Demon Slayer: 5 Hashira Better Suited for Mugen Train Than Rengoku, Ranked

Rengoku’s fight against Akaza in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie remains one of the series’ most heartbreaking moments. But what if another Hashira had been sent to protect the passengers instead? Some might have handled Enmu’s attacks better, while others had abilities that could have changed the battle against Upper Rank Three.

From Shinobu’s deadly poison to Giyu’s incredible defense, a few of these powerful Demon Slayers could have handled the mission differently. With that said, these five Hashira could have given the mission a different outcome.

5 Shinobu’s Speed and Poison Skills Make Her a Smart Pick

Shinobu Kocho would be a useful choice for dealing with Enmu. Her quick, precise thrusts would help her pierce, inject, and rapidly tear through the demon’s flesh without swinging her sword wildly inside crowded train carriages. As the Demon Slayer Corps‘ most skilled doctor and poison expert, she could also treat injured passengers and help Tanjiro while stalling Enmu at the same time, which would make her a valuable addition to the mission.

Moreover, Shinobu has one major advantage against Akaza that should not be ignored. Akaza refuses to eat, harm, or kill women because of his deeply ingrained love for Koyuki, his late fiancée. This means Shinobu could attack Akaza without facing the same threat of a fatal counterattack that killed Rengoku. Still, her inability to behead demons keeps her at number five.

4 Mitsuri’s Flexible Whip Sword Offers Great Crowd Control

Mitsuri Kanroji’s flexible Nichirin sword would be a great fit for the Mugen Train. Enmu spreads his flesh across the train, making it difficult to fight without damaging the surroundings. Mitsuri’s whip-like blade can curve around seats and reach awkward angles, allowing her to cut through multiple tentacles while keeping passengers safer. Her unusual muscle density also gives her incredible physical strength.

Like Shinobu, Mitsuri would benefit from Akaza’s refusal to kill women. She could use her unpredictable Love Breathing techniques to strike from different angles while Akaza avoids seriously harming her. His Compass Needle would still help him read her fighting spirit, but her flexible sword could make his counters less straightforward. Mitsuri ranks above Shinobu because she has much greater physical strength and more options.

3 Tengen Brings Ninja Agility and Fast Explosive Power

Tengen Uzui would be a strong choice for a mission where danger can appear in several places at once. His exceptional running speed and sharp hearing would help him locate Enmu’s flesh throughout the train, while his dual Nichirin cleavers and explosives would let him destroy larger clusters quickly. His shinobi training would also help him move through the cramped carriages without losing track of the passengers.

Tengen’s biggest advantage against Akaza would be his ability to change tactics. During the Entertainment District Arc, he keeps fighting Gyutaro despite suffering severe injuries. He could use his speed, explosives, and evasive movements to avoid a direct battle with Akaza and buy time until sunrise. Unlike Shinobu and Mitsuri, however, he would not benefit from Akaza’s rule about women. That makes his survival much harder, but his combat experience earns him third place.

2 Sanemi’s Rare Blood and Skills Could Trouble Akaza

Sanemi Shinazugawa would bring a frightening level of aggression to the Mugen Train. His Wind Breathing creates powerful slashes that could tear through Enmu’s flesh, while his battle experience would help him respond quickly when the demon attacks the passengers. Sanemi also possesses Marechi blood, an extremely rare blood type that intoxicates demons. During the Infinity Castle Arc, even Kokushibo was affected by it.

This unusual blood could give Sanemi an advantage against Akaza, whose Compass Needle helps him sense an opponent’s fighting spirit and predict attacks. He ranks above Tengen because his rare blood adds another possible weakness for an Upper Rank demon to overcome, although he would still face a dangerous fight.

1 Giyu’s Defensive Water Forms Can Stall Any Upper Rank

Giyu Tomioka might be the best fit for the Mugen Train mission because Water Breathing gives him the precision and control needed to protect passengers. His flowing sword movements would help him cut through Enmu’s flesh inside narrow carriages, while his calm approach would prevent him from taking unnecessary risks. Against a demon threatening so many innocent people, that balance between offense and defense could make a real difference.

Giyu’s biggest advantage becomes clear during the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie, when he fights Akaza alongside Tanjiro. His Eleventh Form: Dead Calm allows him to defend against incoming attacks with incredible precision, helping him survive against an Upper Rank who overwhelmed Rengoku. Unlike Sanemi, Giyu does not need to rely on a special blood type to challenge Akaza. He would still struggle to defeat him alone, as it was evident during their actual fight in Infinity Castle, but his defensive skills give him the strongest chance of holding out until sunrise.

Now the big question: Which Hashira do you think would have handled the Mugen Train mission better than Rengoku? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.