Asura season 1 ending explained: Did Kotaro's affair continue even after the show's end?

Asura season 1 was released on Netflix on January 9, 2025. The Japanese drama series has been styled similar to a Korean family drama, and follows the story of the discovery of an elderly man’s extramarital affair, throwing his family dynamics into a grey area that they must navigate.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Asura season 1. Reader's discretion is advised.

While the show begins with its focus on the father of the family and his affair, the end of the story focuses on his four daughters instead, passing on the baton to the next generation.

In the end, the father, Kotar,o had to break off his affair and contact with his mistress Tomoko. However, he maintained contact with her son Shoji, whom he grew to love like a paternal figure over the years.

Meanwhile, Kotaro's story was repeated in the life of his daughter Makiko, whose husband was also suspected to be cheating on her. But, unlike her mother, Makiko took charge and confronted her husband in the end.

What happened after Kotaro's affair that brought the incident back to the family?

At the beginning of Asura season 1, the extramarital affair of the family's patriarch Kotaro Takezawa was the focal point. It was revealed that Kotaro's affair had gone on for long after he established his family, and even his wife, Fuji, knew about it, but didn't say anything owing to embarrassment.

The event that brought the affair out was his lover Tomoko's marriage to someone else. However, Kotaro still continued to maintain contact with Tomoko's young son, Shoji. Though it was revealed that Shoji was not Kotaro's biological child, Kotaro still cared for him over the years.

By the final episode of the season, Shoji informed Kotaro that Tomoko was not marrying anyone else, it was just a ruse to break it off with Kotaro. Even though Kotaro tried to reconnect, the two parted ways to ensure that there would be no negative impact on Shoji growing up.

However, Kotaro was seen still maintaining his attachment. In the final scene for him, he is seen receiving a call from Shoji, clearly unable to stay away from his essentially adoptive son.

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What was Tsunako's story in Asura season 1?

Tsunako’s story started with a huge gas leak at her house, which made her sister Makiko worried. However, it was later suspected that Tsunako had caused the leak herself, in an attempt to take her own life.

Over the course of the season, it was revealed that Tsunako had lost her husband, and her only son had moved away to pursue his future. She felt stuck where she was. Though she told her sister that it was simply an accident, the audience was left questioning her story in the end. It might be likely that she tried to take her own life, but that question remains unanswered by the end of the season.

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Did Takiko and Sakiko resolve their enmity at the end of Asura season 1?

Takiko and Sakiko’s relationship as sisters was depicted to be unfriendly, since childhood. This was because of their diametrically opposite personalities. Takiko focused more on studies and building a career, while Sakiko drifted away from studies to become a popular girl.

Takiko often made fun of her sister's intelligence, causing the rift. However, after growing up, Sakiko became the one who gained the most money and success, which she often rubbed in Takiko’s face.

The incident that brought the two sisters together was a stranger trying to extort Sakiko after having an intimate night with her. Here, Takiko’s protective instincts for her family came out, especially when Sakiko broke down in front of her about the ordeal.

Takiko immediately took charge and dealt with the stranger aptly, with the realization that their fights were inconsequential as long as they stood up for each other.

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What did Makiko do about Takao's possible affair at the end of the season?

Even though Makiko was horrified about her father's affair at the beginning of Asura season 1, she soon found herself in a similar situation. She suspected that her husband Takao had a mistress. Makiko followed the clues that led her to Takao's secretary, Akagi.

However, at the end of the season, Akagi came to Makiko’s house to announce the news of her marriage. She then directly told Makiko that there was nothing between Takao and her. But this entire conversation felt orchestrated to Makiko. Takao made it seem like he only left those clues as a test for her but actually did not get involved with anyone.

In the end, Makiko took control of this whole discussion by directly addressing her husband's affairs, instead of shying away from them. Even though this was not a direct confirmation, it still made Makiko take charge of her life at last, which was a win for her.

Also read: Asura season 1: Release date, time, where to watch and more details

Audiences can watch all seven episodes of Asura season 1 streaming now on Netflix.

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