The anime is set to debut in July 2026.
The upcoming isekai historical shojo anime “Red River” has just revealed five new cast members in a new update. Previously, it was announced that the series will air sometime in July 2026. Unfortunately, the exact release date hasn’t been revealed yet.
Red River
Premiere window: July 2026
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Streaming service: Yet to be announced
Who are the new cast members of Red River?
The five new voice actors who have joined the cast are:
- Aya Uchida as Queen Nakia (The queen of the Hittite Empire)
Cast comment (machine translated):
Hello, I'm Aya Uchida, and I'll be playing the role of Nakia. First of all, I was surprised and delighted that Red River is finally being made into an anime! I read the original manga when I was a student and it was a work I admired, so I was really looking forward to seeing that grand historical romance brought to life on screen. I'm sure there are many fans who have been waiting for this for a long time! I love the protagonist Yuri's inner strength and resilience, as she forges her own path no matter how difficult it is, but her adversary, Nakia, is a very contrasting character. As an empress, she possesses power and great influence, and she is cunning enough to use any means necessary to achieve her ambitions. However, the brighter Yuri shines, the more Nakia's shadow seems to loom, and I'm sure you'll want to know what kind of person she is. I hope to convey the femininity of a woman who can survive strongly in this world, from Empress Nakia's perspective as well. Whether you're a fan of the original novel or experiencing Red River for the first time through the anime, please look forward to it!
- Shōya Chiba as Zannanza Hattušili (The fourth prince of the Hittite Empire)
Cast comment (machine translated):
My initial encounter with Red River was when I saw it as a musical. When the audition came and when I got the part, I was so happy because I never thought I'd be able to be involved. Although there are various theories, when I think of the Hittites, I think of ironworking and chariots. I'm thrilled to think of a culture that existed thousands of years ago. I tend to imagine the world of that time as being earthy or monochrome, but I'm sure a vibrant world unfolded before the eyes of those who lived there. I hope that viewers will be able to feel that through the anime. I will do my best to portray Zannanza's thoughtfulness, richness of heart, and youthfulness.
- Tomoaki Maeno as Ilbani (Prince Kail's aide and advisor)
Cast comment (machine translated):
I'm Tomoaki Maeno, and I'll be voicing Ilbani. I was breathless every episode, captivated by the immense scale and the grand drama unfolding around Yuri and Kail. Ilbani, a brilliant strategist, always has a strong presence in the story, and I built the character from the audition stage while being mindful of his unfathomable calmness, his ruthlessness in making heartless decisions, and the underlying sense of danger. He's a character that taught me a great deal as a working adult, showing me what it means to be a capable person. I hope you'll watch the story to the very end.
- Kōji Yusa as Urhi (Queen Nakia's servant)
Cast comment (machine translated):
I will be playing the role of Urhi in this production. I was already familiar with this work. I am very grateful not only to be able to appear in a long-loved work, but also to be given such a rewarding role. A lot of things happen in this work, and I think the audience will always be on the edge of their seats. I will do my best to meet those expectations. Please enjoy watching it.
- Kōsuke Toriumi as Prince Mattiwaza (The Crown Prince of the Mitanni kingdom)
Cast comment (machine translated):
I'm Kōsuke Toriumi, and I'll be playing the role of Mattiwaza. Mattiwaza is the crown prince of the country of Mitanni, and a figure feared as the ‘Black Prince of Blood’. In this epic historical drama, I'm looking forward to seeing how he will interact with the main characters. Whether you're familiar with the original Red River or not, I hope you'll look forward to this historically significant work. Thank you.
Previously announced main cast members of the anime include:
- Mirai Tachibana as Yuri Suzuki
- Wataru Kato as Kail Mursili
- Hiroki Nanami as Narrator/ Himuro
Who are the staff members of the Red River anime?
Kosuke Kobayashi directs the Red River anime at Tatsunoko Production, with Yorika Tomita handling series composition. Kenji Fujisaki designs the characters while Kimiyoshi Matsumura, and Daisuke Yoshida of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology will handle historical supervision. Yoshihisa Hirano is composing the scores for the series with Hirano Morishita as the sound director.
What is Red River about?
The anime is based on Chie Shinohara’s manga series which began publishing in Shōgakukan’s Sho-Comi magazine in January 1995 and ended its run in June 2002. It has 28 collected volumes. Viz Media publishes the manga in English in North America and describes the story as:
Yuri, a pretty Japanese girl, is ecstatic after passing her college entrance exam and having her first kiss with her childhood friend-turned boyfriend. However, her luck soon changes. She starts to notice that water becomes agitated whenever she goes near it. One night, hands appear out of a puddle on the street and drag her into the water! Transported to an ancient village in the Middle East, she is then captured by armed troops and taken to the Queen's palace for a human sacrifice.