Whether you are an anime fan or a serial manga reader, the Sun Breathing technique has been one of the most mysterious elements of the Demon Slayer series. There is no breathing technique that matches its strength, yet it’s also the one we see the least in the anime series. So, addressing all the confusion and mystery around this primal breathing technique, we are here to discuss all the forms of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer. So, polish your katana, and let’s learn everything about Tanjiro’s Sun breathing technique in Demon Slayer.
Demon Slayer Sun Breathing: Hinokami Kagura Explained (2023)
Hinokami Kagura aka the Sun Breathing is the first breathing technique in Demon Slayer. It was developed by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the first demon slayer to ever exist and one of the strongest Demon Slayer characters. That said, we will go over the various forms of Sun Breathing in this guide, so keep reading.
Note: While this article does mention the Sun breathing forms shown in the Demon Slayer anime, it also includes spoilers for the remaining forms from the manga. So, we suggest you read the manga before this guide to avoid ruining the story.
First Form: Dance Form of Sun Breathing
Since Demon Slayer’s Sun Breathing technique stems from a traditional dance form, it’s no surprise that its primal form is a dance move. In it, the swordsman pushes their sword to slice forward and down in an arc. This slashing move is perfect for overpowering opponents, but it takes a lot of force and lacks the speed that the other forms possess.
Furthermore, Tanjiro turned this move into a Dancing Flash by combining it with Zenitsu’s Thunderclap and Flash to improve the speed. Doing so didn’t affect the strength of the move but made it extremely tough to dodge. Though, Tanjiro can’t rely on it continuously because he has to inhale a lot of oxygen to heavily pump blood toward his legs.
Second Form: Clear Blue Sky
When there are no clouds above your head, the clear blue sky is completely dominated just by the sun. That’s what this form of the Sun Breathing technique tries to mimic. To perform this move, the user spins their upper body in circles releasing slashes in every direction. This allows them to overtake the majority of the battlefield and also makes them appear similar to the sun.
Since the move sends out attacks in every direction it is perfect for tacking multiple enemies at once and also for attacking larger demons. Tanjiro displays this technique in the Mugen Train Arc of Demon Slayer when he slashes various body parts of a demon much larger than himself.
Third Form: Raging Sun
The Raging Sun is similar to the first form of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer. But instead of a single vertical attack, it has two continuous horizontal slashes. The attack not only damages the opponents but also knocks them back. This Sun Breathing form is pretty reliable in a defensive manner and allows the user to counter multiple attacks at once.
We see Tanjiro using this move to counter the sentient obi of Daki, one of the strongest female characters in Demon Slayer and an Upper-Rank demon in the Entertainment District arc. The move gave our protagonist an area to move around and also pushed pack his opponent, delaying the incoming attack. However, do keep in mind that, unlike the second form, this form leaves you vulnerable on other sides, which won’t be ideal if the opponents are widespread.
Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow
In almost every way, demons have better senses, speed, and strength than regular humans. This makes it extremely difficult to land fatal blows without distracting them first. But what if you could hide in plain sight while attacking them?
In the Fake Rainbow form of Sun Breathing, the demon slayer rotates at high speed to create afterimages of themselves. This makes it extremely hard for the demon to land an attack on them and also gives them a chance to unexpectedly slash it. Tanjiro uses this move in the Entertainment District arc of the anime.
Fifth Form: Fire Wheel
Fire Wheel is one of the most flamboyant forms of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer. To perform it, the user must do a backflip and land a vertical slash on the opponent. The move is supposed to be so powerful that it cuts the opponent in half but requires immense strength to be effective.
As you might expect, this move isn’t too reliable against the stronger demons, but it can easily annihilate the weaker demons. In either case, the performer of this technique looks magnificent while doing their attack.
Sixth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun
This Sun Breathing technique from Demon Slayer is as scary as it sounds. The swordsman performs moves in a circular motion to launch a single long spiral slash. It becomes impossible for the enemy to predict where the move will hit and becomes an immediate counter for short-range attacks.
Much like the third form, this form also appeared during the fight between Tanjiro and Daki’s obi. None of the parts of the obi were able to dodge it quickly enough. Moreover, Tanjiro appeared overwhelmingly threatening while performing it.
Seventh Form: Sunflower Thrust Form
Almost all forms and techniques of sword fighting are based on complex movements and slashes. They involve spreading your strength across the length of the blade to leave a long cut on the opponent. However, the Sunflower Thrust form of Sun Breathing in the Demon Slayer manga/ anime is different. Instead of slashing, this technique urges the user to stab their opponent with a powerful thrust focused only on the tip of the sword’s blade.
