The TV anime "Red River," based on the popular manga by Chie Shinohara, will begin airing on Nippon Television's anime block "AnichU" every Tuesday at 1:35 AM starting July 7th. It will also air on BS Nippon Television every Wednesday at midnight starting July 8th. The main visual has also been released, offering a glimpse into the strong resolve of the protagonist, Yuri (Yuri Suzuki), who, despite being tossed about by a cruel fate, tries to forge her own path. The visual also depicts Kyle, the third prince of the Hittite Empire, Zananza, the fourth prince, Nakia, who is obsessed with her child's succession to the throne, and Mattiwaza (the Black Prince), the ruthless crown prince of Mitanni.
The voice cast for the characters Yuri encounters in the ancient Hittite Empire has also been announced. Tomohiro Ono will play Kickri, a loyal retainer who has been by Kyle's side since childhood; Shiki Aoki will play Hadi, a Hatti tribe girl who is just as skilled with weapons as any man; Natsumi Kawaida will play Ryui, Hadi's younger sister; Misato Matsuoka will play Shara, Ryui's twin sister; Haruki Ishitani will play Kashu, the chariot commander of the Hittite army led by Kyle; Junya Enoki will play Rusafa, the archer captain; and Shinichiro Kamio will play Mittannamwa, the infantry captain.
"Red River" is a historical fantasy by Shinohara, who has created numerous masterpieces such as "Purple Eye of Darkness" and "Darkness of the Sea, Shadow of the Moon," and is celebrating her 45th anniversary as an artist this year. It was serialized in "Shōjo Comic" (Shogakukan, now Sho-Comi) from 1995 to 2002, and the cumulative circulation of the comic books has exceeded 20 million copies. The story follows Suzuki Yūri, a girl living in modern Japan, who one day suddenly time-slips to the Hittite Empire in the 14th century BC and meets Prince Kyle, who is considered the most likely candidate to succeed to the throne of the empire. Yūri then takes control of her own destiny. It won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shojo category and was also adapted into a stage play by the Takarazuka Revue in 2018, which became a hot topic.
This marks the first time the series will be adapted into a television anime. Kosuke Kobayashi, known for "Watcha PriMagi!", will direct, and Tatsunoko Production will handle the animation. Mirai Tachibana will voice the protagonist Yuri (Yuri Suzuki), and Wataru Kato will voice Kyle Mursili. Hiroki Nanami, a former male role star of the Takarazuka Revue who is active as an actor and voice actor, will provide the narration and will also appear as Yuri's boyfriend, Himuro.
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Yuri (Yuri Suzuki): Mirai Tachibana▽ Kyle Mursili (Mursili II): Wataru Kato ▽ Nakia: Aya Uchida▽ Zananza Hattusili: Shoya Chiba ▽ Il Barni: Tomoaki Maeno▽ Ulhi: Koji Yusa ▽ Kickri: Tomohiro Ono ▽ Hadi: Shiki Aoki ▽ Ryui: Natsumi Kawaida▽ Shara: Misato Matsuoka ▽ Kash: Haruki Ishitani▽ Rusafa: Junya Enoki ▽ Mittannamwa: Shinichiro Kamio ▽ Mattiwaza (Black Prince): Kosuke Toriumi▽ Narration/Himuro: Hiroki Nanami
