<p>Demon Slayer Corps is not officially recognized by the government, so they don't have to follow government rules. The Nichirin shotgun used by Genya is a modified weapon which help his shortcomings of not able to use breathing styles. Note that other demon slayers use breathing styles and swords is the weapon of choice to match with this style. Guns might hold potential in upcoming battles against the Upper Moon Rank demons but the demon corps like to stick with old-school weapons. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXkimcV1lVs" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Have fun watching this parody video.</a></p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.spieltimes.com/tv-shows/anime/why-does-genya-use-a-gun-instead-of-a-nichirin-blade-in-demon-slayer/#google_vignette" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.spieltimes.com/tv-shows/anime/why-does-genya-use-a-gun-instead-of-a-nichirin-blade-in-demon-slayer/#google_vignette</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-18T07:27:05.953Z
2023-08-18T07:27:05.953Z
Fumikage Tokoyami
<p>Since the Demon Slayer Corps are independent from the Japanese government, they can choose whatever weapon they want, including guns. The price would not be a problem either, since the Ubuyashiki family had garnered such immense wealth that Hashiras can live in insanely large mansions. However, except for Genya Shinazugawa, everyone else continued to use swords for good reason. There are at least three reasons for the favoring of traditional Katanas instead of western firearms:</p>
<ol>
<li>The most important reason of all is that <em>firearms cannot kill demons</em>. Demons can only be killed by decapitating using a Nichirin Katana. Even with the most advanced guns that fire Nichirin shells, it's still impossible to <em>decapitate</em> a demon by bullets. Hitting other vital areas like the heart or brain with Nichirin shells would temporarily <em>injure</em> the demon, but they would soon regenerate, thus rendering the guns useless. Katanas, on the other hand, can be used to decapitate a demon. So far, in both the anime and manga, not a single demon, regardless of strength, have been killed by means other than decapitating by Nichirin swords, exposure to sunlight, or poisoning by large amounts of Wisteria poison. Being cut apart, burned, stabbed, drowned, starved, shot, dismembered, bashed, ...etc everything you can think of cannot kill a demon. Thus, it is understandable that Demon Slayers continue to use blade weapons that can decapitate rather than firearms that can only penetrate.</li>
<li>The second most important reason is the incompatibility of guns with their breathing styles. Breathing styles are compatible exclusively to Katanas, not guns. The whole might of the Demon Slayers lay in their expert ability to utilize these breathing styles. If they use a weapon that's not compatible with breathing styles, then even the Hashira will be defeated.</li>
<li>Finally, there's a long time tradition of using Katanas, so there needs to be a compelling reason to break this tradition. Also, all trainings done by former Slayers focus on using the blade.</li>
</ol>
<p>In summary, although guns may seem like a very powerful and more technologically advanced weapon than traditional Katanas, they are actually much less useful in the world of Demon Slayer.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-08-28T07:45:22.323Z
2024-08-28T07:45:22.323Z
Ghibli Fan 007
<p>I'm well aware that Kimetsu no Yaiba takes place during the Taisho era, which is from 1912 to 1926. During this era, guns are relatively new to Japan, and from my understanding, they were considered too harsh for the public, and as such were prohibited (though police officers were starting to equip pistols and rifles around this time).</p>
<p>Now, it's made very transparent that the <a href="https://kimetsu-no-yaiba.fandom.com/wiki/Demon_Slayer_Corps" rel="noreferrer">Demon Slayer Corps</a> is not an official governmental agency:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>There are hundreds of Demon Slayers within the organization, however, they are not officially recognized by the government.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This implies that Demon Slayers would not be permitted to use guns, yet in the manga, we get our first exposure to guns being utilized by a Demon Slayer...</p>
<blockquote class="spoiler">
<p> ... in volume 13, chapter 107, when Genya uses his Nichirin Shotgun against Sekido and Karaku.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>With that being said, I've only made it to volume 14 so far and my searches on the web have yielded no results.</p>
<hr />
<p>Is it ever explained in the manga, whether directly or indirectly, when a demon slayer may or may not use specific weapons such as guns?</p>
<p><sub><em>Please be sure to use spoiler tags in your answer where applicable.</em></sub></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-05-10T00:20:30.973Z
I note that guns were first introduced in the 13th century, and took off with the 16th century and the new Portuguese guns.  There was a period where they were forcibly suppressed, but they came back with Perry's forcibly opening the country.
Mary
<demon-slayer>
When should a Demon Slayer use guns instead of their sword?
# When should a Demon Slayer use guns instead of their sword?
Posted by: username_0 on 2022-05-09
I'm well aware that Kimetsu no Yaiba takes place during the Taisho era, which is from 1912 to 1926. During this era, guns are relatively new to Japan, and from my understanding, they were considered too harsh for the public, and as such were prohibited (though police officers were starting to equip pistols and rifles around this time).

