Acclaimed Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is set to release a new family drama series titled Asura on January 9, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. Asura is a modern adaptation of the 1979 Japanese family drama Ashura no Gotoku, originally penned by renowned screenwriter Kuniko Mukoda.
ASURA ㅣInformation
| Category | ASURA |
|---|---|
| Native title | 阿修羅のごとく (Ashura no Gotoku) |
| Country | JAPAN |
| Genre | Drama, Familly |
| Director by | Hirokazu Koree-da |
| Story by | Hirokazu Koree-da |
| Starring Cast | Rie Miyazawa Machiko Ono Yū Aoi Suzu Hirose |
| Number of Episodes | 7 |
| Release dates | January 9, 2025 |
| Streaming by | Netflix |
Watch 阿修羅のごとく | Netflix Official Site
ASURA Cast
Rie Miyazawa as Mitamura Tsunako
Rie Miyazawa
◾Date of Birth : April 6, 1973
◾Place of Birth : Tokyo, Japan
◾Debut Work : “Seven Days’ War” (1988)
◾Notable Works : “The Twilight Samurai”, “Pale Moon”, “The Little House”, “The Makioka Sisters”, “Asura”
Machiko Ono as Satomi Makiko
Machiko Ono
◾Date of Birth : November 4, 1981
◾Place of Birth : Nishiyoshino, Nara, Japan
◾Debut Work : “Eureka” (2000)
◾Notable Works : “Like Father, Like Son”, “The Great Passage”, “The Long Excuse”, “Asako I & II”, “Asura”
Yū Aoi as Takezawa Takiko
Yū Aoi
◾Date of Birth : August 17, 1985
◾Place of Birth : Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan
◾Debut Work : “All About Lily Chou-Chou” (2001)
◾Notable Works : “Hana and Alice”, “Honey and Clover”, “Hula Girls”, “Rurouni Kenshin”, “Asura”
Suzu Hirose as Takezawa Sakiko
Suzu Hirose
◾Date of Birth : June 19, 1998
◾Place of Birth : Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
◾Debut Work : “The Apology King” (2013)
◾Notable Works : “Our Little Sister”, “Chihayafuru”, “Your Lie in April”, “The Third Murder”, “Asura”
◾Social Media : https://www.instagram.com/suzu.hirose.official/
Masahiro Motoki
Masahiro Motoki
◾Date of Birth : December 21, 1965
◾Place of Birth : Okegawa, Saitama, Japan
◾Debut Work : “Headphone Lullaby” (1983)
◾Notable Works : “Departures”, “The Bird People in China”, “Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t”, “Gemini”, “Asura”
Ryuhei Matsuda
Ryuhei Matsuda
◾Date of Birth : May 9, 1983
◾Place of Birth : Tokyo, Japan
◾Debut Work : “Taboo” (1999)
◾Notable Works : “Blue Spring”, “The Great Passage”, “Before We Vanish”, “The Raid 2”, “Asura”
ASURA ㅣPlot
Ashura no Gotoku delves into the intricate lives of the four Takezawa sisters: Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko. Their seemingly stable family dynamics are disrupted when they uncover their aging father Kotaro’s extramarital affair. This revelation forces each sister to confront her own personal challenges and hidden secrets. Tsunako, an ikebana teacher, grapples with maintaining tradition amidst modern societal changes. Makiko, a housewife, faces marital strains and questions her life’s choices. Takiko, a librarian, seeks independence while dealing with societal expectations. Sakiko, the youngest and a waitress, strives to find her identity and purpose. As the narrative unfolds, the sisters navigate through familial conflicts, societal pressures, and personal dilemmas, all while exploring the depth of their relationships with each other and their parents. The series offers a profound exploration of family bonds, individual aspirations, and the complexities of human emotions.
Ashura no Gotoku is celebrated as a quintessential work in Japanese television drama, showcasing Kuniko Mukōda’s exceptional writing and Ben Wada’s adept direction. The series is lauded for its authentic portrayal of family dynamics and the nuanced performances of its cast. Its exploration of themes such as familial duty, personal freedom, and societal expectations resonated deeply with audiences, contributing to its enduring legacy. The drama’s success led to a feature film adaptation in 2003, titled Like Asura, further cementing its status in Japanese popular culture.
For those interested in experiencing this classic series, Ashura no Gotoku is available for purchase on DVD through various retailers.
Additionally, a modern adaptation titled Asura, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 9, 2025, introducing this timeless story to a new generation.
ASURA Point to watch
Anticipation for Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Netflix Series Asura
The upcoming Asura Netflix series, directed by the esteemed Hirokazu Kore-eda, is generating significant excitement both in Japan and among global audiences. As a remake of the beloved 1979 Japanese drama Ashura no Gotoku, the project carries a legacy of immense cultural and artistic significance. The original work, penned by Kuniko Mukōda, captured the hearts of viewers with its nuanced exploration of family dynamics, betrayal, and unspoken emotions. Its popularity was so enduring that it inspired a feature film and long-running theatrical adaptations, further cementing its timeless relevance in Japanese storytelling.
