Episode 03 of the TV anime Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori (Heaven Is a Place on the Riverbank of the Red River), titled “I Won’t Return, I Can’t Return,” aired on July 21, 2026, generating a wave of reactions online — centered on the tragic fate of Tito, yet another surprise kiss from Kail, and voice actor Yusa Koji‘s turn as the scheming Urhi.

About the Series

Based on the manga by Shinohara Chie, serialized in Shogakukan’s Shōjo Comic from 1995 to 2002, the story follows Yuri (Suzuki Yuri), an ordinary modern-day Japanese girl who is suddenly summoned to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC. There she meets Kail Mursili, the empire’s leading candidate for the throne, and gradually rises to fame as Ishtar, the goddess of war — all while navigating the empress’s conspiracies, conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, and a ticking clock on her return to the present.

The manga won the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category and was adapted for the Takarazuka Revue stage in 2018. The TV anime adaptation began airing on July 7, 2026, directed by Kobayashi Kosuke and produced by Tatsunoko Production.

Episode 03 Recap — ⚠️ Spoilers Below

Episode 02 had already set social media ablaze with the introduction of Tito and his harrowing fate, drawing cries of “Titooooo!” from viewers. Episode 03 picks up with Yuri and Kail heading to Empress Nakia’s palace to rescue Tito, who has been seized by Nakia’s subordinate Zuwa — only to be turned away by the authority of the “Tawananna,” the empire’s highest title for a woman.

Kail’s aide Ir then arrives and coldly declares that Tito is already dead and that Yuri should prepare to return home. To calm a distraught Yuri, Kail pulls her close and kisses her — just as he did when they first met — before vowing he has not given up on Tito and rushing off. But it is already too late.

A report comes in that a child’s body has been found outside the city walls. When they go to look, they discover Tito’s corpse — the skin stripped from his neck down. The revelation sent viewers who had already been crying in Episode 2 into fresh shock, with renewed screams of “Titooooo!” and furious comments such as “What a horrific way to kill someone!” and “Unforgivable!”

Kail holds Yuri as she breaks down, but Ir intervenes again, pushing for the ritual to send her home. The following day, as the ceremony is about to begin, Zuwa appears and disrupts it — and when Yuri sees that Zuwa is wearing Tito’s flayed skin, she refuses to go through with it. “I can’t forgive the people who killed Tito! I won’t go back until I’ve had my revenge!” she declares.

Meanwhile, Kail leads a punitive force toward Tito’s hometown of Arina. Urhi, sent ahead by Nakia, has already been there — spreading the lie to Tito’s sisters that Tito was executed on the orders of “Kail’s concubine (Yuri),” sowing discord before the prince’s arrival.

Social Media Buzz: The Kiss, Urhi, and Yusa Koji

Kail’s habit of kissing Yuri — having done so at their very first meeting and now again in Episode 3 — drew plenty of amused commentary online:

• “Why does he keep kissing her? 😂”
• “He’s kissing her again lol”
• “That mouth never stays quiet”
• “I’ve never thought of calming someone down with a kiss, and I’ve never seen it actually work either”

Urhi, voiced by Yusa Koji, also drew significant attention:

• “He’s doing something scummy again!”
• “Yusa Koji voicing Urhi is absolutely perfect casting”
• “Shady characters should always be voiced by Yusa Koji!”

Broadcast Information

• Nippon TV: Every Tuesday at 25:29 (AnichU slot)
• BS Nippon TV: Every Wednesday at 24:00
• Episode 04 airs July 28, 2026

Staff

• Director: Kobayashi Kosuke
• Series Composition: Tomita Yoriko
• Character Design: Fujisaki Kenji
• Art Director: Sarutani Katsumi
• Color Design: Tsuji Sachiko
• Photography Director: Kamiki Masashi
• Editor: Ueno Yoshihiro
• Sound Director: Morishita Hiroto
• Music: Hirano Yoshihisa
• Historical Supervision: Matsumura Kimihito, Yoshida Daisuke (Anatolian Archaeological Research Institute, Middle Eastern Cultural Center)
• Animation Production: Tatsunoko Production

Cast

• Yuri (Suzuki Yuri): Tachibana Mirai
• Kail Mursili: Kato Wataru
• Nakia: Uchida Aya
• Zananza Hattusili: Chiba Shoya
• Ir Bani: Maeno Tomoaki
• Urhi: Yusa Koji
• Kikkuri: Ono Tomonori
• Hadi: Aoki Shiki
• Ryui: Kawaida Natsumi
• Shara: Matsuoka Misato
• Kashu: Ishitani Haruki
• Rusafa: Enoki Junya
• Mittannamuwa: Kamio Shinichiro
• Mattiwaza (Black Prince): Toriumi Kosuke
• Narrator / Himuro: Nanami Hiroki

Theme Songs

• Opening Theme: Nanami Hiroki — “Akatsuki no Sora” (King Records) / Lyrics: Nanami Hiroki, Music & Arrangement: YASUHIRO (康寛)
• Ending Theme: Shimizu Miisa — “Reunion” / Lyrics, Music & Arrangement: Taisei Toda