What do you think?
天は赤い河のほとり [Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori] #2
Red River 2
Yuri is a normal twentieth-century teen trapped in an ancient Middle-Eastern empire. In this volume, Yuri and Prince Kail return to the queen's palace to rescue Tito, but the queen will not let them in. Later, Tito's whereabouts are made shockingly clear. Yuri tries to get back to twentieth century Japan, but the queen uses her magic to stop the attempt. Kail, in turn, fights back against the queen using his own magic. Will Yuri succeed in going home?
200 pages, Library Binding
First published August 21, 1995
About the author
Chie Shinohara
273 books260 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 26, 2014
She's smarter in this one, but still kind of 'I WILL DO THIS STUPID THING DESPITE ALL SENSE' much of the time. Though hot damn the girl knows how to make an entrance to a battle!
This does mark the beginning of her realizing that she needs to be more. Also both her and Kail are kind of dancing around their feelings (which this is the fastest sense of Instalove Just Add Lust I've ever come across--including in paranormal romances where the word "mate" and "soulmate" are tossed around like every day occurrences) which is rather amusing as Kikkuri, who I love to pieces almost as much as Ilbani, is totally like 'Awww you guys are so cute!' and Ilbani is like 'This will not stand!' and Kail is like 'I just feel protective of her!' and Yuri is like 'Umm I'm okay with you holding me so tightly but but its not love!'
Yeah that doesn't grow old XD
This does mark the beginning of her realizing that she needs to be more. Also both her and Kail are kind of dancing around their feelings (which this is the fastest sense of Instalove Just Add Lust I've ever come across--including in paranormal romances where the word "mate" and "soulmate" are tossed around like every day occurrences) which is rather amusing as Kikkuri, who I love to pieces almost as much as Ilbani, is totally like 'Awww you guys are so cute!' and Ilbani is like 'This will not stand!' and Kail is like 'I just feel protective of her!' and Yuri is like 'Umm I'm okay with you holding me so tightly but but its not love!'
Yeah that doesn't grow old XD
July 31, 2013
Not gonna lie.... I'm totally getting sucked into this series!! I'm really enjoying it so far and it has me wanting to keep reading more and more! I'm excited to see how this all plays out!
August 11, 2018
This is a really interesting story. I love how well everything is blended, there is romance but there is also lots of action and a little bit of magic as well as plenty of political intrigue.
The characters are still being kinda sketched out, so they are not all clear, but you do get a general idea of them. I love Yuuri with how passionate she is about the people she cares about, and how sensitive she is. Kail is still a bit of an enigma, but he has a very clear idea of what he believes in and what he wants. He would be a dedicated leader to his country.
The art is lovely, with detailed backgrounds and the hands are drawn beautifully. (I usually judge an artist by the way they draw hands, as they are the hardest part to get right and make such a big difference.)
This is a great time travel/love/political/war story. It is a 28 volume series so be prepared!
The characters are still being kinda sketched out, so they are not all clear, but you do get a general idea of them. I love Yuuri with how passionate she is about the people she cares about, and how sensitive she is. Kail is still a bit of an enigma, but he has a very clear idea of what he believes in and what he wants. He would be a dedicated leader to his country.
The art is lovely, with detailed backgrounds and the hands are drawn beautifully. (I usually judge an artist by the way they draw hands, as they are the hardest part to get right and make such a big difference.)
This is a great time travel/love/political/war story. It is a 28 volume series so be prepared!
November 4, 2010
I AM HOOKED. Like junkie drug addict hooked. This series is so my new guilty pleasure!!!! Characters are getting much more depth, especially Kail who as it turns out has a soft side as well as ambitions to bring peace to his country *dokidokidoki* <3 ... Also loving that Yuuri can now kick ass! She has some serious sword skills!
