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

Ace Japanese film director Kore-eda Hirokazu is in advanced post-production on “Asura,” a family drama series that marks his second show for global streaming giant Netflix.

“Asura,” which will premiere on Jan. 9, 2025, is a modern take on “Like Asura” a 1979 family drama series that was originally based on a Mukoda Kuniko novel of the same title. Airing on public broadcaster NHK, it became a template for Japanese family drama series for many years and sparked a feature film adaptation in 2003.

Set in 1979, the story follows four sisters — Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko — whose lives are shaken by the discovery of their aging father’s affair. Like the “asura,” demigods in Buddhist cosmology, these women embody a whirlwind of emotions, clashing fiercely yet sharing moments of profound connection. As they navigate their differing views on love and life, their journey is marked by both conflict and growth.

“With great respect for Mukoda and her influence on his career, Kore-eda infuses ‘Asura’ with his unique vision, highlighting the independence and complexity of women,” Netflix said in a statement.

Written and directed by Kore-eda, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for “Shoplifters” and who also directed Like Father, Like Son” “Nobody Knows” and “Our Little Sister,” the new series “presents a slice of life that resonates across cultures with universal family dynamics,” the streamer said. Kore-eda previously wrote and directed mini-series “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House” for Netflix, which aired it in 2023.

“What makes Kuniko Mukoda’s dramas so rich are the superficial poison exchanged in conversation and the love hidden behind those cruel words,” said Kore-eda. “The four actors playing the sisters understand this well, so the series was very enjoyable to shoot.” Miyazawa Rie, Ono Machiko, Aoi Yu and Hirose Suzu play the central roles as the four women in “Asura.”

The series was developed and produced by Yagi Yasuo who previously worked with Mukoda. “Before the 40th year since [Mukoda’s] passing, I revisited her works and realized that ‘Like Asura’ was central to her legacy. We focused on casting the best actors for the sisters, and with Kore-eda as director, I believe we’ve created a quintessential drama,” said Yagi.

Other credits go to producers: Fukuma Miyuki, Kitahara Eiji and Taguchi Hijiri with Bunbuku and Netflix named as production companies. Music is by fox capture plan; cinematography by Takimoto Mikiya; lighting by Fujii Norikiyo; sound 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 make-up by Sakai Mutsuki; sound effects by Okase Akihiko and Hasegawa Go; assistant director Matsuo Takashi; script supervision by Oshida Tomoko; production lead by Goto Ichiro; and line production by Kikuchi Masaaki.

Netflix gives as an official synopsis: “One winter day, the four Takezawa sisters — ikebana teacher Tsunako (Miyazawa), housewife Makiko (Ono), librarian Takiko (Aoi) and waitress Sakiko (Hirose) — get together for the first time in a while. Takiko suspects that their aging father, Kotaro, has a lover and child. While the other sisters find this unbelievable, they promise to keep this from their mother, Fuji. However, this commotion brings to light various conflicts and secrets that lurk in the women’s lives.”

Watch a sneak peek from the opening sequence here.