Ashura: Abyss' story and character appeal in detail

"Asura": A world where despair and hope intersect

The anime film "Asura", released on September 26, 2012, is based on the original work by George Akiyama and produced by Toei Animation. Directed by Keiichi Sato and written by Ikuko Takahashi, the film features a star-studded cast including Masako Nozawa, Kinya Kitaoji, and Megumi Hayashibara, and depicts a profound theme in a short 75-minute film. Below, we will go into detail about the details of "Asura" and its appeal.

■Overview of the work

Set against the backdrop of the Onin War, "Asura" tells the story of a monk who goes on a journey to save people suffering from natural disasters and famine, and Asura, who learns how to survive in the wild. Abandoned by his mother and living as a beast, Asura begins to develop a sense of humanity through his encounters with the monk and the young girl Wakasa. However, in the process, he is confronted with the contradictions of the world and destined to continue living in suffering. The film depicts a world where despair and hope intersect, deeply moving the audience.

■Cast

• Ashura : Masako Nozawa
• Priest : Kin'ya Kitaoji
• Wakasa : Megumi Hayashibara
• Head of the company : Tesshō Genda
• Yoshisuke : Bin Shimada
• Fujino : Kaori Yamagata
• Kotaro : Kappei Yamaguchi
• Shichiro : Hiroaki Hirata
• First treatment : Yu Mizushima

The cast members' performances delve deeply into the inner worlds of their characters, bringing the story to life. In particular, Masako Nozawa's performance as Ashura leaves a strong impression on the audience, as she realistically portrays the process of a wild beast transforming into a human being. Kinya Kitaoji's performance as the monk shines with his strong will to save people and his compassionate acting.

■ Main staff

• Original author : George Akiyama
• Director : Keiichi Sato
• Screenplay : Ikuko Takahashi

George Akiyama's original work depicts deep human drama and social contradictions, and has been sublimated into animation under the direction of Keiichi Sato. Ikuko Takahashi's screenplay firmly follows the theme of the original work, while creating tension and emotion as a movie.

■ Main Characters

Ashura

Ashura was born during a time of natural disasters and famine, and was abandoned by his mother. He learned to survive in the wild and lived as a beast, but after meeting the monk and the young girl Wakasa, he begins to acquire humanity. However, as he acquires more humanity, he is confronted with the contradictions of the world and is destined to continue living in suffering. Ashura's character is one who wavers between despair and hope, and his inner conflict deeply moves the audience.

Monk

The monk continues his journey to save people suffering in a world of natural disasters and turmoil. He is even willing to risk his own life to save people from suffering. Although he may use harsh words to admonish people, his heart is filled with love for humanity. The monk is an important character who teaches Ashura words and what it means to be human, and his presence underpins the entire story.

Wakasa

Wakasa is a kind-hearted girl who treats the beast Ashura she first meets as a human, treating him with kindness and love. Even though she lives in a motherless household, she supports her father and runs the household. She is madly in love with Shichiro, but it is a love between people of different social classes that is not accepted by society. As an adolescent, she is considering giving up the life she has built up for this love. Ashura sees a resemblance in her to his mother, but Wakasa is too young to fulfill the role of a mother. Having maintained her humanity even in times of suffering, Wakasa ends up suffering alone. Wakasa's character symbolizes the contradiction between pure love and society, and she evokes deep empathy from the audience.

Shichiro

Shichiro is the leader of a group that has been forced to live at the very bottom of society. Despite facing discrimination, he lives his life gritting his teeth and enduring it, but he also protects his younger friends and is well-liked. He continues to have an unrequited love for Wakasa. He dreams of one day owning his own rice field, overcoming the barriers of class, and living happily with Wakasa. Shichiro's character conveys a powerful message to the audience, portraying the suffering and hopes of those living at the bottom of society.

Land steward

The Jito is the head of the village, and an influential figure who has kept the village stable in an era when life and death were side by side. However, his conservative thinking sometimes leads him to be tyrannical. After his only son was killed by Ashura, he relentlessly pursues Ashura. The Jito character is a symbol of social contradictions and issues of power, and his presence influences the entire story.

