For the weak, there are no rights or other choices. Entirely with force, the strong can make others surrender maybe the oni know of a way to cure your sister, however...! I don't think the oni lord will respect your will or request.
Giyu is a tall young man with medium length, messy black hair tied back into a low ponytail and dark blue eyes.
He wears the standard black Demon Slayer's uniform along with a haori with two different patterns, one red and one geometrically patterned with green, orange, and yellow. (the latter belonged to Sabito)
Personality
Giyu always wears a serious expression on his face and has a reserved personality and a strong sense of justice. He has no tolerance towards those who don't know their own limitations and throw away their lives.[2] Despite letting Nezuko live due to Tanjiro's persistence, like most Demon Hunters he shows no hesitation when killing other demons, and has no respect towards them.[3]
He seems to have a complex with what others think of him and is shocked when Shinobu claims he is hated by many.[4]
He doesn't say much and has trouble interacting with others, so he usually keeps himself at a distance.[5]
It is revealed 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 PIllar 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.[6]
History
Younger Giyu with Sabito
When Giyu was young, his family was killed by demons. Giyu survived as he was protected by his elder sister.
After his elder sister died, Giyu told other people that she was killed by a demon. People considered that he became mentally ill and tried to send him to his relative who was a doctor and lived far away. On the way, Giyu ran away and he almost died on the mountain, but a hunter who knew Urokodaki rescued him.
When Giyu was 13 years old, he met Sabito and they were great friends due to their similar pasts and age. They both entered the Final Selection in the Wisteria Flower Mountain. However, Giyu was injured due to a demon attacking him. Luckily, Sabito saved him before heading off towards another cry for help. It appeared that Giyu fainted and after the week was over, he was accepted. As for Sabito, he was the only one who died during that selection.
While Tanjiro Kamado was struggling to fend off the attack from his Demon-turned sister Nezuko, Giyu attacked the latter from behind, only to fail as the former moved his target out of the way. Recovering quickly, the swordsman asked the youth why he had protected the Demon and is told that it is because the creature is the youth's sister. Looking at the maddened Nezuko, Giyu questions this statement, before swiftly removing the girl from her brother's grip.[7]
As Tanjiro called out to his sister in alarm, Giyu told him not to move, stating that it is his job to kill demons like Nezuko. The swordsman then listened as Tanjiro attempted 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 youth exclaims that his sister hasn't eaten any people, Giyu reminds him of what had just transpired, shortly thereafter bluntly commenting that there is no way to cure a person once they are turned into a Demon, despite Tanjiro's pleas to the contrary. As Tanjiro continued pleading, Giyu brought his sword up to Nezuko's throat.[8]
When Tanjiro then prostrated himself before the swordsman, begging for his sister's life, Giyu grew angry, stating that the youth has no authority over who lives or who dies, as he was too weak to protect his family, and that 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 demanded that Tanjiro prove his dedication to protecting his sister by drawing his axe. As the youth pondered these words, Giyu silently encouraged him to find the resolve necessary to accomplish all of the lofty goals he had placed upon himself. He then stabbed Nezuko in the chest, causing Tanjiro to throw a stone at him in fury.[9]
Giyu blocks the stone with the hilt of his sword, avoiding another of the projectiles as Tanjiro charged at him empty-handed. Seeing the attack attempt as only a simple act of emotion, the swordsman angrily drove the hilt of his sword into his attacker's back, knocking him to the ground. Staring down at the fallen youth, Giyu wondered where his opponent's axe was. Looking up, he saw the weapon spinning towards him through the air, and narrowly dodged it. He then mused over Tanjiro's clever strategy, realizing that the youth's plan had been to take him out even though he would have perished as well.[10]
Sensing something is different about her, Giyu knocks Nezuko out instead of killing her
Distracted, the swordsman was attacked by Nezuko, dodging backward from her kick. Cursing himself, Giyu watched as the girl reached for her brother, certain that she was going to devour him. To his surprise, she instead stood protectively in front of his prone body, before charging at him in rage. Giyu recalled 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 further reflected 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 sheathed his sword, incapacitating the unusual Demon with a barehanded blow to the neck.[11]
While Tanjiro and Nezuko were unconscious, Giyu wrapped the latter in a clean cloth and strapped a bamboo muzzle-like tube across her mouth. When Tanjiro regained consciousness, the swordsman instructed him to visit Urokodaki Sakonji, and also to not take his sister out in the sun, before leaving swiftly.[12] He would later send a letter to Sakonji, asking him to train Tanjirou and explaining the youth and his sister's circumstances.[13]
Natagumo Mountain Arc
Giyu later reappears at the Ubuyashiki residence alongside Insect Pillar Shinobu Kocho, with the two ordered to travel to Natagumo Mountain to assist the lower-ranked swordsmen. Upon arriving, he kills Lower Moon Five Rui, saving Tanjiro. He later defends Nezuko from Shinobu's attack, breaking the rules of the Demon Slaying Corps. However, he stands by as Tanjiro and Nezuko are arrested following Oyakata's order.
Following Oyakata's death, Giyu is seen with the other Pillars attacking Muzan Kibutsuji. He eventually enters Nakime'sDimensional 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 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 reengages 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.
