What really sets Demon Slayer apart are those slick Nichirin Blades, along with the flowy Breathing Styles. These represent the owner’s personality, vibe, and technique proficiency.
While the manga readers already know about the various ironies associated with Nichirin Swords, most anime viewers are blissfully unaware (hopefully).
Also, if you wanna own a sick Nichirin Blade and more Demon Slayer-related merch, check this out!
1. What are Nichirin Blades?
Nichirin blades, aka Nichirin swords, are forged from Scarlet Crimson Sand and Scarlet Crimson Ore, both found on Mt Yoko. These blades are specifically made for and used by the Demon Slayer Corps.
After Tanjiro passed the Final Selection and joined the corps, Hotaru, a swordsmith, appeared at Urokodaki’s house to deliver him his very own Nichirin blade.
However, after Tanjiro wielded his sword, it turned pitch black, which is considered a bad omen as the predecessors didn’t have a long shelf life.
I’ll talk about this briefly in the article later on. Let’s see why the blades change color in the first place and what they imply!
2. What do Nichirin Blade colors imply in Demon Slayer?
Nichirin Blades change their colors based on their owner’s talent and personality and refelt their swordsmanship proficiency and alignment with a specific breathing technique. Hence they also go by the name “color-changing swords.”
Once the sword changes color, it represents its user and their background.
For example, the red Nichirin blade is wielded by the charismatic Kyojuro Rengoku, which symbolizes flame, his fiery passion for slaying demons, and his strong sense of morals.
In contrast, Giyu Tomioka, the Pillar of Water of the Demon Slayer Corps, wields a blue-colored blade. This represents his Water Breath style and his fluid and calm personality, making blue a perfect color for him.
There are currently 14 known colors that a sword can take on, each with a different meaning. The same color can have more than one user, and here’s a list of them down below.
3. The Nichirin Blade Colors & Meanings
I. White-Muichiro Tokito
- Color: White
- Breathing Technique: Mist
- Type: Standard Katana
Let’s start off the list with the Nichirin Blade color white, which symbolizes mist. The demon slayer who wields a white Nichirin Blade is Muichiro Tokito, a Hashira and the Mist Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.
He practices the Breath of Mist style derived from the Breath of Wind.
As the name of his Breath style suggests, he also has a calm temperament and is often seen zoning out.
His technique, absent-mindedness, and eccentric personality are aptly represented through the color white.
II. Grey-Gyomei Himejima
- Color: Grey
- Breathing Technique: Stone
- Type: Spiked Flail and Battle Axe Connected By Long Chain
Next, we have the color grey, which symbolizes stone—the Stone Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei Himejima.
Unlike traditional Nichirin swords, he wields a grey-colored hand-ax with a spiked flail attached to the hilt through a long chain. How cool is that?
Gyomei’s unwavering sense of justice, empathy, robust personality, wisdom, and Stone technique symbolize his resolute nature, making Grey a perfect match for him.
III. Yellow-Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Color: Yellow
- Breathing Technique: Thunder
- Type: Standard Katana
The owner of the Yellow Nichirin Blade is Zenitsu Agatsuma, which symbolizes thunder. His practice of the Breath of the Thunder technique and his explosive personality make this color an apt match.
This is my personal favorite, and what sets his blade apart from most Nichirin Blades, which take on their color entirely, is that Zenitsu’s blade has a solid yellow band running down the length of his sword, forming a lightning bolt motif.
This blade has also been used by Kaigaku, a member of the Twelve Kizuki, holding the position of Upper-Rank Six.
IV. Indigo-Grey-Inosuke Hashibara
- Color: Indigo-Gray
- Breathing Technique: Beast
- Type: Dual Serrated Katanas
This unique blend of color symbolizes a beast, the one and only Inosuke Hashibara, who practices the Breath of the Beast and wields two chipped blades of Indigo-grey to slay demons.
As the Breath of the Beast was developed by him while living his life in the mountains, the grey indigo-gray color embodies the animalistic nature of his personality — short temper, pride, and the inherent need to fight against the strong.
V. Dark Pink-Mitsuri Kanroji
- Color: Dark Pink
- Breathing Technique: Love
- Type: Whip-Like Katana
Now we have the color Dark pink, which symbolizes love. This Nichirin blade is used by Mitsuri Kanroji, one of the Hashira who practices the Breath of Love style.
After receiving training from Kyojuro Rengoku, she found her inspiration in the Flame Breathing technique.
Her sword is also uniquely distinct, taking on a slender, whip-like form that only she can effectively wield.
