In 15th century feudal Japan, war reigns and food is scarce. Babies are burned and eaten, but one crawls out of the fire, barely alive and aching for meat. He teaches himself to survive by killing and eating those unfortunate enough to cross his deadly grip. For little Asura (voiced by Masako Nozawa), human life is worth exactly its weight in human flesh. When a young woman named Wakasa (Megumi Hayashibara) and a high priest both attempt to bring out the human side to the cannibal anti-hero, Asura must decide if he can trust the same humans who tried to kill him. Based on George Akiyama’s banned manga from the 1970s, Asura is brutal, thrilling, violent, and powerfully moving. Toei Animation’s watercolor-like visuals are gorgeous, and director Sato (Tiger and Bunny) keeps things moving briskly along in the packed 75-minute running time. But it’s the bravura voice-acting of legendary actress Nozawa (everything from Dragon Ball’s Goku to Galaxy Express 999’s Tetsuro) that gives the film its drama and Asura his humanity.

15世紀中期、相次ぐ洪水、旱魃、飢饉で荒野と化した京都。それに追い打ちをかけるように始まった日本史上最大の内線・応仁の乱。その死者数・行方不明者数はあまりに膨大で、歴史のページには刻むこともできなかった。こんな時代に産み落とされたアシュラは、ケダモノとしてサバイバルを続けながら生き抜いていく。
そんな時一人の少女・若狭の優しい愛、そして法師の教えに触れ、アシュラは次第に人間性を備えていく。言葉を覚え、笑い、喜ぶ日々。しかしそれは苦しみと悲しみの始まりでもあった。やがて天災と貧困が起こり、人間性を失っていく人々。ついには若狭さえ……。果たしてアシュラの運命は？