Hagane Haganezuka

## Portrayal

**Hagane Haganezuka** is a supporting character in Demon Slayer: Blade of the Night, he is a Demon Slayer, and the first ever Steel Pillar. Hagane is also the son of Hotaru Haganezuka.

## **Appearance:**

Hagane is a tall, muscular man with a sharp completion, from chin to eyebrows. His hair is very long, reaching down to the middle of his back, it is black in color, and wavy in form, much like his father's own.

Hagane wears the traditional Pillar Uniform, capped off by a tan, sunflower patterned haori similar to his father's. He often wears a large straw hat with wind chimes.

Hagane has a Hyottoko mask, but he doesn't use it much, since he finds it hard to breathe with it.

## **Personality:**

Hagane is an extroverted, but careless man, that is often welcoming, albeit in a way that tends to be a little violent. He doesn't properly gauge his strength when it comes to simple pats and knuckles, meaning he tends to beat people on accident.

Hagane, since his parents' deaths, has become less energetic, having a generally calmer personality and demeanor, which is further emphasized by his newfound promotion to Pillar, one such example is sleeping on a public bench rather than going out and exploring a town he wasn't familiar with, something he'd usually have done with enthusiasm. During his time in Kyoto, Hagane was confronted with the insufficiency and inexperience he clearly displayed when compared with his fellow Pillars.

Hagane's loss of enthusiasm is notable considering his disinterest in the Kyoto assignment, and also his dismissal of Haruka Rengoku, someone he would have easily befriended otherwise.

Hagane is fairly responsible, managing a birthing Sect and taking care of his younger brother all by himself, and he doesn't seem to be struggling that much when it comes to either.

## **Synopsis:**

Hagane is the son of Hotaru Haganezuka with Suma, one of Tengen's former wives. From an early age, Hotaru wanted his son to become a blacksmith. Hagane, however, noticed how naturally powerful his father was, and by sheer correlation, discovered his father used a Breathing Style, albeit unknowingly, to cultivate such an immense amount of power. Hagane proceeded to learn from his father, both smithing and the newly dubbed Steel Breathing. Not long after, his talent was picked up by Gyomei Himejima, who temporarily had Hagane as his Tsuguko.

## **Abilities:**

**Immense Strength:** Hagane is known for being formidably powerful among the Core, being the only Slayer that wields a hammer, and having a Form where he only needs to charge and focus a bit, before tearing through anything in his path without hindrance, being capable of throwing said hammer he carries with such power it cleaves through metal like a blade, and crush an armored demon's head with a sword slash.

**Immense Speed:** Hagane, despite not being known for his speed, easily blitzed Taichi Tsuyoi while marked, and having a Form where he attacks so many times so fast that he opponent's senses are overloaded, making them feel as if they have been struck a thousand times.

**Commendable Aim:** Hagane has displayed that his aim is above-average, landing a multitude of hammer throws without an instance of an attack missing.

**Tactical Intellect:** Hagane might not be the smartest man when it comes to battle, but he was quick to understand Taichi's ability and how to best prepare to fight him fairly early in the fight.

**Indomitable Will:** Hagane was willing to fight Taichi in the epicenter of the whirlwind of metal shrapnel, understanding fully well he might die in the process, but doing so to allow his subordinates to escape.

**Total Concentration Breathing:** Hagane is insanely skilled at Total Concentration Breathing, mastering his Breathing Style despite never having been directly taught it.

**Demon Slayer Mark:** Hagane can use the Demon Slayer Mark, activating it almost on command. It is composed of a silver x-shaped scar on his left eye.

**Master Swordsmith:** Hagane is an insanely skilled smith, learning directly from Hotaru Haganezuka. However, the path of smithing isn't one he decided to take.

## **Fighting Style:**

**Hammer Proficiency:** Hagane is a master at wielding his hammer, even having it as his primary weapon. He has a multitude of techniques with it, and has displayed an ability to throw it for additional range

**Master Swordsman:** Hagane, despite not having it as his main weapon, is a skilled swordsman in his own right, having developed a handful of techniques by himself, without any sort of external aid on how to handle the Katana

### **Breathing Style:**

**Steel Breathing** (Hagane no Kokyu): Hagane has developed and mastered his own Breathing Style, that being the Steel Breathing, directly inspired by the breathing pattern his father displayed while smithing. Since then, Hagane has become the first Steel Pillar, despite his young age.

