Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of the main characters in the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer. He is a demon slayer in training and one of Tanjiro Kamado’s companions. Despite his cowardly personality, Zenitsu possesses a rare and powerful technique passed down from his master, the former Thunder Pillar, Jigoro Kuwajima.
Zenitsu’s Breath Style
Like other demon slayers, Zenitsu practices one of the core breath styles taught at the Demon Slayer Corps. His style is Breath of Thunder, derived from the original Breath of Lightning first developed by Jigoro Kuwajima. The Breath of Thunder focuses on unleashing fast and powerful lightning-based attacks.
Compared to Water Breathing which Tanjiro uses or Flame Breathing like Rengoku, the Thunder Breath is more specialized for speed and destructive power. It lacks some of the flexibility and versatility of other styles but makes up for it with overwhelming offense. The lightning-fast slashes can quickly disable or decapitate demons before they can react.
First Form: Thunderclap and Flash
Zenitsu’s signature move, derived from the First Form of Thunder Breath, is called Thunderclap and Flash (English dub: Lightning Speed). It allows him to move at blinding speeds in a blur while unleashing rapid sword slashes from multiple angles.
When using Thunderclap and Flash, Zenitsu charges himself with the Breath of Thunder to enhance his physical abilities. He is capable of closing long distances between himself and his target in a blink of an eye. Once within range, he assaults the enemy with quick drawing-slash techniques too fast for normal eyes to follow.
The concentrated speed and power allow him to slice through demons and their limbs with little effort. He can disable or decapitate demons before they realize what happened. However, the technique puts immense strain on Zenitsu’s legs muscles which is why he cannot maintain it for long periods.
Sixth Form: Flaming Thunder God
The pinnacle Breath of Thunder skill, passed down exclusively to successors of the Thunder Breath, is the Sixth Form: Flaming Thunder God. When activating it, Zenitsu charges his blade with super-concentrated lightning, igniting it in flames.
He then unleashes a 360 degree slash around himself at blinding speed, creating a ring of flames and lightning. Anything caught within range – demons, limbs, weapons – will be instantly incinerated. The heat intensity compares to the flames of a Flame Pillar.
Flaming Thunder God allows Zenitsu to defend himself from all directions simultaneously. However, it puts even more strain on his body than Thunderclap and Flash, to the point that his bones and muscles start fracturing from the output. As such, Zenitsu reserves it only as a finishing blow or last resort when desperately surrounded.
Godspeed State
When pushed into a corner, Zenitsu can enter a ‘self-hypnosis’ state where his combat abilities are drawn out to their maximum. This is known as his ‘Godspeed State’ where his consciousness fades and instincts take over.
In Godspeed State, Zenitsu’s thought process blanks out and he is no longer bound by fear or doubt. His motions become fluid as he reacts seamlessly to threats. Thunder Breath techniques can be unleashed effortlessly without putting strain on the body.
However, the Godspeed State cannot be consciously triggered. It only manifests when Zenitsu is rendered unconscious right before death. As such, it is akin to a survival instinct rather than a reliable power-up. Once the crisis is over, he reverts to normal and his body suffers the after-effects.
Demon Slayer Mark
During the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, Zenitsu awakens the ‘Demon Slayer Mark’ that signifies being on the brink of death yet refusing to give up. It appears as a tattoo-like symbol somewhere on the body.
The Mark enhances a demon slayer’s physical strength, reaction speed, stamina and endurance beyond their limits. In Zenitsu’s case, his Thunder Breath reaches extraordinary new heights. His lightning slashes become strong enough to cut through Muzan’s cells, preventing regeneration.
With the Mark, even Thunderclap and Flash transforms into an enhanced ‘Blitz Thunderclap Flash’. The speed, ferocity and penetration power rises drastically. Zenitsu can blitz through scores of demons in the blink of an eye, turning them to minced flesh.
The Demon Slayer Mark puts massive burden on the body however, which is why few demon slayers can unlock and handle it. But it provides a tremendous boost in fighting ability when released.
Analysis
In summary, Zenitsu’s special power stems from his singular focus on the Thunder Breath styles:
- Thunderclap Flash allows overwhelming speed and combo slashes.
- Flaming Thunder God defend and incinerate in all directions.
- Godspeed State maximizes his techniques unconsciously.
- Demon Slayer Mark enhances his Thunder Breath exponentially.
By specializing heavily in one style, Zenitsu gains lightning-fast swordsmanship exceeding almost any other demon slayer. When combined with his prodigal combat instincts, he becomes a whirlwind of lethal slashes when fighting seriously.
However, Zenitsu’s abilities require pushing his body to the utmost limit, risking self-harm. And he struggles when up against foes who can withstand Thunder Breath or prevent him from focusing. As such, he remains an inconsistent fighter – wildcard at his best, liability at his worst.
Conclusion
Zenitsu Agatsuma’s distinct specialty in the Thunder Breath makes him overwhelming in short bursts. His First Form: Thunderclap and Flash allows blindingly fast attacks and movement from multiple angles. And he can maximize his Thunder Breath to extraordinary levels when pushed into a corner or with the Demon Slayer Mark.
But mastering the volatile Thunder Breath takes immense physical tolls on Zenitsu’s body. And his abilities falter when he cannot go all-out aggressively. This highlights both the strengths and limitations of specializing in a single skill at the expense of versatility.
Nonetheless, in the right circumstances, few demon slayers can match the sheer speed and ferocity of a serious Zenitsu. His lightning-based techniques make him a dangerous foe – living up to his name as a successor of the Thunder Breath. When active, Zenitsu exemplifies the explosive power and speed the Breath of Thunder is feared for.
So in summary, Zenitsu’s specialization in Thunder Breath gives him overwhelming offense and speed for short bursts, but carries massive physical drawbacks and consistency issues. It is a high risk, high return style that depends heavily on circumstances going perfectly for Zenitsu to maximize his skills. When the stars align, however, few can withstand Zenitsu’s lightning-fast onslaught or evade his Godspeed State.