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knykthn-official · 1 year

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Since your characters have original breafhing styles, can you explain where do they take place? As in, from which form they're derived from?

First and foremost, thank you for this ask! It gave me the chance to show you all a bit of my lore speculations and divergences in a more detailed way. I hope followers and fans alike enjoy this content, and keep in mind what is listed in the "important" section below!

IMPORTANT:

• This chart is my very own interpretation on the Breathing Styles and which element is derived from which;

• The text accompanying it has several spoilers about canon lore. proceed at your own discretion;

• The canon interpretation might have similar and divergent aspects compared to this one;

• The Breathing Styles in the KNYKTHN/KNYTNS universe works like literal magic, meaning the users generate the elements from their breath and bodies, and not just "imagine their movement to be like (...)". That being said, if you disagree with this, simply ignore the post.

• You're free to use this chart as reference for your own fanfics, arts and more, as long as you credit me and add a disclaimer that this is not the same as the canon interpretation;

• Some nomenclatures for the Styles might be different from the canon;

• This chart includes Breathing Styles exclusive from the KNYKTHN/KNYTNS universe (the subdivisions on Water Breathing, Original Flower Breathing, Poison/Wisteria Breathing, Flame Beast Breathing and Thunder Beast Breathing) . If you want your own character to have one of those Styles, please ask me for permission first, as they do have specific restrictions.

• To anyone seeing this: If you have a different view of how the Breathing Styles work and are related to each other, you either absorb this post and continue with your life, or you simply ignore it. Please avoid to make yourself look ridiculous while doing unnecessary drama.

Breathing Style Chart for "Kimetsu No Yaiba - Kaminari To Honou No" & "Kimetsu No Yaiba - Tsuki No Saku"

By KanisHominiLupus (Ao3) / Kanis_KHL (twitter) / AkiraRan_artist (twitter/instagram) / knykthn-official (tumblr)

Tiers of division for the Breathing Styles:

Those serve the simple purpose of categorizing and organizing the Breathing Styles within the Kisatsutai's database. They do not mean a scale of any quality, be it force, usability or ease to learn.

First Tier Breathing Styles:

• Sun Breathing ( [ 日の呼吸 ] Hi no Kokyuu ):

The first Breathing Style used in battle by humans. Sun Breathing was used by the first Demon Slayers even before the Kisatsutai (Demon Slayer Corps) was created. The most skilled in using this Style were part of the Tsugikuni Clan, but as it was really hard to be mastered, and caused several side effects (such as body overheating and extreme fatigue), it was subdivided in other elements, easier to learn and use than Sun Breathing itself. As the name suggests, its Forms are focused on the Sun, its appearance and high temperature, bringing the power of the Demons' main weakness into battles seemingly impossible to be won before, solely by using Nichirin Blades. Beside being the first Breathing Style created, little is known and documented about it, since most of it was lost in time.

• Moon Breathing ( [ 月の呼吸 ] Tsuki no Kokyuu ):

Created and developed by the Upper Moon Rank One, Kokushibou, this was the first Breathing Style used by a demon. It was never taught to others as it seems as hard to learn as Sun Breathing. As the name suggests, it takes inspiration in the moon and its phases, composed of quick and deadly skills that cover a huge area of the battlefield and cause enormous destruction. Little is documented about this Breathing Style since only one Demon Slayer in the whole Kisatsutai History (Reki Arainami, a Ocean Style Water Hashira in the Meiji Period) was known to survive a battle against him, but couldn't explain, in technical terms, what exactly composed his skills.

• Hinokami Kagura [ ヒノカミ神楽 ] (or Fire God's Dance):

An unique reinterpretation of Sun Breathing, spread as a cultural heritage early into the Kamado family. It was originally used as a ritualistic activity to evoque the blessings of the Fire God during the harsh winter, so the families would have a prosperous year of labor and no accidents with the furnaces, as they worked with charcoal craft and selling. Tanjiro Kamado adapted the Hinokami Kagura into his Breathing Style, obtaining results similar to what Sun Breathing would look like, but with similar backlashes as well.