Giyu tried to save Tanjiro from Nezuko who had been turned into a demon but was shocked to see Tanjiro protecting her.[14] After nearly getting taken down by Tanjiro he senses his potential and sends him to his master Urokodaki so he can train him to become a Demon Slayer.[15]
While initially hostile towards them, Giyu has come to care a lot about the siblings, willing to violate the Demon Hunters' code of conduct and put his life on the line in order to protect them.[16][17]
When Tanjiro was struggling against Rui, Giyu saved him and killed Rui with his Eleventh Style.
Giyu and Shinobu are both Pillars of the Demon Slaying Corps. They have opposite personalities and initially seem to be at odds with each other.[18] Giyu was shocked when she claimed he just had a grudge on her for saying the others hated him.[19]
Later on, both he and Shinobu are visibly upset by the hostile treatment of the other Pillars towards Tanjiro and Nezuko.[20]
The former Water Pillar and Giyu's master and the one who taught him the Breath of Water Style. He holds him on high regard and Urokodaki seems to have a lot of trust on his former student too.[21]
While Sabito is long dead before the series started, it was revealed that both him and Sabito were best friends as they went through similar situations of losing their family to demons and bonded well . Later during the Final Selection Exam, Sabito died at the hands of the Hand Demon trying to save his life and others who participated in the exam. Sabito's death caused Giyu to feel so much guilt to the point where he doubted his own abilities as a pillar and rescinds abandoning his position as the Water Pillar.
Tsutako is Giyu's older sister. Not much is known about Giyu and Tsutako's relationship, but it was revealed that Giyu and his sister used to have a strong and loving sibling relationship. One night, Tsutako hid the young Giyu and sacrificed herself to protect him from demons attacking their home. Giyu also cared a lot for his sister that he feels guilty for her death, and thought he is better off dead before Sabito snapped at him because of that.
Abilities and Powers
Swordsmanship
Giyu skills and sword techniques are incredibly powerful with this he is able to effortlessly defeat Father spider demon and Rui lower moon 5.He is able to fight and hold his own against Upper moon three Akaza. Even Upper Moon Three Akaza praised his strength and capabilities.
Breath of Water Style (水の呼吸,Mizu no kokyū?)[22]: Taught by Sakonji Urokodaki. The user can increase the amount of oxygen in one's blood by controlling his breathing pattern. This increases his strength and agility to equal a demon's. Giyu has learned to do full focus breaths at all times as all pillars, further increasing his base strength, speed, and stamina. While he knows all of the Breath Style techniques, he has developed one additional by himself.
First Style: Water Surface Slice (壱ノ型水面斬り,Ichi no kata: Minamo giri?) - A single concentrated slash
Second Style: Water Wheel (弐ノ型水車,Ni no kata: Mizu guruma?) - Giyu jumps and spins his body while slashing.
Third Style: Dance of the Rapid Current (参ノ型流流舞い,San no kata: Ryūryū mai?) - Giyu swings his blade at his opponent in a way that mimics the movement of waves on the surface of water.
Fourth Style: Striking Tide (肆ノ型打ち潮,Shi no kata: Uchishio?) - The swordsman makes multiple consecutive slashes while twisting their body in a flowing fashion similar to a harsh tide.[23]
Fifth Style: The Merciful Rain of a Dry Day (伍ノ型干天の慈雨,Go no kata: Kanten no jiu?) - A "sword strike of kindness" that kills the target with little to no pain. Used when the enemy surrenders.
Sixth Style: Twisting Whirpool (陸ノ型 ねじれ渦,Roku no kata: Nejire uzu?) - Giyu fiercely twists his upper and lower body, which creates a whirlpool that cuts anything caught in it.
Seventh Style: Piercing Rain Drop - A fast and accurate stab. The fastest Breath of Water technique.
Eight Style: Waterfall Jar (捌ノ型滝壷,Hachi no kata: Takitsubo?) - Giyu cuts the target vertically.
Ninth Style: Water Splash (玖ノ型水流飛沫,Ku no kata: Suiryū shibuki?) - 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 Style: The Dragon of Change - A continuous attack that increases in power with each rotation, creating a strong slash.
Eleventh Style: Lull (拾壱ノ型凪,Jū Ichi no kata: Nagi?)[24] - Technique that was created by Giyu himself. Giyu engages a skill that disables and nullifies incoming attacks. However, its effectiveness is limited as fast and numerous attacks can break through.
During his Battle against Akaza, Giyu awakened his Demon Slayer Mark, appearing as a fluid-water like design on his left cheek that when activated increased his speed, precision and endurance to the point where he could engage in a long battle against Upper Moon Three, Akaza, on even ground
Trivia
義勇 (Giyu, ぎゆう) means heroism, loyalty, and courage.
His favorite food is simmered salmon with radish. [25]
Giyu was ranked in 4th place as of the first character popularity poll with 2,190 votes.
Giyu is the only character who has their own spinoff. It’s a two part story depicting events after Giyu’s encounter with Tanjirou and Nezuko, called Giyu Tomioka Gaiden 1 and Giyu Tomioka Gaiden 2.