Mitsuri is characterized by her bubbly, cheerful, emotional, affectionate nature and passionate personality, accompanied by her courage when facing demons, making the pink blade the most suitable.
VI. Light Pink- Kanao Tsuyurii
- Color: Light Pink
- Breathing Technique: Flower
- Type: Standard Katanas
The Light Pink Nichirin blade is wielded by both Kanae Kocho and her sister Kanao Tsuyurii which symbolizes flowers.
Kanao is initially portrayed as quiet and reserved, often communicating through nods and gestures rather than words.
She practices the Flower breath style, just like her sister Kocho.
VII. Light Pink-Kanae Kocho
- Color: Light Pink
- Breathing Technique: Flower
- Type: Standard Katanas
Kanae is depicted as gentle, compassionate, and kind-hearted. She is nurturing and protective, particularly towards her younger sister, Kanao Tsuyuri, and is willing to go to great lengths to ensure her sister’s safety and well-being.
In addition, Kanae is also a skilled and capable fighter. Since this light Pink color is associated with the Flower Breathing combat style, it emphasizes both the sister’s graceful and fluid movements.
Hence, the gentle Light pink sword shade is the best suited for them.
VIII. Lavender-Blue-Shinobu Kocho
- Color: Lavender-Blue
- Breathing Technique: Insect
- Type: Thin Rod-Like Stinger Katana
The Lavender-Blue-shaded Nichirin sword is wielded by Shinobu Kocho, who has a calm demeanor which is low key seething with hatred for demons due to the tragic loss of her family to these creatures.
Shinobu is quite astute and analytical. Using her knowledge of poisons and medicines, she creates deadly techniques that exploit demons’ weaknesses.
She practices the Insect Breathing combat style, which lets her mimic the agility and movements of insects, allowing her to sting the demons with Wisteria poison, which hampers the demon’s ability to regenerate and hinders their strength and mobility.
IX. Lavender-Obanai Iguro
- Color: Lavender
- Breathing Technique: Serpent
- Type: Twisted Katana
Obanai Iguro wields the Lavender Nichirin sword. What’s cool about his sword is that the blade can slither just like a snake and make some killer moves.
Obanai practices the Breath of Serpent combat style. This unique technique focuses on flexibility, agility, and precision, mirroring the characteristics of a serpent.
His fighting style incorporates quick and fluid movements, allowing him to strike accurately and efficiently, so much so that his skills allowed him to stand head-to-head with Muzan Kibutsuji.
X. Green-Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Color: Green
- Breathing Technique: Wind
- Type: Standard Katana
The green Nichirin Blade symbolizes wind and is wielded by Sanemi Shinazugawa of the Demon Slayer Corps, the one with the eccentric personality.
The Green blade fits him perfectly, symbolizing his agility and swiftness in battle. Just as the wind can be gentle and forceful, Sanemi’s combat style combines precision and power.
XI. Metallic Grey-Genya Shinazugawa
- Color: Metallic Grey
- Breathing Technique: None
- Type: Double-Barreled Shotgun & Wakizashi
Genya has a tragic history with demons as they have slaughtered their entire family except for his older brother, Sanemi Shinazugawa. He wields a Double-Barreled Shotgun along with a Wakizashi.
The criticism of his brother drove him to consume demon flesh in order to become stronger; however, that made him unable to use Breath Techniques and become a swordsman.
This is why he wields a western double-barreled Shotgun of bullets made of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore.
In addition, he also possesses a Nichirin Wakizaashi, a shorter sword featuring two hollow ovals that intersect its center, accompanied by a handguard in a muted brown hue.
XII. Red-Kokushibo
- Color: Red
- Breathing Technique: Moon
- Type: Flesh Katana
Kokushibo, aka Michikatsu Tsugikuni, is a prominent antagonist. He is the older twin brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a legendary Demon Slayer and the original user of the Breath of the Sun technique.
He is a powerful demon and a former member of the Demon Slayer Corps, who later became one of the Twelve Kizuki, the highest-ranking demons in the demon hierarchy, holding the position of Upper-Rank One.
As the name suggests, his blade is crimson red, as it was made out of his flesh and blood using Blood Demon Art. His blade is also known as “Kyokotsu” or “Kyokokukamusari,” which translates to “Hollow Cry of the Godless.”
His Sword’s dark and powerful nature complements Kokushibo’s malevolent personality and formidable presence.
