Toei To Animate George Akiyama's Controversial Manga Ashura

by dtshyk
Mar 25, 2010 1:35 AM | 42 Comments

Toei Animation announced at Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 that they will animate George Akiyama's manga "Ashura".

Cover art of Ashura manga vol.1

Ashura is a human drama describing a famine in the medieval period of Japan. The depictions of cannibalism in the manga arose controversy and the manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine was banned in some area in 1970.

Source: Picture of the poster at TAF2010

20 of 42 Comments Recent Comments

is this still not subbed...

Dec 9, 2012 1:14 PM by CEMPUNK

This poster looks badass!!

I'm watching this.

May 19, 2012 12:48 AM by RickRoss-Sama

A novel depicting cannibalism and famine.

Hm. Sounds like it'll be an acquired taste.

May 18, 2012 5:12 PM by Lauriet

I've never heard of a manga like that... is this the first time something so sick will be animated? (excluding hentai)
I'll watch it, sounds interesting (not because of the cannibalism... I'd rather not see that xD..). If it's too much for me I can always stop watching.. :)

May 18, 2012 2:28 PM by Vanessa-

Looks great & cool +____+

May 16, 2012 3:17 AM by Misaola

OH YEAH!!

Dec 22, 2011 9:57 PM by Cau-ca-sian

Oh wow, this looks pretty interesting. Finally something darker, not just fanservice. I am looking forward to it.

Aug 4, 2010 7:46 AM by Ishikatsu

Nice poster. Definitely something I'll check out.

Mar 27, 2010 11:09 PM by bendomolena

Ashura is a human drama describing a famine in the medieval period of Japan.

This looks really interesting. Planning on this one.

Mar 27, 2010 3:05 PM by VelvetEris

I'm definitely interested.

Mar 25, 2010 5:48 PM by LucySky

Bluesnow said:
Will this be a movie or series o.o?

I might look forward to a series of this xD

That's a good question, actually. I just assumed it would be a TV anime.

It might be an OVA, because OVAs are the best way to avoid strict Japanese censorship laws. Toei aren't really known for making OVAs, though.

Mar 25, 2010 4:18 PM by Rosa_FOEtida

Will this be a movie or series o.o?

I might look forward to a series of this xD

Mar 25, 2010 3:40 PM by Bluesnow

Looks and sounds kind of interesting. However, I would rather see that they got their act together and finished La Rose de Versailles.

Mar 25, 2010 3:39 PM by HimboBaggins

ukonkivi said:

kisami said:
hmm so tentacle sex is ok but cannibalism is where they draw the line?

Apparently the nation is more worried about things which might be seen as degrading to the country than things which might be seen as degrading to women.

cannibalism is a recurring thing throughout the world not just japan so why ban manga that depicted it

im pretty sure it still happens in southern states of america x,x
and other places i dun know of lol

further on pardon teh double post

Mar 25, 2010 3:26 PM by Corpse69

sweet! im sick of generic shit finaly a change of pace no more moeblobs XD

Mar 25, 2010 3:16 PM by Corpse69

I added George Akiyama to the MAL database, but I couldn't find any info on the Ashura manga anywhere.

Mar 25, 2010 2:37 PM by AfterGlow

What the hell, why not? I'm into depressing and/or controversial sh*t.

Mar 25, 2010 2:04 PM by DonKangolJones

Sylpheed said:
The cover art doesn't look good ><

>> the manga was banned in some area in 1970.

Thing's old. Give your eyes some leeway.

Mar 25, 2010 11:59 AM by BasakaNZ

infinite_zero said:
Yes please. I'm sick of moeblobs. Something dark will be totally fun.

This. No more moeblobs.

But I'll be looking at the character arts too when they're released. Depends on that, AND seiyuu listing.