Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, has flooded millions with his serene swordsmanship, stoic silence, and quiet heroism. As the first savior of Tanjiro and Nezuko, Giyu embodies the unyielding flow of justice in a world of demons.
Who is Giyu Tomioka?
Giyu Tomioka (冨岡 義勇) is a major supporting character in Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (manga 2016–2020, anime 2019–present). Introduced in chapter 1 and episode 1, he’s the Water Hashira and one of the Nine Pillars, a stoic swordsman who spares Nezuko due to Tanjiro’s plea.
Giyu Tomioka Wiki
| Full Name | Giyu Tomioka |
| Nickname / Alias | Water Hashira, Tomioka-san, The Water Pillar |
| Age | 21 (main series) → ~23 (2025, post-Muzan epilogue) |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | February 8 |
| Friends | Shion |
| Hometown | Unknown (orphan, trained under Urokodaki) |
| Family Members | Tsutako (sister, deceased), Sabito (friend, deceased), Urokodaki (mentor) |
Physical Appearance
| Height | 176 cm (5’9″) |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Blue |
| Skin Color | Fair |
Demon Slayer Career
| Occupation / Role | Water Hashira, Demon Slayer Corps Member |
| Team | Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Hashira (Sanemi, Shinobu, etc.) |
| Mentor / Teacher | Sakonji Urokodaki (former Water Hashira) |
| Affiliation(s) | Demon Slayer Corps, Water Breathing Practitioners |
| Status (2025) | Alive, retired post-Muzan, advocating for demon-human peace |
| Debut (Anime) | Episode 1 (2019) |
| Debut (Manga) | Chapter 1 (2016) |
| Voice Actor (JP) | Takahiro Sakurai |
| Voice Actor (EN) | Johnny Yong Bosch |
Powers & Combat Profile
| Breathing Style | Water Breathing (11 forms, mastered 10) |
| Signature Technique | Eleventh Form: Dead Calm (perfect parry, no movement) |
| Demon Slayer Mark | Water-like pattern on cheek, boosts speed/strength |
| Notable Battles | vs Rui, vs Akaza (Upper 3), vs Muzan (final) |
Social Media Presence
- X (Twitter) Fan Account: @WaterHashira
- Reddit: r/KimetsuNoYaiba
- TikTok: #GiyuTomioka
Giyu Tomioka’s Storyline
Orphaned young after a demon kills his sister Tsutako, Giyu survives but is shunned as a “cursed child.” Trained by Sakonji Urokodaki, he enters Final Selection with Sabito, who dies saving him — fueling Giyu’s survivor’s guilt.
His ripple:
- Final Selection: Passes, but Sabito’s death haunts him.
- Tanjiro Encounter: Spares Nezuko, starts Tanjiro’s journey.
- Hashira Training: Declines initially due to doubt, but rejoins for final war.
- Muzan Arc (2025): Demon Slayer Mark awakens vs. Akaza, survives final battle with lost arm.
Giyu’s flow: “Don’t cry. Now’s not the time… keep fighting.”
Powers and Abilities
Giyu flows like water — unyielding yet adaptable:
- Water Breathing – 11 Forms: Eleventh: Dead Calm (parries all attacks without moving).
- First Form: Water Surface Slice – Precise horizontal cut.
- Fourth Form: Strike Tide – Multi-directional strikes.
- Demon Slayer Mark – Water pattern on cheek; boosts speed/strength 2x.
- Swordsmanship – Hashira-level, holds vs. Upper 3 Akaza despite injuries.
- Physical Endurance – Survives arm loss, continues fighting Muzan.
Example: vs Akaza — Dead Calm + Mark parries god-speed punches, forces retreat.
Personality Traits
Giyu is stoic, self-doubting, and quietly just:
- Reserved Loner – Few words, declines Hashira meetings due to doubt.
- Survivor’s Guilt – “I’m not worthy” — from Sabito’s death.
- Hidden Warmth – Spares Nezuko, mentors Tanjiro subtly.
- Post-War (2026) – Opens up, visits Tanjiro, finds peace.
Famous Quotes by Giyu Tomioka
- “Don’t cry. Don’t despair. Now’s not the time for that.”
- “I’m not a Hashira… I’m just a slayer who survived.”
- “Water Breathing… Eleventh Form: Dead Calm.”
- “You… remind me of him.” (to Tanjiro about Sabito)
Popular Fan Theories
Hot in 2026:
- Giyu’s Haori: Tsutako’s red + Sabito’s pattern — honors lost loved ones.
- Giyu vs. Sanemi: Giyu wins — Dead Calm parries Wind Breathing (fan calc).
- Post-War Role: Giyu mentors new slayers, visits Nezuko often.
- Season 5 (2025): Giyu spin-off on Urokodaki training.
Unknown or Fun Facts about Giyu Tomioka
- Haori Origin: Sister’s red + friend’s pattern — wears as tribute.
- Sword Style: Water Breathing — fluid, adaptive, taught by Urokodaki.
- Voice Actor: Takahiro Sakurai also voices Izaya (Durarara!!).
- Fear: Failure — drives his isolation.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Giyu Tomioka?
Water Hashira, first Demon Slayer Tanjiro meets.
Q2. What is Giyu’s Breathing Style?
Water Breathing — 11 forms, mastered 10.
Q3. What is Giyu’s height and birthday?
Height: 176 cm (5’9″) | Birthday: February 8
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