Highlights

• Sun Breathing is a powerful technique passed down through generations in Demon Slayer, with each move bringing unique and devastating attacks.
• Tanjiro's journey to master the Sun Breathing technique is crucial in defeating powerful foes like Muzan and showcasing his growth as a demon slayer.
• From the Raging Sun to the Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance, each form of Sun Breathing shows a mix of offense, defense, and strategic deception.

The battles of Demon Slayer are truly one-of-a-kind, featuring beautiful visuals and stylistic gore that most people won't find in modern anime. It's easy to see how Demon Slayer has managed to depose One Piece as one of the highest-selling manga of all time. Each and every Breathing technique present in this show is a thing of beauty, allowing talented demon slayers to even the odds against imposing demons and take them out using a wealth of flashy swordsmanship techniques.

However, there's one particular technique in this regard that anime fans don't really know a lot about — the amazing Hinokami Kagura technique, known more colloquially as the Sun Breathing technique. While viewers have only seen glimpses of this technique in the anime and the movie, the depths of this technique are yet to be explored. Those who can't wait to find out more about Sun Breathing can read on to learn about the amazing repertoire of moves present in this Breathing Style.

Updated on April 8, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Sun Breathing is one of the strongest styles in Demon Slayer and is definitely the most effective breathing style that a swordsman can employ to take out demons without breaking a sweat. Muzan himself was so scared of this breathing style that he ensured that anyone who knew about this breathing style would not live to pass it down to anyone. This is the reason why Tanjiro's family is personally slaughtered by the Demon King, pushing Tanjiro to the brink of desperation as he strives to learn this breathing style and take out the Demon Moons and their king, who've tormented humanity time and time again.

Sun Breathing 101

When Tanjiro was fighting for his life against Rui, he realized that his Water Breathing skills simply weren't up to the mark when it came to dealing with such a powerful foe. As a result, he was forced to look back on his past and remember a certain dance passed down in his family that could be interpreted as a breathing technique.

This led to Tanjiro unwittingly using Sun Breathing for the first time, allowing him to get the upper hand against Rui. It was a great moment that solidified Tanjiro as a powerful Demon Slayer who could possibly attain the skills required to beat Muzan down once and for all. That being said, there's still a long way to go before Tanjiro can finally fight Muzan on equal footing with the Hinokami Kagura technique.

Sun Breathing is considered to be the originator of all breathing techniques, which is perhaps why it's one of the most powerful breathing techniques around. This breathing style is part of the Kamado family's legacy and is taught from generation to generation, with the father teaching the move to their son. The chosen practitioner of the Sun Breathing style also does a ritual dance in the new year as a tribute to the Fire God. Once Tanjiro manages to master this technique, there's no telling what heights his power may reach in Demon Slayer!

First Form: Dance

A Powerful Slash Made Even Stronger With The Use Of Thunder Breathing

The simplest Sun Breathing technique on this list is a high-powered slash that is pretty powerful indeed. Tanjiro unwittingly pulls off this move during his fight against Rui, marking the first instance of him using the Sun Breathing technique.

It's a sign of things to come and proves that Tanjiro is more than just a one-trick pony. The manner in which he builds upon this move is especially impressive.

Variation: Dancing Flash

Tanjiro expanded on this move with the Dancing Flash, combining this technique with Thunderclap and Flash to allow for a blisteringly fast slash that can absolutely decimate opponents. This move might not be as fast as Zenitsu's Thunderclap and Flash but is still extremely powerful when executed correctly.

Given how powerful Zenitsu is, it's easy to see why Tanjiro was inspired by his friend to form this variation in the first place. It's a testament to how much he respects his friends that he would improve upon the first form in such a manner — an art that Zenitsu has honed to a T.

Second Form: Clear Blue Sky

A 360-Degree Slash

The Clear Blue Sky technique is the second move that Tanjiro pulled off, this time in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. With this move, the user rotates their body to deliver a powerful 360-degree slash. Watching this move in motion in the movie and show was an absolute blast for audiences.

Poetically enough, the use of this technique makes it look like the Sun, further hammering in the resonance of this technique with Sun Breathing. It's clear to see why Enmu was finally defeated after one of the toughest battles Tanjiro has engaged in.

Third Form: Raging Sun

Two Powerful Horizontal Slashes That Can Be Used For Both Attack And Defense

All the following moves discussed on this list have only appeared in the manga, and have not been featured in the anime as of yet. Anime fans who want to avoid any spoilers should avert their eyes this instant.

Raging Sun is a simple yet powerful attack, which unleashes two powerful horizontal slashes. This move can be used for either attack or defense, making it incredibly versatile. When it does appear in the anime, it's sure to wow viewers.

Fourth Form: Burning Bones, Summer Sun

A Circular Slash That Completely Envelops The Area Around The User

Just like the Raging Sun, this particular Sun Breathing move can also be used for both attack and defense. However, the manner in which this attack is carried out makes it even more powerful.

Unlike the two horizontal slashes of the Raging Sun, this technique allows for a circular slash that completely covers the area around the user. This makes Burning Bones, Summer Sun a perfect move to both dish out some pain and defend from blows too.

