Japan’s Kore-eda Hirokazu Directing ‘Asura’ Family Drama Series for Netflix

As a devoted fan of Korean cinema, particularly the works of Hirokazu Kore-eda, I find myself eagerly anticipating the premiere of “Asura” on January 9, 2025. Having been moved by his previous masterpieces like “Shoplifters,” “Like Father, Like Son,” and “Our Little Sister,” I am excited to see how he will breathe new life into a classic story like “Like Asura.


Renowned Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is deep into the final stages of editing for “Asura,” a compelling family drama series, which represents his second project with the international streaming behemoth, Netflix.

On January 9, 2025, I’ll be eagerly anticipating the premiere of “Asura,” a contemporary reimagining of the beloved 1979 family drama series, “Like Asura.” Originally penned by Mukoda Kuniko and aired on NHK, this groundbreaking series served as the blueprint for Japanese family dramas for decades and even inspired a feature film adaptation in 2003. I can hardly wait to see how this timeless tale will be brought to life once more!

In the year 1979, I find myself immersed in a tale that revolves around four sisters: Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko. Our lives are turned upside down when we uncover our father’s hidden affair. Much like the “asura” in Buddhist mythology, we embody a tempest of emotions, often clashing fiercely but also finding moments of deep connection. As we grapple with our varying perspectives on love and life, our journey is a tumultuous blend of conflict and growth.

Netflix stated with admiration for Mukoda’s impact on Kore-eda’s career, they note that ‘Asura’ embodies Kore-eda’s distinctive perspective. This portrayal emphasizes the autonomy and intricacy of female characters.

This series, penned and helmed by Kore-eda – recognized with the Palme d’Or at Cannes for “Shoplifters” and creator of “Like Father, Like Son”, “Nobody Knows”, and “Our Little Sister” – offers a relatable glimpse into everyday life that transcends cultural boundaries through its exploration of universal family themes. Previously, Kore-eda scripted and directed the mini-series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House”, which was premiered by Netflix in 2023.

Kore-eda praised Kuniko Mukoda’s dramas for their subtle toxicity conveyed through dialogue and the underlying love within harsh words. He also noted that the four actresses playing the sisters, Rie Miyazawa, Ono Machiko, Aoi Yu, and Hirose Suzu, who portray the central characters in “Asura”, grasped this concept exceptionally well, making the series a delight to film.

Before Mukoda’s 40th anniversary since passing away, creator Yagi Yasuo revisited her works and found that “Like Asura” was pivotal to her artistic heritage. To honor this, we sought top-tier actors for the roles of the sisters, and with Kore-eda directing, I am confident we’ve crafted an essential drama, according to Yagi.

The following individuals, along with their respective companies Bunbuku and Netflix, are recognized for production: Fukuma Miyuki, Kitahara Eiji, Taguchi Hijiri. The music was created by fox capture plan, the cinematography by Takimoto Mikiya, lighting by Fujii Norikiyo, sound engineering by Tomita Kazuhiko, production design by Mitsumatsu Keiko and Nunobe Masato, set decoration by Tatsuta Tetsuji and Haba Shiori, costume design by Ito Sacico, hair and makeup by Sakai Mutsuki, sound effects by Okase Akihiko and Hasegawa Go. The assistant director was Matsuo Takashi, the script supervisor was Oshida Tomoko, the production lead was Goto Ichiro, and line production was handled by Kikuchi Masaaki.

On a chilly winter’s day, I found myself reunited with my three sisters – Tsunako, the ikebana teacher, Makiko the housewife, Takiko the librarian, and Sakiko the waitress. As we gathered, a thought crossed Tsunako’s mind: our father, Kotaro, might be secretly involved with someone and possibly have a child. Initially, my sisters found this notion hard to believe, but we vowed to shield our mother, Fuji, from such a revelation. Little did we know that this unexpected news would uncover the hidden conflicts and secrets that had long been lurking in each of our lives.

Watch a sneak peek from the opening sequence here.

Read More

2024-11-12 07:16