Although there are only nine current active Hashira, many other Demon Slayer characters deserve a spot in this respectable organization. With feats of strength and bravery, the Hashira are the primary group that has helped protect humanity from demons and trained the next generation of demon slayers to follow after them.

A handful of heroes in the story proved through their actions that they deserve to bear this title of Hashira as well. An ideal Hashira has a Breathing Style that they have achieved mastery over, a spirit of unshakable courage, and the willingness to their wisdom down to others. Although they never officially ed the Hashira, these characters embody these values so well, they would make perfect picks for the organization.

10 Makomo

Makomo Is a Skiller Water Breather and a Patient Teacher, Two Qualities of a Great Hashira

Makomo's appearance in Demon Slayer was very brief, but still impactful. She was an apprentice who trained under Sakonji Urokodaki, just like Tanjiro, but she was sadly killed by the Hand Demon during the Final Selection. Her spirit was also unable to peacefully rest because of the circumstances of her death, so she lingered on Sagiri Mountain until Tanjiro came along.

Without Makomo's knowledge of Total Concentration Breathing and careful, dedicated instruction, Tanjiro never would have taken down the Hand Demon himself. Although she unfortunately died far too early, had she had the time to properly hone her Water Breathing Style, she could have been skilled enough to become a Hashira. Coupled with her teaching ability, she would have made a perfect mentor too.

9 Lady Tamayo

Lady Tamayo Is an Expert in Medicine and Demon Physiology, With a Rare Perspective as a Demon Herself

What Lady Tamayo lacks in muscle and strength, she makes up for with valuable wisdom. She was tasked with creating a medicine to take down Muzan, along with Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho. Tamayo's knowledge of demon biology cannot be beat, and even though she knows the intricacies of demon physiology and is one herself, she fights for the good of humanity.

Because of Lady Tamayo's love for humans and wisdom in the fields of demons and medicine, she would make an excellent Hashira. She has a unique perspective as a demon, able to offer inside information that could be very helpful in defeating the creatures. Tamayo has also worked very closely with Hashira like Shinobu, establishing her as a trustworthy hero who will do anything to rid the world of evil.

8 Kanao Tsuyuri

Trained by Two of the Best Hashira, Kanao Has What It Takes, and Even Impressed a Demon With Her Reflexes

Kanao's two adoptive sisters, Kanae and Shinobu, both served as Hashira already, so she is a logical choice to be a Hashira next. Kanae showed her full potential during her and Shinobu's fight with Upper Rank Two, Doma, to avenge Kanae's death. Symbolically, she used Kanae's own style, Flower Breathing, to defeat Doma.

Apart from her Breathing Style, Kanae's swordsmanship was so phenomenal that Doma himself was amazed, naming her as the most gifted Kocho sister. With agility and reflexes like hers, it would be a loss for Kanae not to eventually take up the position of Hashira one day. As Shinobu's tsuguko (successor), the framework is also already in place for Kanao to step up and succeed her.

7 Hotaru Haganezuka

Haganezuka’s Focus and Determination Are on Another Level, Unable To Be Broken by Any Enemy

Hotaru Haganezuka, master swordsmith, certainly has the willpower and unshakable resolve equivalent to that of a Hashira. When he is working on one of his swords, his attention cannot be swayed by anything, including physical pain and vicious demon attacks. Gyokko struck him so severely that his mask shattered to pieces, and still Haganezuka toiled away, sharpening Tanjiro's sword without so much as a glance at the creature.

No one in Demon Slayer possesses the iron will of Haganezuka. Although he is usually not the combat type, he can fight with Tantōjutsu, knives, or the rippling muscles he has developed through years of crafting swords. Haganezuka's persistence makes him laser focused on his goals, and as a Hashira, he would definitely never give up.

6 Genya Shinazugawa

Genya Had No Breathing Style, but Because of His Uncommon Fighting Technique, He Thrived Without It

Genya's older brother, Sanemi, is the Wind Hashira, giving Genya a suitable mentor who already has experience working as a Hashira. Although Genya is just a demon slayer, he does not have a Breathing Style like his comrades. Genya utilizes his powers through an unconventional means: consuming demon flesh.

When Genya eats a demon, their abilities are temporarily usable to him, as seen in his fight with Hantengu in the Swordsmith Village arc. While fighting Kokushibo, Genya even harnessed a Blood Demon Art, taking his skill set up a notch. Although he did not survive his final clash with Kokushibo, Genya had the potential to make a great member of the Hashira, blending his teachings from Sanemi with his uncommon but effective fighting style.