XIII.Red-Kyojuro Rengoku
- Color: Red
- Breathing Technique: Flame
- Type: Standard Katana
The Red Nichirin blade is also wielded by the one and only Kyojuro Rengoku of the Breath of Flames. His blade symbolizes flame. The color red quite aptly captures his charismatic and energy-driven personality.
Kyojuro can bring raging flames down on his worst enemies, and just like Zenitsu, his blade takes the form of a flame motif down the length of his sword.
However, in the manga’s later chapters, we see some swords taking on a red color on top of their original. The reason behind this is exposure to intense heat that raises its temperature.
These swords are known to hamper the regeneration of demons and, in some cases, burn them on a cellular level.
During the fight against Muzan, when Sanemi forcefully clashed his sword with Giyu’s, both of their blades were temporarily red.
It is assumed that their swords turned red because Giyu had his Demon Slayer Mark, which allowed him to raise his body’s temperature and, in turn, his sword.
XIV.Amber-Tengen Uzui
- Color: Amber
- Breathing Technique: Sound
- Type: Gigantic Dual Cleavers Connected By Chain
Amber symbolizes sound and the color of The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui. He wields two massive, heavy cleavers connected by a chain, making those clanking noises like a butcher, butcher of demons.
He possesses a colorful and flamboyant personality and isn’t afraid to make some noise and be heard. Coupled with his Soun breathing, the Amber Nichirin blade is perfect for him.
XV. Blue-Giyu Tomioka
- Color: Blue
- Breathing Technique: Water
- Type: Standard Katana
The color blue obviously symbolizes water. Hence, only one name comes to mind: Giyu Tomioka, the Pillar of Water of the Demon Slayer Corps.
His use of the Water Breath style and his fluid and calm personality makes blue a perfect color for his sword.
He is that typical calm temperament dude in anime. That calmness also reflects the calmness of still waters, which is quite beautiful and can also be violent, like when the seas rage.
XVI. Black-Tanjiro Kamado
- Color: Black
- Breathing Technique: Sun
- Type: Standard Katana
Our MC, Tanjiro Kamado, wields a black Nichirin blade, and just like any other protagonist, his weapon is unique.
As it turns out, black Nichirin swords are very rare. Because of that, the symbolism behind it is virtually unknown, besides the fact that Yoriichi Tsugikuni also wielded it.
The only information available about the color black is that the wielders of this blade always die young. However, Tanjiro might turn the tide and prove to be exceptional.
While the exact meaning behind the color black is unknown, some theories and hypotheses are placed together from available bits and pieces of information.
One theory states that black symbolizes charcoal to reference Tanjiro’s past job.
Others believe it symbolizes the Sun Style, the original and an almost extinct style. Interestingly, black is also the color that absorbs the most sunlight — a significant weakness of demons.
4. Tabular List
| Owner | Nichirin Sword Color | Breathing Technique |
| Muichiro Tokito | White | Mist |
| Gyomei Himejima | Grey | Stone |
| Zenistsu Agatsuma | Yellow | Thunder |
| Kaigaku | Yellow | Thunder |
| Inosuke Hashibara | Indigo-Grey | Beast |
| Mitsuri Kanroji | Dark Pink | Love |
| Kanao Tsuyurii | Light-Pink | Flower |
| Kanae Kocho | Light-Pink | Flower |
| Shinobu Kocho | Lavender-Blue | Insect |
| Obanai Iguro | Lavender | Serpent |
| Sanemi Shinazugawa | Green | Wind |
| Genya Shinazugawa | Metallic Grey | None |
| Kokushibo | Red | Moon |
| Kyojuro Rengoku | Red | Flame |
| Tengen Uzui | Amber | Sound |
| Giyu Tomioka | Blue | Water |
| Tanjiro Kamado | Black | Sun |
| Yoriichi Tsugikuni. | Black | Sun |
5. Why is Tanjiro’s sword black?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason why Tanjiros’s sword turned black since it is a rarity. There is not much known about the color black.
However, it is believed that since he is rockin’ that ultra-rare Dance of the Fire God, i.e., the Sun Breathing style (which is the OG, the root of all other forms), his sword takes on the color black, so classy right?
6. About Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotoge. Its publication in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump began in February 2016, with 19 collected tankōbon volumes released as of the present.
In a world filled with demons and demon slayers, Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the lives of two siblings, Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, after— the murder of their family at the hands of a demon.
Their hardship does not end there, as Nezuko’s life is spared only for her to live as a demon.
As the oldest sibling, Tanjiro vows to protect and cure his sister. The story traces the bond of this brother-sister or, better yet, demon slayer and demon combo against the odds of an arch antagonist and society.
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