Demon Slayer Katanas

In the universe of the Demon Slayer series (Kimetsu no Yaiba), bladed weapons and the ability to channel one’s energy are essential to defeating demons.Thanks to specific techniques like Total Concentration Breathing, demon slayers can enhance their physical abilities, sharpen their senses, and improve their combat efficiency.The Nichirin katanas, at the heart of this art, are unique blades deeply connected to the personality of their wielder.

 

Crafted from rare materials such as scarlet iron sand (Shōjōhi Satetsu) and scarlet ore (Shōjōhi Kōseki), these components are only found in mountains eternally bathed in sunlight — the natural enemy of demons. Once forged, each blade becomes capable of killing a demon definitively, an impossible feat with ordinary weapons.

 

These are the only weapons that absorb sunlight and concentrate its power to annihilate demonic creatures.

 

The crafting process of Nichirin swords is also exceptional: each blade is custom-made by a master swordsmith from the Swordsmith Village, who carefully selects the minerals and forges the blade based on the soul and fighting style of the future wielder.Upon first use, the blade takes on a unique color reflecting the breathing style, abilities, and even the destiny of the slayer:Blue for Giyu’s Water Breathing Yellow for Zenitsu’s Thunder Breathing Red for Kyojuro Rengoku’s Flame Breathing Black for Tanjiro — a mysterious and extremely rare color.This color is not just an aesthetic detail: it influences combat style and sometimes even the character’s destiny.

 

In short, Nichirin swords represent far more than simple combat tools.They are living weapons, forged in light, bonded to their master’s soul, and destined to carry humanity’s flame against the darkness.In Demon Slayer, every katana tells a story — one of battle between light and shadow, hope and fear, life and death.

Here are the different katanas you will find in the Demon Slayer series:

Tanjiro Kamado's Katana

Tanjiro Kamado’s Nichirin katana , in Demon Slayer, is an iconic weapon carried by all demon slayers.It is a standard-sized, standard-shaped sword, easily recognizable by its deep black blade.However, this blade can transform: it turns bright red when influenced either by Nezuko’s demonic blood or when Tanjiro activates his Demon Slayer Mark. Engraved on the side of the blade is the kanji "Metsu" (滅), which means "Destroy".Its original tsuba (guard) is a simple ring design, connected at the center by several lines resembling the spokes of a wagon wheel, with a matching border.After the Swordsmith Village arc, the tsuka (handle) of his katana is replaced with that of the late Kyojuro Rengoku, featuring a stylized flame design: a red core surrounded by an orange outline, paying tribute to the Flame Hashira.Tanjiro also carries a deep black saya (scabbard), typical of Nichirin swords, which enhances the elegance and power of his weapon.

Katana of Zenitsu Agatsuma:

From his very first appearances, Zenitsu Agatsuma comes across as a fearful and insecure demon slayer.However, behind this anxious façade hides an exceptional swordsman.His true power awakens when he is unconscious or asleep: his fears vanish, and his combat instincts take over completely, revealing an extraordinary mastery of the Thunder Breathing technique. His Nichirin katana , like those of all demon slayers, is unique.It is a standard-sized, standard-shaped blade, but its edge is adorned with yellow lightning-shaped streaks, perfectly symbolizing his affinity with thunder.The tsuba (guard) of his katana is circular, featuring four small indentations.Its center is silver, decorated with small triangles, while the border has a golden finish, adding a touch of elegance and power.His saya (scabbard) is pure white, harmonizing with his distinct uniform and emphasizing the sharpness and speed of his attacks.

Dual Nichirin Katanas: Unlike most demon slayers, Inosuke Hashibira wields not one, but two Nichirin blades , reflecting his wild and instinctive fighting style.His blades have a unique feature: their edges are intentionally chipped, marked with numerous jagged notches deliberately made by Inosuke himself.These brutal teeth allow his swords to tear flesh apart rather than slicing cleanly, causing greater damage to demons.The two blades are steel-gray in color, simple yet menacing, mirroring their owner. Unlike his comrades, Inosuke chooses to forgo a tsuba (guard) and saya (scabbard).He simply wraps leather straps around the tsuka (handles) to improve his grip and highlight the raw brutality of his attacks.True to his wild and rebellious nature, his katanas also lack any engravings: there are no kanji marks on the blades, symbolizing his rejection of the traditional standards of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Beneath his enthusiastic demeanor and fiery temperament, Kyōjuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, reveals himself to be an extremely thoughtful warrior, possessing a sharp tactical mind.In battle, he acts with incredible speed, precision, and composure, especially when it comes to protecting human lives.His strength is not only physical; it also stems from his strong sense of honor and duty.His Nichirin katana reflects his personality: powerful, brilliant, and deeply symbolic.Forged from crimson ore, the blade carries a deep reddish-orange hue, embodying the flames he commands.Engraved on the side of the blade are the kanji 悪鬼滅殺 (Akki Messatsu), meaning "Destroyer of Demons." Stylized flame motifs run along both sides of the blade, emphasizing the weapon’s fiery intensity.Rengoku’s tsuba (guard) is shaped like a blazing flame, with a red core encircled by an orange border, symbolizing his complete mastery of the fire element.His tsuka (handle) is white, elegant, and refined, and his saya (scabbard), combining tones of white and gray, perfectly complements the sword with balance and harmony.

Muichiro is a stubborn individual who often seems lost in his thoughts and struggles to focus on anything for long.Aloof and sometimes blunt, he tends to rely solely on logic, rarely allowing himself to be guided by emotion, which can make him appear apathetic and indifferent. Nichirin Katana :As a Demon Slayer, Muichiro wields a standard-sized Nichirin blade that is naturally white but can take on a reddish tint when he activates his Demon Slayer Mark.As a Hashira, his katana bears the kanji "Destroy Demons" (惡鬼き滅め 殺 Akki Messatsu) engraved on the blade.The tsuba (guard) of his katana is rectangular, with each corner hollowed out for a unique and minimalist design.Muichiro’s saya (scabbard) is standard black with metallic gray kojiri (end cap), reflecting his calm and understated fighting style.

Beneath her gentle manners and radiant personality, Mitsuri Kanroji hides an incredible physical strength.Sensitive, loving, and generous, she is known for her deep affection toward those around her. However, when it comes to protecting her allies or fighting demons, she shows unwavering determination.Her strength comes from her exceptional muscle composition, concealed beneath a delicate and graceful appearance.

 

Mitsuri wields an extremely thin and flexible Nichirin katana, almost whip-like in its shape. This unique blade, crafted to match her title as the Love Hashira, allows her to execute long, fluid, and powerful attacks by combining grace, speed, and strength. Its pale pink color perfectly reflects her soul and personality.

 

Her tsuba (guard) is heart-shaped, featuring a golden core and pink border, harmonizing beautifully with her personalized uniform.The tsuka (handle) and saya (scabbard) are also pink, enhancing the elegance of her weapon and matching her deceptive softness.Despite her graceful and charming fighting style, Mitsuri is a formidable swordswoman, fully capable of confronting even the fiercest enemies of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Eccentric, flamboyant, and theatrical, Tengen Uzui is a larger-than-life character who values style and aesthetics above all.Despite his flashy appearance and obsession with everything “extravagant,” he is an extremely skilled Hashira, combining sharp tactics with overwhelming power.A former shinobi from the Uzui clan, Tengen has developed a unique combat style based on speed, coordination, and rhythm. Unlike most Demon Slayers, he wields not one but two massive Nichirin blades connected by a metal chain, creating a deadly dual-wielded weapon designed for explosive attacks and sound-based combat.

His blades , resembling giant cleavers, have an imposing, raw appearance and are capable of delivering devastating strikes.

The steel of his swords has a dark gray hue, and each is engraved with the kanji 悪鬼滅殺 (Akki Messatsu), meaning “Destroyer of Demons.”The tsuka (handles) are wrapped in red bands, and each katana features a circular, dented guard for added control and stability.Instead of using traditional scabbards, Tengen straps his swords directly onto his back in a cross pattern for faster access.He also carries small sound bombs that he uses to confuse enemies, disrupt their rhythm, and amplify his attacks, making him one of the most dangerous and unpredictable Hashira.