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| Netflix |
Netflix’s Asura 2025 brings Showa-era family secrets to life with a modern vision for today’s audience.
Right after the long New Year holidays in 2025, Netflix dropped the remake of NHK's classic 1978 showa-era drama and 2003 film, 'Like Asura' (阿修羅のごとく), now just called 'Asura'.
The story is about four sisters who discover that their aging dad is having an affair, and it totally shakes up their daily lives. The four sisters are some of the top actresses in Japan, like Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose.
If you love Japanese art, design, clothing, or even dramas, you might notice that much of the Japanese lifestyle feels timeless. One example is the drama theme focused on family and relationships. It might sound simple, but this theme always sticks with us.
The plot of Netflix's Asura 2025 seems as straightforward as other versions, but we shouldn't miss out on the interesting details about each character and scene.
Why You Should Watch Netflix's Asura 2025
Netflix's Asura 2025 is a must-watch for anyone interested in Japanese culture and film lovers who appreciate great character development and slow but natural scenes. Here are two key reasons to check out this drama tonight!
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| eiga.com: 2003's Like Asura (阿修羅のごとく) |
It Invites Us to Revisit Japan's Male-Dominated Society
These days, Japanese TV dramas often touch on topics like 'gender equality.' Take TBS's Unnatural (アンナチュラル), for example—it really highlights how some guys don’t see female professionals as equals. Also, there's this interesting episode from TBS's Extremely Inappropriate (不適切にもほどがある!) that really highlights how people's views on cheating have changed from the Showa era to the Reiwa era.
In the 2000s, we've made some real strides toward making society more gender-equal regarding viewpoints and opportunities. For instance, it's becoming more common to see job ads with a line like, 'We promise to promote women in management positions,' or headlines about Japanese politicians taking paternity leave in the hope of convincing Japanese men to do so.
Back in the Showa era, though, Japan was pretty much a man's world. This male dominance affected everyday life in many ways, including work, family life, and politics. It still shapes cultural expectations and prevents women from pursuing many opportunities.
In this drama series, in the 1978, 2003, and 2025 versions, we see stay-at-home moms who would rather keep their true feelings and live like they never knew about their husband's secrets. Also, the role of women is to support their husbands. It really highlights the importance of looking closely at gender roles and social structures in Japan.
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| Netflixjp's Instagram account |
It's Directed, Adapted and Edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Besides holding up a mirror to society, drama series need to be entertaining and engaging enough to make you want to binge-watch them at home. And yes, one of the reasons to watch this remake drama series is the director.
This paragraph may reflect my personal bias, as I have a deep admiration for the award-winning Japanese director, Hirokazu Kore-eda. His original works are often simple yet rich in meaning and emotional depth, especially when exploring themes of family and human relationships. It's clear that this genre has always been his focus and it shines in his best creations.
This time, he directed the remake of the NHK's 1978 showa-era drama and 2003 film Like Asura (阿修羅のごとく) with a shorter title 'Asura' on Netflix. The story captures everyday life in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s while highlighting the bitter-heartwarming dynamics of family relationships that resonate with many Asian families. Once again, Kore-eda transforms simple scenes into something special.
Natural Scenes That Make You Feel Like You're Right There
Most of the scenes in this drama make it feel like you're just hanging out with this family, catching the conversations between siblings. The way the scenes are shot really tells a lot of the story, especially with those long takes that let the characters act naturally. I think this has always been Kore-eda's thing.
I also want to credit the talented main actresses, who portray four siblings. They beautifully express their characters' dimensional emotions, which is a wonderful representation of what it means to be human.
Nostalgia Frames That Keep You Chill
Besides the actors and how the director guides them to keep things feeling natural, cinematography plays a huge role in telling the story. If you love laid-back vibes with a deep mood and tone, this drama, shot by Mikiya Takimoto—famous for films like 'Like Father, Like Son (2013)' and 'Our Little Sister (2015)'—is worth watching.
Watching this in 2025, set in the Showa era, really brings back some nostalgia. Everything just feels relaxed and down-to-earth, whether it’s the cozy retro cafes, traditional Japanese wooden homes, or the delicious food scenes that make your mouth water.
So, if you're looking for something to binge-watch tonight, I highly recommend Netflix's Asura 2025.
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