Aya Tansei

**Aya Tansei** is a major supporting character in Demon Slayer: Blade of the Night. She is the successor to the long lineage of Tansei Family matriarchs, and aims to revolutionize the ancient systems of her family.

## **Appearance:**

Aya is a relatively short young woman with a slim build and medium length black hair, while she keeps a bun tied in the back of her head, she leaves long strands hanging free, including two that frame her face. Aya has rainbow colored eyes, and her skin is quite pale

Aya's body, from her shins to her neck, is covered in irezumi tattoos, forming a myriad of patterns and sceneries. It runs all the way up from her legs, stops in her belly and chest, only framing them from the sides, while featuring a hikae, or tattoos on her pectoral muscles, just above her breasts. The patterns that compose Aya's tattoos vary, from rivers, to flowers and clouds. Notably, no animals, real or mythological, are depicted.

Aya's uniform is similarly modified, mostly out of her own desire to show off her tattoos, which are mostly prominent in the Tansei family's women. The fabric of her uniform, which is now decorated with silver due to her status as a Tsuguko, features an open jacket and no sleeves Covering her breasts is a white shirt, tucked in and folded to allow view of her abdomen. Aya also does not wear Hakama pants, only a short skirt, like Mitsuri Kanroji. She still wears the usual white boots.

During the events of the Tokyo Arc, she wore a plain white haori atop her usual uniform.

## **Personality:**

Aya is a chipper, high-spirited young girl with a generally friendly and caring demeanor. Despite not knowing Ryo, Taro, Kanjuro, Shinku, Iwajima and Fubuki all that well, she cared deeply about their well-being, and even placed herself in the middle of enemy territory in order to find them and bring the to safety, risking her life in the process.

Aya has an underhanded side to her, as during her first meeting with Gikuro, she planned on manipulating him into siding with her. She never tried such a thing again, but it is not known if it was a development on her part, or if she just didn't have an oportunity yet.

## **Fighting Style:**

**Master Swordswoman:** Aya is an incredibly capable swordswoman, to the point that she was able to create six techniques almost entirely on her own, on the midst of battle in order to fit her needs.

### **Breathing Style:**

**Ink Breathing** *(Sumi no Kokyu)*: Being currently the strongest user of the Ink Breathing, Aya does not have a high bar to clear, given that her teacher, who was her mother, has retired a while ago, and she was surpassed quite early on anyway.

#### **Techniques:**

##### **Original Techniques:**

* **First Form: Splatter of Paint** *(Ichi no Kata: Penki no Tobichiri)* - The user performs a single high-powered slash, in any direction they want. The attack may also weave into itself, should the singular slash prove to be insufficient

* **Second Form: Black Wheel** *(Ni no Kata: Kuroi Sharin)* - The user performs a single, high power, 360 degree slash all around themselves in a horizontal line. They may, on occasion, perform this attack while moving, as to cover a larger area, albeit at a slower pace.

* **Third Form: Straight Line** *(San no Kata: Chokusen)* - The user dashes from a low stance, slicing their enemy in the way. This attack is mostly done as a reaction to others, however.

* **Fourth Form: Ink Blot** *(Shi no Kata: Shimi no Sumi)* - The user performs a single slash that weaves all around them, blocking incoming attacks, and dealing with all threats surrounding them

* **Fifth Form: Spiralling Darkness** *(Go no Kata: Rasen Kurayami)* - The user slashes in front of themselves in a singular, spiral slash that can be done multiple times to defend from countless attacks.

* **Sixth Form: Flowing Painting** *(Roku no Kata: Nagare Tansei)* - The user continuously slashes a single target, as if moving in a serpentine way. This Form can also strike multiple enemies if needed, and each slash increases the user's momentum. This attack is visualised as a massive, black, inky dragon reminiscent of the Water Breathing's Tenth Form.

##### **Traditional Techniques:**

* **First Form: Splatter of Paint** *(Ichi no Kata: Penki no Tobichiri)* - The user slashes downward, proceeding to perform a single, interweaving slash aiming to tear the opponent while not wasting movements

* **Second Form: Obsolescence** *(Ni no Kata: Wa)* - The user slashes once downward, followed up by a diagonally upwards short slash, which ties into a horizontal slice that weaves into itself

* **Third Form: Pluralize** *(San no Kata: Ra)* - The user dashes, performing a diagonally downward slash, followed up immediately by a downward slash that twists into itself

* **Fourth Form: Line Connector** *(Shi no Kata: Ya)* - The user slashes horizontally, twisting the blade along its original movement. Said attack is immediately followed up by a short vertical slash, and then, on the opposite side of the opponent's body, a longer vertical slash, both downward.

* **Fifth Form: Negative Space** *(Go no Kata: Ma)* - The user slashes twice horizontally, a slash above, then one below, and finishes off with a downward slash that twists and curves in and of itself

* **Sixth Form: Condition** *(Roku no Kata: Ha)* - The user slashes once downward, following up with a horizontal slash at the opponent's neck, and another downward slash with a twisting end.

* **Seventh Form: Edged Blade** *(Shichi no Kata: Na)* - The user performs an onslaught of attacks. horizontal, downward vertical, diagonally downward horizontal, and finally, downward vertical with a twist at the end.

* **Eighth Form: Completion** *(Hachi no Kata: Ta)* - The user repeatedly slashes against the opponent, aiming for an opening to unleash a barrage of attacks, with a horizontal slash, then a downward vertical one, then two horizontal ones, one above and lastly one below

* **Ninth Form: Assertion Completion** *(Ku no Kata: Sa)* - While following the same steps as the Eighth Form to identify an opening, the user will more often than not create an opening themselves, then unleashing two slashes, one horizontal, followed up by a vertical one that weaves into itself

* **Tenth Form: Question** *(Ju no Kata: Ka)* - While feigning calm and tranquility, the user will await the opponent's attack. Once the opponent is in range, the user will slash three times (horizontal curved, vertical downward and diagonally downward) with speeds imperceptible.

## **Equipment:**

**Standard Nichirin Sword:** Aya wields a regular katana, with a dark blue blade, close to black, as expected of an Ink Breathing User. Aya's handguard is a small black circle decorated with a thick white pompom.

## **Familiars:**

**Bujitsu:** Bujitsu is Aya's loyal crow. It loves being decorated by her with a multitude of ways. Its preferred ornament is a tie.

## **Battles:**

* Aya vs Hiro
* Aya vs Tomi
* Aya, Gikuro and Yushibo vs Akaza

## **Trivia:**

* Aya's name means "Colorful", while her surname, [Tansei], means "Hard Work/Handcrafted".