Who Are the Former Hashira in Demon Slayer? Profile and Abilities Explained

Sakonji Urokodaki, the highest-ranking former Water Pillar, became Tanjiro and Giyuu's teacher before the Final Selection. 

He also trained at least 15 demon slayers, including Sabito and Makomo, who died tragically at the hands of the Hand Demon during the Final Selection of Slayers. 

In the anime, Sakonji is always seen sporting a red Tengu mask. It is said that he wears masks because demons mock his gentle face.

According to Giyuu, he has a good sense of smell, which allows him to distinguish the personalities of other people.

Credit: ufotable

At the exact moment he met Tanjiro, Sakonji knew that he was a kind-hearted boy, so he did everything he could to get Tanjiro to give up and lose hope; not because he didn't believe in him but because he didn't want any more of his disciples to die. 

Despite the harsh words and treatment of Sakonji towards the Kamado siblings, Tanjiro and Nezuko still regard him as their own grandfather. 

In real life, Sakonji resembles the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Like Sakonji, Musashi lived out his life in the remote mountains.

Aside from that, Miyamoto also had a long line of disciples who met unfortunate and untimely deaths. 

Kanae Kocho was the former flower pillar. She is also the older sister of the current insect pillar, Shinobu Kocho, and the step-sister of the adopted Kanao.

She is described and represented in the anime as one of the most beautiful pillars, with stunning long hair covered with butterfly charms.

In addition, she always maintains a peaceful expression on her face, exuding a loving presence and a sincere attitude toward others.

Like Tanjiro, she believes that demons are akin to humans and that she can befriend them. She has no enmity toward them, even though the demons murdered her parents.

She died at the age of 17 following an encounter with Doma, one of the twelve demon moons.

Even if she died, her spirit lives on in Shinobu and Kanao, both of whom played important roles in Tanjiro's journey.

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Shinjuro Rengoku is Kyojiro and Senjuro's father, as well as the former flame pillar. He is the head of the Rengoku family, which has produced generations of excellent demon slayers who serve as flame pillars.

Shinjuro was one of the organization's strongest pillars before Kyojiro's appointment. He has exterminated innumerable demons who oppress humanity, even traveling to Hachijoma Island to wipe out demons.

What's more, he was once eager to teach his techniques, particularly to his children. All of this changed after his loving wife died and after he felt overwhelmed by the limitations of his techniques.

He lost interest in his position as a Hashira and retired from it entirely. At the same time, his attitude and lifestyle changed.

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Jigoro Kuwajima is the former thunder hashira, also known as the Roaring Hashira, who passed on his breathing method and techniques to Zenitsu and Kaigaku.

The elderly man with a wound beneath his left eye quit his position at the age of 35 after losing his right leg in battle.

At some point, Jigoro met the helpless Zenitsu in the middle of the street and took him in as a student, along with Kaigaku.

Notably, some forms can only be used by Kaigaku, while others can only be used by Zenitsu.

Eventually, Kaigaku chose a different path and turned into a demon, which pushed Jigoro to take responsibility for his pupil's fate and commit seppuku.

In order to carry out his will, Zenitsu began hunting demons, not just to settle the score with Kaigaku but also to avenge Jigoro.