Second Tier Breathing Styles:

• Stone Breathing ( [ 岩の呼吸 ] Iwa no Kokyuu ):

One of the primordial elemental Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing. Stone Breathing is usually mastered by individuals that act as tanks during battles against demons, using the terrain and environment at the user's favor to provide powerful and destructive attacks, as well as sturdy defenses to their allies and to themselves. It is one of the Breathing Styles that had a Hashira representative since the start of the Kisatsutai. The users of this Breathing Style are commonly patient, calm and resolute, as well as protective towards their allies.

• Water Breathing ( [ 水の呼吸 ] Mizu no Kokyuu ):

One of the primordial elemental Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing. Water Breathing mimics the power and flexibility of water, being mostly used for defense, thanks to its versatility, but also possessing powerful skills used to attack. This Breathing Style is subdivided into "River/Sweet Water" and "Ocean/Saltwater", the first being easier to learn and use for the malleability of its skills, and the second being more destructive and disruptive. This subdivision was created when the Kisatsutai noticed a difference in the Styles between the users coming from the middle of the country VS the ones that live in the coast. The users of this Breathing Style varies depending on the subdivision used, but normally the River Style users are calmer and more level-headed than their companions of Ocean Style.

• Wind Breathing ( [ 風の呼吸 ] Kaze no Kokyuu ):

One of the primordial elemental Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing. Wind Breathing is a highly offensive style, focused on causing great amounts of damage in a huge area in the least time possible, just like a literal hurricane. It can also be used for defense, as by unleashing razor-sharp wind gusts around their own (or their allies') body, the user avoids the approach of enemies. The users of this Breathing Style are commonly volatile and imprevisible, quick in their movements and minds, but can calm down as quick as the raging winds of a Summer Rain.

• Flame Breathing ( [ 炎の呼吸 ] Honou no Kokyuu ):

One of the primordial elemental Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing. Flame Breathing allows the user to generate strikingly hot flames to burn down the enemies or protect the user and their allies. Thanks to Its characteristics, it is the closest to Sun Breathing from the five elemental Breathing Styles, and has similar side effects on the user, being highly effective against demons, but bringing heavy backlash to the user if they don't go through intense training to support the skills. The users of this Breathing Style are commonly passionate and intense on their feelings, to the point of being overbearing to their allies, friends and family.

• Lightning Breathing ( [ 雷の呼吸 ] Kaminari no Kokyuu ):

One of the primordial elemental Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing. Lightning Breathing, pretty much like Wind Breathing, is highly fast and offensive, providing heat enough to heavily damage demons. It has no defensive skills, thus must be used with caution and proper planning. The users of this Breathing Style are commonly quick to jump on the heat of the battle, and experience emotions like bursts, that can be a fuel or an obstacle in their progress.

Third Tier Breathing Styles:

• Water Breathing subdivisions:

Were created after the Kisatsutai noticed divergences between the skills of Slayers coming from the middle of the country VS the ones from the Coastal area.

• River / Sweetwater Style ( [ 河水型 ] Kazuikata ):

Most commonly known subdivision, this one focuses on the river waters, and how they patiently adapt to the course on its way in sinuous movements. The skills are easier to learn, and are very efficient to defend a Slayer from potentially lethal strikes. Among the famous users of this style is the ex-Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, as well as the actual Water Hashira, Giyuu Tomioka, and Tanjiro Kamado.

• Ocean / Saltwater Style ( [ 海洋型 ] Kayoukata ):

This subdivision is more common for users of specific clans, families and villages located at the coastal area of the country. Its skills are harder to learn, and focus on the relentless and destructive power of the tides, bringing striking waves and sea monsters to destroy the enemies. One of the clans mostly known to use this Style is the Arainami Clan, very influential in the north coast of the country, and that provides support to the Kisatsutai since the Edo Period. Among the famous users of this style are the Water Hashira, Reki Arainami (from the Meiji Period), and Geiha Arainami, her descendant and great granddaughter. Thanks to the use of the environment around them, it is speculated this subdivision has connections with Stone Breathing, but there is no official document in the Kisatsutai's database that confirms such a thing.

