In the same way, the Hashira or Pillars are the members of the Demon Corps in the Demon Slayer manga/anime franchise are the Demon Slayers who hold up the large organisation.

Let’s take a look at each one of the nine in some detail.

What are the “Pillars” in Demon Slayer?

The Demon Slayer Pillars form a kind of council within the Corps that has influence over decision making. In this way, they could also be considered as an executive military body.

Another analogy may be the Jedi High Council in Star Wars.

Pillars are the highest ranked fighters in the Demon corps, the ones who have clearly demonstrated their superior powers and ability to use their own particular breaths.

The pillars are also the ones that work on fighting the most powerful demons in the Demon Slayer universe, such as Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki who follow his every command.

What rules do the pillars have?

The main rule that the pillars have is that they have to patrol a certain region of the world. This is usually for two different reasons, one is to gather information on the demons patrolling the regions and the other is to improve their fighting skills.

However, usually they aren’t deployed on missions like their lower ranked members. They generally take on missions if they know their lower ranked members have been unsuccessful or are in danger.

Each pillar has a similar engraving on their weapon that spells out ‘Akki Messatsu’ or ‘Destroy evil demons’.

How do the Demon Slayers become pillars?

To join their exclusive group, a member of the Demon Corps has to prove their worth.

A Demon Corps member must prove their strength.

They can do this either by killing over 50 demons during missions or killing one of the various Twelve Kizuki with a Kinoe rank. The Kinoe rank is the highest rank there is!

All in all, becoming a pillar is no mean feat.

Typically, pillars are one of a kind and have their own original titles. However, in rare cases they can get a successor called a Tsuguko. In order to get this unique position, typically a Demon Slayer either has to be scouted or they have to apply for the rank and get accepted.

Who is Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Leader of the Pillars?

Kagaya Ubuyashiki is the head of the Ubuyashiki family, the 97th leader of the Demon Corps, and the only person that is stronger than the Pillars.

He became the leader of the Demon Corps at the shocking young age of four years old. This says a lot about just how much power he has!

Kagaya is a rather calm person with a seemingly cold demeanor, however, he’s willing to show his heart on his sleeve at times.

Kagaya considers the Pillars his family and loves them greatly. Even outside of the Pillars, he’s more than willing to hear people out.

When Tanjiro had a confrontation with him and the rest of the Pillars after an incident Kagaya was more than willing to hear him out. He even gave Tanjiro a compromise, much to the dismay of many of the Pillars.

Kagaya is also talented with words.

He can speak in a way that calms the short-tempered and soothes the soft-hearted.

List of Demon Slayer Pillars From Strongest to Weakest

1. Gyomei Himejima

Gyomei Himejima lives up to his name as the Stone Pillar. With his immense strength, it’s hard to be able to break through him; similar to how it’s impossible for someone to break cinder blocks. Thankfully, he doesn’t get fired up all that easily and shows a calm and gentle composition. However, even though he’s gentle, he’s not afraid to question someone if he finds them suspicious. But when he really gets to know someone, he can be extremely loyal and dedicated towards them. Gyomei is also blind, however, that doesn’t interfere with his ability to fight at all. In his case, it makes him stronger.

Weapons

Gyomei typically doesn’t carry swords with him, instead opting for a weapon that’s a mix between a spiked flail and an axe. The weapon is not only beneficial for his breath type, but it’s also beneficial for his blindness as well.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Gyomei carries the Stone Breath type, so he can use his weapons to smash and slash at enemies. They can also drill into the target.

Personality

Gyomei is mild-tempered and gentle. He is loyal to those he loves and is quite religious. At times, he’ll throw prayers around in conversation.

Clothing

Gyomei wears a black and white uniform, he also wears an olive green happi over his shoulders. To fit his religious nature, his happi has the kanji for a Buddhist chant and wears a large beaded necklace across his neck.

Demon Slayer Mark

Gyomei’s mark appears as cracked fissures that spread across his forearms.