5 Nezuko Kamado

She May Be a Demon, but Nezuko Could Also Be a Mighty Defender of Humanity as a Hashira

Whether as a human or as a demon, Nezuko could succeed as a Hashira. She may be a demon, but throughout Demon Slayer, her abilities like Blood Demon Art, Exploding Blood, and superstrength served as valuable assets in her fights with demons like Daki and Enmu. She is no average demon, evidenced by Nezuko's quick regeneration and conquering of sunlight.

When Tanjiro or someone else Nezuko cares for is in danger, she risks her life to save them, seen when she defends Tanjiro against Giyu's attacks. Nezuko's remarkable set of powers coupled with her honest love for humanity set her up to be one of society's best Hashira. Although some may be hesitant to trust a demon, Nezuko could quickly prove herself as a protector of humanity through her caring behavior.

4 Inosuke Hashibira

Inosuke’s Willpower and Fearlessness Are on Another Level, Setting Him up To Be a Fantastic Hashira

Inosuke is one of the most headstrong, persistent, and strong Demon Slayer heroes. He uses the very effective Beast Breathing style, a technique he invented himself that was influenced by his childhood being raised by boars. Not only has he battled Upper Rank demons like Doma and Muzan and survived, Inosuke has the perfect mindset to be a Hashira.

Giving up is not something Inosuke is familiar with, and he will fight until his own death if necessary. It is crucial for Hashira to persist against even the toughest threats and scariest demons, and someone like Inosuke who does not balk at danger is the right man for the job. With an unstoppably fearless Hashira like Inosuke, humanity would be much safer.

3 Zenitsu Agatsuma

Zenitsu Overcame His Own Fear and Weakness, Maturing Into an Ideal Hashira Candidate

Zenitsu's Demon Slayer journey was very different from his peers, because it was not a career path he wanted to pursue at first. Forced into the profession because he needed to pay off a debt, Zenitsu was plagued by terror and panicked outbursts early on, but after a personal tragedy, his hatred for demons began to overpower his fear. Zenitsu's desire to avenge his beloved mentor, Jigoro, gave him the strength to take down Kaigaku, a particularly tough demon.

Zenitsu's Thunder Breathing is one of the most dangerous Breathing Styles and capable of doing serious damage. Once Zenitsu mastered both his technique and his own mindset, he became a Hashira level demon slayer. After his swift beheading of the demon Kaigaku, Zenitsu deserves a promotion to Hashira.

2 Sabito

Sabito Died Saving Someone Else, a Sacrifice Becoming of a True Hashira

Sabito was Giyu Tomioka's best friend and trained under Sakonji Urokodaki, the mentor who taught Tanjiro. Although he was close to becoming an official demon slayer, Sabito's life was cut short by the same demon that killed Makomo, the Hand Demon, and gave up his life protecting Giyu. Sabito's sacrifice to save his friend is touching and reveals his willingness to risk his own life for others.

Selflessness is an attribute that is necessary for all Hashira to have, and Sabito revealed through his readiness to leap to Giyu's defense that he takes his duty very seriously. The Water Hashira would likely have died without Sabito's swordsmanship, courage, and Water Breathing. It is very unfortunate that Sabito did not have the opportunity to advance further in the ranks because he would have reached Hashira level.

1 Tanjiro Kamado

Tanjiro Embodies Heroism by Protecting the Weak, Uplifting His Teammates, and Battling Evil at All Costs

Tanjiro's life has consisted of one heroic act after another, as he jumped from rescuing his sister Nezuko to enrolling in the Demon Slayer Corps to keep all of humanity safe. He played a massive part in the demon slayers and Hashira killing the Demon King, Muzan, which revealed how greatly his physical strength and perseverance had grown since his early days. Tanjiro also has a Demon Slayer Mark, only developed by the best fighters.

If anyone deserves to call themselves a Hashira, it is Tanjiro. He has dedicated his life to protecting the weak and uplifting his comrades anytime they feel discouraged, evidenced by the he offered Hashira like Muichiro and Giyu who were isolating themselves from the group and feeling discouraged. Tanjiro shows sympathy to everyone, even demons, but also has an incredible sense of duty and justice, which would serve the Demon Slayer well in a Hashira role.