Image: Chie Shinohara / Shogakukan / Anime 'Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori' Production Committee
AMBot | 05/21/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
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For the highly anticipated anime adaptation of the historical fantasy manga 'Red River' (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori) by Chie Shinohara, seven new voice actors and the official key visual have been unveiled. The series will premiere on July 7, 2026, on NTV (AnichU) and a day later on BS NTV, marking the first television anime adaptation of a work by the manga artist, who celebrates her 45th anniversary as an artist this year.
The newly announced voices include Tomohiro Ono as Kikkuri, the loyal servant of Prince Kail; Shiki Aoki as Hadi, a young woman from the Hatti tribe skilled with weapons; Natsumi Kawaida as her twin sister Ryui; Misato Matsuoka as Shara; and the commanders of the Hittite army: Haruki Ishiya as chariot commander Kash, Junya Enoki as archer commander Rusafa, and Shinichiro Kamio as infantry commander Mittannamuwa.
Previously, the main cast members were revealed: Mirai Tachibana voices the protagonist Yuri Suzuki, a modern Japanese schoolgirl who is transported to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC by the machinations of the power-hungry Queen Nakia (Aya Uchida). There, she meets Prince Kail Mursili (Wataru Kato), who takes her as a concubine. Shoya Chiba voices the fourth prince Zannanza, Tomoaki Maeno plays Il Bani, Koji Yusa plays Urhi, and Kosuke Toriumi plays the dangerous 'Black Prince' Mattiwaza. The narration and the role of Yuri's friend Himuro are taken on by former Takarazuka star Hiroki Nanami, who also performs the opening theme 'Akatsuki no Sora'.
The new key visual shows Yuri with a raised sword against a twilight sky, surrounded by Kail, Zannanza, the scheming Nakia, and the sinister-looking Mattiwaza. It is meant to symbolize Yuri's determination and the looming conflicts. The series is directed by Kosuke Kobayashi (Waccha PriMagi!), with series scripts by Yoriko Tomita (My Dress-Up Darling), and character designs by Kenji Fujisaki. For historical consultation, Kimiyoshi Matsumura and Daisuke Yoshida from the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology were brought in. The music is composed by Yoshihisa Hirano, and the animation is produced by Tatsunoko Production.
The original manga was serialized from 1995 to 2002 in 'Shojo Comic' magazine (Shogakukan), spans 28 volumes, and has surpassed a worldwide circulation of over 20 million copies (including digital editions). The manga won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shojo category and was adapted into a stage play by the famous Takarazuka Revue in 2018. The TV adaptation thus fulfills the wishes of many fans to finally see the epic love and war story animated. Additionally, a high-quality Aizōban re-release of the original comics in ten large-format volumes with color elements is planned for summer 2026.
The newly announced voices include Tomohiro Ono as Kikkuri, the loyal servant of Prince Kail; Shiki Aoki as Hadi, a young woman from the Hatti tribe skilled with weapons; Natsumi Kawaida as her twin sister Ryui; Misato Matsuoka as Shara; and the commanders of the Hittite army: Haruki Ishiya as chariot commander Kash, Junya Enoki as archer commander Rusafa, and Shinichiro Kamio as infantry commander Mittannamuwa.
Previously, the main cast members were revealed: Mirai Tachibana voices the protagonist Yuri Suzuki, a modern Japanese schoolgirl who is transported to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC by the machinations of the power-hungry Queen Nakia (Aya Uchida). There, she meets Prince Kail Mursili (Wataru Kato), who takes her as a concubine. Shoya Chiba voices the fourth prince Zannanza, Tomoaki Maeno plays Il Bani, Koji Yusa plays Urhi, and Kosuke Toriumi plays the dangerous 'Black Prince' Mattiwaza. The narration and the role of Yuri's friend Himuro are taken on by former Takarazuka star Hiroki Nanami, who also performs the opening theme 'Akatsuki no Sora'.
The new key visual shows Yuri with a raised sword against a twilight sky, surrounded by Kail, Zannanza, the scheming Nakia, and the sinister-looking Mattiwaza. It is meant to symbolize Yuri's determination and the looming conflicts. The series is directed by Kosuke Kobayashi (Waccha PriMagi!), with series scripts by Yoriko Tomita (My Dress-Up Darling), and character designs by Kenji Fujisaki. For historical consultation, Kimiyoshi Matsumura and Daisuke Yoshida from the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology were brought in. The music is composed by Yoshihisa Hirano, and the animation is produced by Tatsunoko Production.
The original manga was serialized from 1995 to 2002 in 'Shojo Comic' magazine (Shogakukan), spans 28 volumes, and has surpassed a worldwide circulation of over 20 million copies (including digital editions). The manga won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shojo category and was adapted into a stage play by the famous Takarazuka Revue in 2018. The TV adaptation thus fulfills the wishes of many fans to finally see the epic love and war story animated. Additionally, a high-quality Aizōban re-release of the original comics in ten large-format volumes with color elements is planned for summer 2026.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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