Why Some Demon Slayers Don't Use Katanas

While only Nichirin blades can kill a Demon, some Demon Slayers break the mold with their weapon choice. Here's why - and what it says about them.

Mitsuri Kanroji's first action sequence in Demon Slayer's "Swordsmith Village" arc was a beautifully animated expression of her character. Probably the most eye-catching feature of her entire sequence is her unique weapon, which takes the form of a ribbon-like extendable blade.

Mitsuri isn't the only Demon Slayer to employ a different weapon than the standard Nichirin katana -- fellow Hashira Tengen Uzui used nunchuck-like dual blades, while Genya Shinazugawa, a main cast member for Season 3, employs a gun in battle that fires Nichirin bullets, in combination with a traditional Nichirin katana. While most Demon Slayers in the series equip the katana as their main weapon, it's clearly not the only acceptable outlet for killing Demons. Here's why some Demon Slayers use alternative Nichirin weapons and what it reveals about their personalities.

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One of the stars of Demon Slayer's "Swordsmith Village" arc, the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji made a mark with her unique sword-whip weapon. This blade is likely inspired from the real-life Indian sword whip called the urumi, and is one of the most distinct weapons used by any Demon Slayer in the series thus far. While still being made of the same Nichirin metal that typical Demon Slayer katanas are composed of, Mitsuri's blade is flexible, mobile and can extend itself by multiple feet. Its bendy nature allows it to be curled up into its sheath and instantly unwrapped with ease.

The urumi is considered one of the most difficult weapons in the world to master, and Mitsuri's specialized blade is no different in its degree of difficulty. She has stated in the anime that she is stronger than almost any male she meets, and her mastery of the sword whip is perfect visual proof. The fact that she uses such a unique and difficult weapon shows her skill, but also demonstrates that she must have trained and worked laboriously to get to the level of a Hashira.

The flexibility of the sword's whip also perfectly fits Mitsuri's fighting style. She moves with grace and elegance, using the whip as an extension of her body much like a dancer or an artist would, yet somehow maintains the power and effectiveness expected of a Hashira in Demon Slayer.

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Unlike Mitsuri, the swords of other Demon Slayers don't just reflect their personality; they are also a product of their individual and unique backgrounds. Take Tengen Uzui, the former Sound Hashira and one of the stars of Demon Slayer's "Entertainment District" arc. Tengen wields distinct, dual-bladed Nichirin swords that are connected to one another through a single chain. While this weapon functions as a sword in many cases, its thick blade and interconnectivity make it a particularly eye-catching weapon that, when used with his miniature bombs, is fitting for his flashy personality.

Beyond this, Tengen's dual blades represent his past as a former shinobi who underwent rigorous combat training. The sword's base resembles a nunchuck, and this connectivity makes it one of the most difficult and complex weapons seen in the series. Tengen's skill and shinobi path are both displayed in his choice of sword, while also reflecting his showmanship and desire to leave a flashy imprint with all his moves.

Inosuke Hashibira's jagged katanas fulfill a similar purpose. While his swords mostly align with the traditional Demon Slayer katana design, they are known for their jagged edges that can aid him in cutting and sawing. On one hand, Inosuke's jagged edges do provide an additional function for his weapons, as seen during his decapitation of the Upper Moon Daki. However, they also reflect his own wild and rough-around-the-edges nature from his lonely upbringing in the mountains. Inosuke's swords almost resemble the teeth of a wild boar, demonstrating that how no matter how much stronger he gets or how much higher he rises in the Demon Slayer ranks, he'll always hold on to his wild, untamable side.

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While Demon Slayers like Tengen and Mitsuri utilize unique designs, their weapons still fit the general mold of being a sword. Genya Shinazugawa breaks that mold completely with his use of a gun, which almost seems like it was popped in from a whole different anime. Genya does carry a traditional Nichirin katana, but the gun seems to be his first choice when it comes to combat.

It does reflect his explosive temper, but unlike the previously mentioned Demon Slayers, Genya's alternative weapon usage has more to do with overcoming limitations. Genya has stated he's unable to use Breathing techniques -- the primary method for a Demon Slayer to enhance their strength and speed. Genya's Nichirin bullets are meant to compensate for his inability to fight with a blade at full potential.

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Lady Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Breathing Hashira, does use a katana. However, unlike any other katana in the series, she laces her weapon with a variety of poisons and venoms meant to immobilize or even kill Demons. According to Shinobu, her lack of physical strength makes her incapable of cutting most Demons' heads.

To compensate for this weakness, Shinobu is a functional chemist who can whip up different concoctions on the fly to adjust to different combat situations. Her unique fighting style and choice of weaponry make her one of the most deadly Hashira to face, depending on the matchup. Whether it be out of choice, their backgrounds or even to compensate for weaknesses, the Demon Slayers who utilize weapons other than plain katanas all see their individual personalities and traits reflected in their choice of blade, thus enhancing the audience's view of their character.

Anime writer for CBR. Bachelor's in English, Philosophy from Occidental College. Always open to finding and discussing new and exciting shows!