2. Giyu Tomioka

Giyu Tomika is one of the first pillars that every fan sees when starting the anime or reading the manga. He appears at the beginning of the series, nearly killing Nezuko until Tanjiro continuously convinces him not to. On and off, he appears throughout the series. However, it’s only until later in the series that everyone realizes that he’s a part of the Pillars. Giyuu holds the title of the Water pillar and with that, he usually attacks with water-related abilities. Giyuu is rather cold and distant and doesn’t talk much, however, deep down he has a bit of an inferiority complex. He also has a strong sense of justice and doesn’t tolerate selflessness all that much.

Weapons

Giyu wields a standard Nichirin katana.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

His breath type is water breathing and with it, he’s able to use water-based attacks to easily decapitate and kill his opponents.

Personality

Giyu is rather stoic and cold on the outside, but on the inside he’s pretty kind-hearted and caring. He has a strong sense of justice, and also an inferiority complex as well.

Clothing

Giyu wears a cyan uniform. He also wears a haori that belonged to his older sister that’s red with a green, orange, and yellow geometric pattern.

Demon Slayer Mark

: Giyu’s mark fits his name, they’re water droplets scattered across his left cheek.

3. Muichiro Tokito

As water and air collide, that’s when mist is created. With that, there’s also a mist pillar on the team. Muichiro Tokito is rather prone to zoning out and ignoring people a lot, because of this and his selfish behavior he has a tendency to get on people’s nerves. However, his abilities in battle easily make up for this.

Weapons

Muichiro wields a standard Nichirin katana.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

His breath type is water breathing and with it, he’s able to use water-based attacks to easily decapitate and kill his opponents.

Personality

Muichiro is rather self-absorbed and doesn’t pay much attention to the outside world. He’s only focused on his ideals and goals in life. He also has a tendency to not be serious all that often.

Clothing

Muichiro wears a dark turquoise-tinted uniform that has longer, looser sleeves that resemble a kimono.

Demon Slayer Mark

: Muichiro’s mark is made up of red mist designs scattered across his body.

4. Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi Shinazugawa is the Wind Pillar of the group. Ironic to his element, he’s rather hot-blooded and stubborn. He had given Tanjiro a ton of trouble when they had first met, to the point where he was close to killing him! As you can tell, he’s one of the most powerful out there. However, he’s still weak compared to Giyu and Gyomei.

Weapons

A standard Nichirin katana.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

When it comes to sword fighting, Sanemi is rather skilled at it, matching Giyu in skill. His wind breath type only makes his hits much swifter and impossible for enemies to track. He’s also able to control his muscles and manipulate them so he can easily close up his wounds.

Personality

Sanemi is short-tempered, boisterous, blunt, and stubborn. Typically it’s hard to get him to stop doing something, the only way to get him to stop is through immense force.

Clothing

Sanemi wears a green uniform with his abs and chest exposed. However, there’s a long sleeved shirt that goes over it that has the kanji for ‘kill’.

Demon Slayer Mark

Sanemi’s mark is an origami windmill centered on his right cheek.

5. Obanai Iguro

Though many of the Pillars seem to be made up of elements, there are some that break the mold and Obanai Iguro is one of those people. Obanai holds the Snake Pillar and much like a snake, his words are blunt and can pack a mighty sting. He’s rather strict and uptight and isn’t a fan of people who wish to break the rules of conduct that the Demon Slayer corps have.

Weapons

A twisted Nichirin Katana that takes on the appearance of a Kris Sword.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Obanai has immense strength, speed, and great reflexes. As Obanai’s breath type is a snake, all his special abilities relate to that animal. With his breath, he can move like a snake and be able to kill his target in various directions.

Personality

Obanai is strict, blunt, and intolerant. But he’s rather determined to hunt down demons and follow his goals.

Clothing

Obanai wears a navy-tinted uniform with a black and white pinstripe haori with striped lengthways.

Demon Slayer Mark

Obanai’s mark is three snake-like patterns that spread from the side of his chest to his left arm.

6. Kyojuro Rengoku

Kyojuro Rengoku is the Fire Pillar and with that, he has a very enthusiastic and passionate personality, much like the element of fire. He’s usually seen with a smile on his face and rarely ever frowns. He wants to lend a helping hand for everyone out there, especially for the weak.

Weapons

A Nichirin Katana.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Kyojuro wields the Flame Breath, which he had learned from his predecessor and from the instruction books left behind by his family. With it, he can make fiery sword attacks that can burn the ground and kill enemies. One of these attacks can create a flaming tiger to attack them as well.

