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Red River (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 2
A 3-in-1 edition of the classic romance fantasy series where a modern girl is whisked to ancient times and must navigate a scheming court and warring factions while trying to find her way home.
Yuri, a modern teenager, is transported to ancient Anatolia as part of a scheme by the evil Nakia, queen of the Hittites. Only the intervention of Nakia’s stepson, Prince Kail, saves Yuri from the queen’s bloodthirsty intentions. As an unintended consequence of the prince’s actions, the people of Anatolia embrace Yuri as the incarnation of the great war goddess Ishtar.
Yuri is embroiled in a romantic tangle between Prince Kail and his half-sibling Zannanza. As Kail and Yuri fight against the armies of the Prince of Darkness, the fate of the Hittite empire hangs in the balance, as does Yuri’s chance of ever returning home.
Yuri, a modern teenager, is transported to ancient Anatolia as part of a scheme by the evil Nakia, queen of the Hittites. Only the intervention of Nakia’s stepson, Prince Kail, saves Yuri from the queen’s bloodthirsty intentions. As an unintended consequence of the prince’s actions, the people of Anatolia embrace Yuri as the incarnation of the great war goddess Ishtar.
Yuri is embroiled in a romantic tangle between Prince Kail and his half-sibling Zannanza. As Kail and Yuri fight against the armies of the Prince of Darkness, the fate of the Hittite empire hangs in the balance, as does Yuri’s chance of ever returning home.
568 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
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26 people want to read
About the author
Chie Shinohara
272 books257 followersChie Shinohara (篠原千絵) is an award winning Japanese manga artist best-known for Red River, known in Japan as Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story. She has twice received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo, in 1987 for Yami no Purple Eye and in 2001 for Red River.
Aside from her comics work, she has also written several prose novels. She has published the six volume Big Draw Daughter Hatsu light novel series, as well as five gaiden (or side-story) novels related to her Red River series. All of these were illustrated by Shinohara herself.
Works
Akatsuki no Lion - 2003
Ao no Fūin (Blue Seal) - 1992–94
Houmonsha wa Mayonaka ni (Midnight Visitor) - 1984
Kioku no Ashiato (Footprint of Memories) - 2005
Kiri no Mori Hotel - 2007
Kootta Natsu no Hi (Frozen Summer Day) - 1995
Mizu ni Sumu Hana (Romance of Darkness) - 2004
Mokugekisha ni Sayounara (Farewell to the Eyewitness) - 1985
Nanika ga yami de mite iru (Something Watching in the Dark) - 1986
Ryouko no Shinreijikenbo (A Record of Ryoko's Psychic Events) - 1988–91
Sanninme ga Kieta (A Third Person Disappeared) - 1992
Soshite Gokai no Suzu ga naru (Then Five Bells Rang) - 1994
Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story (Red River) - 1995–2002
Tokidamari no Hime - 2008-09
Touboukyuukou (Runaway Express)
Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage (Moon Shadow on a Dark Sea) - 1986–91
Yami no Purple Eye (Purple Eye of Darkness) - 1984–87
Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago - 2010-present
Aside from her comics work, she has also written several prose novels. She has published the six volume Big Draw Daughter Hatsu light novel series, as well as five gaiden (or side-story) novels related to her Red River series. All of these were illustrated by Shinohara herself.
Works
Akatsuki no Lion - 2003
Ao no Fūin (Blue Seal) - 1992–94
Houmonsha wa Mayonaka ni (Midnight Visitor) - 1984
Kioku no Ashiato (Footprint of Memories) - 2005
Kiri no Mori Hotel - 2007
Kootta Natsu no Hi (Frozen Summer Day) - 1995
Mizu ni Sumu Hana (Romance of Darkness) - 2004
Mokugekisha ni Sayounara (Farewell to the Eyewitness) - 1985
Nanika ga yami de mite iru (Something Watching in the Dark) - 1986
Ryouko no Shinreijikenbo (A Record of Ryoko's Psychic Events) - 1988–91
Sanninme ga Kieta (A Third Person Disappeared) - 1992
Soshite Gokai no Suzu ga naru (Then Five Bells Rang) - 1994
Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori: Anatolia Story (Red River) - 1995–2002
Tokidamari no Hime - 2008-09
Touboukyuukou (Runaway Express)
Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage (Moon Shadow on a Dark Sea) - 1986–91
Yami no Purple Eye (Purple Eye of Darkness) - 1984–87
Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago - 2010-present
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May 3, 2025STAY AWAY FROM HERRRRRR
April 13, 2025
This is my comfort read from when I was in college and I am SO THRILLED it is being republished again in this format. If you like drama and violence and romance and alpha-holes with a soft gooey center and a STRONG young woman who isn't perfect, but also isn't afraid to fight to help those around her, then this is the series for you!
