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During the show’s early seasons,Demon Slayerhas been dropping hints of the legendary Demon Slayer known as Yoriichi. His fire-red hair seems very similar to Tanjiro’s, and they are so far the only known Sun Breathers, making their connections seem to run deep.
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Tanjiro is first reminded of Sun Breathing by watching the Hinokami Kagara dance from his father, the moves that Tanjiro would use in battle to tap into the power of Sun Breathing. With so many deep and possible family connections, some may think Yoriichi is a great ancestor of Tanjiro’s, dating back to almost 300 years ago, and while this may be close to the truth, their connection is actually a bit different.
How Are Tanjiro And Yoriichi Related
Despite looking very similar and having the same unique colored hair, Tanjiro is not related to Yoriichi through blood. Hundreds of years ago, when Yoriichi was alive, he came across one of Tanjiro’s ancestors, who was being attacked by a demon. This man,Sumiyoshi, would be saved and forever grateful to Yoriichi,and thetwo would become close friends, with Yoriichi visiting the family often.
After many years and towards the end of Yoriichi’s life, he would visit the Kamado family one last time, leaving his earrings to his friend. Being a reminder of the man who saved the Kamado family from demons,these earrings would be passed down through the family, eventually reaching Tanjiro. Muzan and even his cells still remember these earnings, as Dabi is shown being fearful of the earrings during the Entertainment District Arc. While Yoriichi and Tanjiro are not related by blood, they are related through the incredible gift of wielding the Sun Breathing technique. This is the most powerful breathing technique, born and gifted to Yoriichi and Tanjiro with the sole purpose and ability to defeat Muzan, as no other breathing form can.
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Hinokami Kagura and Sun Breathing
During Yoriichi and Sumiyoshi ’s friendship, Sumiyoshi would watch Yoriichi perform his Sun Breathing and would recognize it as the action that saved his life and his family. In honor of his close friend, Sumiyoshiwould memorize the patterns Yoriichi would practice, turning them into the Hinokami Kagura dance. As further remembrance and tribute to Yoriichi, Sumiyoshi would pass this dance down throughout his family, with Tanjiro eventually seeing his father perform it.
After Muzan’s defeat to Yoriichi, he and the upper moons would go on a quest to destroy anyone who knew about Sun Breathing to protect Muzan from another defeat. While this conquest was mainly successful, theHinokami Kagura dance was passed down in a different bloodline and would eventually come to Tanjiro, whohad the gift of Sun Breathing,along with the memory of the dance to bring back Sun Breathing as his own Breathing style.
