The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Chie Shinohara’s shōjo manga Red River (also known as Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) revealed a fresh main visual, introduced seven new cast members, and announced a July 7 television premiere.
The newly announced characters are:
Tomohiro Ōno as Kikkuri, Prince Kail’s servant
Shiki Aoki as Hadi, a daughter of the Hatti clan, servant of Kail, and elder sister to Ryui and Shala
Natsumi Kawaida as Ryui (left) and Misato Matsuoka as Shala (right), Hadi’s younger twin sisters
Haruki Ishiya as Kash, leader of the Hittite chariot corps
Junya Enoki as Rusafa, leader of the Hittite archer corps
Shinichirō Kamio as Mittannamuwa, leader of the Hittite infantry corps
The series will debut on NTV’s “AnichU” block on July 7 at 25:35 (effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m.) and will also air on BS NTV on July 8.
Viz Media describes the manga’s opening premise:
Yuri, a cheerful Japanese girl who’s just passed her college entrance exam and shared her first kiss with her childhood friend‑turned‑boyfriend, suddenly notices water stirring whenever she approaches it. One night, hands emerge from a puddle and pull her in. She’s transported to an ancient Middle‑Eastern village, captured by soldiers, and taken to the queen’s palace for a human sacrifice.
Previously announced cast members include:
- Mirai Tachibana as Yuri
- Wataru Katō as Kail Muršili (later King Muršili II)
- Aya Uchida as Queen Nakia of the Hittite Empire
- Shōya Chiba as Zannanza Hattušili, the fourth‑born Hittite prince
- Tomoaki Maeno as Ilbani, Prince Kail’s aide
- Kōji Yusa as Urhi, Nakia’s servant
- Kōsuke Toriumi as Prince Mattiwaza, the “Prince of Darkness” from the Mitanni kingdom
The anime is directed by Kōsuke Kobayashi (known for Waccha PriMagi! and Alice or Alice) and produced by Tatsunoko Production. Series scripts are overseen by Yoriko Tomita, while character designs are handled by Kenji Fujisaki. Music is composed by Yoshihisa Hirano, with sound direction by Hiroto Morishita. Sound production is credited to Team Kawadon, and the opening theme “Akatsuki no Sora” (Dawn Sky) will be performed by Hiroki Nanami.
Historical consulting is provided by Kimiyoshi Matsumura and Daisuke Yoshida, members of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology’s Middle Eastern Culture Center.
Viz Media originally licensed the manga in 2004, releasing all 28 volumes between 2004 and 2010. The publisher began re‑issuing the series in three‑volume omnibus editions in October 2024; the seventh omnibus is slated for release on April 21.
Shinohara’s manga ran from 1995 to 2002 in Shogakukan’s Shōjo Comic (Sho‑Comi) magazine and even inspired a 2018 stage play by the all‑female Takarazuka Revue.
Sources: Red River anime official website, Comic Natalie.
