Ep 20. Pretend Family

Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu finally arrive at their destination, the home of the Hashira, Shinobu Kocho. She informs them that they need to become stronger to defeat the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. She suggests they undergo rehabilitation, and they accept the offer. The rehabilitation process involves them drinking a special medicine that strengthens their bodies. Shinobu also introduces them to her sister, Kanao, who will be their helper during the rehabilitation.

Kanao takes Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu to their room and tells them that they have to follow the rules and behave well. She also gives them a tour of the house and tells them about the other Hashira who live there. While wandering around the house, Tanjiro hears a voice coming from a nearby room. He enters the room and sees a girl named Aoi, who is crying. She tells him that she has been separated from her family and is very lonely. Tanjiro sympathizes with her and tells her that he understands her pain.

Kanao finds them and tells Tanjiro to leave Aoi alone. She explains that Aoi is a demon who has been trapped in the house, and that the medicine they are taking will help them to accept demons as a part of society. Tanjiro becomes angry and tells Kanao that he will never accept demons as part of society. Kanao becomes annoyed and walks away. Inosuke and Zenitsu also see a demon in the house and begin to freak out.

Kanao comes back and tells them that Aoi is going to be their pretend family during the rehabilitation process. She explains that this will help them understand demons and become stronger. Tanjiro reluctantly agrees and begins spending time with Aoi. He finds out that she was once a human, but was turned into a demon by Muzan Kibutsuji, the leader of the Twelve Kizuki. Tanjiro sympathizes with her and decides to use his swordsmanship to help her.

Meanwhile, Inosuke and Zenitsu are also spending time with their pretend family members, a demon named Chuntaro and a human boy, respectively. They both learn important lessons about acceptance and strength.

As Tanjiro spends more time with Aoi, he discovers that she is not like the other demons. She has the ability to speak and reason like a human. He tries to convince her to leave the house and return to being human, but she refuses, stating that demons cannot become human again.

Eventually, the rehabilitation process is complete, and the three friends bid farewell to their pretend family members. Tanjiro promises Aoi that he will find a way to turn her back into a human. As they leave, they are confronted by a demon named Gyutaro. He tells them that he is one of the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki and that he has come to kill them. The episode ends with a battle between the three friends and Gyutaro.

Overall, episode 20 of Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba, titled Pretend Family, explores themes of acceptance and strength. The rehabilitation process forces the main characters to accept demons as part of society and to become stronger by doing so. Tanjiro's relationship with Aoi is a highlight of the episode, as it shows how genuine connections can be formed between humans and demons. The episode ends with an exciting battle between the protagonists and one of the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.