Kimetsu no Yaiba Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Kimetsu no Yaiba Wiki

Nichirin Swords ( (にち) (りん) (とう) Nichirin Tō?, lit. Sun Blade) are special blades used by Demon Slayers made specifically for the purpose of slaying demons.

Description[]

Nichirin Swords (among other Nichirin bladed weapons) are the main weapons used by Demon Slayers in the Demon Slayer Corps in order to kill demons. They are forged with Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand ( (しょう) (じょう) () () (てつ) Shōjōhi Satetsu?) and Scarlet Ore ( (しょう) (じょう) () (こう) (せき) Shōjōhi Kōseki?), both of which are found on high mountains like the Sunlight Mountain, which is perpetually bathed in sunlight all throughout the year on Mount Yoko ( (よう) (こう) (やま) Yōkō yama?).[1]

As they constantly absorb sunlight, decapitating demons with Nichirin Swords can permanently kill them. Once their neck-bone is slashed by the weapon, their heads and bodies disintegrate into ash in a similar fashion to when exposed to sunlight. However, Nichirin Swords are less effective when used to slash other parts of a demon's body, making beheading the only viable option for Demon Slayers.

Nichirin Swords take on a distinct color when first drawn by its owner, which is why they are also referred to as "Color Changing Katanas".[2] However, the holder is required to have a certain amount of skill, or the blade will not change color.[3]

Demon Slayer recruits choose their own ore after successfully passing the Final Selection. The ore will then be used by a swordsmith of the Swordsmith Village during the forging process, and the swordsmith will personally bring the weapon to the Demon Slayer.

After the Demon Slayer reaches the rank of Hashira, their weapons will be engraved with the words "Destroyer of Demons" ( (あっ) () (めっ) (さつ) Akki Messatsu?). This tradition came some time after the creation of the sword that Tanjiro and Kotetsu found inside the Yoriichi Type Zero, which only had the Slay ( (めっ) Metsu?) on it and was created for the sole purpose of annihilating demons.[4]

List of Known Nichirin Weapons[]

Wielder Type Color Image
Tanjiro Kamado Standard Katana Obsidian Black Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword
Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro Kamado Standard Katana Dull Blue Tanjiro senses the Opening Thread
Sabito Standard Katana Dull Gray Sabito with his sword
Zenitsu Agatsuma Standard Katana Yellow Zenitsu angry at Tanjiro
Inosuke Hashibira Dual serrated Katanas Indigo-Gray Inosuke preparing to fight the demon
Kanao Tsuyuri Standard Katana Light Pink Kanao attacking Nezuko
Genya Shinazugawa Sawed-Off Double-Barreled Shotgun Genya pointing his shotgun
Genya Shinazugawa Wakizashi Dull Gray Genya holding his sword
Giyu Tomioka Standard Katana Deep Blue Giyu's Nichirin Sword
Shinobu Kocho Stinger Katana Lavender-Blue Shinobu introducing herself
Kyojuro Rengoku Standard Katana Red Kimetsu no Yaiba Animation Illustration Book 2
Tengen Uzui Dual Cleavers connected by chain Amber Tengen with his swords
Muichiro Tokito Standard Katana Sky Blue Muichiro thanking Kanamori for his new blade
Yoriichi Type Zero, Muichiro Tokito Standard Katana Dull Gray Muichiro takes a sword from Yoriichi Type Zero
Mitsuri Kanroji Whip Katana Dark Pink Mitsuri appears with her sword
Sanemi Shinazugawa Standard Katana Green Sanemi about to stab Nezuko
Obanai Iguro Twisted Katana Lavender-White Obanai colored body 2
Gyomei Himejima Spiked Flail and Axe connected by chain Dull Gray Gyomei's Nichirin Weapon
Kanae Kocho Standard Katana Light Pink Kanae cleans her sword
Yoriichi Tsugikuni Standard Katana Obsidian Black Yoriichi in a flashback as recalled by Muzan
Michikatsu Tsugikuni Standard Katana Light Purple Michikatsu laments being unable to master Sun Breathing

*Muichiro's blade is shown to be both diamond blue and pale white in the anime adaptation.
*Obanai's blade is colored white on the cover of Volume 19.

Handguards[]

Each Nichirin Sword contains a handguard, or tsuba, that protects the swordsman from cutting themselves when they have a loose grip. It is located where the handle and the blade meet and can come in a variety of colors and shapes.