Now, it's made very transparent that the [Demon Slayer Corps](https://kimetsu-no-yaiba.fandom.com/wiki/Demon_Slayer_Corps) is not an official governmental agency:

> There are hundreds of Demon Slayers within the organization, however, they are not officially recognized by the government.

This implies that Demon Slayers would not be permitted to use guns, yet in the manga, we get our first exposure to guns being utilized by a Demon Slayer...

> ... in volume 13, chapter 107, when Genya uses his Nichirin Shotgun against Sekido and Karaku.

With that being said, I've only made it to volume 14 so far and my searches on the web have yielded no results.

---

Is it ever explained in the manga, whether directly or indirectly, when a demon slayer may or may not use specific weapons such as guns?

*Please be sure to use spoiler tags in your answer where applicable.*
**Tags:** demon-slayer
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I note that guns were first introduced in the 13th century, and took off with the 16th century and the new Portuguese guns.  There was a period where they were forcibly suppressed, but they came back with Perry's forcibly opening the country.  
---
## 2 answers
### Answer by username_2 on 2023-08-18. Score: 2
Demon Slayer Corps is not officially recognized by the government, so they don't have to follow government rules. The Nichirin shotgun used by Genya is a modified weapon which help his shortcomings of not able to use breathing styles. Note that other demon slayers use breathing styles and swords is the weapon of choice to match with this style. Guns might hold potential in upcoming battles against the Upper Moon Rank demons but the demon corps like to stick with old-school weapons. [Have fun watching this parody video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXkimcV1lVs)

Source: <https://www.spieltimes.com/tv-shows/anime/why-does-genya-use-a-gun-instead-of-a-nichirin-blade-in-demon-slayer/#google_vignette>
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2024-08-28. Score: 1
Since the Demon Slayer Corps are independent from the Japanese government, they can choose whatever weapon they want, including guns. The price would not be a problem either, since the Ubuyashiki family had garnered such immense wealth that Hashiras can live in insanely large mansions. However, except for Genya Shinazugawa, everyone else continued to use swords for good reason. There are at least three reasons for the favoring of traditional Katanas instead of western firearms:

1. The most important reason of all is that *firearms cannot kill demons*. Demons can only be killed by decapitating using a Nichirin Katana. Even with the most advanced guns that fire Nichirin shells, it's still impossible to *decapitate* a demon by bullets. Hitting other vital areas like the heart or brain with Nichirin shells would temporarily *injure* the demon, but they would soon regenerate, thus rendering the guns useless. Katanas, on the other hand, can be used to decapitate a demon. So far, in both the anime and manga, not a single demon, regardless of strength, have been killed by means other than decapitating by Nichirin swords, exposure to sunlight, or poisoning by large amounts of Wisteria poison. Being cut apart, burned, stabbed, drowned, starved, shot, dismembered, bashed, ...etc everything you can think of cannot kill a demon. Thus, it is understandable that Demon Slayers continue to use blade weapons that can decapitate rather than firearms that can only penetrate.
2. The second most important reason is the incompatibility of guns with their breathing styles. Breathing styles are compatible exclusively to Katanas, not guns. The whole might of the Demon Slayers lay in their expert ability to utilize these breathing styles. If they use a weapon that's not compatible with breathing styles, then even the Hashira will be defeated.
3. Finally, there's a long time tradition of using Katanas, so there needs to be a compelling reason to break this tradition. Also, all trainings done by former Slayers focus on using the blade.

In summary, although guns may seem like a very powerful and more technologically advanced weapon than traditional Katanas, they are actually much less useful in the world of Demon Slayer.
---
