Fans of Chie Shinohara’s classic shojo manga Red River have another reason to look forward to its long-awaited TV anime adaptation. The production committee has officially announced that veteran voice actors Minami Takayama and Kazuhiko Inoue are joining the cast. Thirty years after voicing the series lead couple in the original drama CD, the duo will return to the franchise as the parents of Yuri Suzuki.
Original Red River Voice Actors Return in a Meaningful New Role
Minami Takayama and Kazuhiko Inoue have a long history with Red River. Around 30 years ago, they voiced Yuri and Prince Kail in the original drama CD released during the manga’s serialization. Now, they are returning to the franchise in a new way by voicing Yuri Suzuki’s parents in the upcoming TV anime.
The announcement was made alongside the reveal of the anime’s main cast. Mirei Tachibana will voice Yuri Suzuki, while Wataru Kato will play Prince Kail. The series is being animated by Tatsunoko Production and directed by Kosuke Kobayashi.
Takayama also shared her excitement about returning to the series. She said she was happy to reunite with Kazuhiko Inoue after many years and thanked the production team for giving them the chance to be part of the anime.
Red River Finally Receives a TV Anime Adaptation
Created by Chie Shinohara, Red River was serialized in Shogakukan’s Sho-Comi magazine from 1995 to 2002 and was collected into 28 volumes. The story follows Yuri Suzuki, an ordinary high school student whose life changes after she is transported to the ancient Hittite Empire. There, she meets Prince Kail and becomes caught in a dangerous struggle filled with political conflict, war, and romance.
Over the years, Red River has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling shojo manga series. The manga also won the Shogakukan Manga Award and inspired a stage musical by the Takarazuka Revue in 2018. Despite its popularity, the series never received a television anime adaptation until now, making the 2026 release a major moment for longtime fans.
When Will the Red River Anime Air?
The Red River TV anime will air on Nippon Television and BS Nippon TV in Japan, with weekly episodes planned. International streaming details have not been officially confirmed.
For longtime fans, the return of Minami Takayama and Kazuhiko Inoue makes the adaptation even more special. Although they are no longer voicing Yuri and Kail, their return connects the new anime with the franchise’s history and adds a nostalgic touch to one of the most anticipated shojo adaptations in years.