Fifth Form: Setting Sun Transformation

The Momentum Of A Backflip Is Used To Deliver A Powerful Slash

The Setting Sun Transformation is easily one of the most flamboyant Sun Breathing techniques around. The movement of this technique involves a backflip to build up momentum. Following this, the user delivers a powerful slash, using this momentum to great effect.

With the right application, this technique can easily dismember and decapitate lesser enemies. It's easy to see why manga fans can't wait for this technique to be adapted, especially given the epic moment when this technique is shown in all its beautiful splendor.

Sixth Form: Solar Heat Haze

A Clever Attack Where The Sword Strikes Enemies While Making Them Believe That The Blade Is Yet To Hit The Mark

This is easily one of the most clever Sun Breathing techniques around. It involves a sword slash covered in a haze that seems easy to avoid.

However, that's where the Solar Heat Haze proves to be quite damaging.

The haze covering the blade is meant to distract enemies from the fact that the blade has already slashed them, making them dodge the blow well after it has already struck them. It's one of the best moves a Sun Breathing user can employ to bamboozle their enemies and incur substantial damage on them.

Seventh Form: Beneficent Radiance

The User Spirals Into The Air Before Coming Down And Delivering A Deadly Slash

Sun Breathing is a powerful technique, and incorporating a move that gives the enemy no chance of escape makes it even more powerful. This is precisely what Beneficient Radiance aims to accomplish. This technique involves the user spiraling into the air while unleashing a powerful blade strike.

The force behind this move is so immense that it can completely envelop an enemy and spell their doom. Only the most accomplished Sun Breathing users can use this technique to lay waste to their foes, with Tanjiro showing the immense effectiveness of his training by pulling this move off in a high-stakes battle without a hitch.

Eighth Form: Sunflower Thrust

An Extremely Powerful Stabbing Attack Meant To Impale Enemies

A litany of impressive moves has already been discussed on this list. In comparison to all that, the Sunflower Thrust seems almost mundane in comparison. However, the power of this move should not be understated.

True to its name, the Sunflower Thrust delivers a powerful stabbing attack with the point of the blade to impale enemies. Since Sun Breathing is one of the most powerful techniques in the series, it's easy to see why this simple stabbing motion can damage a demon heavily.

Ninth Form: Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance

Similar To Water Breathing's Constant Flux Where The User Channels The Aura Of A Flame-Wreathed Dragon

The Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance is easily one of the flashiest Sun Breathing moves on this list. The impressive name itself should be indicative of just how powerful this move really is.

With this move, the user lets loose a single continuous attack in the same vein as Constant Flux. Fittingly enough, this attack takes the form of a flame-coated dragon that has the ability to decapitate multiple enemies in one go.

Tenth Form: Fire Wheel

A Flanking Attack Where The User Jumps Behind An Enemy And Strikes Them With A Circular Sword Slash

There are several wheel-themed attacks present across multiple Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer. However, the Fire Wheel attack of the Sun Breathing style boasts one unique difference.

Unlike the other attacks that are pretty direct without any fancy movement, the Fire Wheel technique mandates the user to jump behind the enemy to flank them, before unleashing this circular sword attack. It's an attack befitting a rousing action manga.

Eleventh Form: Fake Rainbow

A Swift Attack That Involves A Combination Of Quick Spins And Intricate Footwork To Create Afterimages

Just like the Solar Heat Haze, Fake Rainbow is another attack meant to deceive an enemy. However, unlike Solar Heat Haze, it's not the sword that is meant to serve as a source of confusion — rather, it's the body of the user itself. This is because Fake Rainbow involves a ton of quick spins and tricky footwork that leaves afterimages of the user in its wake.

This is bound to bamboozle most enemies who try to hit these afterimages but in vain. It's a great move that a Sun Breathing user can use to turn the tide of battle in their favor, forcing their enemy to make mistakes that either leave them open for a counterattack or open up an escape route.

Twelfth Form: Flame Dance

A Combination Of Two Powerful Slashes — One Vertical, And The Other Horizontal

After all these amazing attacks, the description of the Flame Dance might come across to some readers as underwhelming. However, don't underestimate simplicity. The sheer power of this attack makes it a formidable move.

The Flame Dance involves a combination of both a powerful vertical and horizontal slash. If used properly, it can spell doom for most foes because of the sheer amount of power behind this attack. Demon Slayer fans will be more than aware of how important it is for the simplest moves to be carried out with great efficiency, with this move being a powerful offensive tool that Tanijro will rely on once he masters Sun Breathing.

Thirteenth Form

A Unique Attack That Carried Out All Twelve Sun Breathing Moves In One Fluid Motion

The Thirteenth Form of the Sun Breathing Style is unique in the sense that it doesn't really have a name of its own. Rather, it's a combination of all the twelve forms present in this style, used in succession to maximize their power.

This move was devised by Tanjiro solely to defeat Muzan. After all, the twelve hearts that Muzan could move around his body needed to be downed in one fell swoop, which is why Tanjiro resorted to this powerful technique. Watching this exemplary display of skill be animated in the final fight will be one of the most awe-inspiring moments in the anime that fans can't wait for.