Thunder Breathing

The Thunder Breathing (雷 (かみなり) の呼 (こ) 吸 (きゅう) , Kaminari no kokyū^?) is one of the five main Breathing Styles directly derived from the Sun Breathing.

The Thunder Breathing combat and breathing style mimics lightning, electricity and thunder, specifically swift strikes and movements akin to lightning striking and the sound of thunder, and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and swordsmanship. Most, if not all, known techniques and forms involve utilizing blinding speeds to close in and swift and insanely fast movements to overwhelm the opponent instantly. When used properly, the user visualizes electricity that flashes a deep shade of yellow or light blue emanating from their weapon or parts of their body (mostly their legs).

It has been remarked by Zenitsu that this combat style focuses on channeling strength into the user's legs, and maximizing the output of every single muscle and blood vessel in them. This combat style is very reminiscent of the real life sword style known as Iaijutsu.

It was created from one of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's students who attempted to learn the Sun Breathing, but due to not being as innately powerful as Yoriichi, they were instead taught an alternated breathing style that focused on their individual strengths and weaknesses, which eventually evolved into the Thunder Breathing.

A known cultivator of Thunder Breathing in the Demon Slayer Corps is Jigoro Kuwajima.

Breathing Style Relationship Chart

Sun

Thunder

Sound

Techniques

There are a total of six original forms that can be used with the Thunder Breathing with the First Form said to be the foundation for the rest of them. However, Zenitsu Agatsuma developed a seventh form in order to stand on equal ground with Kaigaku, his former senior disciple under Jigoro who had become the Upper Rank 6 of the Twelve Kizuki, replacing Daki and Gyutaro after their deaths.

Note: Since the second to sixth form has only been displayed by Kaigaku who uses lightning in conjunction with his sword attacks, it is unknown how a normal Thunder Breathing swordsman would perform these techniques.

1. First Form: Thunderclap and Flash (壱 (いち) ノ型 (かた) 霹 (へき) 靂 (れき) 一 (いっ) 閃 (せん) , Ichi no kata: Hekireki Issen^?) - The swordsman unsheathes their blade, dashes forward at blinding speeds and decapitates the opponent in a split second, reminiscent of Iaijutsu.
   • Six Fold (六 (ろく) 連 (れん) , Rokuren^?) - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique created by Zenitsu. Zenitsu performs the Thunderclap and Flash technique six times in quick succession while slightly augmenting the power and speed of his dashes.
   • Eight Fold (八 (はち) 連 (れん) , Hachiren^?) - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique created by Zenitsu. Zenitsu performs the Thunderclap and Flash technique eight times in quick succession while slightly augmenting the power and speed of his dashes.
   • God Speed (神 (しん) 速 (そく) , Shinsoku^?) - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique created by Zenitsu and the fastest version of the technique, so fast that it reaches subsonic speeds and even an Upper Rank Demon with extrasensory perception couldn’t react in time to evade or block. During the first display of this technique, an unconscious Zenitsu remarked that he mustn't perform this technique more than 2 times, otherwise his legs would be rendered useless due to muscle fatigue and exhaustion. However, during the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, Zenitsu has shown improvement in the proficiency of this technique, allowing him to use it more than 2 times while still maintaining the power and speed of the technique.
   • Kiwami (極 (きわみ) , Kiwami^?)(Hinokami Kepputan Exclusive) - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash created by Zenitsu. Zenitsu performs an Iajutsu slash and goes into the stance of the First Form, unleashing the original technique after.
2. Second Form: Rice Spirit (弐 (に) ノ型 (かた) 稲 (いな) 魂 (だま) , Ni no kata: Inadama^?) - Kaigaku unleashes five electrified arching slashes all in a single moment.
3. Third Form: Thunder Swarm (参 (さん) ノ型 (かた) 聚 (しゅう) 蚊 (ぶん) 成 (せい) 雷 (らい) , San no kata: Shūbun Seirai^?) - Kaigaku surrounds the enemy with powerful waves of electricity and sword slashes that slice up the enemy in all directions.
4. Fourth Form: Distant Thunder (肆 (し) ノ型 (かた) 遠 (えん) 雷 (らい) , Shi no kata: Enrai^?) - Kaigaku generates powerful lightning strikes in several directions with his blade from a far distance.
5. Fifth Form: Heat Lightning (伍 (ご) ノ型 (かた) 熱 (ねつ) 界 (かい) 雷 (らい) , Go no kata: Netsu Kairai^?) - Kaigaku unleashes a powerful ranged electrified sword slash upwards that burns the flesh of his opponent.
6. Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash (陸 (ろく) ノ型 (かた) 電 (でん) 轟 (ごう) 雷 (らい) 轟 (ごう) , Roku no kata: Dengō Raigō^?) - One of the most powerful Thunder Breathing techniques. Kaigaku releases a series of strong ranged electricity attacks that strike his opponent from multiple directions.
7. Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami (漆 (しち) ノ型 (かた) 火 (ほの) 雷 (いかづちの) 神 (かみ) , Shichi no Kata: Honoikazuchi no Kami^?) - Thunder Breathing's most powerful technique and the personal creation of Zenitsu Agatsuma. Zenitsu's Nichirin Blade takes the form of a bright yellow dragon that seemingly emanates electric sparks and lightning as he dashes forward at blinding speeds surpassing his Godspeed technique and decapitates the opponent. The speed required to perform this technique was so immense it burned the air around Zenitsu and caused his haori to be ripped to shreds.

Users

Users
Jigoro Kuwajima (Cultivator and Former Hashira)	Kaigaku	Zenitsu Agatsuma

Demonstrations

• Anime
• Manga

Demonstrations
First Form	First Form: Six Fold

— Thunder Breathing — First Form First Form: Six Fold First Form: Eight Fold First Form: God Speed Second Form Third Form Fourth Form Fifth Form Sixth Form Seventh Form

Trivia

• The First Form: Thunderclap and Flash is stated to be the basis for the other forms, which was all Zenitsu could learn and hone, while Kaigaku couldn't despite learning the other forms after it. Two unnamed Demon Slayers said that he wouldn't be able to master the others much.