Updated on February 28, 1:55 p.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.

The Demon Slayer To the Swordsmith Village movie revealed a significant plot development related to the Hinokami Kagura, a secret breathing technique.

This technique, considered the ultimate Demon Slayer breathing style, represents a major turning point in the series that may have gone unnoticed by many fans.

The To the Swordsmith Village movie was filled with pivotal scenes that lay the groundwork for major events to come in the series. One particular scene showed Tanjiro Kamado having a vivid dream involving key characters who lived nearly 500 years ago during the Sengoku Era, the golden age of Demon Slayers.

Funko POP Animation: Demon Slayer- Tanjiro Kamado
Credit: Funko
GET YOURS TODAY: Tanjiro Kamado Funko Pop! figure

The flashback scene connects the dots between Tanjiro and the mysterious Hinokami Kagura, the powerful Sun Breathing technique he uses to cut down demons.

Demon Slayer To the Swordsmith Village movie reveals where the Hinokami Kagura originated from

Demon Slayer Season 3 Swordsmith Village Arc
Credit: ufotable

Tanjiro had been unconscious for two months at the Butterfly mansion after his epic battle against the Upper Rank Six demon siblings Gyutaro and Daki from the Entertainment District Arc finale.

While recovering from his wounds, Tanjiro dreams of a conversation between two mysterious individuals. A man can be seen sitting in a house talking to another man named Sumiyoshi, who was wearing the same green and black patterned haori Tanjiro is known for.

Funko Pop! Animation: Demon Slayer - Kyojuro Rengoku
Credit: Funko
GET YOURS TODAY: Kyojuro Rengoku Funko Pop! figure

The mysterious man talking to Sumiyoshi is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary Demon Slayer who invented Breathing Styles. The flashback scene explains the relationship between Sumiyoshi, an ancestor of the Kamado family, and Yoriichi, the strongest Demon Slayer who ever lived.

It is revealed that Yoriichi saved Sumiyoshi and his family. In return, Sumiyoshi invited Yoriichi to stay with them and offered to pass down the Demon Slayer’s tale, as he didn’t have any successors.

Funko POP Animation: Demon Slayer - Muzan Kibutsuji
Credit: Funko
GET YOURS TODAY: Muzan Kibutsuji Funko Pop! figure

However, Yoriichi turned down Sumiyoshi and explained that his past could cause problems for their family. Yoriichi even explained that despite Sumiyoshi deeming him a powerful fighter, he was still unable to protect what was important to him.

The scene shifts as Tanjiro is seen asking Yoriichi to not think of himself like that. As he wakes up from his dream, he finds himself in tears.

Demon Slayer Upper Demon gathering key visual
Credit: ufotable

Tanjiro is the only Demon Slayer in his time who can use the Hinokami Kagura, a powerful Breathing Style that is highly effective against the Twelve Demon Moons. The Hinokami Kagura was first shown in the anime in Season 1 during the Mount Natagumo Arc, when Tanjiro fought Lower Rank Demon five Rui.

Here are all Demon Slayer episodes from every season and where to watch them

A previous flashback scene from Tanjiro’s childhood showed his dad enacting the Hinokami Kagura, a dance performed from sunset to sunrise. The performance is offered to the Hinokami, the fire god, to ward off threats and diseases.

It is later revealed that the Hinokami Kagura is a Breathing Style passed on from father to son in every generation of the Kamado family, alongside the Hanafuda earrings.

MORE DEMON SLAYER STORIES
Demon Slayer Season 3 anime: Release date, voice actors, story, where to watch
Demon Slayer Season 3 opening song for the Swordsmith Village Arc revealed
Demon Slayer 2023 movie world tour event dates and locations
Who is Mamoru Miyano, the voice of Demon Slayer antagonist Doma?
Demon Slayer watch order: How to watch the anime and movies in chronological order

In Season 2, Kyojuro Rengoku’s father and former Flame Hashira had previously revealed that the Hinokami Kagura is a legendary technique known as Sun Breathing, the Breathing Style created by Yoriichi.

Image of all the Hashira in Demon Slayer with the caption of who is the weakest in the group
Credit: ufotable, ONE Esports
Find out who is the weakest Hashira here

The Kamado family has passed on the Kagura dance for nearly 500 years. Tanjiro was able to revive the long-forgotten Breathing Style to aid the Demon Slayer Corp in their battle against the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji.

Just a heads up, some of the links on ONE Esports are affiliate links. This means if you click on them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It’s a way for us to keep the site running and provide you with valuable content. Thanks for your support!

READ MORE: Demon Slayer 2023 movie ending explained: Who is that mysterious figure?