Asura Review: A Tale of Sisters That is Hard to Ignore

In this Netflix Japanese drama series, the Takezawa family, consisting of four daughters, is pushed into disarray when they discover that their father Kotaro is cheating on their mother Fuji and has even fathered a child with his mistress. Angry and heartbroken, they keep the discovery a secret from their mother but soon this truth pushes more secrets to come out that further complicate each of their lives.

The series has 7 episodes, each with a runtime of minutes. The series is based on the novel ‘Ashura no Gotoku’ by Kuniko Mukōda.

– No Spoilers –

Asura Review

Starting 2025 off strong, first and foremost, the Japanese Netflix series Asura packs a punch with its electrifying and popping title sequence. Showcasing the complex relationships within a family unit, the series is an emotional rollercoaster that wears its emotions on its sleeve. It’s truly a baffling watch, both funny and tragic at the same time. The series highlights the heartbreak that Asian women in general face, having dedicated themselves to the men in their lives and getting so little in return. With basic respect hard to come by, the series brings the tragedy of how women have become complacent to being ill-treated by men and the deep-seated misogyny that exists within both sexes.

However, there’s complexity in this instance as well – fidelity is not just something being broken by men in the series. Although self-depreciation seems to be the talk of the town, it’s not like the women in the series have the cleanest of records. And that’s why the series becomes such an interesting one to watch. You do resonate with the hardships that the women face, but they aren’t without their faults, making you dig deeper into the situation at hand.

Director Hirokazu Koreeda, however, brings forth this tragedy with a humorous twist, presenting its grim realities with sisterly love and whimsy. The situation might seem serious, but you cannot help but laugh at the absurdity with which it is presented. The most awkward situations made me laugh somehow and that sets this series apart. In spite of focusing on serious situations, it takes a more humorous route to bring it on-screen, leaving viewers entertained.

However, there is a sad undertone to the entire thing that will leave viewers a bit heartbroken for everyone involved. The storytelling is so well done that it’s difficult to not be engrossed in these human stories. These characters are so well written and with such depth that it constantly feels like I am a fly in the wall for their interactions. Whether it be the siblings loudly squabbling or sharing something intimate, the dynamic in the group is ever-changing and evolving and it’s really interesting to watch it open up in such a beautiful, human way.

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Not all is awkward and heartbreaking though. In a family with four siblings, there are bound to be some hilarious mishaps and Asura is filled with such moments. It cuts the tension and is just so funny that you can’t help but laugh along. There’s a moment when Takito is forced to meet the private investigator she has hired to look into her father’s antics in front of Tsunako and Takao that really made me laugh. It’s hilarious and has a sweet ending, which makes this series more light-hearted than what you’d expect.

What makes the Netflix series so good are its performances as well. Every actor is fantastic in their roles, it truly is hard to not be swept up by their emotions. There’s so much nuance in their work that the material becomes better thanks to them. It’s easy to believe that these women are sisters because they have such great chemistry.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot going on in Hirokazu Koreeda and Kuniko Mukōda’s Asura that takes you by surprise. The series is fantastic and grips you from its first episode. The nuanced relationships, the heartbreak, the humour – it’s all really engaging and done well. All in all, this one’s a must-watch in my book.

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