Netflix aficionados, take note of the latest gem to land on the platform that has critics buzzing with praise. This hidden treasure may not be atop the charts for most-watched this week, yet it’s already being lauded as one of 2025’s standout series mere days into January.
From the venerated Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, whose filmography includes the Oscar-nominated and Palme d’Or-winning ‘Shoplifters,’ comes ‘Asura. ‘ This compelling tale set in 1979 Tokyo centres around four sisters who stumble upon a shocking family revelation.
Their world is upended when they uncover their elderly father’s long-standing affair and secret son from another relationship, forcing them to face harsh realities and what it signifies for their futures. .With all seven episodes available for binging, ‘Asura’ has received plaudits from audiences who have eagerly shared their reviews online.
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One enthusiastic viewer exclaimed on Reddit: “Finished first episode and Man! It’s good.”, reports the Mirror US. They were captivated by “the way it’s shot, the music, the dialogues, and how real and genuine they feel, and the best part is the chemistry between these sisters.”
Another chimed in, saying, “Came here to say exactly this. Can’t wait to watch the rest of this series. So far, everything about it is perfect.”
A third fan praised Kore-eda’s distinctive direction: “It’s crazy how identifiable yet nonintrusive his style of directing is,” adding, “I didn’t know about it in advance, and I just hit ‘play’ because it came up on Netflix. Within the first 10 seconds, I thought, ‘Oh this must be Kore-eda!'”
The show’s authenticity has not gone unnoticed, with one viewer taking to social media to praise the series: “Finished watching #Asura on Netflix, best thing about veteran Japanese actors and actresses are…. they always make it feel like they are not acting at all…. truly feel like watching a documentary of messy family members in need of therapy.”
However, some fans have expressed disappointment over Netflix’s marketing strategy, feeling that Asura deserved more attention. One fan remarked, “I hope Netflix keeps on scooping up the indies,” pointing out that “With little hullabaloo some real gems are buried there. Had little publicity or distribution. Prime Video still has some. Check out your favs.”
Meanwhile, another frustrated viewer vented their annoyance: “WHY THE F*** WASN’T THIS PROMOTED MORE AND ONLY NOW JUST FINDING OUT.”
Praise for Asura continues to grow, with The Daily Beast hailing it as the ‘first great show of 2025’, stating in their review: “The year’s first grand television surprise, and additional confirmation that few filmmakers are as empathetic, nimble, and masterful as Kore-eda.”
Decider also urged its readers to “STREAM IT! “, highlighting the “complex performances and realistically woven story threads” that form the core of a drama that transcends typical soap opera fare to deliver a nuanced exploration of women’s struggles.
While you might be caught up with Squid Game, American Primeval, or eagerly awaiting the return of The Night Agent, make sure to give Asura a chance – it’s a hidden treasure that shouldn’t be overlooked amidst this month’s streaming options.