What do you think?
Rate this book
鬼滅の刃 [Kimetsu no Yaiba] #20
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 20: The Path of Opening a Steadfast Heart
Tanjiro sets out on the path of the Demon Slayer to save his sister and avenge his family!
In Taisho-era Japan, Tanjiro Kamado is a kindhearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.
Their initial confrontation with Kokushibo, the most powerful of Muzan’s demons, has left Tokito severely wounded and Genya cut in half—but still alive! Can his regenerative power heal even this fatal wound? The Hashira Himejima and Sanemi square off with Kokushibo and unleash all the skill they have against him. Himejima is blind, but if he can see into the Transparent World he might have a chance. Who will survive this whirlwind of flashing blades?
In Taisho-era Japan, Tanjiro Kamado is a kindhearted boy who makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.
Their initial confrontation with Kokushibo, the most powerful of Muzan’s demons, has left Tokito severely wounded and Genya cut in half—but still alive! Can his regenerative power heal even this fatal wound? The Hashira Himejima and Sanemi square off with Kokushibo and unleash all the skill they have against him. Himejima is blind, but if he can see into the Transparent World he might have a chance. Who will survive this whirlwind of flashing blades?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2020
595 people are currently reading
4019 people want to read
About the author
Koyoharu Gotouge
131 books2,477 followersKoyoharu Gotouge (Jap: 吾峠呼世晴, Gotōge Koyoharu) is a Japanese manga artist, mostly known for Kimetsu no Yaiba (鬼滅の刃, Eng: Demon Slayer).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 855 reviews
February 9, 2024
TW// murder, death (including mothers, brothers)
An incredible, action packed volume filled with some of the most elaborate fight scenes in the whole series. I can’t wait to see this fight animated.
I’m literally going to pretend that two of my favorite characters didn’t just die in this volume because if I accept it, I’m going to start sobbing. How do you finally put the best duo together and then brutally kill them off at the same time??
I’m giving this one four stars just because I was disappointed in Kokushibo. He’s Upper Moon One, so I was expecting something big for his backstory but instead his story just made him seem like a salty, jealous sibling.
An incredible, action packed volume filled with some of the most elaborate fight scenes in the whole series. I can’t wait to see this fight animated.
I’m literally going to pretend that two of my favorite characters didn’t just die in this volume because if I accept it, I’m going to start sobbing. How do you finally put the best duo together and then brutally kill them off at the same time??
I’m giving this one four stars just because I was disappointed in Kokushibo. He’s Upper Moon One, so I was expecting something big for his backstory but instead his story just made him seem like a salty, jealous sibling.
June 2, 2023
Honestly my favourite volume yet! I really do enjoy the backstory’s being created and the tension and the suspense omg, high stakes too
February 9, 2022
yoriichi is literally the hottest character and he’s not even alive
January 10, 2026
This volume was only showing the battle against Upper Moon One and his backstory. There are also some stuff revealed like the side effects of receiving the mark as a demon hunter or how but some characters started to see the see-through world. Kokushibo changes his form as well as the form of his sword as the battle became more intense. I loved this battle a lot even if the whole volume was centering only about this and the backstory of Upper Moon One. If he wouldn't be my favourite Upper Moon demon I would have felt disappointed but oh well.
It's so ironic how Yoriichi received his own cover image, but Michikatsu never got one. That's so hilarious actually.
StoryGraph review (with marked spoilers)
It's so ironic how Yoriichi received his own cover image, but Michikatsu never got one. That's so hilarious actually.
StoryGraph review (with marked spoilers)
February 1, 2026
"Should I send the other Hashiras to the Upper Moon One's location?"
"We could send both Giyuu Tomioka and Tanjiro Kamado."
"Giyuu and Tanjiro are to continue heading for Muzan. As for the Upper Moon One, I have zero doubt that Gyomei, Sanemi, Muichiro and Genya will, as four, defeat him."
THE BATTLE OF THE STRONGEST.
I'm so in awe of this volume, guys. It was phenomenal. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. I truly mean it, THE WHOLE TIME. I knew that the battle against Kokushibo will be amazing, considering how awesome all the visuals looked like in the previous volume, but o my gosh, it was nothing in comparison to what was shown here. The battle was not only breathtaking and thrilling to watch, it was a huge rollercoaster of emotions for both the good and the bad side as much for us as the readers. There was no time to take a breather. Since it was a back and forth battle, the situation could drastically change in a blink of an eye, so you had to be on your maximum focus. I was as scared for all my favorite characters as I was in awe of what I was seeing, feeling torn between the want for it to end as quickly as possible (for everybody's sake) and the want for it to last forever. It was something truly glorious to witness and I am so excited to see what the movie will do with it (it will be mind-blowing, I bet).
