The Red River anime is airing its first season, which runs 24 episodes across two cours; the second cours began September 29. Episode 10 aired and was reviewed at a score of 3.3, with criticism of Yuri's inconsistent characterization. The series streams on Crunchyroll as it airs in Japan.
The Red River anime premiered on July 7, 2026 in NTV's AnichU block at 25:35, effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m., with a simulcast on Crunchyroll. The adaptation of Chie Shinohara's manga, serialized from 1995 to 2002 in Shogakukan's Shojo Comic and released in English by Viz Media, is directed by Kosuke Kobayashi at Tatsunoko Production, with Yoriko Tomita on series scripts, Kenji Fujisaki designing characters, and Yoshihisa Hirano composing. Coverage of the premiere called it a faithful, shot-for-shot recreation with serviceable animation, repeated black-and-white stills, and dated material in the male lead's behavior.
The first cour drew divided reviews. Episode 2's Tito arc prompted a strong reaction online. By episode 5, Anime News Network criticized the adaptation for melodrama and recommended the manga instead. Episode 9 was read as a genuine character turn for Yuri, and episode 10 was scored 3.3, with praise for retaining the harshness of slavery and for references to the twin goddesses Ninatta and Kulitta, but criticism of Yuri's see-saw between competence and breakdowns. Across these reviews the adaptation's handling of its source material remains the point of dispute.
The production expanded as it aired. The second cours was confirmed for September 29, bringing the total to 24 episodes. Nana Mizuki performs the second opening theme 'Akatsuki no Hoshi' and voices Ursula, a false goddess impersonating Ishtar; Ryu Matsuyama performs the second ending theme 'flow feat. Yuko Ando.' The cast includes Mirai Tachibana as Yuri, Wataru Kato as Kail Mursili, Aya Uchida as Queen Nakia, Soma Saito as User Ramses, and Shun Horie as Juda Haspasrupi.
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The official website for the Red River television anime posted the full promotional video and main visual for the show's second part on Friday. The video previews the new opening theme "Akatsuki no Hoshi" by Nana Mizuki, who also voices Ursula in the cast. Ryu Matsuyama performs the new ending theme. The anime premiered in July on NTV and BS NTV, with Crunchyroll streaming it.
Anime News Network reviews Red River episode 10, scoring it 3.3. The review praises the adaptation for retaining the harsh truth of slavery, and notes clever plotting in referencing twin goddesses Ninatta and Kulitta. However, it criticizes Yuri's characterization as an unearned see-saw between competence and breakdowns.
Anime News Network's review of Red River episode 9, which carries a community score of 3.2, reads Yuri's ditzy act at the banquet as a genuine character turn. The episode grounds itself in real history: Malatya is a thriving city in Türkiye, and senet, the game Kail and Yuri play, is a real Ancient Egyptian board game. It ends with Urhi knocking Yuri out and the Mitanni Prince of Darkness adding her to his loot.
The Red River anime revealed the theme song artists and a new cast member for its second cours. Nana Mizuki performs the new opening theme "Akatsuki no Hoshi" and voices Ursula, a false goddess impersonating Ishtar. Ryu Matsuyama performs the new ending theme "flow feat. Yūko Andō." The anime premiered in NTV's AnichU block on July 7 at 25:35, effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m., and streams on Crunchyroll as it airs in Japan.
The television anime adaptation of Chie Shinohara's Red River manga announced two new cast members on Monday. Sōma Saitō will voice User Ramses, a free-spirited Egyptian general and the greatest rival of Kail. Shun Horie will voice Juda Haspasrupi, the sixth prince in line for the Hittite throne who has long looked up to Kail and is suspicious of his mother Nakia. The anime premiered in NTV's AnichU programming block on July 7 at 25:35, effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m., and on BS NTV on July 8. Crunchyroll is streaming the anime as it airs in Japan. The cast includes Mirai Tachibana as Yuri, Wataru Katō as Kail Muršili, and Aya Uchida as Queen Nakia. Kōsuke Kobayashi is directing the anime at Tatsunoko Production, with Yoriko Tomita overseeing series scripts and Kenji Fujisaki designing characters. Yoshihisa Hirano is composing the music. The manga was serialized from 1995 to 2002 in Shogakukan's Shojo Comic magazine, and Viz Media began releasing the English edition in 2004.
Anime News Network's review of Red River episode 5 criticizes the adaptation for melodramatic excess, singling out Kail's offer to build Yuri a palace as a scene that undercuts a would-be touching moment. The reviewer credits Yuri for starting to come into her own, but says the last two episodes have looked bad and recommends dropping the anime and reading the manga instead.
The Red River's second episode aired July 14, introducing caretaker Tito, who is controlled by black water, attacks Yuri, then sacrifices himself to save her. Social media erupted with cries of 'Titooooooooo!!!!!!' and pleas for his survival. The classic shoujo manga adaptation continues to draw strong viewer reactions.
The long-awaited anime adaptation of the 1995 manga Red River premiered its first episode. The show is a faithful shot-for-shot recreation with some cuts, but the animation is serviceable at best. The art direction relies on repeated black-and-white still shots. The story rushes through its setup, and the male lead's behavior (forcible kissing, buying the heroine for cows) feels dated. The premiere raises questions about how the series will handle its source material's problematic elements.
The Red River television anime has added Minami Takayama as Yuri's mother and Kazuhiko Inoue as her father. Both actors previously voiced the protagonist Yuri and co-lead Kail in a drama CD for the manga. The anime premiered on NTV and BS NTV on July 7-8 and streams on Crunchyroll.
The TV anime adaptation of Chie Shinohara's classic shoujo manga "Red River" premiered on July 7, 2026. Episode 1, directed by Kosuke Kobayashi and produced by Tatsunoko Production, opens with a kiss and includes horror sequences that surprised viewers. The series follows a modern Japanese girl summoned to the 14th-century Hittite Empire.
The television anime adaptation of Chie Shinohara's Red River manga has revealed that Miisha Shimizu will perform the ending theme song "Reunion." The anime premieres on NTV's AnichU block on July 7 and on BS NTV on July 8. The cast and staff were also announced.
The official website for the Red River anime began streaming a full promotional video on Friday. The clip previews the opening theme song "Akatsuki no Sora" by Hiroki Nanami. The anime is set to premiere on NTV's AnichU block on July 7 at 25:35 (effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m.).
The official website for the television anime adaptation of Chie Shinohara's Red River manga released a new main visual and announced a July 7 premiere date on Thursday. The visual depicts protagonist Yuri holding a raised sword alongside other characters. The anime will air on NTV's "AnichU" programming block at 25:35 JST, effectively July 8 at 1:35 a.m., and on BS NTV on July 8. Seven additional cast members were revealed: Tomohiro Ōno as Kikkuri, Shiki Aoki as Hadi, Natsumi Kawaida as Ryui, Misato Matsuoka as Shala, Haruki Ishiya as Kash, Junya Enoki as Rusafa, and Shinichirō Kamio as Mittannamuwa. Previously announced cast includes Mirai Tachibana as Yuri, Wataru Katō as Kail, and Aya Uchida as Queen Nakia. Kōsuke Kobayashi directs the series at Tatsunoko Production, with Yoriko Tomita handling series scripts and Kenji Fujisaki designing characters. Yoshihisa Hirano composes the music. Hiroki Nanami performs the opening theme song "Akatsuki no Sora." Viz Media released the manga in English from 2004 to 2010 and began re-releasing it in omnibus editions in October 2024.