Ace Japanese film director Hirokazu Kore-eda is currently in post-production on his second family drama series “Ashura” for global streaming giant Netflix.
“Asura,” which will be premiered on January 9, 2025, is a modern take on the 1979 family drama series “Asura no Gotoku,” which was based on the novel of the same name by Kuniko Mukoda. Broadcast on public broadcaster NHK, it served as a template for Japanese family drama series for many years and inspired a feature film in 2003.
Set in 1979, the story follows four sisters (Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko) whose lives are rocked by the discovery of their elderly father’s infidelity. Like the asuras, the demigods of Buddhist cosmology, these women embody a whirlpool of emotions, sharing moments of deep connection even as they clash violently. Their journey through differing views on love and life is marked by both conflict and growth.
Netflix said in a statement: “Director Kore-eda has great respect for Ms. Mukoda and her influence on her career, and has injected Ashura with her own unique vision that emphasizes the independence and complexity of women.” said.
The new series is written and directed by Kore-eda, who won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for “Shoplifters” and also directed “And I Became a Father,” “Nobody Knows,” and “My Little Sister.” “A life that transcends and resonates with universal family dynamics,” the streamer said. Kore-eda previously wrote and directed the Netflix miniseries “Makanai: Maiko-san’s Cooking,” which aired in 2023.
Director Kore-eda said, “What enriches Kuniko Mukoda’s dramas is the superficial poison exchanged in conversations and the love hidden behind those cruel words.” “The four actors who play the sisters understand that very well, so it was a lot of fun filming this series.” Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose play the four women in Ashura. Play centrally.
The series was developed and produced by Yasuo Yagi, who previously worked with Mukoda. “Before 40 years had passed since then, [Mukoda’s] Over the years, I have revisited her work and realized that “Like Asura” is central to her legacy. We focused on casting the best actors to play the sisters, and with Kore-eda as the director, I think we have created a typical drama,” said Director Yagi.
Other credits include Miyuki Fukuma, Eiji Kitahara, and Sei Taguchi as producers, and Bunbuku and Netflix as production companies. Music is by fox Capture plan. Photographed by Mikiya Takimoto. Lighting by Norikiyo Fujii. Sound is by Kazuhiko Tomita. Production design is by Keiko Mimatsu and Masato Fube. Set decoration by Tetsuji Tatsuta and Shiori Haba. Costume design is by Sashiko Ito. Hair and makeup: Mutsuki Sakai Sound effects by Akihiko Okase and Tsuyoshi Hasegawa. Assistant director Takashi Matsuo. Script supervisor: Tomoko Oshida Producer is led by Ichiro Goto. The line producer is Masaaki Kikuchi.
Netflix’s official synopsis is, “One winter day, the four Takezawa sisters, Tsunako (Miyazawa), an ikebana instructor, Makiko (Ono), a housewife, Takiko (Aoi), a librarian, and Sakiko (Hirose), a waitress, gather together for the first time in a while. Takiko lives with her elderly father, Kota. They suspect that Ro has a mistress and a child.The other sisters cannot believe it, but they promise to keep this a secret from their mother, Fuji. It will bring to light various conflicts and secrets hidden within.
Watch a sneak peek of the opening sequence here.
