‘Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori’ Anime Premiere: Fans Rejoice After 30-Year Wait – First Episode Reactions

TV anime Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori (The Red River) Episode 01 “Wakare to Deai no Kisu” aired on July 7, 2026. After nearly 30 years since the original manga’s run, fans finally got to see the classic series animated. Despite the late-night timeslot, many watched live and shared their reactions on social media.

The series is based on the manga by Shinohara Chie, serialized in Shogakukan’s Shojo Comic from 1995 to 2002. It follows Yuri (Suzuki Yuri), a modern Japanese schoolgirl suddenly transported to the Hittite Empire in the 14th century BCE. There she meets Prince Kail Mursili, and becomes known as the goddess of war, Ishtar, while navigating conspiracies and a time limit to return home. 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 anime is directed by Kobayashi Kousuke, with animation by Tatsunoko Production. Yuri is voiced by Tachibana Mimi, and Kail by Kato Wataru.

Note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 01.

The episode opens with Yuri and her boyfriend Hikami kissing under a cherry blossom tree. The romantic start immediately got fans excited on social media, with comments like “Opening kiss!” “Zukyuun!” “Heart-pounding from the start!” Kail’s voice actor Kato Wataru also posted “First brain destruction.”

After returning home, Yuri shyly tells her family about the kiss. While soaking in the bath, a woman’s hand reaches out from the drain, turning the scene into horror. Fans screamed “!?” “Scary lol” “Is this a Junji Ito collection?” “Evil spirits begone!” “This will give me bath trauma” and one viewer joked “I thought she was time-slipping to ancient Rome” referencing another bath scene.

Yuri manages to escape and goes on a date with Hikami, but then a hand grabs her from a puddle, dragging her in. More horror: “Too scary!” “Even puddles are dangerous?” “Don’t go near water!” “Hikami will be traumatized”.

Yuri surfaces in a strange world where she doesn’t understand the language. She is chased by soldiers. The epic background music drew praise: “The music is amazing!” “Great soundtrack!”

Cornered, she is saved by Kail, who suddenly kisses her. This romantic twist set social media ablaze: “Another kiss!” “Handsome!” “A kiss at first meeting!” The kiss also allows Yuri to understand the local language, surprising viewers: “The language!?” “A kiss with translation konnyaku effect!?”

Despite Kail’s help, Yuri runs away in fear and is captured by soldiers. The one who summoned her, Queen Nakia, appears. She reveals she brought Yuri as a sacrifice to secure her son’s succession. Fans criticized: “What a selfish isekai summoning!” “So self-centered!” but also noted “At least she explains it” “Why from the modern world?” “Too much trouble to summon from the future”.

When news of the emperor’s arrival comes, Nakia’s aide Urhi (CV: Yuasa Kouji) warns not to reveal the curse. Fans compared his voice to a certain “trash” character. The emperor is deceived by Nakia, and Yuri’s sacrifice seems inevitable.

The next day, a ritual is held to offer Yuri to the gods. Just as an axe is about to strike her neck, Kail intervenes. The classic “handsome prince saves the damsel” moment thrilled fans, though they were surprised by the precision of a cup hitting the axe and the force that deflected it.

Kail confirms that the sacrifice requires purity, then claims he has already taken Yuri’s virginity, saving her. Fans cheered: “He protected her! Handsome!” “Cool!” “His words are weird but he’s a good guy!”

Afterward, Kail explains the situation: Yuri is in a distant ancient land. She begs to go home, and the episode ends. The opening theme “Akatsuki no Sora” by Nanami Hiroki (who also voices the narrator and Hikami) played, showing Yuri riding a horse and fighting, surprising viewers: “So cool!” “She’s become so strong!” “Leading an army!?”

After the broadcast, voice actors Tachibana Mimi, Kato Wataru, and others posted comments on X.

Reactions from both newcomers and longtime fans were positive: “It was interesting! I want to read the manga!” “Time flew by!” “I thought it looked old but the heroine was cute so I watched till the end” “Original fans are ecstatic!” “So nostalgic!” “Feels like the Heisei era”. Episode 02 “Kuroi Mizu” is scheduled for July 14.

Staff

Cast

Theme Songs

Opening Theme: “Akatsuki no Sora” by Nanami Hiroki (King Records) – Lyrics by Nanami Hiroki, Composition/Arrangement by YASUHIRO (Yasuhiro)

Ending Theme: “Reunion” by Shimizu Misa – Lyrics/Composition/Arrangement by Taisei Toda

Broadcast Information

Nippon TV: From July 7, every Tuesday at 25:29 (AnichU slot)
BS Nippon TV: From July 8, every Wednesday at 24:00
*Times subject to change.

Original manga: Shinohara Chie “Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori” (Shogakukan)
Deluxe edition (10 volumes) release starting July 24, 2026, volumes 1 and 2 simultaneously.

(C) Shinohara Chie / Shogakukan / Anime “Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori” Production Committee