Personality

Kyojuro is kind-hearted, passionate, cheerful, and enthusiastic

Clothing

Kyojuro wears a brown uniform, which includes a jacket, a belt, and hakama. He also wears a haori with a flame pattern on it.

Demon Slayer Mark

Kyojuro has no mark.

7. Tengen Uzui

Tengen Uzui is the Pillar of the Sound and surprisingly, he’s obsessed with flamboyance. The way he is interested in flamboyance is almost terrifying to a degree, because he makes a comment on how flamboyant it would be if someone’s blood vessels exploded! He also has about three different wives. Tengen is a rather unusual man, but his great abilities seem to make up a lot for it.

Weapons

Two Nichirin Cleavers held together with a chain, Wisteria-laced Kunai, and Anti-Demon Bombs

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Tengen wields the Sound Breath type, with this he can easily increase his hearing. He also likes to use his bombs with his breath type, which help make gigantic explosions that can weaken his enemies greatly.

Personality:

Tengen is rather flamboyant, energetic, and peculiar. However, Tengen does have a caring side deep down inside.

Clothing

Tengen wears a turquoise-tinted uniform with no sleeves, he also wears a red cloth around his calves. He also wears a white headwrap with a gray headband adorned with various jewels. There’s also a chain with turquoise gems that hang on the sides of the headwrap.

Demon Slayer Mark

Tengen has no mark.

8. Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu Kocho is another one of the infamous Pillars and many can easily recognize her just by her name. Fitting for her design, she’s the Insect Pillar. Due to her past, she joins the Demon Corps in order to avenge her parents alongside her younger sister. However, unlike plenty of the Pillars she is rather weak physically. So because of this, she had to make up her own breath type in order to be able to diminish demons quicker. However, despite her low strength her attacks pack a great punch!

Weapons

Stinger Nichirin Katana, this katana has a needle like tip that she can easily use to sting enemies with Wisteria

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Due to the Insect breath type that she had created, she can easily use speed and her stinger weapon to be able to run towards enemies and sting them.

Personality

Shinobu is bright, friendly, cheerful, and sisterly on the outside. However, she can be quite blunt and malicious at times due to her past with demons.

Clothing

Shinobu wears a black and white uniform with gold buttons with a dark-purple tinted jacket. She also wears a trademark butterfly patterned Kyahan and a white haori that belonged to her older sister.

Demon Slayer Mark

Shinobu has no mark.

9. Mitsuri Kanroji

Mitsuri Kanroji is the Pillar of Love, and her pillar takes the cake on the most alternate pillar of the group! Her pillar focuses on the concept of love and it’s a variant of the flame pillar. Fitting for her title, she’s rather kind-hearted and affectionate. She’s prone to admiring just about any fighter that walks in her general area. However, despite how loving and kind she is, she’s not afraid to get dirty when the situation calls for it.

Weapons

Nichirin Bladed Whip. The sword is extremely thin and more like a whip rather than an actual sword.

Special Abilities and Breath Type

Mitsuri wields the Love Breath. With this breath, she uses attacks based in gymnastics and slashes to attack her enemies.

Personality

Mitsuri is rather loving, gentle, kind-hearted, and shy.

Clothing

Mitsuri wears a pink-tinted uniform that’s unbuttoned, showing off her cleavage. She also wears a skirt rather than hakama and wears blue thigh-high socks with lime-green socks that were given to her by Iguro as a gift.

Demon Slayer Mark

Mitsuri’s mark is upside down hearts with angel wings on the remaining sides.

Demon Slayer Pillar Quotes

“Feel the rage. The powerful, pure rage of not being able to forgive will become your unswerving drive to take action!” – Giyu Tomioka

“I once believed that the road of happiness continued forever and ever into the distance. When it was destroyed, I realized for the first time that it lies upon a thin sheet of glass.” – Shinobu Kocho

“Go ahead and live with your head held high!” – Kyojuro Rengoku

“This is how I end all things.”- Shinobu Kouchi (Episode 48)

“Let the games begin.” – Mitsuri Kanroji (Episode 50)

“I will bring you to Lord Death. I’ll take your soul and tell him everything that’s happened here today!”- Kanae Kouchi (Episode 51)