■ Theme songs and music

• Theme song 1 : "Hope" - Yasuha Konan
• Theme song 2 : "Trash" - Yasuha Konan

"Hope" and "Trash" sung by Yasuha Konan are songs that symbolize the theme of the movie and deeply move the audience. In particular, "Hope" is an important song that depicts Ashura's inner conflict and hope, while "Trash" is an important song that depicts the contradictions and despair of society. These songs play a role in further deepening the emotion of the movie.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Asura" depicts a world where despair and hope intersect, and is a deeply moving work that leaves its audiences with a deep connection. Based on the original work by George Akiyama, it depicts deep human drama and social contradictions, and has been sublimated into animation under the direction of Sato Keiichi. Takahashi Ikuko's screenplay firmly follows the theme of the original work, while creating tension and emotion as a film. In addition, the stellar cast, including Nozawa Masako, Kitaoji Kinya, and Hayashibara Megumi, bring the story to life with their performances that delve deeply into the inner worlds of each character.

In particular, the character of Ashura is one who wavers between despair and hope, and his inner conflict deeply moves the audience. The character of the monk is one who is filled with compassion and has a strong will to save people, and his presence underpins the entire story. The character of Wakasa symbolizes the contradictions between pure love and society, and elicits deep sympathy from the audience. The character of Shichiro depicts the suffering and hope of those living at the bottom of society, and conveys a strong message to the audience. The character of the Jito symbolizes the contradictions in society and issues of power, and his presence influences the entire story.

In addition, "Kibou" and "Trash" sung by Yasuha Konan are songs that symbolize the theme of the movie and deeply move the audience. These songs play a role in further deepening the emotion of the movie.

■Reasons for recommendation

"Asura" depicts a world where despair and hope intersect, and is a deeply moving work that leaves its audiences with a deep connection. Based on the original work by George Akiyama, it depicts deep human drama and social contradictions, and has been sublimated into animation under the direction of Sato Keiichi. Takahashi Ikuko's screenplay firmly follows the theme of the original work, while creating tension and emotion as a film. In addition, the stellar cast, including Nozawa Masako, Kitaoji Kinya, and Hayashibara Megumi, bring the story to life with their performances that delve deeply into the inner worlds of each character.

In particular, the character of Ashura is one who wavers between despair and hope, and his inner conflict deeply moves the audience. The character of the monk is one who is filled with compassion and has a strong will to save people, and his presence underpins the entire story. The character of Wakasa symbolizes the contradictions between pure love and society, and elicits deep sympathy from the audience. The character of Shichiro depicts the suffering and hope of those living at the bottom of society, and conveys a strong message to the audience. The character of the Jito symbolizes the contradictions in society and issues of power, and his presence influences the entire story.

In addition, "Kibou" and "Trash" sung by Yasuha Konan are songs that symbolize the theme of the movie and deeply move the audience. These songs play a role in further deepening the emotion of the movie.

As mentioned above, "Asura" depicts a world where despair and hope intersect, and is a work that deeply moves the audience. Based on the original work by George Akiyama, it depicts deep human drama and social contradictions, and has been sublimated into animation under the direction of Sato Keiichi. Takahashi Ikuko's script firmly follows the theme of the original work, while creating tension and emotion as a movie. In addition, a luxurious cast including Nozawa Masako, Kitaoji Kinya, and Hayashibara Megumi has come together, and their performances that delve deeply into the inner world of each character make the story more realistic. Furthermore, "Hope" and "Trash" sung by Konan Yasuha are songs that symbolize the theme of the movie and deeply move the audience. These songs play a role in further deepening the emotion of the movie.

Therefore, I highly recommend "Asura," a film that depicts a world where despair and hope intersect and deeply moves the audience. It is a must-see, especially for those who enjoy works that depict deep human drama and social contradictions. It is also recommended for those who want to experience the beauty and emotion of animation. Furthermore, it is a must-see for those who want to enjoy "Kibou" and "Trash" sung by Konan Yasuha.