Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
| Industry | Light novel, manga, anime |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder | SunSunSun |
| Fate | Ongoing |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | SunSunSun (author), Momoco (illustrator), Saho Tenamachi (manga illustrator) |
| Products | Light novels, manga, anime, audiobook, smartphone game |
| Owner | Kadokawa Shoten |
| Parent | Kadokawa Corporation |
is a Japanese light novel series authored by SunSunSun with illustrations by Momoco. It began as two independently published short stories on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2020 before being picked up by Kadokawa Shoten. The publisher released the series under their Sneaker Bunko label starting February 2021. The story follows a gifted Russo-Japanese transfer student who excels academically while navigating a chilly dynamic with a laid-back classmate.
A manga version illustrated by Saho Tenamachi started serialization on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket app in October 2022. The anime adaptation, produced by Doga Kobo, was broadcast from July to September 2024, with a second season planned for release in 2026.
As of August 2024, the series has achieved over five million copies distributed worldwide.
Premise
Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, commonly called Alya, is a silver-haired high school student whose icy demeanor tends to intimidate those around her. Her classmate Masachika Kuze, who sits beside her, is unmotivated and frequently drowsy at school due to late nights. Although Alya often criticizes Masachika, she secretly harbors romantic feelings for him and occasionally flirts using Russian phrases. Unknown to her, Masachika understands Russian and reciprocates her feelings, leaving him puzzled by her subtle advances.
Student Council
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- Alisa is a first-year student renowned for her striking appearance and aloof personality. With a Russian father and Japanese mother, she sometimes speaks Russian, which confuses her classmates. Despite attracting numerous admirers, her distant attitude restricts close friendships. She disapproves of Masachika’s lack of ambition but appears to have hidden affection for him, often expressing it in Russian. She is Maria’s younger sister and spent part of her upbringing in Vladivostok, where social difficulties contributed to her reserved nature. Holding the position of Student Council Treasurer, she is campaigning for President with Masachika as her running mate.
- Her frosty attitude originates from past group project failures caused by uncooperative peers, leading her to prefer working alone. She has a fondness for sweets and dislikes spicy foods.
- Masachika sits next to Alisa and is known for his sleepy and unmotivated demeanor. Secretly fluent in Russian due to his paternal grandfather’s influence and television exposure, he was once heir to the Suou family but renounced this status after leaving the estate with his father; his sister Yuki inherited the title. Keeping his heritage secret, he harbors feelings for Alisa but doubts his own worthiness.
- Formerly a prodigy taught by his maternal grandfather and an accomplished pianist, family troubles caused him to collapse emotionally and lose motivation. He holds deep affection for his younger sister Yuki. Serving as Student Council General Affairs Officer, he runs alongside Alisa as Vice-President candidate.
- Yuki is a first-year student serving as Student Council Public Relations officer and is Masachika’s younger sister who inherited the former noble Suou family’s position after he stepped down. Direct and well-liked, she competes with Alisa and often teases her about Masachika. To conceal their sibling relationship publicly, she pretends to be Masachika’s childhood friend but reveals an otaku side in private. She frequently stays at Masachika’s residence and has recovered from childhood asthma.
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- Maria is Alisa’s elder sister and a second-year Student Council Secretary recognized for her sweet nature and popularity among peers. She shares a close childhood bond with Masachika strengthened through their mutual use of Russian and cares deeply for both Alisa and Masachika.
- Yuki’s quiet and expressionless maid serves as Student Council General Affairs Officer. Previously Masachika’s maid before he renounced his heirship, she now supports Yuki. Known for her masochistic affection toward both siblings, she maintains a low profile yet surprises classmates with her beauty during school events. She is running for Vice-President alongside Yuki.
- A second-year Student Council Vice-President who is intimidating to some male students but popular among females. She dates President Touya Kenzaki and effectively resolves conflicts through assertiveness but struggles with administrative tasks. Her hobby is practicing kendo.
- Touya Kenzaki serves as charismatic second-year Student Council President and is Chisaki’s boyfriend. Having transformed himself from an overweight middle schooler with poor grades into a confident leader, he did so largely to win Chisaki’s affection.
Additional Students
- A composed young woman who once contended with Yuki for the middle school Student Council resident role and currently participates on the public morals committee. She initially admired the collaboration between Masachika and Yuki but felt let down when Masachika teamed up with Alya against Yuki. Alongside her friend Nonoa Miyamae, she reluctantly assumes a subordinate role under them, ultimately growing fond of Alya and developing a strong friendship.
