The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Moon Breathing in Demon Slayer

Moon Breathing, a Breathing Style utilized by one of Muzan Kibutsuji's Twelve Kizuki in Demon Slayer, was originally created by Kokushibo during his time as a human. Derived from Sun Breathing, the original Breathing Style, Moon Breathing imitates the movements of the moon throughout its lunar cycle. Kokushibo developed Moon Breathing after realizing his inability to master Sun Breathing while serving as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. To this day, Kokushibo remains the sole practitioner of this unique Breathing Style. Its power is so formidable that Kokushibo was able to confront multiple Hashira simultaneously and gain the upper hand.

However, the ultimate form of Moon Breathing cannot be executed by a human. This is due to Kokushibo combining the Breathing Style with his own Blood Demon Art. By merging these two techniques, Kokushibo was able to surpass the limitations of the human body, even with the assistance of Total Concentration Breathing. The seamless integration of his Breathing Style and Blood Demon Art resulted in an incredibly formidable ability, solidifying its reputation as one of the most fearsome in the world of Demon Slayer.

What Is Moon Breathing?

Kokushibo, also known as Michikatsu Tsugikuni, developed his own unique Breathing Style, known as Moon Breathing, which draws inspiration from the shape of a traditional crescent moon. Unlike other Blood Demon Arts practitioners such as Gyokko, Hantengu, or Doma, whose abilities are rooted in conceptual or elemental aspects, Kokushibo's style is firmly grounded in standard swordsmanship techniques, reflecting his background in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Through years of practice and refinement, Kokushibo merged Moon Breathing with his Blood Demon Art, resulting in an immensely powerful fusion. This mastery of both techniques propelled him to the position of Upper Rank One. The techniques associated with Moon Breathing involve precise slashes and strikes that follow the arc of crescent-shaped geometries, delivering devastating power capable of taking out multiple targets simultaneously.

Kokushibo can utilize these techniques with either the base form of his katana or its evolved state, known as the warped flesh katana. In this advanced configuration, the katana elongates and takes on a branch-like appearance, adorned with veins and eyes along its blade and hilt.

Kokushibo's Blood Demon Art amplifies these abilities even further, unleashing a multitude of blades resembling crescent moons. These blades, believed to be crafted from his own blood, possess the flexibility to alter their shape, size, speed, and trajectory, enabling them to strike targets from seemingly impossible angles. This unparalleled power sets him apart from other Upper Ranks, as his attacks not only possess great strength but also exhibit an extraordinary level of unpredictability and inconsistency. His opponents find it impossible to anticipate the path of these blades, let alone evade, counterattack, or defend against them. Remarkably, Kokushibo can release these blades without the need for any sword swings, making it an even greater challenge to engage him in one-on-one combat.

What Are The Various Moon Breathing Techniques?

Being a centuries-old demon, Kokushibo's mastery of Moon Breathing sets him apart as one of the most skilled swordsmen in the entire Demon Slayer universe. During the Infinity Castle Arc, he showcased his expertise by unveiling a minimum of 16 Forms within this Breathing Style. The initial form, known as "Dark Moon, Evening Palace," exhibits his swift unsheathing of the sword followed by a powerful slash, reminiscent of laijutsu, swiftly resheathing the blade. This technique releases a single crescent-shaped slash that spawns multiple smaller slashes, each moving unpredictably. Continuing with the Second Form of Moon Breathing, titled "Pearl Flower Moongazing," Kokushibo delivers three crescent slashes, which in turn spawn smaller slashes.

The Sixth Form, known as "Perpetual Night, Lonely Moon - Incessant," is a formidable technique that unleashes a barrage of curved slashes. These slashes are accompanied by crescent moon blades that possess the power to annihilate the surrounding environment.

Kokushibo's Fourteenth Form, known as "Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon," creates a powerful vortex of slashes that radiate in all directions. This technique unleashes a barrage of crescent moon blades, causing devastation wherever they land. In addition, the Sixteenth Form, which is the final form demonstrated in Demon Slayer, showcases Kokushibo's prowess as he raises his modified katana, resulting in six curved slashes that crash down with such intensity that they leave behind deep craters. Witnessing the incredible range of techniques and the integration of his Blood Demon Art, it is evident that Kokushibo has attained the status of an unparalleled master swordsman. Only the formidable power of Sun Breathing stands a chance against him.