Buzz
Just a slight narrative tweak could turn Tanjiro and Nezuko into counterparts of Gyutaro and Daki.
The final episode of the Red Light District arc in Demon Slayer season two unveils the tragic past of the Upper Moons, Gyutaro and Daki. The sibling duo deeply cherished each other and had no one else, appearing as a twisted reflection of the main characters, Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Divergent actions ultimately result in nurturing. The sole disparity in the human lives of Gyutaro and Daki compared to Tanjiro and Nezuko is that the Kamado siblings received privilege and affection, whereas Gyutaro and Daki were despised and endured loneliness.
Similar to most demons in the narrative, memories of their human past flood back into Gyutaro's mind before death. The story doesn't advocate forgiveness for the antagonists, but rather evokes empathy and sorrow despite the victorious defeat of the wretched demons.
Gyutaro's childhood explains his fixation on the glamorous appearance of Tengen Uzui. Gyutaro scorns anyone born beautiful and loved. His disfigured face and scarred skin aren't the result of any downfall - he was born that way.
Daki, originally named Ume, was born beautiful and became Gyutaro's pride and utmost protection. Just like Tanjiro witnessing his family slaughtered, Gyutaro returned home one day to find Ume's charred corpse as she defended a wounded samurai.
Tanjiro and Gyutaro share many similarities, both deeply loving their younger siblings and willing to do anything to protect them. However, Tanjiro doesn't let anger consume him like Gyutaro. He didn't choose to become a demon fueled by nothing but revenge. A Upper Moon back then personally turned the siblings Gyu-Ume into demons.
Gyutaro could have willingly sought this path, as his first act upon finding his sister's corpse was to take two lives, those who directly or indirectly harmed Ume.
Perhaps the sole difference between Gyutaro and Ume compared to Tanjiro and Nezuko is knowing how to love others. The Upper Moon siblings solely relied on each other to live, as even their own mother wasn't a pillar of support.
While this doesn't excuse their actions, it may explain why Gyutaro and Daki became the way they did. Tanjiro and Nezuko were fortunate to know right from wrong, while Gyutaro and Daki always had to struggle just to exist. Circumstances shape people, and if childhoods were different, the futures of those children might have been brighter.