Another thing I will say about this series: picked it up because it reminded me of From Far Away. It's similar in the fantasy-esque/romance way, hero saves heroine, but thats pretty much it. In addition, SO MANY more steamy scenes than FFA!!! And I must admit, I'm kinda lovin that part ;)
Another thing I will say about this series: picked it up because it reminded me of From Far Away. It's similar in the fantasy-esque/romance way, hero saves heroine, but thats pretty much it. In addition, SO MANY more steamy scenes than FFA!!! And I must admit, I'm kinda lovin that part ;)
March 17, 2017
Read #1
Started on March 11, 2017
Finished on March 14, 2017
3.75 stars
Wow, I was not expecting Tito to die! Literally stared at the page for a couple of seconds like.... WHAT?! Anyway, still about the same amount of feelings for this as I had for the first volume -- they fly by super easily, with all of the ~court intrigue~/mayhem (this makes them a lot of fun), but I think the characters are relatively predictable.
Started on March 11, 2017
Finished on March 14, 2017
3.75 stars
Wow, I was not expecting Tito to die! Literally stared at the page for a couple of seconds like.... WHAT?! Anyway, still about the same amount of feelings for this as I had for the first volume -- they fly by super easily, with all of the ~court intrigue~/mayhem (this makes them a lot of fun), but I think the characters are relatively predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
A good carry forward of the story line. Leaving this series as if for now as I have to focus on other important stuff but will continue it soon.
February 11, 2025
This is definitely a 90s style manga I like the fact that instead of traveling different world they just travel back and pass to the Middle East so it gives it at least a little different spin though I’ve read stories like this 1000 different times I’m just not really super into it this is definitely more for a younger audience I think would like this a lot better than I did.
March 11, 2015
tito !!! :"( wahahwahahah ...
tito ... chie san why u do this :'(
tito ... chie san why u do this :'(
April 20, 2026
The storytelling ain’t getting any better than the first. Not going to lie though, this is really keeping me more and more interested. All because of that line Prince Kail had spewed around pre-battle of Alinna: ”I put it to you, my soldiers! This girl sprang from a sacred spring as Ishtar, the star of morning, rose! And as you know, Ishtar is a goddess of war! Is she not a gift from the goddess?” My girl then proceeded to be the first in line to actually ride a horse and not a chariot and accidentally led the enemies’ defeat. I’m sold y’all, however poorly written are some scenes. Help me! It’s so my jam—ACTION FANTASY and wars!! If only our girl would keep that backbone forever. She’s still a little weak, like that classic shojo heroine.
January 4, 2018
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
With 28 volumes to its catalogue, Red River did charm many in the mid to late 1990s. The exotic location of the ancient Hittite empire and a spunky heroine had their own charm. But now in 2018, this can feel very dated, with a 1970s era drawing style (think: Rose of Versailles) and silly, over-the-top villains.Story: Tito has been kidnapped and Yuri is desperate to save him from the Queen's evil henchman. She will enlist the help of Prince Kail to free Tito, get her original clothes back, and then use Kail's magic to send her back to modern Japan. But things are never as easy as it seems and the Queen has plans of her own to use Tito to lure Yuri back into her clutches.
With this volume, we delve deeper into the politics of the court and learn more about Prince Kail's brothers. As well, Shinohara doesn't shy away from killing off a main character early in order to create pathos and drama.
With only one evening to send Yuri back home before they would have to wait a year, most will be able to figure out what will happen fairly easily. But that's all the fun in reading this mid 1990s overwrought shoujo title.
May 10, 2016
Queen Nakia just keeps getting more and more sadistic and evil. Even if she herself does not do the deeds she makes others do such horrible things!!!
I felt so bad for both Tito and Yuri in this volume. I can't believe that the Queen was willing to associate with such a horrible man just to get Yuri's blood to put her son on the throne!!!!!!!
Zuwa of the Kashga Clan is probably the most villainous of the villains so far in the series. He has a perversion of RIPPING his victims skin off and wearing them as clothes. The fact that he tried to do that to Yuri and DID do that to Tito is so horrible it made me shudder and cry along with Yuri.
The rumor of Yuri being the incarnation of Ishtar has begun! It's one of my favorite parts of the manga. While I'm not sure that Yuri fully deserves it. I do believe that Yuri is kind and would make a fine Queen for Kail!
Also Aslan, Yuri's horse is introduced in this volume!
O.O A lot happened in the second voluem!!!
I felt so bad for both Tito and Yuri in this volume. I can't believe that the Queen was willing to associate with such a horrible man just to get Yuri's blood to put her son on the throne!!!!!!!
