Red River (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 3: Includes volumes 7, 8, & 9

Red River #3

by Chie Shinohara

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.

Kail and his forces struggle to rescue Yuri from becoming one of the Prince of Darkness’s courtesans. But the rescue will not be a simple one. Plus, someone has been impersonating Yuri in her absence and dragging down her reputation among the Hittites.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction, Shojo

576 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2025

About the author

Chie 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

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn you, historical record! I know Zannanza had to die because he's quite literally the first missing persons case in recorded history and the likelihood that he just wandered off is remarkably slim, but I still hate that scene.

On another note, it is a trip rereading my formative shoujo series (this, MARS) and seeing so many markers of the Bad Old Days. I love them, but oh my God.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably my favorite of the omnibus volumes so far. Branching out into Egypt is really cool to see, and while the series has a lot of similar reveals about Yuri being Ishtar, it feels believable every time, and there’s something sweet about seeing her care for the sick. Her more complicated feelings about Kail are a bit repetitive but not too much for a shoujo.

[VenusRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Heather’s Reading Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Viz revealed they were finally going to rerelease Red River in new omnibuses I was ecstatic as the series gives me such a feeling of nostalgia. I actually really enjoyed all 3 volumes in this omnibus. I especially enjoyed the parts involving the fake Ishtar(real name Ursula) and Yuri being put in the valley where people with what is called the seven day fever are tossed to pretty much die a horrible death but Yuri along with some others work to tend to the sick people. Yuri shows how much heart she has here which is what makes her such a likable protagonist. I also love this world. It’s a beautiful and detailed world with so much political intrigue. Zannananzas death is not just a one and done it has a ripple effect. Queen Nakia continues to be a pure selfish awful villain,which I love because too much media doesn’t believe in pure evil villains anymore. My only gripe is that 9 volumes into this series and I still am just eh to Yuri and Kails romance. I find that he often treats her like he owns her. The whole panel of Kail making sure Mattiwaza didn’t “make Yuri his concubine and lay with her” before they could continue their escape by groping and “examining” was real gross. I could give several more examples of Yuri being treated like an object too and not just by Kail. Ramses is also real gross with Yuri. I know some of it is because it’s a product of its time but I’m still bothered by it. Overall I highly recommend this series.

[Remxo · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Personal notes: still a fun and quick read, albeit more of the same. No significant new developments in this volume.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Nakia is such an evil witch lol! The story while simplistic really draws you in nonetheless. So many events and personages of the past make an appearance which makes it quite fun to read. Plus this slow burn love affair just continues to drive you crazy.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now i gotta wait until july for vol 4😭😭😭
This has my entire heart!!!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things happening this volume

[Kimi Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama never ceases to get me 😭😂
I’m forever thankful they decided to reprint this I can’t wait for the next one!

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed seeing the relationship progression between Prince Kail and Yuri. I also really enjoyed seeing Yuri take more action and go on more quests alone.

[Tiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

From what I read of this series so far, volume 7 hurt me the most, iykyk T.T

[Natalie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really appreciate where this story is going. Although. I find she still lacks belief in herself (which can be annoying) the characters are growing...