5, my love for this series is nostalgia driven and will never die, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.
5, my love for this series is nostalgia driven and will never die, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
TROPES TROPES TROPES TROPES. I’m living for all these bodice ripper tropes in a manga.
February 11, 2025
J'ai relu le premier tome pour me remettre l'histoire en tête. J'ai aussi beaucoup lu sur la période historique où Yuri est transportée (-1325 environ). J'aime vraiment beaucoup Red River, je suis contente de pouvoir le découvrir grâce à cette réédition en anglais de 3 en 1.
La grande force de cette histoire où il y a beaucoup d'action, c'est de nous faire découvrir les Hittites, l'Anatolie (en Turquie) et les différents peuples de ce temps. On ne connaît pratiquement rien de cette époque lointaine! Comme Yuri qui est transporté d'un Japon moderne, la lectrice ou le lecteur est complètement ignorant de leurs traditions, leurs dieux, leur culture. Yuri réagit quand on lui parle d'un royaume voisin (mais assez loin), l'Égypte. On verra citer les figures de Nefertiti, de Toutânkhamon aussi, ce qui donne des repères, mais qui connaît Suppiluliuma Ier, le roi qui règne sur le royaume hittite où atterrit Yuri? Bref, c'est très intéressant pour ce côté historique!
La mangaka Shinohara Chie mentionne dans ses commentaires qu'elle a découvert la civilisation hittite lors d'un voyage en Turquie, quelques années avant de débuter sa série. Et que cela a changé sa vie, mais l'a complexifiée aussi, car ce n'est pas simple de créer une histoire dans une culture qui a existé il y a 3300 ans. Sa recherche est toutefois exhaustive, et la narration exceptionnellement bien construite de ce manga en fait l'un des plus vendus, en plus d'avoir mérité plusieurs prix.
Kail, le prince qu'elle rencontre dès les premières pages, est inspiré de celui qui deviendra le roi Mursili II. Encore une fois, une figure fascinante à suivre, à travers d'autres personnages historiques réels.
Ce n'est pas un récit facile: les conflits sont nombreux, les jeux de pouvoir aussi, les menaces sont réelles. Yuri, dans ces deux tomes triples, a déjà été passé près de se faire violer plusieurs fois, ce qui peut sembler répétitif. Toutefois, ce serait naïf de le conclure: en lisant l'actualité d'aujourd'hui, dans les pays en guerre, on réalise que le viol est une autre façon de "conquérir", les femmes et les enfants sont des "prix" pour les soldats. L'esclavage, la torture, la mort sont aussi dans les possibilités. Ce n'est donc pas un récit pour les plus jeunes, non seulement à cause de la violence, mais aussi par les manipulations politiques complexes, le passage historique entre l'âge du bronze et du fer, les différents peuples en conflit.
Yuri garde en tête de retourner au Japon, même si elle incarne de mieux en mieux son rôle de déesse Ishtar, une déité qui a existé dans toute la Mésopotamie et qui a dû de nombreuses "descendantes" dans les autres mythologies par la suite. Mais Yuri est de plus en plus attachée au prince Kail et au destin des Hittites. Ça se complexifie!
Vraiment, une merveilleuse histoire!
La grande force de cette histoire où il y a beaucoup d'action, c'est de nous faire découvrir les Hittites, l'Anatolie (en Turquie) et les différents peuples de ce temps. On ne connaît pratiquement rien de cette époque lointaine! Comme Yuri qui est transporté d'un Japon moderne, la lectrice ou le lecteur est complètement ignorant de leurs traditions, leurs dieux, leur culture. Yuri réagit quand on lui parle d'un royaume voisin (mais assez loin), l'Égypte. On verra citer les figures de Nefertiti, de Toutânkhamon aussi, ce qui donne des repères, mais qui connaît Suppiluliuma Ier, le roi qui règne sur le royaume hittite où atterrit Yuri? Bref, c'est très intéressant pour ce côté historique!
