Giyuu Tomioka

Water Pillar (Mizubashira) who uses "Water Breathing". Age ranges from 19 to 21 years old. His Nichirin sword has a bluish hue indicating suitability for Water Breathing, and its hilt features a tortoise shell pattern, with a general color scheme of white, black, and dark purple.

First appears in Episode 1. He appears before Tanjirou, who is being attacked by Nezuko, and tries to kill the demon-transformed Nezuko. However, after witnessing Tanjirou's resolve to win and protect his sister at the risk of his own life, and Nezuko's efforts to protect her brother even in a state of starvation, he sheathes his sword. He recommends joining the Demon Slayer Corps and undergoing training as a way to help his sister, and he sends a letter of introduction to Sakonji Urokodaki.

He tends to show a realistic and detached demeanor, rarely displaying emotions. To motivate Tanjirou's will to live and determination, he deliberately says harsh things, and because of the reasons mentioned earlier, he overlooks Nezuko. Fundamentally, he has a kind and empathetic nature, but his expressionless face and awkwardness with words often lead to misunderstandings and trouble. He gives the impression of being unlikable, and Shinobu Kocho points out that "everyone dislikes him," but he strongly denies it without realizing it himself.

He supports Tanjirou and Nezuko along with Sakonji, and during the Hashira Trial, a letter from Sakonji is read, revealing his resolve to commit seppuku and apologize if Nezuko ever harms a human.

Over his uniform, he wears a Haori stitched from two different patterns: the right half being a colored plain fabric, which is a keepsake from his sister Tsutako, and the left half being a patterned kimono, a keepsake from his friend Sazuko.

He used to live with his parents and sister, Tsutako. After his parents died of illness, he lived with his sister off their inheritance. The night before her wedding, a demon attacked, killing Tsutako while trying to hide and protect him. When he told others about it, they didn't believe him, considering it a mental illness and nearly taking him to a distant medical relative before he escaped. He collapsed from exposure in the winter mountains and was rescued by a fisherman friend of Sakonji. That led him to train under Sakonji, where he met Sazuko, who shared a similar fate and became his best friend. They took the final selection together; Giyuu got injured fighting his first demon and was saved and protected by Sazuko. After regaining consciousness on the last day and while being nursed by other candidates, he learned of Sazuko's death in battle. This made him feel inadequate about his survival and inferior about becoming a Pillar, leading him to distance himself from other Pillars.

During his second Hashira meeting, he refused to train with other Hashira upon comments like "It doesn't concern me" and "I'm different from you guys", earning their dismay. After persistent persuasion by Tanjirou, Giyuu revealed his true feelings, remembering a time Sazuko reprimanded him harshly, leading him to participate in the training.

Though he has low self-esteem, his skills are indeed fitting for a Pillar. His Water Swordsmanship surpasses that of Tanjirou, and he even created a unique "Eleventh Form".

In the Infinity Fortress, Giyuu and Tanjirou battle Upper Moon Three, Akaza. Although Giyuu awakens as a marked one, his skills are not enough. Tanjirou beheads Akaza but cannot defeat him completely; severely wounded, he desperately defends Tanjirou until Akaza ultimately accepts defeat and death.

During the fight against Muzan, he loses his right arm but fights to the end with Kyoujurou. After the battle, he cuts his long hair short.

In "Tomioka Giyuu Gaiden", he is depicted as the protagonist.

Initially, he wore a kimono, but on request from the person in charge, Katayama, for a "Taisho era feel", it was changed to a collared uniform with a Haori.

Technique List:

Water Breathing (Mizunokokyuu)

He masters the same Water Swordsmanship as Tanjirou but at a higher level.

Eleventh Form: Calm (Nagi)

A unique sword technique devised by Tomioka, which calms and nullifies any attack within the range of his sword.