Zuwa of the Kashga Clan is probably the most villainous of the villains so far in the series. He has a perversion of RIPPING his victims skin off and wearing them as clothes. The fact that he tried to do that to Yuri and DID do that to Tito is so horrible it made me shudder and cry along with Yuri.
The rumor of Yuri being the incarnation of Ishtar has begun! It's one of my favorite parts of the manga. While I'm not sure that Yuri fully deserves it. I do believe that Yuri is kind and would make a fine Queen for Kail!
Also Aslan, Yuri's horse is introduced in this volume!
O.O A lot happened in the second voluem!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2012
What first drew me to this series was the romantic historical aspect. I loved how a modern day girl gets pulled back into the past. I don't know what it is about those stories that attract me so much, maybe it is the difficulty for the girl of fitting in and having to rely on the guy so much to be able to get along in the world.
I would really recommend this series to fans of Inuyasha, it has a lot of the same concepts.
I would really recommend this series to fans of Inuyasha, it has a lot of the same concepts.
May 4, 2020
2.5
Wow. That was pretty dark.
The art style isn't consistent but the story is so compelling. The main character is still stuck in this fantasy world (set near Turkey) and she has to go through some pretty intense circumstances [ex. Escaping a messed up guy, running into war, dealing with a horny guy]. There are so many scenes where I rose my eyebrows in shock.... Ugh. Well... The story is disturbingly compelling. We'll see if I continue the series.
Wow. That was pretty dark.
The art style isn't consistent but the story is so compelling. The main character is still stuck in this fantasy world (set near Turkey) and she has to go through some pretty intense circumstances [ex. Escaping a messed up guy, running into war, dealing with a horny guy]. There are so many scenes where I rose my eyebrows in shock.... Ugh. Well... The story is disturbingly compelling. We'll see if I continue the series.
October 27, 2014
I can honestly say this is literally the best manga series there is! And that's saying something especially since I've read a whole lot of manga series. I've read this whole series like 10 times and I still can't get enough!!!
April 24, 2016
She stayed, but Queen Nakia hasn't given up on killing Yūri.
Fortunately Prince Kail Mursili is keeping her close by his side.
This plot just doesn't stop twisting and turning.
It is such a delightful read.
I might grow to love history.
Fortunately Prince Kail Mursili is keeping her close by his side.
This plot just doesn't stop twisting and turning.
It is such a delightful read.
I might grow to love history.
August 23, 2021
The number one thing that makes this story compelling is the fact that it's set in the time of the Hittite empire. Each volume is a very quick read. The manga passes by really fast. The characters could be much more eclectic. I hope the story will develop.
December 26, 2023
This is wildly addictive. It’s so corny and dramatic and I’m just having a blast reading it. There isn’t a lot to talk about specifically; it feels like a soap opera but set in 25th century BC, which is like… a vibe for sure.
April 11, 2020
4.5 stars
June 12, 2022
Oh here we go let's fall down another rabbit hole...
December 3, 2022
Yes I’m crying over Tito. Leave me be 😭
March 13, 2026
Always a delight to see her interacting with Aslan and the sisters for the first time. Heartbreaking about Tito though...
November 29, 2025
This is a classic fantasy shojo series I've always wanted to read. For some reason, volume 1 of the 3-in-1 is not on goodreads. I like this one so far, very political. Not sure how I feel about the romance yet, but I am very intrigued by the story.
April 19, 2023
I am shipping Prince Kail and Yuri so hard! The adventure is high-stakes and I love the tie in of the legend of Ishtar.
December 24, 2014
Questo è uno di quei manga in cui muoiono un sacco di persone... ^__^ Il povero Tito aveva dato prova di essere un buon personaggio secondario, purtroppo però l'autrice l'ha fatto sparire troppo presto. Ma è stato anche il motivo per cui Yuri ha deciso di rimanere ad Hattusa. E, se non ricordo male, le sue sorelle sono un ottimo sostituto.
A volta Kail mi sta un po' sulle scatole perché tratta Yuri come una bambola. Come quando la solleva sopra la testa come se fosse un fuscello e la tiene seduta sulla sua manona...
