Ashura is a young girl with striking features, characterized by her beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes, making her a very recognizable figure. Her age progresses throughout the narrative; she is first introduced at around twelve years old and is approximately fifteen by the end of the initial story arc. As the series continues into later installments, her appearance undergoes notable changes, making her one of the characters whose look evolves the most significantly across different storylines.

Ashura’s background is steeped in tragedy and isolation. She was born carrying the blood of the demon god Ashura, a heritage that caused her own community to fear and reject her. Because of this, she was imprisoned within a pagoda from the moment of her birth, living a life of confinement. Her existence is of great importance to the world's fate, as she is a key to unlocking the Gates of Hell, a central event that the antagonist seeks to bring about. This makes her a target for the group known as the Six Realms, and she is eventually taken by the being Daisho Kangi-ten, who removes her from the pagoda.

Under the control of Daisho Kangi-ten, Ashura is subjected to brainwashing that turns her into an enemy of the protagonist, Kujaku. However, it is through Kujaku's inherent kindness and compassion that her true memories and heart are restored. After being rescued, she comes to live with Kujaku and the monk Jikū, beginning a new and more normal life, which includes attending school. Over time, she grows into a capable ally and becomes a helper in exorcism and demon-fighting efforts. Her motivations become tied to her new life; in later stories, she is portrayed as a spirited and energetic modern teenager, even taking on exorcism jobs for the practical purpose of earning spending money, showing her more down-to-earth and contemporary side.

The most significant relationship in Ashura's life is with Kujaku. He is her rescuer and the one who breaks the brainwashing placed upon her. This creates a deep bond of trust and affection, and she becomes a frequent companion in his adventures. Her feelings for him are strong, and she can display a rebellious and temperamental personality, sometimes showing jealousy when it comes to her romantic interest in him. In one of the animated adaptations, her importance to Kujaku is highlighted when she is kidnapped by a group of Neo-Nazis seeking to harness her innate supernatural powers for a powerful artifact known as the Dragon Orb, prompting Kujaku to embark on a rescue mission. Her role in the story is often that of a supporter and a source of spiritual energy, which she can generate and transmit to her allies, making her a crucial power source in supernatural battles. At the same time, her connection to powerful forces frequently places her in the position of a damsel in distress, making her rescue a central objective for Kujaku and his team.

In terms of abilities, Ashura is a gifted pyrokinetic, capable of freely generating and manipulating flames. Her powers are linked to her status as one chosen by the Ashura King, her guardian deity. Beyond her own fire-based attacks, her most vital role in combat often involves producing vast quantities of spiritual energy, which she can then transfer to her companions to empower their own techniques. Her personal development is one of moving from a tragic, isolated captive to a more independent and modern young woman, though she continues to face dangers due to her unique lineage and abilities.