With Kore-eda at the helm, expectations for the Asura series are particularly high. Known for his mastery in depicting complex human relationships, Kore-eda is celebrated for films like Shoplifters and Like Father, Like Son, which delicately portray family bonds and societal struggles. His ability to uncover emotional depth in ordinary lives aligns perfectly with Asura’s themes—centered on the lives of four sisters and the revelation of their father’s affair. Audiences are eager to see how Kore-eda’s signature subtlety and empathy will breathe new life into this classic tale, reinterpreting it for a modern audience while preserving its emotional core.
In particular, the series has sparked interest for its stellar cast, which includes accomplished actors like Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose. These actresses, known for their versatility and emotive performances, are expected to deliver powerful portrayals of the sisters’ emotional journeys. Kore-eda’s keen eye for casting—seen in his previous works—suggests that their nuanced performances will elevate the story’s exploration of familial love, conflict, and healing.
Critics and fans alike anticipate that Asura will offer more than a simple retelling; it will serve as a reflection of contemporary society, examining themes of familial duty, individual identity, and the lingering consequences of unspoken truths. With Netflix as its platform, the series has the potential to bring this quintessential Japanese story to a global audience, highlighting the universality of its themes.
In a media landscape often driven by spectacle, Kore-eda’s Asura promises to be a contemplative and emotionally resonant experience. For long-time admirers of the original drama, this remake represents a respectful homage, while for new audiences, it serves as an opportunity to discover a timeless story through the lens of one of Japan’s greatest modern filmmakers. Fans are eagerly awaiting the series’ release, confident that Kore-eda’s vision will transform Asura into a poignant and memorable exploration of family, forgiveness, and the delicate threads that connect us all.
Hirokazu Kore-eda: Life, Career, and Top Films
A Shared Focus: Family and Hidden Emotions
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s decision to remake “Ashura no Gotoku” (Asura) is deeply connected to his long-standing interest in exploring the nuances of family dynamics and the lives of marginalized individuals. Throughout his career, Kore-eda has masterfully depicted complex relationships—whether it be in unconventional families (“Shoplifters”), fractured bonds (“Like Father, Like Son”), or individuals coping with loss and societal isolation (“Nobody Knows”). These themes resonate strongly with the story of Asura, which delves into the lives of four sisters as they navigate family tensions and personal struggles triggered by their father’s affair.
Kuniko Mukōda’s original 1979 drama stands out as a powerful exploration of familial love, betrayal, and the emotional weight of unspoken truths. Mukōda’s writing captures the subtle conflicts and hidden affections that exist within families, themes that align perfectly with Kore-eda’s cinematic approach. Kore-eda has often expressed his fascination with stories that peel back layers of seemingly ordinary lives to reveal deep emotional complexities. By remaking Asura, he revisits these universal themes while bringing his unique visual style and storytelling sensibility to a modern audience.
Furthermore, the story provides a platform to highlight the emotional and societal challenges faced by women, particularly in balancing expectations of family and personal identity. Kore-eda’s films have consistently amplified voices often overlooked in society, particularly women and children. With Asura, he has an opportunity to re-examine these struggles within a contemporary context while honoring Mukōda’s legacy.
The decision to remake Asura can also be seen as Kore-eda’s tribute to classic Japanese storytelling. Much like the works of Yasujirō Ozu, whom Kore-eda is often compared to, Asura reflects a keen observation of everyday life, where small moments carry profound meaning. By bringing this story to a global platform like Netflix, Kore-eda ensures that Mukōda’s timeless themes of love, resentment, and reconciliation resonate with new generations across cultures.
In remaking Asura, Hirokazu Kore-eda reaffirms his commitment to telling stories about human connections, fragility, and resilience. His body of work reflects a deep empathy for those on the margins of society—whether through poverty, loss, or emotional distance—and this project further explores the bonds that tie families together, even when those connections are tested. This remake is not just a reimagining of a classic but a continuation of Kore-eda’s enduring exploration of what it means to belong, to forgive, and to find meaning in life’s imperfections.
The Dual Meaning of Asura in Buddhism and Asian Cultural Contexts
“Asura” originates from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, where it describes beings that embody intense passion, desire, and conflict; in Buddhism, the Asura Realm is one of the six realms of samsara, symbolizing jealousy and aggression, with Asuras portrayed as powerful but turbulent beings constantly engaged in struggles, often compared to demigods or titans who are perpetually in conflict with the Devas (gods), representing the internal and external battles fueled by ego and desire, while in Hinduism, Asuras are typically seen as antagonistic forces opposing the Devas, often interpreted as metaphors for human tendencies towards greed, ambition, and pride; beyond religion, Asura has transcended its spiritual origins to become a cultural symbol in East Asian literature, art, and media, frequently representing chaotic or destructive energies, such as the Japanese phrase “Asura no Gotoku” (like an Asura), used to describe ferocious conflicts or states of chaos, and the well-known character “Asura Bakuji” (Asura Duke) in Japanese manga, who embodies duality and internal struggle, showcasing how Asura continues to resonate in contemporary Asian storytelling as a powerful metaphor for the complexities of human nature and the duality of creation and destruction.
ASURAㅣOST
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Hirokazu Kore-eda: Life, Career, and Top Films information
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