This move’s motive is to penetrate even the best defense. If the tip of the blade successfully enters the demon’s body, the rest of the blade can damage its insides. Coincidentally, the Insect Hashira uses a similar move to poison her enemies with her needle-like sword. You can find out more about her and her truly unique sword in our dedicated guide to all the swords in Demon Slayer.
Eighth Form: Solar Heat Haze
Solar Heat Haze is one of the most devious forms of the Sun Breathing Technique. In it, the user tries to confuse their opponent by running toward them at a high speed. While doing so, their attack seemingly engulfs itself in a haze of heat. Similarly, the heat of the blade reflects the strength of this form and unleashes a strong blow due to its sheer speed and force.
Though, what sets this move truly apart from everything else is that its strength is concentrated at one point of the blade. However, while doing so, the user also tries to conceal the powerful part of the sword. So, in the end, when the opponent receives an unexpected blow, they have no option to counter it.
Ninth Form: Setting Sun Transformation
Living up to its name, the demon slayer brings the sun down with its sword when using the fifth form of Sun Breathing. To perform it, the user does a backflip and then performs a powerful downward attack. As you might expect, the aim of such a move is to behead the demon, with gravity favoring the swordsman.
A perfect mix of momentum, power, and technique, Setting Sun Transformation is one of the best-looking and most powerful forms of Sun Breathing. In the manga, Tanjiro uses this technique to behead an Upper-Rank demon toward the end of the story.
Tenth Form: Beneficent Radiance
Tornadoes are one of the scariest disasters in nature, but what if that tornado is made up of flames? That’s exactly what opponents have to face when they witness the Beneficient Radiance form of Sun Breathing. Here, the demon slayer revolves in the air while unleashing a fatal blow. But due to the actions involved, it is hard to track and dodge.
Tanjiro uses this against the Demon King Muzan himself, who is surely larger and more experienced than him. The attack makes it easier for Tanjiro to dodge all attacks from the demon and when he finds an opening, he can launch a powerful attack on the demon.
Eleventh Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance
Dragons are considered equivalent to gods in many Asian cultures and Japan, where Demon Slayer’s plot is based, is no exception. So, as a tribute to the powerful creatures, this form of Sun Breathing unleashes a spree of consecutive slashes performed in a non-stop motion. The movement in this move is hard to maintain, but it is capable of injuring multiple enemies at once.
From the opponent’s point of view, the user appears to be moving and attacking like a dragon. We still haven’t seen Tanjiro perform this in the anime series but maybe the Season 3 of Demon Slayer might change that. In the manga, he uses this technique against an Upper Moon demon.
Twelfth Form: Flame Dance Form of Sun Breathing
While its name is majestic, the Flame Dance form of Sun Breathing is simple. It involves launching a strong vertical attack followed by a quick horizontal slash. If timed well, the second move in this technique catches the enemy off guard and makes them suffer an unexpected blow.
Thirteenth Form of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer
The final and most powerful technique of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer is its thirteenth form. It involves a combination of all existing Sun breathing techniques — but performed in a consecutive manner. This technique’s primary purpose is to slash all the twelve vital organs of a demon. Each form targets a specific organ.
Tanjiro only used it once in the manga. We won’t spoil the story by revealing the entire incident, but you can expect the most extreme and best-looking/sword movement imaginable when it finally happens. Moreover, there is no known way to counter it. Though, the user of this form has to push their body to its extreme limits to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the first demon slayer, is the founder and also the first user of Sun Breathing. But as per Demon Slayer’s timeline, Tajiro Kamado is the only alive Sun Breathing user. Though, since the technique stems from a form of dance, Tanjiro’s father Tanjuro Kamado, and their ancestor, Sumiyoshi also unknowingly knew Sun Breathing techniques.
Sun Breathing is one of the rarest and oldest forms of breathing techniques used by demon slayers, which gave birth to all the other breathing techniques used by other members and Hashiras in Demon Slayer. It can be passed down to new learners as the Kamado family has over several generations.
The thirteenth form of Sun Breathing, which combines all other forms of the same is the strongest form of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer.
Much like other breathing techniques, Moon Breathing stems from Sun Breathing as well. However, thanks to the demonic strength involved, it is far superior to all other breathing techniques except Sun Breathing.
All Forms of Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer
With that, you are now familiar with all forms of Sun Breathing, the strongest techniques of swordsmanship in the world of Demon Slayer. But no technique is good enough without the correct user to navigate it. So, don’t forget to check out our list of the strongest characters in Demon Slayer and find out who takes the top spot. From breathing users to demons, there is an array of popular characters in this anime/ manga series. But if you want to meet an even stronger group of people, then the strongest devils in Chainsaw Man might be a worthy pick. Having said that, which form of Sun Breathing looks the best to you? Tell us in the comments below!
Aparna Ukil
