The company VAP has officially announced the television anime Red River (Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori), set to premiere this July. Fans can already take a look at the teaser trailer, which gives a first glimpse into the story's dramatic ancient setting.
The series centers on Yuri Suzuki, an ordinary high school girl who has just passed her exams and enjoys a happy relationship with her boyfriend. Her life takes a shocking turn when she is suddenly transported back in time to Hattusa, the capital of the ancient Hittite Empire. There, she is summoned by Queen Nakia, a powerful and manipulative ruler who plans to sacrifice Yuri in a dark ritual. According to legend, Yuri’s blood is the final ingredient needed to cast a curse that would destroy the rival princes and secure Nakia’s son as the sole heir to the throne.
Based on the manga by Chie Shinohara, Red River combines romance, fantasy, and historical adventure. The original manga ran in Sho-Comi magazine from January 1995 to June 2002, spanning a total of 28 volumes and selling over 20 million copies. It is widely regarded as a beloved shoujo classic, praised for its strong female lead and richly detailed depiction of ancient Anatolia. The upcoming anime adaptation is highly anticipated by longtime readers and newcomers alike, promising to bring this sweeping tale of love and survival vividly to life.