Highlights
- Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian surprises fans with a sibling twist that challenges perceptions of childhood friendship.
- The series takes an audacious route with fanservice, straying from typical romcom norms with steamy scenes in the first two episodes.
- Viewers can expect a unique treat with a different ending song in each episode, showcasing bold decisions by Studio Doga Kobo.
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Episode 2, “What is a Childhood Friend Really?,” now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Romantic comedies often start strong but end up in a slump soon after, but Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian seems to be going strong with its romcom antics in full swing. After an initial introductory episode, the series acquainted viewers with more details of the characters, coupled with a surprising revelation that truly took fans by surprise.
With a ton of modern pop culture references and a decent amount of fanservice, the series has taken a more audacious route with its romcom narrative. With such an innovative premise, it’s only natural for the show to take an unconventional approach with its storytelling. Even with merely two episodes, these developments offer a glimpse of what’s to come for this romantic comedy.
A Surprise Sibling Twist
Yuki and Masachika Are Much More Than Just Childhood Friends
Yuki Suou was initially introduced as Masachika’s close childhood friend, but their banter hinted at a slightly more intimate relationship. The latest episode has proven this notion true, albeit in a way that fans least expected. Yuki is revealed to be Masachika’s younger sibling, yet the two maintain the facade of being childhood friends in front of everyone at school. The reason behind their deception is yet to be revealed, though there’s likely a plausible reason that forced the two to be on board with such a carefully thought out lie.
In other words, siblings are childhood friends too. Childhood friend, otaku friend, or siblings, they can coexist!
However, this raises a few questions regarding their perceived romance, as Yuki constantly makes playful advances on Masachika. While her actions are aimed at provoking Alya, there might be some truth to her emotions, especially with the series hinting at a sibling pairing through Yuki’s novel about sibling romance. Still, it’s too soon to determine whether Yuki can be considered a potential contender for Masachika, as an incest twist would be far too audacious for this romcom.
How Does the Series Handle Fanservice?
The Series Offers a Modest Amount of Fanservice
Fanservice is a common element in harem anime, yet it’s scarcely present in romantic comedies. Apart from the classic beach episode in every anime, romcoms tend to be light on the raunchy side of things. Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, on the other hand, teeters towards fanservice content with a few steamy scenes in just the first two episodes.
While fanservice isn’t necessarily a negative element, too much of it can take the focus away from the actual plot at hand. Anime that are heavy on explicit scenes often don’t take the narrative seriously, and neither can fans with a steamy shot in every other frame. The series’ fanservice has remained minimal, but it’s likely that these scenes will become more common as the show progresses.
If we’re only a curtain apart, won’t he hear me changing?
Another Treat For the Viewers
Each Episode Of the Series Will Have a Unique Ending Song
If a novel premise and cutesy antics weren’t enough, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian has thrown in another treat for its viewers. While the opening song will remain the same for the entire season, each episode will showcase a unique ending song. The latest episode features a cover of the famed song Kawaikute Gomen by HoneyWorks.
The series shares its music director and chief with the hit idol show Oshi no Ko, meaning the show’s music scene is bound to be a treat. However, the producers have upped the ante with unique song covers for every ending, a bold move considering how costly the animation budget can be. With the series’ skyrocketing popularity, it seems that Studio Doga Kobo’s audacious decisions might pay off.
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