yae, that is no longer your father.
 * (To Shinobu Kocho) "Even if something does happen, my heart will never waver. We are the nine strongest swordsmen in our organization. The literal 'Hashira' of the Demon Slayer Corps. That is why we will never forget who we wield our swords for and who we are protecting. There are things that must be supported. So the Hashira must act as Hashira."
 * (To Akaza) "I am... still... alive!! If you want to kill Tanjiro... first defeat me!!"

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