The TV anime Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori (Anatolia Story) aired Episode 05, “A Sword to Fight With,” on August 4, 2026, sparking widespread discussion online as protagonist Yuri — who had spent the series running from danger — finally picks up a sword and fights back.
About the Series
Based on the manga by Chie Shinohara, serialized in Shogakukan’s Shōjo Comic from 1995 to 2002, the story follows Yuri Suzuki, an ordinary modern-day Japanese girl who is suddenly transported to the Hittite Empire of the 14th century BC. There she meets Prince Kail Mursili, the leading candidate for the throne, and gradually rises to fame as the war goddess Ishtar — all while navigating palace conspiracies, conflicts with neighboring kingdoms, and a ticking clock on her return home. 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 Kosuke Kobayashi and produced by Tatsunoko Production.
Episode 5 — Yuri Rises from the Dead and Takes Up Arms
Episode 04 had sent shockwaves through the fandom when Yuri appeared to die, flooding social media with disbelief. Episode 05 reveals the truth: the poison used on her was not lethal but a substance that induces a death-like state. After regaining consciousness and escaping, Yuri encounters a mysterious man named Taros — who turns out to be Tito’s father.
Taros is the chief of the Hatti tribe, a people with a long tradition of metallurgy and blacksmithing. Having been told that Yuri was responsible for Tito’s death, he forces her to choose a weapon and strike back against Zuwa. Declaring that “there’s no point in staying here if all I do is run,” Yuri resolves to fight. From a pile of weapons she selects the one rusted, misshapen sword — seeing in it a reflection of herself, something out of place among the rest. That sword, however, turns out to be a legendary sacred blade said to grant its wielder dominion over the world. With it, Yuri defeats and kills Zuwa, avenging Tito at last.
Fan Reactions
Social media lit up after the episode aired, with viewers sharing reactions such as:
- “I cried thinking about Tito.”
- “Finally got her revenge — I feel so much better now!”
- “I actually clapped when she took down Zuwa.”
- “Tito can rest in peace now.”
Many also praised Yuri’s character growth, with comments like “She’s no longer just a heroine who gets rescued” and “I got chills the moment Yuri made up her mind to fight after running away for so long.”
Broadcast Information
Episode 06 airs on August 11, 2026. The series broadcasts on Nippon TV every Tuesday at 25:29 (AnichU slot) and on BS Nippon TV every Wednesday at 24:00.
Staff & Cast
Staff
- Director: Kosuke Kobayashi
- Series Composition: Yoriko Tomita
- Character Design: Kenji Fujisaki
- Art Director: Katsumi Saruya
- Color Design: Sachiko Tsuji
- Photography Director: Masashi Kamiki
- Editor: Yoshihiro Ueno
- Sound Director: Hiroto Morishita
- Music: Yoshihisa Hirano
- Historical Supervision: Kimihito Matsumura, Daisuke Yoshida (Anatolian Archaeological Research Institute)
- Animation Production: Tatsunoko Production
Cast
- Yuri (Yuri Suzuki): Mira Tachibana
- Kail Mursili: Wataru Kato
- Nakia: Aya Uchida
- Zananza Hattushili: Shoya Chiba
- Il Bani: Tomoaki Maeno
- Urhi: Koji Yusa
- Kikkuri: Tomotaka Ono
- Hadi: Shiki Aoki
- Ryui: Natsumi Kawaida
- Shara: Misato Matsuoka
- Kasshu: Haruki Ishitani
- Rusafa: Junya Enoki
- Mittannamwa: Shinichiro Kamio
- Mattiwaza (Black Prince): Kosuke Toriumi
- Narrator / Himuro: Hiroki Nanami
Theme Songs
- Opening Theme: Hiroki Nanami — “Akatsuki no Sora” (King Records); Lyrics: Hiroki Nanami; Composition & Arrangement: YASUHIRO
- Ending Theme: Miisa Shimizu — “Reunion”; Words, Music & Arrangement: Taisei Toda
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