Why Sun Breathing Is the Original Style - The Complete History

The First and Most Powerful Breathing Style

In Demon Slayer, Sun Breathing is the original style. Every other breathing style—Water, Flame, Thunder, Stone, Wind, and all their derivatives—comes from it. Without Sun Breathing, the Demon Slayer Corps as we know it wouldn’t exist.

But why is it the original? And how did all other styles come from it?

Here’s the complete history.

What Is Sun Breathing?

The First Style

Sun Breathing is the oldest and most powerful breathing style. It was created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the greatest Demon Slayer in history. His techniques were so powerful that all later breathing styles were derived from them.

Yoriichi created 12 distinct techniques, each one devastatingly effective against demons. During his encounter with Muzan, he developed a 13th form—a continuous loop of the first 12 designed specifically to kill the Demon King.

It’s the foundation of everything.

The Source of All Styles

Every breathing style in Demon Slayer is based on Sun Breathing. The five fundamental styles—Water, Flame, Thunder, Stone, and Wind—were all created by Yoriichi’s students who couldn’t master Sun Breathing itself. They adapted what they could learn into simplified, specialized versions.

They’re all branches of the same tree.

The Creator: Yoriichi Tsugikuni

The Greatest Demon Slayer

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was born during the Sengoku period—a time of endless war and suffering. He was the most talented Demon Slayer in history. His swordsmanship was unmatched. His techniques were unparalleled. No one before or since has come close to his level.

He was born with a natural Demon Slayer Mark, making him the first marked swordsman in history. His twin brother, Michikatsu, was jealous of his abilities—a jealousy that would eventually turn Michikatsu into the demon Kokushibo, Upper Moon One.

He was a legend.

The Sun Breathing Master

Yoriichi created Sun Breathing to fight demons. His techniques were so powerful that he nearly killed Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King, in a single battle. Muzan was forced to flee and barely survived. The scars Yoriichi inflicted never healed.

Yoriichi realized that Sun Breathing was the Demon King’s natural enemy. He dedicated his life to teaching others, hoping to pass on his techniques to future generations.

He came closer than anyone else to ending the Demon King’s reign.

The Marked Man

Yoriichi was born with a Demon Slayer Mark. It was the first mark ever seen. It symbolized his connection to the sun and his destiny to fight demons. The mark granted him superhuman abilities but also cursed him to die young—a fate he accepted willingly.

He was chosen.

How Sun Breathing Became the Original

The Progenitor

Yoriichi trained other Demon Slayers. He taught them his techniques. But no one could match his skill. The techniques were too demanding, too complex, too perfectly tailored to Yoriichi’s unique abilities.

So the techniques were simplified and divided into different styles. Each style focused on one aspect of Sun Breathing: power, speed, defense, or flexibility. Students could choose the style that best suited their natural abilities.

Sun Breathing became the source.

The Derivatives

The different styles of Demon Slayer are actually simplified versions of Sun Breathing:

Water Breathing focuses on flow, adaptability, and defense—mimicking the clarity and flexibility of water
Flame Breathing focuses on power and aggression—capturing the destructive energy of fire
Thunder Breathing focuses on speed and lightning-fast strikes
Stone Breathing focuses on raw physical strength and sturdy defense
Wind Breathing focuses on sharp, rotational attacks

They’re all part of the same system.

The Lost Style

Sun Breathing was almost lost to history. After Yoriichi’s death, the technique was forgotten by the Demon Slayer Corps. It survived only through the Kamado family’s Hinokami Kagura dance—a ritual they performed every year to honor the fire god. The dance was actually Sun Breathing, disguised to protect it from Muzan.

Tanjiro Kamado rediscovered it after realizing the dance was actually a breathing style. His father, Tanjuro, had performed the dance despite his illness, passing down the technique through generations.

It was saved from extinction.

The Sun Breathing Techniques

The 13 Forms

Sun Breathing has 13 forms. The 13th is a combination of the first 12 performed consecutively—a continuous loop designed to overwhelm even Muzan’s regeneration.

Known forms include:

Dance (Hinokami Kagura) - The foundational technique
Clear Blue Sky - A sweeping horizontal slash
Raging Sun - A powerful downward strike
Burning Bones, Summer Sun - A devastating full-body attack
Setting Sun Transformation - A evasive counter-attack
Solar Heat Haze - A deceptive strike
Beneficent Radiance - A blindingly fast attack
Sunflower Thrust - A piercing thrust
Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance - A swirling attack
Fire Wheel - A spinning slash
Fake Rainbow - A feint attack
Flame Dance - A graceful evasive technique
Thirteenth Form - The ultimate combination of all previous forms

Each form is devastating.

