TV anime Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori (Red River) aired Episode 03, titled “Kaeranai, Kaerenai” (Not Returning, Cannot Return), on July 21, 2026. The episode sparked strong reactions online, particularly over Kail’s sudden kiss and the villainous actions of Urhi, voiced by Yuuji Yusa.
Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori is based on the manga by Chie Shinohara, serialized in Shogakukan’s Shoujo Comic from 1995 to 2002. The story follows Yuri (Suzuki Yuri), an ordinary modern Japanese girl who is suddenly transported to the Hittite Empire in the 14th century BCE. There she meets Prince Kail Mursili, the leading candidate for the throne, and becomes known as the war goddess Ishtar. She becomes entangled in conspiracies by the queen and conflicts with neighboring nations, all while facing a time limit to return to modern Japan. The manga won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shoujo category and was adapted into a stage play by the Takarazuka Revue in 2018. The TV anime began airing on July 7, 2026, directed by Kousuke Kobayashi, with animation production by Tatsunoko Pro. Yuri is voiced by Miku Tachibana, and Kail Mursili by Wataru Kato.
※ The following contains spoilers for Episode 03. Proceed with caution.
In the previous episode, the new character Tito made a shocking debut, with viewers crying out “Titoooo!” over her cruel fate. In Episode 03, Yuri and Kail visit Queen Nakia’s palace to save Tito, who was attacked by Nakia’s henchman Zuwa. However, they are blocked by the authority of the Tawananna, the empire’s highest female title.
Kail’s aide Il arrives and delivers brutal news: “Tito has already been killed. Give up and prepare to return.” Distraught, Yuri is calmed by Kail, who pulls her close and kisses her. He then declares, “I have not given up on Tito,” and rushes to rescue her. This is not the first time Kail has kissed Yuri suddenly—he did so upon their first meeting. Social media erupted with comments like “Why does he kiss? lol,” “He’s kissing again lol,” “Shut up, mouth,” and “I’ve never thought of calming someone with a kiss, nor have I seen anyone calm down from it.”
A report comes in: “A child’s body is outside the city walls.” When they go to see, they find Tito’s corpse, with all the skin from the neck down peeled off. Viewers who had screamed in the previous episode were horrified again, crying “Titoooo!” and expressing anger: “What a terrible way to kill!” “Unforgivable!”
Kail hugs Yuri to comfort her, but Il intervenes again, insisting on preparing Yuri’s return to her world. The next day, as the ritual to send Yuri back begins, Zuwa interferes. Seeing Zuwa wearing the skin peeled from Tito, Yuri refuses to continue the ritual. “I can’t forgive the people who killed Tito!” she declares. “I won’t go back until I avenge her!”
Meanwhile, Kail takes command of a punitive expedition to Tito’s hometown, Arina. Yuri decides to accompany him. However, Urhi, who had been sent to Arina earlier on Nakia’s orders, lies to Tito’s sisters, claiming that “Prince Kail’s concubine (Yuri) killed her.” Urhi is voiced by Yuuji Yusa, and fans commented: “He’s doing something scummy again!” “Urhi’s voice being Yuuji Yusa is too perfect,” and “Suspicious characters are best voiced by Yuuji Yusa!”
Episode 04 is scheduled to air on July 28.
Broadcast Information
TV anime Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori
Nippon TV: Every Tuesday at 25:29 (AnichU slot)
BS Nittele: Every Wednesday at 24:00
*Times subject to change.
Original Work
Original: Chie Shinohara, Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori (Shogakukan)
Staff
- Director: Kousuke Kobayashi
- Series Composition: Yoriko Tomita
- Character Design: Kenji Fujisaki (崎 is “tatsusaki”)
- Art Director: Katsumi Saruya
- Color Design: Sachiko Tsuji
- Director of Photography: Masashi Kamiki
- Editor: Yoshihiro Ueno
- Sound Director: Hiroto Morishita
- Music: Yoshihisa Hirano
- Sound Production: Team Kawadon
- Historical Research: Kimihito Matsumura, Daisuke Yoshida (Anatolian Archaeology Research Institute, Middle Eastern Culture Center)
- Animation Production: Tatsunoko Pro
Cast
- Yuri (Suzuki Yuri): Miku Tachibana
- Kail Mursili: Wataru Kato
- Nakia: Aya Uchida
- Zananza Hattusili: Shouya Chiba
- Il Bani: Tomoaki Maeno
- Urhi: Yuuji Yusa
- Kikkuri: Tomotaka Oono
- Hadi: Shiki Aoki
- Rui: Natsumi Kawaiida
- Shala: Misato Matsuoka
- Kash: Haruki Ishiya
- Rusafa: Junya Enoki
- Mittannamuwa: Shinichiro Kamio
- Matti Waza (Black Prince): Kousuke Toriumi
- Narration / Hyoumu: Hiroki Nanami
Theme Songs
- Opening Theme: “Akatsuki no Sora” by Hiroki Nanami (King Records) – Lyrics by Hiroki Nanami, composition/arrangement by YASUHIRO (Yasuhiro)
- Ending Theme: “Reunion” by Mieisa Shimizu – Lyrics/composition/arrangement by Taisei Toda
(C) Chie Shinohara / Shogakukan / Anime “Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori” Production Committee
