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Asura
Many sources name the asuras as demons, but others say they
were not as sinister as the name implies. They did oppose Indra
(Taishaku) and the devas. In early Vedic times the asuras would
have been classified as a type of deity, but by the end they fell into
the classification of demons. Though, this did not fit all asuras.
Some were indeed evil (Vritra), but others were so pious they
rivaled most other gods. In the Buddhist tradition they represent the
World of Anger of the Ten Worlds, and are one of the eight kinds
of lowly beings.
Ashura is the Japanese for the Sanskrit Asura.
An addition sent in by Katia Juhel: "In the book I'm working on, which is call the Mahavastu and relates the previous life of the Bouddha, they are mentionned.
I will have to check my notes, but they are presented as gods or demons, who were first living in heaven, on the slope of a mountain (I think it's Mount Meru, but I'm not sure).
But one day, Indra decided to put them out. He gave them some kind of drink, and, when they were drunk, he threw them to the low level of the mount. After that, the Asuras
were furious, and regularly have important battles with the gods, trying to come back to their first place; and really became demons.
I have checked my notes, that's what I found in the "Dictionnary of Pali Proper Name" (DPN for scholars) :
"Asuras were giants of Indian mythology, classed in buddhism literature as low devas. To be reborn in their world is one of the bad rebirth. They were first leaving in heaven
(Tavatimsa), but when Sakka appears, he refused to share his kingdom with others and having made them drunk, throw them by their feet to the slopes of Mount Sineru.
They fell in the lowest level of the Sineru. Wanting to come back, they climbed on the Sineru, but lost their battle again Sakka. To avoid the come back of the Asuras, Sakka put in
five places some guardians : Nagas, Garudas, Khumbhandas, Yakkhas, and the Four Great Kings.
According to Buddhagosa, an important buddhist recorder, their name come of the fact that when they were falling down, they made the vow that they would never drink
intoxicating drink (sura) anymore."
It seems to be exactly the same in Rg Veda : first Asura, then Taishaku-Indra who win upon them, and finally Asura again. (Well in my story, they never win but...)"
This story is also written in the Mahavastu, where they are opposed to the "Sura" (gods), they are presented as sometimes bad, sometimes good-minded."
Another possible origin for Ashura in the anime comes from
Leticia: "Ahura Mazda was told to be the only Ahura, the
king of the gods and the genies. Is the god of the sun and growing.
He has two faces, the good one (Spenta Manyu) and the evil one
(Angra Mainyu).
The Ashuras of RG Veda, are the first clan to rule heaven before
Taishakuten. And after, the daughter of the first king joins rulers of
the other clans to topple Taishakuten's rule. And in the Utena film, Shura is Juri's duel song.