• Mist Breathing ( [ 霞の呼吸 ] Kazumi no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Water Breathing and Wind Breathing, this Style offers support to allies and confuses enemies at the same time, covering the battlefield in dense mist that can be weaponized against demons while covering a large area. The users wear baggy and monochromatic clothes to maximize the illusory effect of their movements. The most known user of Mist Breathing is the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. Others tried to learn this Style, but found it very difficult to acquire information from the Hashira, who created it. The few known users of this Style are said to be quiet and keep to themselves, but at the same time, being excellent in observation and analysis of a situation.

• Beast Breathing ( [ 獣の呼吸 ] Kedamono no Kokyuu or [ 風獣の呼吸 ] Kazejuu no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Wind Breathing, this Style is also referred to, in the Kisatsutai's database, as "Wind Beast Breathing". The secondary name was created after the inclusion of Flame Beast Breathing and Thunder Beast Breathing to said database, in order to keep things more organized. It uses strong and razor-sharp wind gusts in the shapes and movements of wild animals during their hunt, easily tearing apart enemies and protecting allies. It requires extremely accurate senses that get amplified with the use of the Forms. Wind Beast Breathing has, as its only known user, Inosuke Hashibira.

• Love Breathing ( [ 恋の呼吸 ] Koi no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Flame Breathing, this Style converts the warmth of Flames into intense feelings, and is able to use their strong emotions to empower themselves and their allies during battle. All the techniques require flexibility, strength and speed, being an extremely difficult Style for someone to learn as their first Breathing Style, but even with the challenge, it has slowly grown up on its adepts, who still aren't able to use more than one or two Forms, thanks to the side effects, similarly to Flame Breathing. The most known user of Love Breathing is the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, who is also the creator of this Style and overly enthusiastic Mentor (to those that can survive her training).

• Flame Beast Breathing ( [ 炎獣の呼吸 ] Honoujuu no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Flame Breathing, the Flame Beast Breathing technique has two levels: the regular (with common flames in a slightly darker tone than Flame Breathing), and the second (that grants the user two extra Forms, but can only be used when certain stakes are met, having flames in crimson red and bright white or black). The only known user of Flame Beast Breathing is Asdor Pellorubro, and its Forms generate powerful flames and ashes, using as motif Wild Felines and their hunting methods, creating fiery creatures to strike the enemies. The skills cause heavy side effects on the user, pretty much like Flame Breathing, and can only be used when the Slayer is focused enough.

• Sound Breathing ( [ 音の呼吸 ] Oto no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Lightning Breathing, this Style's big focuses are speed and perception of the battle, the enemy and allies, and the environment around the user, either by using their own skills or just their senses. To be a Sound Breathing user, one must have an outstanding hearing, which reduces drastically the amount of possible apprentices. This Style is often used not just with a Nichirin weapon, but also with explosives and other accessories commonly used by ninja clans, thanks to the origin of its creator, the Sound Hashira, Uzui Tengen.

• Thunder Beast Breathing ( [ 雷獣の呼吸 ] Raijuu no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Lightning Breathing, Thunder Beast Breathing has two levels. One is the regular (which simply carries the name of it) and the second (only gained after the user meets a few stakes). The only known user of Thunder Beast Breathing is Akira Ran, and its Forms are centered into embodiments of canine creatures and their hunting skills, turned into creatures made of electricity. All skills are very volatile and demand high speed and precision to be executed.

