Shoko Asahara
Actor · 1955 – 2018 · Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan
Shoko Asahara (麻原 彰晃, Asahara Shōkō, March 2, 1955 – July 6, 2018) was a Japanese religious activist, political activist, terrorist, and former death row inmate. His real name was Matsumoto Chizuo (松本 智津夫, Matsumoto Chizuo). He was born in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture. He was the spiritual leader of Aum Shinrikyo (meaning "Supreme Truth"), a Japanese apocalyptic sect that syncretizes Buddhist and Christian elements which was accused of carrying out the sarin gas terrorist attacks on the Tokyo subway in 1995. He was sentenced to death as responsible for the attacks. After his execution was postponed in 2012 following the arrest of other suspects, he was executed by hanging on July 6, 2018.
Movies2
Movie6.0DocumentaryCrimeThe shocking story of Aum Shinrikyo, the doomsday cult that unleashed a deadly nerve gas in Tokyo’s subway system in 1995. Founded by disillusioned yoga teacher Shoko Asahara, Aum transformed into a terrorist organization while Japan’s police and media turned a blind eye. Featuring rare archival footage and an interview with one of Asahara’s former high-ranking disciples. A Sundance premiere.
AUM: The Cult at the End of the World
2025 · 1 votes
Movie6.3DocumentaryCrimeAtsushi Sakahara, a victim of the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo's subway system, travels with Hiroshi Araki, an executive of Aleph (formerly Aum Shinrikyo), the attack's perpetrators, visiting their respective hometowns and the university they both attended. Conversations unfold, building intimacy: we learn why Araki joined the infamous organization led by Shoko Asahara and why, still, Araki remains an executive member of the cult, even though he was not directly involved in any of the crimes.The beginning of a friendship, a trip for redemption, or the confirmation that each human has to go their own way.
Series1
TV7.4DocumentaryDramaZero Hour dramatizes the hour leading up to some of the most memorable historical events as they unfold minute by minute. Using a real-time clock and a split screen to follow key players, the series reveals the compelling and exciting minutes leading up to events that changed the world.
Zero Hour
2004 · 9 votes