"Someday children will be born into this world and they will surpass us to go to new heights. On towards the summit." [Kokushibo's brother]
I really love the back and forth in the battle and the back and forth between the battle and Kokushibo's flashback scenes. It ties so well with each other, not only because of the fact that most of the characters engaged in the battle were the Hashira, but mostly because of the generational link between them. Kokushibo believed that there would be no extraordinary Hashira generation after him and his brother, but the strength, speed and persistence of his opponents showed him that he was wrong. The Tsugikuni brothers were incredible swordsmen, but Gyomei and Sanemi were also incredibly impressive. I loved to see how coordinated their attacks were, despite them having different breathing styles and different personalities. I loved to see them use their unique techniques, showing how uniquely strong and fast they were. I am not a fan of fighting, I hate violence and I hate when my favorite characters get hurt, but seeing them engaging in the battle was as scary as it was beautiful. I hope that it makes sense.
"the weakest people are the ones who have the most potential." [Tanjiro to Genya in a flashback]
But Gyomei and Sanemi, as strong and fast as they were (and heavily injured), wouldn't be enough to defeat such a beast like Kokushibo. The support was needed. This is where Muichiro and Genya, two people that Kokushibo completely underestimated, came to the spotlight.
They both impressed me a lot during this volume. None of them were a threat to Upper Moon One, and they knew it. But they still wanted to fight. They still wanted to help, to make an impact, to make a difference, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.
Gyomei and Sanemi would die if Muichiro didn't join the battle, and the three Hashiras would die without Genya's intervention. Yes, three Hashiras needed an addition of another demon slayer to win. FOUR CHARACTERS WERE NECESSARY TO DEFEAT THAT ONE DEMON. FOUR. THAT'S AS INSANE.
I will not say how it happened, read and witness it for yourself. It was truly an amazing battle.
People who feel no jealousy towards others simply have good luck. They've never met someone like him. Someone who lives with the favor of the gods lavished upon them. Someone who burns like the sun. So brightly, so fiercely, they consume everything around them. [Kokushibo]
I LOVE the family theme having such a strong impact on the Demon Slayer verse. The sibling relationship has a special place here, not only because of the Kamado siblings being the main characters, but also because of all the other siblings showing up throughout their journey.
I expected to receive a Kokushibo flashback here, considering the fact that his defeat was near. But I hadn't expected to find out that he had a brother and who the brother was. That was shocking (I feel like a fool, my theory was totally different). Their backstory had hit hard, maybe because of how different it looked like from the other sibling stories in Demon Slayer. As much one brother loved the other, all the other felt was jealousy and hatred. These dark feelings and his need to become stronger, consumed him entirely, to the point that he abandoned everything and let Muzan change him into a demon.
"No matter how far from home I drift, I will not lose heart. Because I will think of my elder brother who gave me this flute."
I didn't felt sorry for Kokushibo, since his ridiculous hatred lasted through centuries. I felt sorry for his brother, though. He loved Kokushibo so brightly and so fiercely to the point that he made sacrifices for his sake. He had never done anything wrong, he was just naturally more talented than his brother. He became a legendary swordsman while all Kokushibo did was become Muzan's puppet so he would never die (or so he thought).
The battle against Kokushibo is over, but at what cost? I am so afraid to pick up the next volume, because I know, I KNOW what I will see there. I wish to live in denial, you guys, but running away from the truth is never good. I need to embrace myself for the upcoming emotional impact (and buy a ton of tissues), hopefully I will survive it!
"We could send both Giyuu Tomioka and Tanjiro Kamado."
"Giyuu and Tanjiro are to continue heading for Muzan. As for the Upper Moon One, I have zero doubt that Gyomei, Sanemi, Muichiro and Genya will, as four, defeat him."
THE BATTLE OF THE STRONGEST.
I'm so in awe of this volume, guys. It was phenomenal. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading. I truly mean it, THE WHOLE TIME. I knew that the battle against Kokushibo will be amazing, considering how awesome all the visuals looked like in the previous volume, but o my gosh, it was nothing in comparison to what was shown here. The battle was not only breathtaking and thrilling to watch, it was a huge rollercoaster of emotions for both the good and the bad side as much for us as the readers. There was no time to take a breather. Since it was a back and forth battle, the situation could drastically change in a blink of an eye, so you had to be on your maximum focus. I was as scared for all my favorite characters as I was in awe of what I was seeing, feeling torn between the want for it to end as quickly as possible (for everybody's sake) and the want for it to last forever. It was something truly glorious to witness and I am so excited to see what the movie will do with it (it will be mind-blowing, I bet).
