Over 20 Million Copies in Circulation—The Shojo Manga Masterpiece "Red River" to Receive Its First TV Anime Adaptation in Summer 2026! Produced by Tatsunoko Production

It has been announced that "Red River" (Anatolia Story), the representative work of shojo manga legend Chie Shinohara—who is currently celebrating her 45th anniversary as an artist—will be adapted into a TV anime in Summer 2026. This marks the first-ever TV anime adaptation for any of Shinohara’s works.

"Red River" is a historical fantasy manga that was serialized in Shogakukan's "Shojo Comic" from 1995 to 2002. It is a grand epic romance following Yuri, an ordinary girl living in modern-day Japan, who is whisked away through time to the 14th-century BC Hittite Empire. There, she meets Prince Kail and begins to carve out her own extraordinary destiny with her own hands.

With over 20 million copies in circulation (including digital editions), the series won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shojo category. Even nearly 30 years after its serialization began, it continues to be cherished by fans worldwide, having even been adapted into a stage play by the Takarazuka Revue in 2018.

The animation will be produced by Tatsunoko Production, with Kosuke Kobayashi serving as director and Yoriko Tomita handling series composition. The newly released teaser visual depicts Yuri in her combat gear overlooking the Marassantiya (the "Red River" that flows through the Hittite Empire) alongside Prince Kail, the man who will change her fate forever.

To celebrate the TV anime announcement, original creator Chie Shinohara has shared a newly drawn illustration and a personal message. Expressing her surprise and joy, she commented, "It’s been 24 years since the series ended. I am so moved that there are people who still remember it after all this time and have decided to make an anime!" She shared her heartfelt thoughts, saying, "I hope long-time fans will find it nostalgic and that it brings back vivid memories... and for anime fans who are new to the story, I sincerely hope you enjoy it as a fresh experience."