Asura – Season 1 Episode 2 Recap & Review

 A Letter About the Affair in the Local Newspaper

Episode 2 of Asura starts with Sakiko calling Makiko after finding out that Kotaro’s infidelity made it to the local newspaper. Sakiko thinks that the three sisters sent the news to the newspaper and left her out, so she calls Makiko to complain. However, Makiko is shocked to hear about it. At the same time, there is news about Jinnai’s boxing match, which makes him even more anxious.

The article in the newspaper insinuates that the writer has a husband and suspects that the husband might also be cheating. Takao thinks Makiko sent in the article while Makiko thinks it is Tsunako. Makiko had only told her about her suspicions. At home, Fuji lays the morning paper on the floor for Kotaro to use when cutting his nails. Fuji intentionally opens the newspaper to the page with the article.

Elsewhere, Tsunako is fired from Masukawa restaurant. Later, Takao invites Takiko and Katsumata to the restaurant. Takao thinks that Katsumata likes Takiko. However, when Takao and Tsunako ask him about it, he lies and says he already has someone. Takiko is disappointed and runs out of the restaurant Katsumata chases after her and they confess that they like each other.

Meanwhile, Jinnai gets ready for his fight, and Sakiko stays by his side. Sakiko cheers him on saying that she and Fuji will both watch his match. Jinnai gets emotional and hugs Sakiko close. At the same time, Tomoko’s son gets into an accident while Makiko visits Fuji. The boxing match does not too well so Sakiko leaves in the middle of the match. Jinnai loses the match and also has a concussion. JInnai is angry at Sakiko for leaving. He weeps saying that Sakiko abandoned him.

While Tsunako refuses to invite her married boyfriend, Makiko worries about Fuji so she calls the sisters to meet up at their family home. Sakiko asks Jinnai to join her but he refuses. Jinnai is embarrassed about losing the match and even asks Sakiko to break up. Sakiko responds by calling him out for being cowardly after one loss. She tells him that she walked out because he looked weak in the ring and instead of mopping around, he should start strategizing how to make a comeback and knock out the winner next time.

The girls gather at their family home waiting for Kotaro to arrive. While Fuji is busy cooking, Makiko tells them about her dream and worries that something bad might happen to Kotaro. It gets even more suspicious when Fuji assures them that Kotaro always comes back home and is never that late. Therefore, Makiko asks Takao to head to the apartment and look for Kotaro. Upon arriving, a neighbour tells Takao that Tomoko is at the hospital because her son was injured earlier that day. She tells him that Kotaro, whom she thinks is Tomoko’s husband, is with her at the hospital.

At home, the girls reminisce about their childhood memories with Fuji. They stay up until midnight, and still, there is no news from Kotaro. The girls are sure that he is spending the night with the mistress. They discuss whether to tell Fuji about the affair if Kotaro is not back by the morning. Sakiko gets hungry, so the girls start making late-night snacks while thinking about Kotaro. When they hear the doorbell, they all rush to the door hoping it is Kotaro, but it is Takao bringing updates about the boy getting injured and that Kotaro is with them at the hospital.

Kotaro arrives home late that night and finds everyone waiting. He acts like it is not a big deal, wishes all a good night, and heads to bed. Makiko notices an award from the manga in The Daily Motion and realises that Fuji is the one who sent the article to the newspaper. Makiko wants to confront her for not telling the girls, but Takao asks her not to ask about it. They should instead make everyone believe Makiko wrote it.

The Episode Review

Although nothing major happens in this episode, the article in the newspaper introduces a new theme about women in that period. The article kept talking about whether women should be okay with living without making waves. It focuses on the issue of whether women should feel indebted to their husbands and still stick around even when their husbands are unfaithful.

Fuji knows about Kotaro’s mistress, but she does not let it show. She is sad and frustrated, as seen in the closing scene of the episode, but she still smiles and talks fondly about Kotaro with the girls. In the next episodes, will we see Fuji choose to conform because of age and the many years of marriage or will she decide to make waves and confront Kotaro about the affair?