La mangaka Shinohara Chie mentionne dans ses commentaires qu'elle a découvert la civilisation hittite lors d'un voyage en Turquie, quelques années avant de débuter sa série. Et que cela a changé sa vie, mais l'a complexifiée aussi, car ce n'est pas simple de créer une histoire dans une culture qui a existé il y a 3300 ans. Sa recherche est toutefois exhaustive, et la narration exceptionnellement bien construite de ce manga en fait l'un des plus vendus, en plus d'avoir mérité plusieurs prix.
Kail, le prince qu'elle rencontre dès les premières pages, est inspiré de celui qui deviendra le roi Mursili II. Encore une fois, une figure fascinante à suivre, à travers d'autres personnages historiques réels.
Ce n'est pas un récit facile: les conflits sont nombreux, les jeux de pouvoir aussi, les menaces sont réelles. Yuri, dans ces deux tomes triples, a déjà été passé près de se faire violer plusieurs fois, ce qui peut sembler répétitif. Toutefois, ce serait naïf de le conclure: en lisant l'actualité d'aujourd'hui, dans les pays en guerre, on réalise que le viol est une autre façon de "conquérir", les femmes et les enfants sont des "prix" pour les soldats. L'esclavage, la torture, la mort sont aussi dans les possibilités. Ce n'est donc pas un récit pour les plus jeunes, non seulement à cause de la violence, mais aussi par les manipulations politiques complexes, le passage historique entre l'âge du bronze et du fer, les différents peuples en conflit.
Yuri garde en tête de retourner au Japon, même si elle incarne de mieux en mieux son rôle de déesse Ishtar, une déité qui a existé dans toute la Mésopotamie et qui a dû de nombreuses "descendantes" dans les autres mythologies par la suite. Mais Yuri est de plus en plus attachée au prince Kail et au destin des Hittites. Ça se complexifie!
Vraiment, une merveilleuse histoire!
July 21, 2025
***maandag 21 juli 2025 | physical book***
⭐1 - hated it with the passion of a thousand suns.
Translator: Yuko Sawada
I keep asking myself if I would've loved this as a tween/teen. I was a 'mature' kid. Which, as we all should know, is a different way to say 'traumatised as hell and forced to have responsibilities'. Even as a kid I loved romance, historical and fantasy stories. So this would fit into that. But I also read way beyond my age so my 'princes' were either the ones found in fairytales, bit rapey or dumb, or Jane Austen/Aragon-ish characters.
And nobody is like that in this story. I actively disliked Yuri as a main character. She was being boy-crazy at the most dumbass times. Also the crying. At the most dumbass times.
I like the history parts of it. I sort of like the (political) schemes of it. The gore and rapey parts are... meh, not good but I could have accepted it if it wasn't for the main characters.
In a way they are perfect for each other. Both very annoying. I just think we are supposed to like them! And I don't. And I think I would not have liked them when I was the target audience for it.
The crying. So much crying.
Also the translation felt off at times. A bit too easy for the art being shown.
Which is the only positive thing I will say about this manga. The background art is gorgeous. So much detail and it really brings the historical setting to life.
But Yuri has the self-preservation of a rock and I really do not think she cares about her family as we are meant to believe. I found myself very passionate about hating her. Which is kind of enjoyable in a way but not enough to continue on with this series. I do not like hate-reading that much.
Give me 200 dollars.
⭐1 - hated it with the passion of a thousand suns.
Translator: Yuko Sawada
I keep asking myself if I would've loved this as a tween/teen. I was a 'mature' kid. Which, as we all should know, is a different way to say 'traumatised as hell and forced to have responsibilities'. Even as a kid I loved romance, historical and fantasy stories. So this would fit into that. But I also read way beyond my age so my 'princes' were either the ones found in fairytales, bit rapey or dumb, or Jane Austen/Aragon-ish characters.
And nobody is like that in this story. I actively disliked Yuri as a main character. She was being boy-crazy at the most dumbass times. Also the crying. At the most dumbass times.