Però dai, alla fin fine il manga si fa leggere.
A volta Kail mi sta un po' sulle scatole perché tratta Yuri come una bambola. Come quando la solleva sopra la testa come se fosse un fuscello e la tiene seduta sulla sua manona...
Però dai, alla fin fine il manga si fa leggere.
August 7, 2017
เล่มนี้เป็นเรื่องเกี่ยวกับการที่ราชินีพยายามจะกำจัดยูริให้ได้
และมีช่วงที่เจ้าชายคาอิลต้องไปรบศึกย่อยๆกับพวกกาสกาที่เข้ามายึดอารินนา แล้วก็เอายูริไปสนามรบด้วย
พี่สาวของทีตเข้าใจผิดคิดว่ายูริทำให้น้องชายพวกเธอต้องตายเลยพยายามแก้แค้นแต่สุดท้ายความจริงก็เปิดเผย
และมีช่วงที่เจ้าชายคาอิลต้องไปรบศึกย่อยๆกับพวกกาสกาที่เข้ามายึดอารินนา แล้วก็เอายูริไปสนามรบด้วย
พี่สาวของทีตเข้าใจผิดคิดว่ายูริทำให้น้องชายพวกเธอต้องตายเลยพยายามแก้แค้นแต่สุดท้ายความจริงก็เปิดเผย
April 16, 2025
I’m actually surprised and how much I like this more than volume one, but I just found out that at the beginning of the series Kail is 20?! And we already know that Yuri is 15. I am starting to really like the series, but I don’t know if I can continue reading it knowing the age difference
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2015
I found this series on a mere coincidence but it quickly became one of my all time favourites. I read the entire series in 1.5-2 days. It was truly wonderful and a joy to experience.
May 5, 2016
loved the story line, some parts were frustrating... like...!! just kill the queen already!!! damn.... not that hard... lol
June 5, 2017
see full review @ Katie's Corner
May 24, 2025
Prince Kail is still trashy. 😂 He kissed a girl he very blatantly said looked like a small child to shut her up and stop her hysteria. And YURI! She just gets super into these kisses. 💋 Girl! 😒
This volume just frustrates me with how Yuri acts. I have to tell myself she’s a very young girl in a crazy situation. She kind of falls back on Prince Kail to use him and not deal with reality. Which is sad. Wasn’t she dating a cute boy back at home? That’s more her age??? Honestly, I forgot this is so manga. Yuri is in love already. Because reasons. Maybe Prince Kail too because reasons. 😂
Ilbani, my goodness, he needs a break. He brings up a good point that Yuri should just leave. Which is right. No matter what happens, it’s no longer Yuri’s concern no matter how much she cares. But she refuses to leave because REVENGE and PLOT. Like??? Go home! Not everyone has the privilege of closure!
The last chapter, idk why the Prince doesn’t think because his girl ‘died’ even though the Queen needs her as a sacrifice. Tito’s three sisters don’t think too deeply about what's happening because they’re high on revenge. Yuri doesn’t think and just swallows whatever is shoved in her mouth including Kail’s tongue. 😜
No thoughts. Only manga. ❤️
This volume just frustrates me with how Yuri acts. I have to tell myself she’s a very young girl in a crazy situation. She kind of falls back on Prince Kail to use him and not deal with reality. Which is sad. Wasn’t she dating a cute boy back at home? That’s more her age??? Honestly, I forgot this is so manga. Yuri is in love already. Because reasons. Maybe Prince Kail too because reasons. 😂
Ilbani, my goodness, he needs a break. He brings up a good point that Yuri should just leave. Which is right. No matter what happens, it’s no longer Yuri’s concern no matter how much she cares. But she refuses to leave because REVENGE and PLOT. Like??? Go home! Not everyone has the privilege of closure!
The last chapter, idk why the Prince doesn’t think because his girl ‘died’ even though the Queen needs her as a sacrifice. Tito’s three sisters don’t think too deeply about what's happening because they’re high on revenge. Yuri doesn’t think and just swallows whatever is shoved in her mouth including Kail’s tongue. 😜
No thoughts. Only manga. ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews