Hello! I’m KENTA, a huge manga fan from Japan! Welcome to all Demon Slayer fans, and to newcomers as well! Today, we’re focusing on the harsh training that the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira, went through. Which of the Hashira had the toughest training? We’ll rank them and explore just how intense and grueling their training was. Demon Slayer is known for its intense battle scenes, but the bonds and growth of the characters are just as captivating. Behind their growth lies an immense amount of effort, and the training of the Hashira is a big part of that!
The training the Hashira undergo is not just about physical fitness. They have risked their lives in order to defeat demons, undergoing extreme training in preparation for battle. Let’s take a closer look at which of their training was the most brutal!
1. Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira
Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, may appear gentle and soft-spoken, but her training is far from easy. Her physical training focuses on high-intensity exercises that make use of her muscle strength.
Intense Hip Flexor Stretches
In one scene, Mitsuri is shown helping Tanjiro stretch his hip flexors by forcefully opening his legs. With her incredible muscular strength, this isn’t just a normal stretch—it’s excruciating. Tanjiro endures the pain as he desperately tries to keep up. Despite her gentle appearance, Mitsuri’s superhuman strength makes her training incredibly intense.
Other Training Regimens
Mitsuri also incorporates rhythmic exercises, such as dancing to music, to improve flexibility and rhythm. These exercises, done in a leotard-like outfit, may seem embarrassing, but they’re crucial for her training. Her training is far from easy, and the pain and discomfort it causes Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayer Corps members cannot be understated.
2. Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira
Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, is a genius swordsman who reached the rank of Hashira at just 14 years old. His training is intense, with a major focus on perfecting his footwork.
Footwork Training for Speed and Precision
Muichiro’s Breathing Style, Mist Breathing, requires extraordinary speed and precision. He spends a significant amount of time perfecting his footwork and drills it into his trainees. Not only does he emphasize speed, but controlling the muscles and movements of the feet is critical. This makes his footwork training extremely challenging.
Muichiro’s training is often brutal, and he’s known for his cold, emotionless demeanor, offering no mercy during his sessions. Tanjiro and the others come to realize the immense difficulty of moving at such high speeds.
Demanding Speed and Precision
The hardest part of Muichiro’s training is the emphasis on speed and precision. If trainees fail to master their footwork, they lose the ability to fight demons effectively, and in some cases, it could mean death. His training is relentless and unforgiving, with many trainees unable to withstand the strain.
3. Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira
Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, is known for his flashy, flamboyant personality, but his training is unexpectedly harsh and grueling.
Endurance Training through Running
Tengen’s training begins with a demanding running regimen, where trainees run up and down mountain paths to build their base endurance. The pace gradually increases, and stopping isn’t an option. His commanding voice, shouting “Faster! Faster!” drives his trainees to their limits. Without the necessary stamina, the Demon Slayer Corps members would never survive long battles with demons.
Harsh Training for Real Combat
Having fought demons firsthand, Tengen understands the importance of physical endurance in battle. He knows that without sufficient stamina, survival is impossible. This is why his training continues relentlessly without breaks. His training is a true test of endurance, as only the strongest can keep up.
4. Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira
Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira, has a strict and cold personality, and his training focuses on mental toughness and discipline.
Training to Perfect Sword Stance
Obanai’s training involves having his trainees bind themselves with ropes in a confined space and then practice swinging their swords. The strictness of this training carries the risk of injury and is mentally taxing as well. The pressure of working in such a confined and restricted environment can cause great distress. Those who anger Obanai risk being further restricted, making the training even more difficult.
Training Under Fear and Risk
The sword-swinging exercises force trainees to confront the fear of possibly injuring themselves or others. Obanai uses this mental pressure to push his trainees to grow stronger. The fear of death is ever-present, and the psychological strain is a significant challenge in this training.
5. Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira
Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, is one of the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. His training is physically demanding and pushes the human body to its limits.
Strengthening with Waterfalls
Gyomei’s training involves enduring the intense pressure of waterfall water to build leg strength. The powerful water forces him to draw out every ounce of his physical endurance. Repeatedly undergoing this training helps to forge an incredibly strong body, but it is an excruciating process.
Weight Training with Logs
In addition, Gyomei uses large logs for weight training, which is incredibly taxing. Even those with extraordinary physical strength would find it nearly impossible to sustain this training for multiple days. The sheer physical and mental toughness required is beyond most people’s capacity.
Conclusion
The Hashira’s training isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s also about mental resilience. Each of their training regimens is uniquely difficult, shaped by their individual personalities and skills. All of them endure extreme trials to prepare themselves for the fight against demons. Each Hashira has their own approach, but all of them prove that only the strongest can survive the Demon Slayer Corps’ harshest challenges.
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