I like the history parts of it. I sort of like the (political) schemes of it. The gore and rapey parts are... meh, not good but I could have accepted it if it wasn't for the main characters.
In a way they are perfect for each other. Both very annoying. I just think we are supposed to like them! And I don't. And I think I would not have liked them when I was the target audience for it.
The crying. So much crying.
Also the translation felt off at times. A bit too easy for the art being shown.
Which is the only positive thing I will say about this manga. The background art is gorgeous. So much detail and it really brings the historical setting to life.
But Yuri has the self-preservation of a rock and I really do not think she cares about her family as we are meant to believe. I found myself very passionate about hating her. Which is kind of enjoyable in a way but not enough to continue on with this series. I do not like hate-reading that much.
Give me 200 dollars.
November 8, 2024
I'm somewhat surprised we're already seeing a vol 2 in the omnibus editions of Red River, but I'm not mad. This 3-in-1 edition contains volumes 4-6 of the Red River manga and I kid you not Yuri spends 99.9% of these volumes held prisoner by various people.
Volumes 4-6 lead us away from the melodramatic, yet still somehow comically inefficient evil plans of the Queen Nakia to the neighboring kingdom of Mitanni. Coincidentally the prince of the land is referred to as The Prince of Darkness. Yuri and Kail must navigate not only the upcoming war, but the machinations of the queen, the prince of darkness, and the upcoming deadline of the water season back in Hattusa.
Essentially volumes 4-6 don't change my overall opinion of the series discussed in my review of the first omnibus. Red River is very of its time. I sighed out loud when someone made a "women are hysterical during certain times of the month" comment. I also because really frustrated with how quickly Yuri oscillated between bad ass boss babe to tragic crying heroine. One moment she's fighting a lion, the next I'm kind of hoping the Prince of Darkness will actually kill her if only so she'll stop being so tragically useless. The story continues to be enjoyable, if not messy. It gets more and more unbelievable that the thought "I could just stay here" hasn't occurred to Yuri. Still a suggested read for classic shojo fans.
Same trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, violence, and gore apply.
Volumes 4-6 lead us away from the melodramatic, yet still somehow comically inefficient evil plans of the Queen Nakia to the neighboring kingdom of Mitanni. Coincidentally the prince of the land is referred to as The Prince of Darkness. Yuri and Kail must navigate not only the upcoming war, but the machinations of the queen, the prince of darkness, and the upcoming deadline of the water season back in Hattusa.
Essentially volumes 4-6 don't change my overall opinion of the series discussed in my review of the first omnibus. Red River is very of its time. I sighed out loud when someone made a "women are hysterical during certain times of the month" comment. I also because really frustrated with how quickly Yuri oscillated between bad ass boss babe to tragic crying heroine. One moment she's fighting a lion, the next I'm kind of hoping the Prince of Darkness will actually kill her if only so she'll stop being so tragically useless. The story continues to be enjoyable, if not messy. It gets more and more unbelievable that the thought "I could just stay here" hasn't occurred to Yuri. Still a suggested read for classic shojo fans.
Same trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, violence, and gore apply.
January 22, 2025
Thank you Viz Media and NetGalley for the digital ARC of the second volume of “Red River (3-in-1 Edition)” by Chie Shinohara!
This is the second volume of the Red River manga series, and I’ve continued to enjoy the story of Yuri Suzuki’s adventures in the ancient Hittite kingdom. Yuri is growing into a true heroine, and I felt a bit more invested in the relationship between her and Prince Kail as they worked together on the battlefield and worried about each other's safety. I appreciate that the series doesn’t shy away from the violence of war and the mistreatment that often comes to civilians because of it. Besides Queen Nakia causing problems for the heroes there was also a new interesting antagonist called Prince Mattiwaza (The Prince of Darkness) from the Mitanni kingdom that was introduced in this volume. I found him very intriguing, and possibly capable of redemption if he lets go of the darkness in his heart. If you enjoyed the first volume, then you should definitely pick up the second. My same warnings about occasional intense violence and threats of sexual assault still apply. I would recommend the series if readers don't find those topics triggering. Red River is a beautiful and exciting series, and I hope to continue reading it in the future!
