“Ashes of the Past”: the mysterious Japanese drama about revenge that enchants on Netflix.
The eight-episode series tells a story about past tragedies and the insatiable search for the truth
Foreign productions that go beyond American ones have become a niche full of hidden gems within Netflix’s catalog. Among the recent premieres flooding the platform, now comes a Japanese drama full of suspense that, as expected, has captured the attention of subscribers of the red “N” worldwide. It is called Ashes of the Past and is a miniseries that stands out not only for its intriguing narrative, but also for its renowned actors as far as the Asian country is concerned.
The series is an adaptation of the original comic by Moyashi Fujisawa. (Netflix)
Based on the successful comic book Burn the House Down by Moyashi Fujisawa, the story takes us to the home of the wealthy Mitarai family. These influential hospital owners see their world come crashing down after a tragic fire completely destroys their home. However, the real mystery and tension begins 13 years later, when the enigmatic Anzu Murata knocks on the door of the Mitarai residence and gains employment inside their home. But what they don’t know is that the young woman hides a secret.
The talented Mei Nagano, known for her versatility in Japanese film and television, plays Murata, a young woman who seeks to find out exactly what happened the night her life changed in just seconds. Thus, infiltrated in the home of the family that hires her under a false name, the protagonist will have to face different situations in order not to ruin her alibi and keep digging until she can finally execute a fierce revenge.
Among Anzu’s main enemies, we find Mr. Mitarai’s second wife, Makiko, played by the formidable Kyoka Suzuki. This woman, with her beauty and imposing presence, becomes an obstacle and an enigma for the young housekeeper. The chemistry between the two actresses in their first Netflix collaboration is one of the highlights of the series and keeps the suspense going for several episodes.
While the two leads hog much of the limelight, the talented cast of the Japanese fiction also includes: Yuri Tsunematsu, who plays Yuzu; Michiko Kichise in the role of Satsuki; Mitsuhiro Oikawa, who brings Osamu to life; and Asuka Kudô, in the role of Kiichi.
How many chapters are there in “Ashes of the Past”?
Ashes of the Past has only eight chapters of approximately 45 minutes each. It is a story that brings the theme of revenge to the forefront, but also explores the past, the tragedies that can shape our present and how the search for the truth triggers unexpected consequences.
The original comic on which it is based was published in 2017 for Kodansha Publishing’s Kiss magazine, and became popular in Japan around that time. Now its TV adaptation for Netflix promises an equally gripping experience for international audiences. Currently, the title is climbing its way up the streaming service’s most-watched chart.