Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian

Overview Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian is a romantic comedy anime adapted from the Japanese light novel series by SunSunSun and illustrated by Momoco. It follows transfer student Alya, a poised half-Russian high schooler, and her nerdy classmate Kuze Masachika. Unknown to Alya, Kuze secretly understands the Russian phrases she teasingly uses to flirt with him, leading to a charming tale of hidden feelings and romantic misunderstandings. The anime is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Plot Summary The story revolves around the growing relationship between Alya and Masachika, set against the backdrop of high school life. It's a lighthearted yet layered exploration of adolescent emotions, self-esteem struggles, and miscommunication. Themes of family dynamics, particularly Kuze's backstory with his sister, add depth to the narrative.

While the premise is promising, the pacing is uneven, with critical backstory elements revealed too early in the series, sometimes through forced plot devices. These moments feel disconnected from the overarching tone, leaving viewers wondering about the anime's intended direction.

Strengths Animation: Doga Kobo's animation elevates the series with crisp visuals, vibrant colors, and fluid character movements. The subtle artistic touches breathe life into everyday high school settings.

Characters: Alya is a compelling mix of elegance and quirky charm, balancing her tsundere attitude with moments of vulnerability.

Masachika stands out as a relatable rom-com lead, complemented by the chaotic yet lovable energy of his little sister.

Supporting characters like Masha add layers of warmth and wit.

Voice Acting: Yuki's performance as Alya captures her multifaceted personality perfectly, while Sumippe's Russian pronunciation, though imperfect, delivers Alya's playful teasing with authenticity.

Weaknesses Pacing Issues: Episode three crams significant backstory into a brief span, creating a rushed feeling that undermines the emotional impact.

Underdeveloped Themes: Alya's "loner" persona and family struggles could have been explored more deeply to strengthen her character arc.

Plot Tension: While the miscommunication trope works as a central tension, some moments feel overly contrived, making the narrative lose momentum.

Themes and Depth The anime explores the complexities of adolescent relationships, including navigating self-esteem issues and fostering connections. Kuze's relationship with his sister introduces darker undertones rooted in their shared experience of parental divorce, adding a layer of intrigue. However, certain elements, like the borderline incestuous implications, may feel uncomfortable to some viewers.

Overall Impression Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian offers a delightful mix of humor, romance, and high school drama. While it stumbles with pacing and depth, the charming characters and gorgeous animation make it an enjoyable watch. Fans of rom-com anime will appreciate its playful approach and subtle emotional beats.

Verdict The first season intrigues with its unique premise and endearing character dynamics, but it leaves much to be desired in execution. A solid choice for rom-com enthusiasts, it sets the stage for a potentially stronger second season.

Rating: 7.5/10.

Ep1:8.7.10 Ep2:9.5/10 Ep3:7.8/10 Ep4:8.1/10 Ep5:9.3/10 Ep6:8.4/10 Ep7:8.3/10 Ep8:8.5/10 Ep9:9.0/10 Ep10:8.8/10 Ep11:7.9/10 Ep12:8.5/10.

"Roshidere" is a delightful romantic comedy that blends lightheartedness with heartfelt moments, making it stand out in the genre. The show focuses on the dynamic between Masachika, an unassuming high school student, and Alya, a sharp and somewhat cold girl who secretly harbors affection for him-often revealing her true feelings in Russian, assuming Masachika doesn't understand.

Characters & Relationships: The character dynamics are where Roshidere truly shines. Alya's tsundere-like personality adds charm, while Masachika's laid-back but perceptive nature creates a balanced contrast. Their slow-burn romance, laced with comedic misunderstandings, keeps viewers engaged. Alya's use of Russian phrases adds a unique layer to their interactions, adding both humor and mystery.

Plot & Pacing: While the overarching plot may be simple, the pacing is just right for a rom-com. Each episode reveals more about the characters' backstories and deepens their relationship without feeling rushed. The buildup of tension between Alya and Masachika is steady, making viewers root for their eventual connection.

Visuals & Soundtrack: The animation is clean and well-suited for the story. Character designs are charming, and the expressions-especially Alya's when she's flustered-are done exceptionally well. The music is soft and complements the tone of the show, enhancing the emotional and comedic moments without overshadowing them.

Emotional Appeal: Roshidere offers a perfect balance of light-hearted comedy and heartwarming romance. It explores the difficulties of expressing emotions and highlights the subtle moments that make relationships meaningful. Fans of rom-coms will appreciate the way the show teases out romantic tension without relying on heavy drama.

Verdict: Overall, "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian" is a must-watch for fans of romantic comedies. Its unique premise, engaging characters, and charming execution make it stand out in the crowded field of anime romances. If you're looking for something both funny and sweet, this show delivers! (Chat GPT)

Another interesting series from the summer of 2024.

A promising first episode with all the ingredients for success, a hilarious second episode and then the cold shower !

Episode 5 starts to show signs of running out of breath, already visible in episode 4.

The characters' development starts to slow down, and the personalities and feelings of the protagonists lack exploration.

The synopsis suggests something different : People expect more rejection from people perceived as superior. We need to go deeper instead of just scratching the surface.

The initial idea of a misunderstanding with language goes nowhere.

The ''twists and turns'' are abysmally flat.

There's potential in the male character, particularly with his memories... However, there are a few banalities and stereotypes: The guy is a larva, as is often the case. The girl is a potential tsundere... I hope this will change.

The animation is fluid and some of the shots are pleasing.

The second part will tip the series over to the right or wrong side of the road.

So, yeah... I decided to watch this anime because I was just browsing Crunchyroll, saw the poster and thought "Hmm... why not?". And honestly, I had a lot of fun watching the anime, and even though sometimes I feel like strangling the protagonist for his stupidity, the story is excellent, especially the "arc" of the battle for class presidency. But what impressed me the most, in fact, was the animation, which I found very beautiful and perfect for a comedy/romance anime. And yes, the title describes the entire anime, so make sure that when you tell someone what you're watching, call the anime Roshidere and not the embarrassing title they gave it. Watch it if you want, but you'll want an Alya for yourself and you'll be regretting that there's no such beauty, you can be sure.

I'm used to the rom-com genre, and this one has a good start, but slowly falls off over the last 4 episodes

Putting aside some unnecessary fan service and the fact that they flirt with incest, the male protagonist starts acting very mature for his age and neutral towards a certain female, but in the end you see the opposite, so it seemed to me that they forced the usual unexpected romance to extend the anime for at least one more season (which is supported by the fact they avoided to touch the background of certain characters and instead focused on a random debate)

I'll watch the second season for the sake of closure, and I hope they don't take the typical direction (but probably they will if most of the fan base wants that in order to please them)