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As the Winter 2025 season of anime comes to an end, fans can't help but look at past series and appreciate everything that's been released. This season had some especially good hits. Series like Solo Leveling and The Apothecary Diaries released new seasons, drawing old fans back for more. What many anime fans may not have expected, however, is how many new series were surprisingly fantastic.

New anime series can be hits or misses. They lack the expectations of an ongoing series, but can fail miserably if they're not well produced. The Winter 2025 season did not disappoint. From medical mysteries, like Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective, to hilarious action anime, like Sakamoto Days, this season had it all. Fans should take the time to appreciate these series after such an amazing season.

Okitsura: I Fell in Love with an Okinawan Is a Great Romance Anime With Great Comedy Streaming on Crunchyroll

Okitsura:...

Netflix has revealed its 2025 slate of Japanese films and television series, with the streamer offering a rich mix of period series, action films and intriguing unscripted offerings.

The standout highlight from the lineup, and a potential breakout global hit, is the period series Last Samurai Standing. The series hails from filmmakers Michihito Fujii, Kento Yamaguchi and Toru Yamamoto and could appeal to fans of both FX’s Shogun and Netflix’s Squid Game with its survivalist premise and period setting. Junichi Okada leads the cast in this story that takes place at the tail end of the samurai era in Japan and is about 292 warriors who are invited to compete to the death for a cash prize. Last Samurai Standing is an adaptation of Shogo Imamura’s novel Ikusagami, which has already been adapted into a popular manga series.

‘Last Man Standing’

Hirokazu Koreeda’s Asura is among the streamer...

Japan movies and series have not consistently reached the heights of interest on Netflix that Korean projects have, but Japan is not far behind. Recently released Asura makes for fabulous viewing, for instance. One soon-to-be-released action film also appears to be on that track.

The good news is there are a vast number of Japanese items coming to your favorite streaming service in 2025. That includes the return of potentially one of your favorite series on Netflix. (It should be anyway.)

So what projects are arriving and when? The list is below. Some of the exact dates are even known!

Slate of Japanese movies and series coming to Netflix in 2025 is excellentDemon City (February 27)

A pure live-action thriller, the source material comes from manga where a hitman goes on a revenge tour after he has lost his family. "Lost" is quite terminal, sadly. It seems to be a bit John Wick...

Netflix has unveiled its Japanese content slate for 2025, headlined by “Last Samurai Standing,” a period drama featuring 300 samurai warriors gathered at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto, lured by the promise of a 100 billion yen prize. The series stars Junichi Okada, who serves as lead actor, producer and action choreographer.

“When most people think about samurai, they think about this very glamorous period in Japanese history,” says Netflix Japan content head Kaata Sakamoto. “But what a lot of people don’t realize is that, towards the end of the Edo period, the samurai lost a lot of their glamour and their power. ‘Last Samurai Standing’ is about what would happen if these warriors — the toughest and best in Japan — all of a sudden became common people and had to fight for their lives. Think ‘Shōgun’ meets ‘Squid Game.'”

The streaming giant’s lineup includes “Alice in Borderland” returning for its third season in September,...

When their aging father’s affair brings four sisters back together, it rocks the foundations of their family. Written and directed by Cannes winner and Oscar nominee Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), the seven-episode domestic drama Asura stars Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose. It’s based on writer Kuniko Mukōda’s 1970s miniseries Like Asura.

Stream all episodes now.

Check it out at the top of this page.

One winter day in Tokyo, the four Takezawa sisters — ikebana teacher Tsunako (Miyazawa), homemaker Makiko (Ono), librarian Takiko (Aoi), and restaurant server Sakiko (Hirose) — get together for the first time in a long while to discuss the exploits of their father, Kotaro (Kunimura). Takiko tells her siblings that Kotaro has been having a lengthy affair and even had a child out of wedlock. While the women are hesitant to believe Takiko, they promise to hide the allegation from their mother,...

Following his revealing, beautiful, and downright delicious Netflixseries The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (currently with a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes), Palme d'Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda has returned to Netflix with Asura (currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes). Haven't heard of it? You're not the only one. While Netflix has arranged deals with some of the greatest creatives of our time, few have received such little public support as Kore-eda. That's surprising, considering Asura is already being touted as not just one of the best shows of 2025, but in Netflix's history.

Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian calls it "the best Netflix drama in years," writing, "Trust Netflix to make absolutely no fuss whatsoever about Asura, which could be the best drama it has put out in years. The lack of fanfare for the series, quietly released in early January, is genuinely baffling." Meanwhile, Geoffrey Bunting of Slate writes, "2025 is less than a month old,...

Despite the accolades and the occasionally triumphant comments from all over, Koreeda’s films after “Shoplifters” did not reach the level of his masterpieces. “Asura” however, a 7-episode series which was adapted from the 1979 drama titled “Ashura no Gotoku” and is now streaming on Netflix, is definitely masterful. Even more so, it proves that even a material that is soapy in its basis, can become something outstanding in the hands of the Japanese master.

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The story takes place in the end of the 70s and revolves around four sisters. Tsunako is the oldest and a widow who is handling the flower arrangement in a restaurant, while retaining an affair with the owner, Sadaharu, who is running it along with his wife. She also has a son who is away while she also teaches ikebana. Eventually she is fired from the restaurant due to financial issues,...

Every Friday, Gold Derby rounds up some of the best stories of the week from our friends across the web. Maybe you missed these, maybe you were too busy to read them at the time, maybe you bookmarked them and forgot, but hopefully you’ll have some over the weekend to check them out. Happy reading!

Kyle MacLachlan: How David Lynch invented me

Kyle MacLachlan pays tribute to David Lynch in the New York Times, writing about their longtime collaboration and friendship, and Lynch’s distrust of words, which led to his secret language with his cabal of actors. Bonus reading: MacLachlan’s interview with GQ, in which he shares the last time he saw Lynch.

Laura Dern’s letter to David Lynch: You wove L.A. into our dreams

Laura Dern, another frequent Lynch collaborator, pens her own tribute in the Los Angeles Times. In a “love letter...

Netflix's Asura has an impactful story anchored by great performances from its four lead stars: Rie Miyazawa, Machiko Ono, Yu Aoi, and Suzu Hirose.

The seven-part drama series is based on Kuniko Mukōda's novel, Ashura no Gotoku, which revolves around four sisters who discover their father's affair.

As they try their best to hide the heartbreaking secret from their mother, more unnerving details about the sisters' lives are unearthed.

Read full article on The Direct.

“The Substance” (Mubi) and “Flow” (Janus/Sideshow), two very independent specialized releases, add to their theatrical and awards successes with strong interest on home viewing.

“Wicked” (Universal), expecting even greater recognition repeats as #1 at both iTunes (ranking by transactions) and Fandango (by revenue) in its second week out. The studio, which like others rarely announces home video returns, said its first week out had $70 million in rentals and sales. They get 80 percent of this after a small carriage fee deduction, a much higher return than in theaters. This buttresses the claim of how vital PVOD is, even if its often early streaming release seems to intrude on theatrical play.

Netflix, meanwhile, underwent a wholesale turnover this week, with only three films listed last week still on their top 10. “Ad Vitam,” an original French thriller in the Liam Neeson-mold that follows a lone avenger saving a family member in danger,...

There are times I wonder about the reasons some filmmakers are considered to be auteurs. The primary one has to be the ability to present any story in a distinctive manner and establish a certain style that is easily recognizable as the work of a specific individual. Hirokazu Kore-eda, for example, is known for taking relatable stories about people and telling those in a minimalist, reflective manner that often becomes an introspection for the viewers. We are, of course, talking about Netflix’s Japanese miniseries Asura here. The very popular novel — by author Kuniko Mukoda — has already been adapted twice, once as a TV series back in 1979 and the other time as a feature film in 2013. Yet, the latest adaptation has a lot of value attached to it, thanks to Kore-eda’s association with it. The Japanese filmmaker, of course, is regarded as one of the greatest in modern-day cinema,...

Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest Netflix series, Asura, has been received very well – thanks to the brilliant storytelling, masterful direction, and fantastic acting performances by the cast. In this article, we’re going to look into who is playing what in the show and talk about the character for a bit.

Jun Kunimura as Kotaro

Veteran actor Jun Kunimura — whose most famous work is playing the Japanese priest in Korean director Na Hong-Jin’s The Wailing (2016), which I considered to be the greatest horror movie of this generation — plays Kotaro in Asura. The show begins with Takako discovering her seventy-something father – Kotaro – being unfaithful to her mother for a long time and even having a child. Kunimura is quite fantastic in the role, where most of the acting is done by expression and not words.