• Lightning Breathing - Dark Variation ( [ 雷黒の呼吸 ] Kaminari Kuro no Kokyuu ):

Derived from Moon Breathing, thanks to the nature of the user's origin. It is speculated by the Kisatsutai that when a Demon Slayer is turned into a demon but is still able to, somehow, use their past Breathing Style, the Forms will generate a dark version of the source element, instead of the regular color. The only exceptions to this rule were Ahen Hanagasumi (for unknown reasons, probably related to his aversion to human blood) and Kokushibou (because he created a brand new Breathing Style for his own use). The only known user of Lightning Breathing - Dark Variation is Kaigaku, who mastered almost all Forms of the regular Lightning Breathing and managed to use his Blood Demon Art to empower it.

Fourth Tier Breathing Styles:

• Flower Breathing ( [ 花の呼吸 ] Hana no Kokyuu ):

Originally created by a Slayer who raised to the position of Hashira in the Meiji Period, this Form's origin was erased from the Kisatsutai's database once they were revealed to become a demon, as it was considered a huge dishonor. The Fujiwara Clan, one of the biggest financial and soldier supporters of the Kisatsutai, was tasked to keep guard of the data, which was then discovered by Kanae Kocho thanks to the contact she kept with the Clan. This explains why, after studying and adapting the data to her own use, she was named in the database as the creator of Flower Breathing. Beside the aforementioned Flower Hashira, other known user of the revamped Style is Kanao Tsuyuri, the youngest sister of Kanae. To master this Breathing Style, it is required the user has an outstanding sight. Users of this Style are known to be sweet and relaxed, often calming down and supporting their allies with whatever is needed.

• Poison / Wisteria Breathing: ( [ 毒薬の呼吸 ] Dokuyaku no Kokyuu or [ 藤の呼吸 ] Fuji no Kokyuu ):

Since the same man that originally created Flower Breathing also created Poison Breathing, the database was changed in the same way as it happened with its sister Form. However, this one was claimed by the Fujiwara Clan, and thus is the preferred Breathing Style of those who belong to the Clan or serve it. When Kanae acquired the data about Flower Breathing, she also acquired the unused parts of Poison Breathing, transferring to her sister, Shinobu Kocho. The most known user of the actual Wisteria Breathing is Himeshaga Fujiiro, formally the next in order to take the leadership of the Fujiwara Clan once his mother passes away. The Forms of this Breathing Style focus on swift and gracious movements, often done with a Nichirin Naginata, deceiving the enemy while a hyper concentrated wisteria poison is injected on the enemy. The formula for this poison is a secret of the clan, but Himeshaga managed to make it even more deadly to demons after some research. Users of this Style are known to be mysterious, polite, and really good with their words to the point of being called cunning.

• Insect Breathing ( [ 蟲の呼吸 ] Mushi no Kokyuu ):

With the portion of knowledge acquired from the Fujiwara Clan, Shinobu Kocho developed Insect Breathing, and is the current Insect Hashira, as well the most known user of this style. It mimics several insects, their poisonous factors and speed to attack, which often surprises her enemies. Alongside the high movement speed, it's often required that users of this Breathing Style carry Nichirin Weapons able to inject wisteria poison on their enemies. Users of this Style are known to be awkwardly cheerful, persistent, stubborn, and sometimes invasive.

• Serpent Breathing ( [ 蛇の呼吸 ] Hebi no Kokyuu ):

Derived from the Ocean subdivision of Water Breathing and Poison/Wisteria Breathing, this Form mimics the illusory and hypnotic movements of snakes to deceive and distract the enemy, opening space for a deadly strike. The only known user of this Style is the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, for the simple reason he is very exigent on who to teach his prime creation. He is known to be an individual with an acid humor and a sharp tongue, who will tell what he thinks about someone right on their faces, even if it will make them cry, but who won't measure efforts to protect the ones he loves and appreciates.

Elemental compatibility of Breathing Styles:

In the universe of KNYKTHN/KNYTNS, the Breathing Styles are palpable, real elemental manifestations of the user's breathing, body and movements as a whole, which means, for example, a Flame Breathing user can absolutely generate raging flames by moving their Blade. That being said, an element has strengths and in almost all cases, weaknesses, which shall be listed in the document linked here. If you have any trouble viewing the file, lemme know thru Private messages!

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