Image: Chie Shinohara/Shogakukan/Produktionskomitee des Anime „Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori“
AMBot | 09/01/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
The anime "Red River" (Japanese original title: "Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori") starts its second cour on September 29. As officially announced by the production, voice actress and singer Nana Mizuki will take on the role of Ursula in the new episodes: a woman who appears in the city of Katapa near the Hittite capital Hattusa and, with her beauty, poses as the goddess Ishtar to live in luxury and get her way. At the same time, Mizuki sings the new opening "Akatsuki no Hoshi" (Star of Dawn), which she describes as a song about Yuri's straightforwardness, strength, and love.
The series has been airing since July 7 in the AnichU programming block of Nippon TV and simultaneously on BS Nittele; a total of 24 episodes are planned. Tatsunoko Production is responsible for the animation, Kosuke Kobayashi directs, and Yoriko Tomita handles the series composition. Internationally, the anime is streamed by Crunchyroll, among others.
Nana Mizuki, who had already read the work during her school days, expressed surprise and delight at her dual involvement: being able to participate in a series she devoured as a young girl and even sing the title song is a great honor. Her character Ursula deceives people with a lavish lifestyle; viewers should pay special attention to how she develops when she meets the real Ishtar, Yuri. The opening is a melancholic-passionate number closely intertwined with the turbulent plot.
As the new ending from the second cour, "flow feat. Yuko Ando" by the band Ryu Matsuyama, consisting of the Italy-born musicians Ryu (vocals, piano) and Jackson (drums), will be heard. For the track, the duo brought singer-songwriter Yuko Ando into the studio as a guest vocalist. Ryu Matsuyama explained that he read the manga multiple times for the production to reflect the characters' feelings and the epic landscape in the music; the lyrics also contain references to the source material. The interplay of the two voices is meant to make the connection between Yuri and Kail across time audible.
The original work by Chie Shinohara was serialized from 1995 to 2002 in the magazine Sho-Comi by publisher Shogakukan and comprises 28 volumes. The total circulation exceeds 20 million copies – making "Red River" one of the most successful works of the genre. The current series is the first television adaptation of the material at all and is being produced in the year of the artist's 45th career anniversary.
The main cast includes Mirai Tachibana as Yuri, Wataru Kato as Kail, Aya Uchida as Nakia, Shoya Chiba as Zannanza, Tomoaki Maeno as Ilbani, and Koji Yusa as Urhi; in the second cour, Soma Saito as Ramses and Shun Horie as Juda join, among others. The story follows Japanese schoolgirl Yuri Suzuki, who is transported to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC, meets Prince Kail there, and is eventually revered as the war goddess Ishtar.
The series has been airing since July 7 in the AnichU programming block of Nippon TV and simultaneously on BS Nittele; a total of 24 episodes are planned. Tatsunoko Production is responsible for the animation, Kosuke Kobayashi directs, and Yoriko Tomita handles the series composition. Internationally, the anime is streamed by Crunchyroll, among others.
Nana Mizuki, who had already read the work during her school days, expressed surprise and delight at her dual involvement: being able to participate in a series she devoured as a young girl and even sing the title song is a great honor. Her character Ursula deceives people with a lavish lifestyle; viewers should pay special attention to how she develops when she meets the real Ishtar, Yuri. The opening is a melancholic-passionate number closely intertwined with the turbulent plot.
As the new ending from the second cour, "flow feat. Yuko Ando" by the band Ryu Matsuyama, consisting of the Italy-born musicians Ryu (vocals, piano) and Jackson (drums), will be heard. For the track, the duo brought singer-songwriter Yuko Ando into the studio as a guest vocalist. Ryu Matsuyama explained that he read the manga multiple times for the production to reflect the characters' feelings and the epic landscape in the music; the lyrics also contain references to the source material. The interplay of the two voices is meant to make the connection between Yuri and Kail across time audible.
The original work by Chie Shinohara was serialized from 1995 to 2002 in the magazine Sho-Comi by publisher Shogakukan and comprises 28 volumes. The total circulation exceeds 20 million copies – making "Red River" one of the most successful works of the genre. The current series is the first television adaptation of the material at all and is being produced in the year of the artist's 45th career anniversary.
The main cast includes Mirai Tachibana as Yuri, Wataru Kato as Kail, Aya Uchida as Nakia, Shoya Chiba as Zannanza, Tomoaki Maeno as Ilbani, and Koji Yusa as Urhi; in the second cour, Soma Saito as Ramses and Shun Horie as Juda join, among others. The story follows Japanese schoolgirl Yuri Suzuki, who is transported to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC, meets Prince Kail there, and is eventually revered as the war goddess Ishtar.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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