Keiko Matsuzaka as Fuji

Keiko Matsuzaka, who has a sprawling career and was also...

Asura is a poignant examination of familial ties torn apart by the sneaky threads of infidelity set in the heart of Tokyo in 1979, where the echoes of tradition clash with the whispers of modernity. The central figure in this narrative is Kotaro, a father whose secret life shatters the thin veneer of his daughters’ existence while revealing the deep cracks in trust and identity that lie beneath.

Hirokazu Kore-eda, a master of telling compassionate stories, directs this adaptation of Mukoda Kuniko’s book with a delicate hand, creating a tapestry that invites us to ponder the complexities of interpersonal relationships. His film lens records what happens and the emotional landscapes that each character travels through, letting us see into their inner turmoils.

The series resonates with the weight of societal expectations because it is set against the backdrop of a society full of patriarchal norms. The year 1979 serves as a crucible,...

Asura (2025) is a compelling family drama that centers on two old parents, Fuji and Kotaro, and their four daughters: Tsunako, Makiko, Takiko, and Sakiko. The series begins with Takiko uncovering Kotaro’s affair with a younger woman, setting off a chain of revelations and conflicts within the family. As the sisters grapple with how to address their father’s infidelity, deeper layers of their lives come to light.

Makiko, shaken by Kotaro’s betrayal, begins to question the fidelity of her own husband, Takao. Tsunako, secretly entangled with a married man, struggles with her inability to let him go. Takiko, plagued by insecurities about her appearance, gradually learns to embrace herself and finds love along the way. Meanwhile, the youngest, Sakiko, full of life and optimism, marries a boxer who eventually earns the title of Champion. The series weaves together themes of family, love, betrayal, self-discovery, and morality, creating a...

The new Japanese family drama series streaming on Netflix, Asura provides an insightful glance into the complexities of sisterhood as well as womanhood. Set in 1979, the plot here follows the four sisters of the Takezawa family, who are shocked to learn that their father is still involved in an extramarital affair, even at the old age of 70. Over seven episodes, each an hour long, we follow the consequences of this discovery before gradually getting to know each of the four sisters in great detail as well. Overall, Asura is an entertaining and intriguing series to watch, especially for fans of family dramas.

Spoiler Alert

What is the J-drama series about?

Asura begins on one cold January morning in 1979, with a young woman urgently using a payphone to call up her elder sister after being evidently disturbed about something. The woman, Takiko, calls up each of her three sisters and asks...

Japanese dramas, when done right, can often bring out the complexities of familial relationships and certain aspects very integral to society in the island country. Thus, it is no wonder that one of the Master of Modern Japanese cinema, Hirokazu Kore-eda, whose very specialization is creating highly moving family dramas, would be able to bring the same effect to his Netflix series as well. 2025’s Asura, currently streaming on Netflix, is a beautiful watch, both visually and thematically, driven by strong acting performances and brilliant visual storytelling. Having a runtime of 7 hours, over 7 hour-long episodes, Asura is a highly recommended watch for those looking for good dramas this new year.

Set in 1979, Asura begins with an unusual premise, when a woman named Takiko calls up each of her three sisters with a highly concerning and scandalous piece of news buzzing in her mind. When the sisters meet that evening, Takiko...

Asura, the 2024 Japanese drama series on Netflix, has all the stylistic touches of a Kore-eda family drama, quite naturally so, as the famed auteur has adapted the show from an original Japanese drama series. While the new seven-part series originally begins with the shocking discovery of an elderly man’s extramarital affair, the show’s focus shifts entirely to the lives of his four daughters by its end. Asura’s finale resolves a few of the issues earlier raised while also maintaining elusiveness regarding a few of them, and this article briefly discusses all these matters.

Spoiler Alert

Does Kotaro continue to keep in touch with Shoji?

At the beginning of Asura, the extramarital affair of the elderly Kotaro Takezawa is at the center of all discussion, as his four daughters are shocked to find out about the matter. There are multiple levels to this shock, beginning with the fact...