Wielder Description Image
Tanjiro Kamado* A black ring connected to its core by lines with a border of the same color. It heavily resembles a wagon wheel in appearance. Tanjiro's Tsuba E17
Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro Kamado Oval shaped with four round indentations and a dull grey core. Sakonji tsuba
Sabito Hexagonal shaped with a black core and an overlapping bronze border. Sabito tsuba
Zenitsu Agatsuma, Kaigaku Circular shaped with four slight indentations, the center has a silver tone with small triangles and has a golden border. Zenitsu's Tsuba
Inosuke Hashibira* A black ring connected to its core by a haphazard arrangement of warped semicircles. Inosuke's Former Handguard
Kanao Tsuyuri Circular shaped with a light pastel blue center and border, filled three red sakura flowers and a winding pattern that is light green in color. Kanao's Tsuba Manga
Genya Shinazugawa Two hollow ovals that overlap its core and are a dull shade of gold. Genya's Tsuba
Giyu Tomioka Hexagonal shaped with a bronze core and with an overlapping red fuchsia border. Giyu's Tsuba E1
Unnamed Water Breathing Demon Slayer, Giyu Tomioka Oval-shaped with a whirlpool-like design that is light brown in color. Giyu's replacement Nichirin sword's handguard
Shinobu Kocho, Kanae Kocho Shaped like a butterfly: Each wing has an aqua colored core with an orange border. Shinobu's Tsuba EP20
Kyojuro Rengoku, Tanjiro Kamado Shaped like a flame with a yellow and red core and with an orange border. Kyojuro's Tsuba
Tengen Uzui Circular shaped with four slight indentations and gold in color, with a maroon ring that connects to the center; it has an outer teal border. Tengen's Tsuba
Muichiro Tokito Rectangular shaped with hollowed rectangles at each corner, all of which is gold in color. Muichiro's Tsuba
Mitsuri Kanroji Shaped like a four leaf clover; The leaves are heart-shaped with a pink core and a golden border. Mitsuri's Tsuba
Sanemi Shinazugawa Abstract shape with eight points in an overlapping pattern; Each plate has a forest green core with a silver border. Sanemi's Tsuba E22
Obanai Iguro Gold circular shape engraved with two snakes connected by several plant-like patterns. Obanai's Tsuba Manga
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, Yoriichi Type Zero Rectangular shaped with four angular indentations, with a black center and a golden border. Yoriichi's Tsuba

*Tanjiro began using Kyojuro's handguard as of Chapter 129.
*Based on his appearances in the series, Inosuke's Nichirin Swords temporarily had handguards when Kozo first presented his newly-forged swords. Afterwards, he made his swords jagged-edged, removed the handguards, and wrapped the hilt with bandages.

Weapon Colors[]

Kyojuro explaining Breath Styles to Tanjiro

Kyojuro explaining the main Breathing Styles' associated colors.

Nichirin Swords change color depending upon the user, making each blade unique. They can be of many colors. Zenitsu's blade is unique in that its coloration does not form as a solid band but instead as a lightning motif down the length of the blade. The reason for this patterning is unknown; however, when giving Tanjiro his new sword, Hotaru remarked that the past wielder of the blade before its refinery must have been a very strong swordsman. Given this statement, it is implied that a stronger skill level can create patterns or slight changes in a Nichirin Sword's coloration.

Each color is said to impart certain properties to the blade. The properties of black Nichirin Swords are not well understood, causing them to be considered a bad omen that the Demon Slayer will not go far (due to dying before much can be learned about the blade).

Breathing Style[5] Colors
Sun Black
Moon Light Purple
Water Blue
Flame Red
Thunder Yellow
Wind Green
Stone Gray
Flower Light Pink
Insect Lavender-Blue
Serpent Lavender
Love Dark Pink
Sound Amber
Beast Indigo-Gray
Mist White

Bright Red Nichirin Swords[]

By raising the temperature of the blade, a Nichirin Sword will turn shining bright red. Bright red Nichirin swords hamper the regeneration of demons and can generate extreme heat that can induce immense pain to demons. There are only 3 known methods to turn a Nichirin sword bright red: Using Nezuko's Blood Demon Art, raising the temperature of the blade with a strong grip, and clashing two Nichirin Swords together (the latter two only capable of being achieved when the Demon Slayer Mark is present).

Trivia[]

  • Their namesake contains the kanji for "sun" ( (にち) nichi?), "ring" ( (りん) rin?), which could translate to either "sun ring" or its most common meaning, "solar". In addition to the kanji for "sword/blade" ( (とう) ?), the full translation to the Nichirin Sword is "solar blade".
  • The ore used to forge the swords are likely based off of Hihiirokane ( (ひひ) (いろ) (かね) hihi'irokane?), which literally means (Brilliant Scarlet Metal), a legendary metal of Japanese myth that shines brightly in a manner that it resembles flames or the sun. The metal is considered to be similar to other mythical ores such as Orichalcum of Greek and Roman myth, and as such is said to have had magical properties.
    • "Iron sand/black sand" ( () (てつ) Satetsu?) specifically higher quality "iron sand" ( () () () (てつ) Masa Satetsu?) is in fact known in real life to heat up when exposed to direct sunlight, capable of causing minor first degree burns if in contact without proper equipment.
  • Only four (five if counting the late Kanae) of the nine Hashira of the Taisho era use standard Nichirin Swords: Giyu, Kyojuro, Sanemi and Muichiro.

References[]

  1. Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 9 (Page 12).
  2. Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 9 (Page 15).
  3. Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga and Anime: Chapter 69 (Page 7) and Episode 34.
  4. Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 117 (Page 11).
  5. Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 54 (Page 8).
Advertisement