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Giyu Tomioka: Water Pillar - Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)

Giyu Tomioka (冨岡義勇 Tomioka Giyu) is a Demon Slayer in the Demon Slayer Corps. He uses the Water Breathing Technique (水の呼吸 Mizu no Kokyu) and is a former disciple of Sakonji Urokodaki (the former Water Pillar ). Giyu is one of the strongest swordsmen and is the current Water Pillar. Giyu has medium-length, messy black hair tied in a low ponytail and dark blue eyes. He wears the standard black Demon Slayer uniform as well as a haori with two different designs. One is his deceased older sister's solid red and one is Sabito's geometric green, orange, and yellow pattern.

"Why did you protect him?"
—Giyu to Tanjiro, Demon Slayer Chapter 1

Profile

Age: 19 (before time skip) - 21 (after time skip)
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 69 kg
Date of birth: February 9
Favorite dish: Simmered salmon with daikon
Manga Debut: Chapter 1
Anime Debut: Episode 1
Japanese voice actor: Takahiro Sakurai
English Voice Actor: Johnny Yong Bosch
Status: Alive

History

Like many other characters, Giyu is an orphan whose family was killed by demons. Before his older sister Tsutako's wedding day, she sacrifices her life to allow Giyu to survive, which leads him on the path to becoming a demon slayer. He becomes the disciple of Sakonji Urokodaki and later holds the position of Water Slayer. He is one of Tanjiro Kamado 's mentors and a major supporting character in Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) . Giyu first appears to save Tanjiro Kamado from his sister Nezuko , who had transformed into a demon and was about to eat him. When Nezuko moves to protect her brother from Giyu rather than eat him, Giyu realizes that these siblings are unique. Instead of finishing his work as a demon slayer, he decides to guide them to his former mentor Sakonji to show them the path of a demon slayer .

Personality

Giyu always has a stern expression and seems distant, but he has a strong sense of justice and cares deeply for the people he considers his friends. This is shown when he and Sakonji both put their lives on the line and agree to cut open their stomachs if Nezuko ever eats a human.

Although Giyu is strong enough to single-handedly kill a Lower Moon, he is clumsy and keeps his distance from his fellow Demon Slayers due to an inferiority complex brought on during the Final Selection. He develops survivor's guilt over his older sister Tsutako and dear friend Sabito sacrificing their lives to protect Giyu and believes he does not deserve to be a Demon Slayer. Pillar None Tanjiro Kamado helps him realize that it is better to cherish his life rather than wallow in grief, which allows Giyu to open up to other Demon Slayers.

Skills and abilities

Master Swordsman: As a Pillar, Giyu is a master swordsman and one of the most powerful and skilled swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. Upper Moon Three Akaza comments on Giyu's strength, saying that his swordsmanship is finely developed.
Enhanced Speed: Giyu is very fast and agile. During the fight with the Lower Five Moons, Rui Giyu managed to cut off Rui's head in the blink of an eye.
Demon Slayer Mark: In the battle against Akaza , Giyu awakens his Demon Slayer Mark. This mark appears as a water-like design on his left cheek. When this mark is activated, Giyu gains a considerable boost to his Speed, Strength, and Reflex attributes.

Total concentration breathing: aquatic breathing

First style: Water Surface Slice (壱ノ型水面斬 Ichi no Kata: Minamo Giri): A single concentrated cut.
Second Style: Waterwheel (弐ノ型水車 Ni no Kata: Mizu Guruma): The swordsman jumps and spins his body while slashing.
Third Style: Swift Current Dance (参ノ型流流舞い San no Kata: Ryuryu Mai): The swordsman swings his blade at his opponent in a manner that mimics the movement of waves on the surface of the water.
Fourth Style: Striking Tide (肆ノ型打ち潮 Shi no Kata: Uchishio): The swordsman performs several consecutive strikes while twisting his body in a fluid manner, similar to a violent tide.
Fifth Style: Merciful Rain on a Dry Day (伍ノ型干天の慈雨 Go no Kata: Kanten no Jiu): A "sword strike of kindness" that kills the target with little or no pain.
Sixth Style: Twisting Whirlwind (陸ノ型ねじれ渦ず Roku no Kata: Nejire Uzu): The swordsman fiercely twists his upper and lower body, creating a whirlwind that cuts anything caught in it.
Seventh Style: Piercing Raindrop (漆ノ型雫波紋突き Shichi no Kata: Shizuku wa Mondzuki): A quick and precise strike.
Eight Styles: Waterfall Pot (捌ノ型滝壷 Hachi no Kata: Takitsubo): The swordsman cuts the target vertically.
Ninth Style: Water Splash (玖ノ型水流飛沫 Ku no Kata: Suiryu Shibuki): Minimizes landing time and the surface area needed when landing, allowing the user to move without limits.
Tenth Style: Dragon of Change (拾ノ型生生流転 Ju no Kata: Seisei Ruten): A continuous attack that increases in power with each rotation, creating a powerful slash.
Eleventh Style: Deadly Calm (拾壱ノ型凪 Juichi no Kata: Nagi): A technique created by Giyu himself. A skill that disables and negates incoming attacks. However, its effectiveness is limited as rapid and numerous attacks can pass through it, as seen when he fights Akaza None.