"Someday children will be born into this world and they will surpass us to go to new heights. On towards the summit." [Kokushibo's brother]
I really love the back and forth in the battle and the back and forth between the battle and Kokushibo's flashback scenes. It ties so well with each other, not only because of the fact that most of the characters engaged in the battle were the Hashira, but mostly because of the generational link between them. Kokushibo believed that there would be no extraordinary Hashira generation after him and his brother, but the strength, speed and persistence of his opponents showed him that he was wrong. The Tsugikuni brothers were incredible swordsmen, but Gyomei and Sanemi were also incredibly impressive. I loved to see how coordinated their attacks were, despite them having different breathing styles and different personalities. I loved to see them use their unique techniques, showing how uniquely strong and fast they were. I am not a fan of fighting, I hate violence and I hate when my favorite characters get hurt, but seeing them engaging in the battle was as scary as it was beautiful. I hope that it makes sense.
"the weakest people are the ones who have the most potential." [Tanjiro to Genya in a flashback]
But Gyomei and Sanemi, as strong and fast as they were (and heavily injured), wouldn't be enough to defeat such a beast like Kokushibo. The support was needed. This is where Muichiro and Genya, two people that Kokushibo completely underestimated, came to the spotlight.
They both impressed me a lot during this volume. None of them were a threat to Upper Moon One, and they knew it. But they still wanted to fight. They still wanted to help, to make an impact, to make a difference, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.
Gyomei and Sanemi would die if Muichiro didn't join the battle, and the three Hashiras would die without Genya's intervention. Yes, three Hashiras needed an addition of another demon slayer to win. FOUR CHARACTERS WERE NECESSARY TO DEFEAT THAT ONE DEMON. FOUR. THAT'S AS INSANE.
I will not say how it happened, read and witness it for yourself. It was truly an amazing battle.
People who feel no jealousy towards others simply have good luck. They've never met someone like him. Someone who lives with the favor of the gods lavished upon them. Someone who burns like the sun. So brightly, so fiercely, they consume everything around them. [Kokushibo]
I LOVE the family theme having such a strong impact on the Demon Slayer verse. The sibling relationship has a special place here, not only because of the Kamado siblings being the main characters, but also because of all the other siblings showing up throughout their journey.
I expected to receive a Kokushibo flashback here, considering the fact that his defeat was near. But I hadn't expected to find out that he had a brother and who the brother was. That was shocking (I feel like a fool, my theory was totally different). Their backstory had hit hard, maybe because of how different it looked like from the other sibling stories in Demon Slayer. As much one brother loved the other, all the other felt was jealousy and hatred. These dark feelings and his need to become stronger, consumed him entirely, to the point that he abandoned everything and let Muzan change him into a demon.
"No matter how far from home I drift, I will not lose heart. Because I will think of my elder brother who gave me this flute."
I didn't felt sorry for Kokushibo, since his ridiculous hatred lasted through centuries. I felt sorry for his brother, though. He loved Kokushibo so brightly and so fiercely to the point that he made sacrifices for his sake. He had never done anything wrong, he was just naturally more talented than his brother. He became a legendary swordsman while all Kokushibo did was become Muzan's puppet so he would never die (or so he thought).
The battle against Kokushibo is over, but at what cost? I am so afraid to pick up the next volume, because I know, I KNOW what I will see there. I wish to live in denial, you guys, but running away from the truth is never good. I need to embrace myself for the upcoming emotional impact (and buy a ton of tissues), hopefully I will survive it!
May 17, 2020
I watched the anime and the i wasn't sure if i wanted to continue on with the manga but i am so glad that i did!!! I got to see The Pillar's pasts, their growth, and got to learn more about their character and they are just to die for 😭
This manga made me shed so many tears AND FOR WHAT????? LIKE DAMN EASY ON ME GOUTOUGE EASY!!!!
If you watched the anime i highly recommend continuing on with the manga!
This manga made me shed so many tears AND FOR WHAT????? LIKE DAMN EASY ON ME GOUTOUGE EASY!!!!
If you watched the anime i highly recommend continuing on with the manga!
August 6, 2025
PT Apesar da importância deste volume para o desenrolar da série, não fiquei completamente conquistado. Há demasiada acção, quase sem momentos de pausa, e uma ausência notória das personagens principais.
Não me interpretem mal — continua a ser uma boa leitura. Mas tendo em conta o nível a que esta série nos habituou, esperava mais.
Até a morte de uma personagem bastante relevante acaba por perder impacto, tratada de forma quase passageira. Se o leitor não estiver particularmente atento, o momento pode até passar despercebido — o que me parece uma escolha narrativa algo estranha.
--
EN Despite this volume’s importance to the overall story, I wasn’t completely won over. There’s too much action with barely any breathing room, and a noticeable absence of the main characters.
Don’t get me wrong — it’s still a good read. But given the standard this series has set, I expected more.
Even the death of a fairly significant character ends up lacking impact, treated in a somewhat fleeting way. If the reader isn’t paying close attention, the moment might even go unnoticed — which strikes me as an odd narrative choice.
Não me interpretem mal — continua a ser uma boa leitura. Mas tendo em conta o nível a que esta série nos habituou, esperava mais.
Até a morte de uma personagem bastante relevante acaba por perder impacto, tratada de forma quase passageira. Se o leitor não estiver particularmente atento, o momento pode até passar despercebido — o que me parece uma escolha narrativa algo estranha.
--
EN Despite this volume’s importance to the overall story, I wasn’t completely won over. There’s too much action with barely any breathing room, and a noticeable absence of the main characters.
Don’t get me wrong — it’s still a good read. But given the standard this series has set, I expected more.
Even the death of a fairly significant character ends up lacking impact, treated in a somewhat fleeting way. If the reader isn’t paying close attention, the moment might even go unnoticed — which strikes me as an odd narrative choice.
January 26, 2021
We learn about upper moon one and I am utterly heartbroken yet again. So what if he had a sad backstory? I don’t feel any sympathy for someone who was consumed by hatred and jealousy.
September 18, 2025
i made such a big mistake when i chose my favorite characters 😭 killing BOTH of em in one volume is evil.
July 11, 2022
*SCREAMING* this is so so so so GOOD!!!!!
November 25, 2024
4.5/5
The backstory made me sob.
(Yoriichi is so fine damn)
The backstory made me sob.
(Yoriichi is so fine damn)
September 14, 2025
I don't think I blinked during this volume
October 10, 2025
luckily the movie comes out in 2027 because I'm not ready to see Genya my baby being cut in a half.
March 9, 2023
2023 Review - So my review still stands. I'm not a HUGE fan of Number 1's backstory. The first half is good, but it drags on at points when we're in the middle of a major battle. But huge points for the number 1 fight, and watching our warriors go out with a bang.
Original Read: My reviews might get shorter here because I don't want to spoil anything.
The fight against the number one demon is on. 4 fucking Hashira going head to head with this beast and the dude is STILL standing. A beautiful, vicious, sad, and exciting fight that I loved every moment of. I have to admit though, the backstory of the number 1 didn't do TOO much for me. But the loss of characters and their deaths hit me hard. Brutal but wonderful volume to add to the final few chapters of this grand series.
Original Read: My reviews might get shorter here because I don't want to spoil anything.
The fight against the number one demon is on. 4 fucking Hashira going head to head with this beast and the dude is STILL standing. A beautiful, vicious, sad, and exciting fight that I loved every moment of. I have to admit though, the backstory of the number 1 didn't do TOO much for me. But the loss of characters and their deaths hit me hard. Brutal but wonderful volume to add to the final few chapters of this grand series.
August 16, 2022
Stunning story of the 1st demon moon’s life. And death.
I’m awestruck. The art and the story together is breathtaking. Sure, it takes a while to get here, but once we’re here, it’s amazing.
I’m awestruck. The art and the story together is breathtaking. Sure, it takes a while to get here, but once we’re here, it’s amazing.
September 14, 2022
This is one of the best volumes of the book and Tanjiro & co. are not (really) in it. The battle with the Upper Moon 1 demon . This volume is interesting because we learn just how long the big bad has been doing his thing and we learn the origin of the sword techniques of the demon slayers. The effort used to fight this guy was just amazing. I can't imagine what will happen next.
February 28, 2022
Nothing but straight up tears from now on😖😭
March 16, 2022
I'm convinced Gotouge crafted this volume specifically to make bitches cry all the tears in their body. I'm bitches.
April 27, 2022
UPPER RANK 1. EPIC AS ALL HELL.
April 27, 2022
can t believe i cried-
June 16, 2021
This one hit hard.