Today marks the premiere of the anime adaptation of Flower and Asura . In honor of the show's launch, creditless versions of both the opening and ending sequences are now available on YouTube! Get into the rhythm of the new series with the opening, set to "Jibun Kakumei" ("Self Revolution") by Shishamo: Flower and Asura Creditless Op Related: Flower and Asura Anime Premieres on January 7, 2025 Then relax with the show's laid-back ending, set to "Roro" ("Resonant") by Sato.: Flower and Asura Creditless Ed Related: Flower and Asura Anime Reveals Opening, Ending Song Details Ayumu Uwano directs Flower and Asura at Studio Bind, with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu ( Do It Yourself!! ), character designs by Ko Aine and music by Masaru Yokoyama ( Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night ). The series is based on the manga by Ayano Takeda ( Sound! Euphonium ) and Musshu. As previously reported , the story of Flower and...

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January is about new beginnings, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some pieces of the past hanging around this month. For much of the world, 2025 offers the first chance to see some of 2024’s most notable films and performances, including limited December releases like Hard Truths, September 5, Better Man, The Brutalist, and Sing Sing (a summer 2024 release getting a second chance in theaters).

January 2025: Best...

If your name is Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones Jr., look away now. As for the rest of you, we wish you a Happy New Year! And so do many of our favorite anime titles, among others, who've provided a hiss-toric number of Year of the Snake-themed artwork and depictions of characters keeping warm, visiting shrines and eating mochi to kick off 2025. Related: Roundup: Scale Up Your 2024 Celebrations with Over 100 Anime New Year's Visuals and Illustrations 9-nine- Ruler's Crown via official X (formerly Twitter) A Couple of Cuckoos via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Sign of Affection via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! via author's X (formerly Twitter) Actas Animation via official X (formerly Twitter) Aggretsuko via official X (formerly Twitter) Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian via official X...

New Years Day might involve a ton of streaming and binging for folks recovering from New Years Eve 2025!

Well, Netflix is delivering with some of their additions to their streaming catalogue on January 1, 2025!

The streamer is adding 36 movies on the first of the month, including titles like Interstellar, Love Actually, I Know What You Did Last Summer, 13 Going on 30, Notting Hill, The Net, and more fan fave titles.

We’ve collected the list of every movie and TV show being added by Netflix for the entire month of January, including the first.

Keep reading to find out more…

Scroll down to see every title being added to Netflix on January 1 and beyond.

Jan. 1

Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever

The Love Scam

Missing You

Number 24

13 Going on 30

3 Ninjas: Kick Back

Apollo 13

Blended

Bruce Almighty

Colombiana

Dallas Buyers Club

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat

Dr.

An iconic family drama of mid-20th century Japan is reborn in the modern age, timeless and captivating as ever.

Four seemingly happy sisters are suddenly confronted with an unsettling development — a modern family drama about four sisters searching for true happiness amid clashes, tears, and laughter.

The Netflix Series “Asura” starts streaming worldwide on Thursday, January 9, 2025, only on Netflix.

If there’s a show you’ve been waiting years to return, chances are it’s coming back in 2025. From “Stranger Things” Season 5, which is expected to premiere later this year, to “Severance” Season 2, some of the biggest and buzziest shows on television are expected to make their returns in this new year.

Part of the reason for this big return has to do with the residual effects of the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Those historic Hollywood effects delayed production across the board. While broadcast series were largely able to air new episodes in 2024, prestige streaming and cable shows — which typically take a bit longer to produce on average — needed a bit more time to bounce back.

But bounce back they did. And it’s not just the “White Loti” and “Andors” of the world fans have to look forward to. Do you love procedural classics? New episodes of...

The official website and accounts for the upcoming Flower and Asura anime today announced that the slice-of-life drama series will air on Japanese television from January 7, 2025 at 25:29 (effectively January 8 at 1:29). Two additional cast members and a main visual were also revealed along with a main trailer that previews the opening and ending songs, "Jibun Kakumei" ("Self Revolution") by Shishamo and "Roro" ("Resonant") by Sato., respectively. Flower and Asura Main Trailer Flower and Asura Main Visual The Flower and Asura anime's cast list is now as follows: Hana Haruyama voiced by Minori Fujidera Mizuki Usurai voiced by Miyuri Shimabukuro An Natsue voiced by Fuka Izumi Shudai Toga voiced by Shoya Chiba Matsuyuki Akiyama voiced by Seiichiro Yamashita Ryoko Totonoi voiced by Kiyono Yasuno Setaro Hakoyama voiced by Taito Ban Hiromi Kichijoji voiced by Koji Yusa Shura Saionji voiced by Yoko Hikasa Related: Flower and Asura Anime Reveals Opening, Ending...