This is the second volume of the Red River manga series, and I’ve continued to enjoy the story of Yuri Suzuki’s adventures in the ancient Hittite kingdom. Yuri is growing into a true heroine, and I felt a bit more invested in the relationship between her and Prince Kail as they worked together on the battlefield and worried about each other's safety. I appreciate that the series doesn’t shy away from the violence of war and the mistreatment that often comes to civilians because of it. Besides Queen Nakia causing problems for the heroes there was also a new interesting antagonist called Prince Mattiwaza (The Prince of Darkness) from the Mitanni kingdom that was introduced in this volume. I found him very intriguing, and possibly capable of redemption if he lets go of the darkness in his heart. If you enjoyed the first volume, then you should definitely pick up the second. My same warnings about occasional intense violence and threats of sexual assault still apply. I would recommend the series if readers don't find those topics triggering. Red River is a beautiful and exciting series, and I hope to continue reading it in the future!
January 18, 2025
I certainly understand why this series was popular when it was originally published. I think I would've loved this back when I first got into shoujo manga as a teen. It was a very fast-moving relationship, which was a rarity back when I was a teen. (Or it's possible I only picked up slow-burn ones, but honestly I'm pretty sure the shoujo troupe back then was dragging out the romance plot until the end of the series). This fast moving relationship would've been a game changer for me, and I think it was at the time. The setting is also fairly unique and it's really cool that the author has done her research to write and draw during this time period.
A large portion of the tension here is Prince Kail need to go save Yuri. This is much more dramatic if you're invested in the romance, where I personally am not. I found this volume to be a bit repetitive-- it seemed to drag some scenes out by repeating the same information over again.
I do think Yuri grows here. She reads very young to me (which is fine given the target demographic)-- the author has had her grown very organically thus far and she may be one of the most relatable teen heroines.
I'm uncertain if I will continue on with the series, but I do think it's a good historical isekai romance. And it certainly will be popular with today's shujo audience, as I've found modern day shoujo's have fast moving relationships as well. I am somewhat intrigued to see how the entire series ends up being a total of 28 books!
A large portion of the tension here is Prince Kail need to go save Yuri. This is much more dramatic if you're invested in the romance, where I personally am not. I found this volume to be a bit repetitive-- it seemed to drag some scenes out by repeating the same information over again.
I do think Yuri grows here. She reads very young to me (which is fine given the target demographic)-- the author has had her grown very organically thus far and she may be one of the most relatable teen heroines.
I'm uncertain if I will continue on with the series, but I do think it's a good historical isekai romance. And it certainly will be popular with today's shujo audience, as I've found modern day shoujo's have fast moving relationships as well. I am somewhat intrigued to see how the entire series ends up being a total of 28 books!
February 1, 2025
I’m not sure that this series is for me.. I wanted to like it, I swear!!!
It’s too fast paced (which is crazy because there’s still 20+ volumes to go!) and I don’t feel anything for any of the characters. Everyone feels like a background character to me. And I’m not really into Yuri and Kail’s romance.
Maybe I’ll read more digitally but to be honest, I’m not that excited even with a dramatic cliffhanger at the end of vol 6. Maybe I’ll go reread Yona of the Dawn instead lol.
It’s too fast paced (which is crazy because there’s still 20+ volumes to go!) and I don’t feel anything for any of the characters. Everyone feels like a background character to me. And I’m not really into Yuri and Kail’s romance.
Maybe I’ll read more digitally but to be honest, I’m not that excited even with a dramatic cliffhanger at the end of vol 6. Maybe I’ll go reread Yona of the Dawn instead lol.
May 31, 2025
I'm really enjoying the world-building and premise, but the story is a little bit repetitive right now
Still interested in the next volume though :)
Still interested in the next volume though :)
December 16, 2025
A great continuation of the series. I really love these characters and the political intrigue in the series. Lots of backstabbing and drama. The war in this series is done really well, and isn't sugar coated too much despite it being for a younger demographic.
February 8, 2025
The Prince of Darkness is not my favorite villain arc.
March 21, 2025
The first volume in this was pretty slow but the second two were really engaging.
April 24, 2025
🫣🫣🫣🫣 the insta love was nauseating but the character development was top tier 👏🏻
May 2, 2025
The heart bit was cute.
August 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this manga and being able to see Yuri become more like Ishtar. I also think the Prince of Darkness is a good villain. I also really love the bond between Prince Kail and Yuri
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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