Its the battle between Kokushibo and the three Hashiras and its bloody and brilliant, as he is dying he still continues to fight them and injure them badly until the twist with Genya comes and all of them striking at once and we finally get the backstory of the first Demon Slayer and his connection to Kokushibo, both were brothers. Its so beautifully told and will make you cry too. A brother gifted and doing good deeds and on his own harnessing the technique and while the other in jealousy becoming a demon and their vendetta and despite that the concept of "legacy" and a better tomorrow remaining hits hard. I like how the author made this whole history so personal and rooted in past and comments on how jealousy leads to bad things and comments on the present generations job for future generations and the way she draws the fight is insane and each panel and page is amazing. The backstory makes the characters interesting and the story so rich and makes you feel even for the passing of such characters. Maybe they were not bad and for that is some great writing. I think Gotouge comments on such themes through simple stories but such complex, nuance detailed panels and emotions makes this a must read.
Its the battle between Kokushibo and the three Hashiras and its bloody and brilliant, as he is dying he still continues to fight them and injure them badly until the twist with Genya comes and all of them striking at once and we finally get the backstory of the first Demon Slayer and his connection to Kokushibo, both were brothers. Its so beautifully told and will make you cry too. A brother gifted and doing good deeds and on his own harnessing the technique and while the other in jealousy becoming a demon and their vendetta and despite that the concept of "legacy" and a better tomorrow remaining hits hard. I like how the author made this whole history so personal and rooted in past and comments on how jealousy leads to bad things and comments on the present generations job for future generations and the way she draws the fight is insane and each panel and page is amazing. The backstory makes the characters interesting and the story so rich and makes you feel even for the passing of such characters. Maybe they were not bad and for that is some great writing. I think Gotouge comments on such themes through simple stories but such complex, nuance detailed panels and emotions makes this a must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
Este Arco final está siendo muy doloroso. Se descubre mucho sobre los diferentes alientos, cada muerte duele un montón y seguro que habrá más.
Es demasiado genial cómo se construye el pasado de los personajes, no sólo de los Pilares sino también de las Lunas Crescientes, la manera en la que recuerdan sus vidas cuando están muriendo y sus sentimientos humanos.
La meta final es derrotar y destruir a Muzan, ya hubieron demasiadas pérdidas.
Es demasiado genial cómo se construye el pasado de los personajes, no sólo de los Pilares sino también de las Lunas Crescientes, la manera en la que recuerdan sus vidas cuando están muriendo y sus sentimientos humanos.
La meta final es derrotar y destruir a Muzan, ya hubieron demasiadas pérdidas.
January 8, 2022
THIS WAS AMAZING. MY GOD. I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
Enough said. Really. It was so good and I can't believe I'm almost over with this story 😭
I was so surprised and amazed by the information we got. One if the best volumes.
Enough said. Really. It was so good and I can't believe I'm almost over with this story 😭
I was so surprised and amazed by the information we got. One if the best volumes.
November 25, 2023
Overall Rating : A-
December 14, 2022
Hashiras teaming up? Hell yeah.
February 22, 2023
Poco da dire: la storia dei due gemelli è qualcosa di straziante 😭 Mi rifiuto di credere che Michikatsu/Kokushibo provasse solo rabbia e invidia nei confronti di Yoriichi. L'ultimissima tavola del volume sembra in effetti dire che non è così 🥲 È stato interessante sapere come e perchè sono nate le altre Respirazioni e cosa ciò abbia significato per gli Ammazzademoni. Sono col fiato sospeso: qualcuno sará uscito vivo dallo scontro con la Prima Luna Crescente?
December 23, 2025
Strong fighting scenes and an interesting back story. I will be interested how the pacing is done in the movie form - it's okay on the written page because you can fly through or linger at your leisure. I have a suspicion that people are overhyping the Kokoshibu duel because they do not appreciate an hour of filler does not make for great cinema.
March 26, 2023
Three stars, maybe 3.5. I don't know, this fight is with Upper rank Demon 1 is going on forever. A demon we had not met until now and this fight. We know nothing about this demon there is no emotional attachment or hate but we get the whole tragic backstory afterwords. Maybe I would have more of a thank god that fight is over reaction if we knew the backstory (but not powers) before the fight. I don't even like the Demon Slayers in this fight - not that we know that much about them.
Another volume with little to no time for our heroes that we have been following since volume 1.
Otherwise the fighting and planning and plotting among the characters and all was great.
Another volume with little to no time for our heroes that we have been following since volume 1.
Otherwise the fighting and planning and plotting among the characters and all was great.
September 26, 2021
Obviamente este tomo también me hizo chillar.
No esperaba menos de la Diosa Gotouge.
No esperaba menos de la Diosa Gotouge.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 855 reviews