The Hinokami Kagura

The Hinokami Kagura is the Kamado family’s dance. It’s actually a form of Sun Breathing disguised as a ritual to protect it from Muzan. Tanjiro realized this during his battle with Rui, when his father’s instructions about the dance suddenly made sense in combat.

It’s the lost style rediscovered.

Why Sun Breathing Is the Strongest

1. It’s the Original

Sun Breathing is the source of all other styles. It’s the purest form of breathing technique. Every derivative is a simplified version of Sun Breathing, focusing on one aspect of the original. Sun Breathing combines all aspects—power, speed, defense, and versatility.

It’s the foundation.

2. It’s the Most Complete

Sun Breathing has 13 forms covering every combat scenario. It’s versatile, powerful, and adaptable. It can handle any situation, from close-quarters combat to ranged attacks to defensive stances.

It’s the complete package.

3. It’s Supernatural

Sun Breathing has a supernatural effect on demons. The wounds it inflicts burn and scar, preventing regeneration. It’s the only style that can truly harm Muzan. It’s the natural enemy of all demonkind.

It’s the ultimate weapon.

The Legacy

Tanjiro’s Discovery

Tanjiro rediscovered Sun Breathing after realizing the Hinokami Kagura was a breathing style. He combined it with Water Breathing to create a unique fighting style. His mastery of Sun Breathing is the key to his growth as a Demon Slayer.

He became the new Sun Breathing user.

The Future

Sun Breathing is the key to defeating Muzan. It’s the style that will end the Demon King’s reign. Tanjiro’s journey to master Sun Breathing is the central narrative of Demon Slayer.

It’s the hope of humanity.

Tanjiro Kamado - User of Sun Breathing

Sun Breathing vs Flame Breathing - Key differences between the two styles
Every Breathing Style Explained - Complete list of all styles
Strongest Breathing Styles Ranked - The most powerful styles

Demon Slayer Timeline - The complete chronology

Demon Slayer Watch Order - How to watch the series in order

Demon Slayer Hub - Everything about Demon Slayer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Sun Breathing the original style?

Sun Breathing was created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni during the Sengoku period. All other breathing styles are derived from it. Students who couldn’t master Sun Breathing adapted what they could learn into simplified, specialized versions.

Who created Sun Breathing?

Yoriichi Tsugikuni created Sun Breathing. He was the greatest Demon Slayer in history and the only person who ever truly threatened Muzan.

Is Sun Breathing the most powerful?

Yes. Sun Breathing is the strongest and most complete breathing style. It’s the only style that causes permanent damage to demons and can truly defeat Muzan.

How did Sun Breathing survive?

It was preserved through the Kamado family’s Hinokami Kagura dance—a ritual they performed every year to honor the fire god. The dance was actually Sun Breathing, disguised to protect it from Muzan.

Who uses Sun Breathing now?

Tanjiro Kamado is the current user of Sun Breathing. He rediscovered it after realizing the Hinokami Kagura was a breathing style.

What are the 13 forms of Sun Breathing?

Sun Breathing has 13 forms, including Dance, Clear Blue Sky, Raging Sun, Burning Bones Summer Sun, Setting Sun Transformation, Solar Heat Haze, Beneficent Radiance, Sunflower Thrust, Dragon Sun Halo Head Dance, Fire Wheel, Fake Rainbow, Flame Dance, and the Thirteenth Form—a combination of the previous 12.

What is Hinokami Kagura?

Hinokami Kagura is the Kamado family’s ceremonial dance. It’s actually Sun Breathing disguised as a ritual to protect it from Muzan. Tanjiro rediscovered its combat applications during his battle with Rui.

Why does Sun Breathing hurt demons more than other styles?

Sun Breathing harnesses the power of the sun, making it the natural enemy of demons. The wounds it inflicts burn and scar, preventing demon regeneration. It’s the only style that causes permanent damage to demons.

Can Tanjiro use other breathing styles?

Yes. Tanjiro started with Water Breathing and still uses it in combination with Sun Breathing. He has also demonstrated the ability to combine both styles, using the stronger aspects of each to compensate for his limitations.

Yes. Moon Breathing was created by Kokushibo (Michikatsu Tsugikuni) after he failed to master Sun Breathing. It’s the closest derivative to the original but is still considered inferior.

Final Thoughts

Sun Breathing is the original style. It’s the source of all other breathing styles. It’s the most powerful style in existence. It’s the only style that can truly defeat Muzan.