- A freshman in high school and Sayaka's closest companion, noted for her logical thinking and emotional reserve. She initially deployed planted supporters to undermine Alisa during the Student Congress but later joined forces with Alisa and Masachika together with Sayaka.
- Among Masachika's intimate male friends, he harbors romantic feelings for Alya.
- Another of Masachika's trusted male companions.
Web Novel
Before the light novel's publication, two short stories were released on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2020, featuring distinct characters and narratives from the finalized version.
In a 2021 interview with Da Vinci, author SunSunSun disclosed that the original concept involved an isekai scenario where the heroine is transported to a world where only the protagonist comprehends Japanese. This idea was later discarded in favor of a contemporary setting to avoid complicated explanations. The choice to make Alya half-Russian stemmed from the author's admiration for the beauty of Russian women.
Light Novel
The light novel series, penned by SunSunSun with illustrations by Momoco, was initially approached by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko in June 2020. On December 22, 2020, it was announced that the short stories previously published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō would be adapted into a series published by Kadokawa Shoten under the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko label. The series title originates from one of these short stories. The first volume debuted on February 27, 2021, and as of July 2025, ten main volumes along with two short story collections have been released.
At Sakura-Con 2022, Yen Press acquired licensing rights for English-language publication.
Manga
A manga adaptation illustrated by Saho Tenamachi began serialization in Kodansha's Magazine Pocket application on October 29, 2022. The inaugural volume was published on March 9, 2023. The manga is accessible in English through Kodansha’s "K Manga" app. On December 16, 2024, Yen Press secured licensing for English print distribution.
Anime
An anime television adaptation was announced in March 2023. It is produced by Doga Kobo, directed and scripted by Ryota Itoh, with character designs and chief animation direction by Yūhei Murota, and music composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi. Ryō Kobayashi serves as producer. Initially scheduled for April 2024, the broadcast was postponed and aired from July 3 to September 18, 2024, on Tokyo MX and other stations. The opening theme is , while each episode concludes with a unique ending theme—covers of Japanese songs performed by Sumire Uesaka in character as Alya. Kadokawa Corporation distributed the series across three Blu-ray and DVD volumes between September and November 2024.
Crunchyroll streamed the anime worldwide, with the first season Blu-ray released on July 22, 2025. Licensing for Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand) was obtained by Medialink.
Following the conclusion of season one, a second season was confirmed. Directed by Hiroshi Haraguchi with Yuka Yamada writing scripts and Yūhei Murota returning as character designer, it is slated to premiere in 2026.
Audiobooks
The original light novel series was initially transformed into a Japanese audiobook, starring Sumire Uesaka and Kōhei Amasaki as the lead voices. In March 2024, Yen Audio, an affiliate of Yen Press, revealed plans for an English audiobook version. The debut English audiobook, narrated by Taylor Meskimen, was released on August 13, 2024.
Smartphone game
On July 17, 2024, it was announced that a mobile game titled Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Puzzle Party! would be developed for both Android and iOS platforms, with pre-registration opening immediately. Created by Poppin Games Japan, this puzzle game officially became available on September 19, 2024.
Other
To promote the release of the second light novel volume, a VTuber model of Alya was introduced in July 2021.
Reception
In the 2022 Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! bunkobon category, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian secured the ninth position and ranked fifth among new series that year. The series climbed to fifth place in 2023 and achieved third place in both the 2024 and 2025 editions. At the 2021 Next Light Novel Awards, it earned first place in the Librarian's Choice category, second in Web Publication, and ninth overall. By April 2022, total circulation reached 500,000 copies. In August 2024, it became the first romantic comedy under Kadokawa Shoten's Sneaker Bunko imprint to surpass five million copies sold.
Kadokawa Corporation reported that this franchise ranked as their fifth top-performing property during Q2 fiscal 2024, generating close to one billion yen through manga and light novel licensing, sales, and anime streaming revenues.
The anime’s inaugural season received accolades for Slice of Life Anime of the Year and Supporting Girl of the Year (Yuki Suou) at the 11th Anime Trending Awards, alongside eight other nominations including Anime of the Year. Additionally, voice actress Sarah Natochenny was nominated for Best Voice Artist Performance (English) at the 9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2025.
External links
- at Shōsetsuka ni Narō
- at Yen Press