#### **Techniques:**

##### **Hammer Style:**

* **First Form: Caving Strike** *(Ichi no Kata: Dokutsu Tanken Kogeki)* - The user will strike in the middle of the opponent’s head, using a hammer to cave the opponent’s face in

* **Second Form: Skull Crusher** *(Ni no Kata: Zugaikotsu Assai-ki)* - The user will strike directly above the opponent’s head, using all of their strength and weight to breach the skull, tearing the opponent's head with the hammer

* **Third Form: Jaw Breaker** *(San no Kata: Ago Kowasu)* - The user will strike on the opponent’s chin, forcing the jaw upwards, breaking it, or tearing it in half, if the attack is potent enough, the attack may decapitate.

* **Fourth Form: Brain Shaker** *(Shi no Kata: Noizu Furu)* - The user will strike on the opponent’s head, right above the ears, with the intention to discombobulate the target, or at least throw them off of their feet into a position better suited for another Form.

* **Fifth Form: Hammer into Shape** *(Go no Kata: Hanma Katachi Ni)* - The user will repeatedly strike in the opponent’s weak spots, strategically forcing the opponent to retreat in a way that will be favorable to the user

* **Sixth Form: Forging a Corpse** *(Roku no Kata: Tanzo Shitai)* - The user will bash on the back of the opponent’s head, forcing their forehead to hit the ground with all the user’s strength. If the opponent is standing up, the user will use the momentum to throw them off their feet.

* **Seventh Form: Thousand Folded Steel** *(Shichi no Kata: Sen Ori-Ko)* - The user will continuously strike all over the opponent’s body at blinding speeds, to the point where it feels a thousand strikes were made

##### **Sword Style:**

* **First Form: Earth Splitter** *(Ichi no Kata: Chikyu Bunkatsu)* - The user performs a single, powerful downward slash that aims to decapitate a horizontal opponent. This attack is incredibly powerful, but is somewhat slow.

* **Second Form: Sawmill** *(Ni no Kata: Seizaijo)* - The user spins their entire body around, their direction as they spin can be altered to prevent disorientation, and the user can hop around for extra range

* **Third Form: Superior Forge** *(San no Kata: Sugureta Tanzo)* - The user will jab against the opponent, the singular attack will either completely stop a projectile, or pierce through the enemy. This jab is so powerful it can pierce through armor.

* **Fourth Form: Heavy Metal** *(Shi no Kata: Jukinzoku)* - The user performs quick, but incredibly heavy slashes in diagonal angles, being able to tear through defenses or even surfaces with ease. This attack leaves a powerful strain on anyone inexperienced.

* **Fifth Form: Guillotine** *(Go no Kata: Dantodai)* - The user charges a singular attack with all their strength, unloading one powerful, long-ranged slash aimed to decapitate the opponent. This attack cannot be blocked, as it will destroy any attempts at doing so. Dodging is the only viable option.

* **Sixth Form: Stand Firm** *(Roku no Kata: Shikkari Tachimasu)* - The user will swiftly block any incoming blows, either keeping their feet in place, or advancing as they originally intended. The slashes are continuous and powerful, but too quick and swift to decapitate an opponent.

* **Seventh Form: Thousand Folded Steel** *(Shichi no Kata: Sen Ori-Ko)* - The user will continuously slash all over the opponent’s body at blinding speeds, to the point where it feels a thousand strikes were made.

## **Equipment:**

**Nichirin Hammer:** Hagane carries around a blacksmithing hammer made out of Nichirin. It is notably light in color in the head, indicating it to be part of Hagane's arsenal.

**Standard Nichirin Katana:** Hagane also has a regular Katana, which is silver gray in color, due to the Steel Breathing's color being generally muted compared to others. His handguard is a plain black circle.

## **Familiars:**

**Anbiru:** Hagane's Crow, Anbiru is loud and obnoxious, but generally friendly.

## **Battles:**

* Hagane vs Kaigaku
* Hagane vs Taichi

## **Trivia:**

* Hagane's name is comedically simple in meaning. [Hagane] means "Steel". This applies both to his name and surname. [Zuka] means "Reed"
* Hagane's favorite food is, much like his father, mitarashi dango.
* Hagane is regarded as a reliable fighter in the Core. He is said to take some time, but if he puts his mind to it, his target will die.