This one is really a classic -- and it's great. Most of the characters are really compelling, the reader is constantly rewarded with romance scenes, which are more steamy and exciting than nowadays (I prefer it that way!). The one drawback is, if you've read a lot of historical shojou and read this one, it will seem very predictable. That's because everything that came after borrowed a lot from this one. Anyway, I loved it. If you enjoyed it, try Basara, or for something that changes it up, try Legend of Nereid or Saver.

Never did i wanted to read any historical mangas or anything this long but i finished this 28 volume manga in just 2 days. It makes me appreciate more about history which i thought is really boring. Character development and the way the manga present each of them were great that even some enemies would make you like them. There were a few deaths which makes me sad at times but its neccessary. The art is definitely a classic but dont be mistaken its spectacular. The romance aspect of the manga wasnt really cheesy or corny and it makes you drawn to the main characters.
I really like it!! 2 thumbs up!!

... Last updated on May 25th, 2010, 4:57pm

I have read the entire thing, and it is wonderful. Not a perfect ten, I reserve that for others like Skip Beat, but definitely one of my favorites. The art isn't always the best, but the story more than makes up for it. Yes, it's not quite as good at the beginning, but the more you read, the more amazing it becomes. The romance is sweet but not overly dramatic, and, for once, it's a manga with a good ending. Sure, it's not an exciting one, but it's satisfying. And how many mangas can you say have had that? Didn't think so. Very much worth the read. I highly recommend it.

Shoujo/drama not being my genre (being a guy and all), it is thus quite surprising for me to consider this as my favorite manga. But something about it makes it a very special, and very touching story for me.

First of all, this manga should be appreciated as a coming-of-age story about the female lead. I can understand the complaints about certain aspects of the manga, such as the art, and the sometimes cliche premises and actions. However, those aren't the drivers behind the manga: the character evolution is the true gem here. The range of emotions Yuri goes through throughout the story is amazing, and to see her overcome her obstacles is the ultimate prize. Her character is outstanding: she is strong in spirit, and yet fragile at heart; she is cunning at times, impulsive at others; she stands out as a godlike figure, and yet it is the human in her that is her most endearing feature. The 28 volumes in this manga are really just about her, and her only.

Red River is also the most touching love story I have read to date. As the manga progresses, it becomes obvious that the strength of the love shared between the main characters is unbreakable, almost to the point of envy. Is it cliche? Perhaps. But all love stories are, because the vehicle behind them is the same. The only difference is in how it is told, and Red River does it best.

Aside from the romance, there are so many other emotions involved in the journey that it amazes me. Yuri's character is the ultimate story vehicle, because the numerous choices that she makes, right or wrong, never fails to bring her to a new place, to a new meeting, and of course, to new emotions. The readers are taken along for the ride, and for a surprisingly short 28 volumes, we are there with her, facing her obstacles, experiencing her love, and living her adventure.

While there are many mangas I like, this is the only one that I have read and re-read countless times. I would certainly recommend giving this a shot, for 5 volumes at least. Then you can decide whether or not it is, as I believe it, one of the most charming and captivating stories you have ever read.

wow, I was so put off by the heroine's stupidity that I had to drop the series about ten times before I read it through, but I'm glad I did, because it really did get better. Despite the heroine's obvious lack of reason/logic (i.e. what makes her think that she even had a SLIM chance of getting her clothes back when the queen's already shooting water at her from everywhere), she does get points for courage (albeit senseless courage), and for maturing through the series.

Overall it was a pretty good read. As long as one could put up with her initial lack of brains at the beginning it becomes quite enjoyable fairly quickly.

I admit the plot was good, it was very exciting and sometimes the suspense was really heart-thumping, i also liked how the heroine matured over time, as at the beginning she was very annoying but she grew strong and smart. The other characters and even the tragedies were also a good mix to the story..

But by around the middle of the whole story, it was redundant already. I'm talking about the evil queen's ploy to ruin the heroine's future. Sure at the beginning it was interesting how the queen's always one step ahead of them, but it got tiring how it's always the same. I know she's the main antagonist of the story from the moment the story began, but that was the problem. She wasn't some sort of powerful magician, the prince was equal to her in terms of magic; she was also a powerful queen but that has its own equivalent (king, duh); and that was why it was redundant. The antagonist wasn't that powerful enough for the story to continue on for so long.

But the last confrontation was a good twist, thus also the ending.

well...i liked it well enough...Yuri had those moments when you just wanted to drop her off the highest tower in the kingdom...but i digress, all around good story...maybe a bit drawn out at some places...nice thought out characters...actually made me wanna do some research on the Hittite empire...and my favorite character was Kikkuri, wow what a playa playa....for this one you have to be in for the long haul though...but it is worth it...if you like girl gets taken to another world, or historical romance...give it a shot...but there was one thing i didn't like...

I feel this is a lot like Basara, but I like Basara better. Anatolia story is a bit too fantastical and unrealistic. It was enjoyable, but I felt the characters could have been more and better developed--a lot of characters lacked individuality. I think this might be because there were too many characters who had relatively important roles, and not enough was told about them.

It was a good read, but it feels like I've just skimmed the surface of an interesting story, and the story could have had more to offer. It was a bit disappointing... =(

It's a great story. The romance is frustrating at times, but it's great how it builds up to that anticipating moment. I also like the twists in the story. I'm a sucker for when an author kills off characters that the author spent a good deal of time developing. it's a great plot changer and pretty risky; it takes great skill to pull that off, which this author does wonderfully. i like how there's some historical truth in the manga as well. the heroine is idealistic but surprisingly not annoying because she actually ends up growing and doing a shitload of stuff.

A definite must read, especially for lovers of historical romances. The story was compelling, and the characters were absolutely lovable. It is indeed a bit lengthy, but as said before, the plot will definitely carry you to the end.