6 Best Demon Slayer Nichirin Blades, Ranked

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In Demon Slayer, the fight against demons relies on special katanas, not typical weapons. These swords, called Nichirin Swords, are forged from ores that soak up sunlight – Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore – and are one of the only ways to truly destroy a demon. When a Slayer first draws their sword, it changes color, a surprising and beautiful moment for both the wielder and anyone watching.

The color of a Demon Slayer’s sword isn’t random—it shows their unique breathing style and inner strength. For example, a red sword often means the user fights with fire and passion, like Renguku, while yellow suggests incredible speed, similar to Zenitsu. Black swords are the rarest and their meaning is still unknown, even to experienced Demon Slayers. These colors act as a visual code for different fighting styles. Beyond color, each sword also has its own distinct shape—Mitsuri’s is like a whip, and Tengen uses cleavers. While a swordsman’s skill determines how powerful a sword becomes, it’s clear that no two Nichirin Blades are exactly alike. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and memorable Nichirin Blades from the Demon Slayer anime.

6) Muichiro Tokito’s Mist Blade

The Mist Hashira fights with a white katana—shown as diamond teal in the anime—that complements his unique fighting style. The animation studio, Ufotable, intentionally changed the sword’s color to match the misty effect of his breathing technique. This technique creates a cyan-whitish mist around him, making it look like he disappears before attacking.

The sword is straightforward in design, with the inscription “Destroyer of Demons” etched onto its blade. It features a golden, rectangular handguard with recessed corners. The handle is turquoise, wrapped with black cord, and finished with an ornate gold pommel. This sword played a crucial role in the Swordsmith Village arc; without it and the youngest Hashira’s unique breathing style, the swordsmiths responsible for creating Nichirin blades could have been completely destroyed.

5) Tengen Uzui’s Dual Sound Cleavers

The Sound Hashira fights with two distinctive, amber-colored cleavers that match his bold personality. Though heavy, he swings them with incredible speed and accuracy, a talent developed during his training as a shinobi. Like Inosuke’s sword, each cleaver has a circular notch designed to rip into enemies.

Tengen’s two swords are linked by a chain, letting him fight from a distance as well as up close. He also proved how adaptable his technique is during his battle with the Upper Rank Six demons, Gyutaro and Daki, by adding explosives to his attacks. The manga reveals just how powerful he was before that fight – no demon had ever withstood a single hit from him.

4) Mitsuri Kanroji’s Love Blade

Mitsuri Kanroji fights with a unique sword that’s more like a flexible whip than a traditional katana. The blade is incredibly thin and can bend and strike with a lashing motion. It’s a pale pink color, and features a clover-shaped handguard and a magenta handle wrapped with green cords tied in the shape of hearts.

Mitsuri’s unique sword perfectly matches her incredible speed and agility in battle. It lets her attack from surprising directions, easily avoid enemy defenses, and strike repeatedly at different spots – or the same one – making her fights look like a beautiful, yet deadly, dance. We saw this firsthand when the Love Hashira fought Upper Rank 4 in the Swordsmith Village arc, showcasing how far her sword can reach and how accurately she can strike.

3) Obanai Iguro’s Serpent Blade

The Serpent Hashira’s sword is unique – instead of a straight blade like most katanas, it’s curved like a snake, perfectly fitting his fighting style. The blade has a distinctive lavender color that matches his Serpent Breathing technique. Like all Hashira swords, it’s engraved with the words ‘Destroyer of Demons’.

The sword’s handguard (tsuba) is a golden circle featuring two snakes, and a twisting purple cord wraps the handle, continuing the snake motif throughout the weapon. Those who admire swords appreciate the artistry of this design just as much as the skill of the person wielding it. Obanai incorporates his pet snake, Kaburamaru, into his fighting style, using fluid, snake-like movements to bend his sword and launch unexpected attacks.

2) Kyojuro Rengoku’s Flame Blade

Kyojuro Rengoku’s sword is famous for its vibrant red and orange color, typical of those who use Flame Breathing. The blade features a classic katana design with flames etched on both sides. It also has a clean white handle and a guard shaped like flames. However, this sword is more than just a weapon; it’s a symbol of its wielder.

The sword became a symbol of Rengoku’s fiery personality, quickly becoming beloved by fans. We saw his incredible skill with it during the Mugen Train arc, in a grueling battle against Upper Rank Three. Though Rengoku ultimately lost, his opponent, Akaza – a demon who had defeated many Demon Slayers, including several Hashira – openly acknowledged Rengoku’s exceptional swordsmanship.

1) Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s Black Nichirin Blade

Topping the list is the very first Sun Blade, wielded by Yoriichi Tsugikuni – widely considered the most powerful Demon Slayer ever. Even Muzan feared it. Like Tanjiro’s sword, Yoriichi’s Nichirin blade was a rare, deep black color, which was once thought to mean the wielder wouldn’t live long.

In battle, Yoriichi’s sword would glow a brilliant red, showcasing his incredible skill with Sun Breathing. The sword’s guard was almost a perfect circle, with four small curves and a black center surrounded by gold. Interestingly, instead of the word “Destroyer of Demons” like the swords of the Hashira, Yoriichi’s katana was engraved with the word “Slay.” Though its exact powers remain a mystery, it was undoubtedly a terrifying weapon for any demon.

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2026-01-01 20:14