Introduction: Roshidere – A Sweet and Misunderstood Summer Rom-Com
Greetings, fellow anime enthusiasts!
Summer is just around the corner, and we all know what that means: beach trips, fireworks, and of course, new anime!
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian,” also known as “RoshiDERE,” an upcoming anime series set to premiere in July 2024.
A Cool Beauty and a Misunderstood Love Comedy
Our protagonist, Masachika Kuse, finds himself seated next to the stunning Alya Mikhairovna Kujou, a new transfer student from Russia.
Alya is initially portrayed as a cool and aloof beauty, but she has a secret habit of muttering Russian phrases under her breath.
Masachika, unfortunately, doesn’t understand Russian, and he misinterprets her mutterings as signs of affection.
Laughter and Heartwarming Moments Await
RoshiDERE is packed with hilarious misunderstandings and comical situations, brought to life by a cast of unique and memorable characters.
The budding romance between the cool beauty and the oblivious protagonist adds another layer of charm to the story.
Gaining Popularity Worldwide
RoshiDERE has already garnered attention both in Japan and internationally. Its unique blend of quirky characters and an engaging storyline has resonated with viewers worldwide.
Dive into the World of Roshidere
RoshiDERE is a sweet and heartwarming rom-com that perfectly captures the essence of summer. If you haven’t already heard of it, I highly recommend checking it out.
Embrace the Roshidere Experience this Summer!
- Official website：https://roshidere.com/
- official X：https://twitter.com/roshidere
description of works
“Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” is a Japanese light novel series by Sansan SUN, illustrated by Momoko.
The narrative revolves around Alisa Mihailovna Kujou, a stunning half-Russian high school girl, and her classmate Masachika Kuze, who is known for his lackadaisical attitude.
Alisa occasionally whispers endearments in Russian, mistakenly believing Masachika doesn’t understand her.
However, Masachika is fluent in Russian, leading to unintended comedic scenarios.
The series started as an online short story in 2020 and was published by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko in 2021.
It has been adapted into a manga, and an anime adaptation is expected to be released in 2024.
Synopsis
At Seirei Academy, Alisa, a stunning half-Russian girl with silver hair, captures everyone’s attention with her beauty.
Masachika Kuze, the protagonist sitting next to her, is known for his lack of motivation, often found sleeping in class while constantly being scolded by her.
Unbeknownst to Alisa, Masachika understands Russian fluently.
This leads to humorous situations as her attempts to discreetly express her affection in Russian are fully comprehended by him, despite her belief that her words are going unnoticed.
Introduce the main characters
Masachika Kuze (久世 政近, Kuze Masachika)
Masachika, the main male protagonist, occupies a coveted school seat next to Alya.
Known for his habit of dozing off in class, he secretly understands Russian, thanks to cultural influences from his grandfather.
Although he pretends not to understand Alya’s Russian comments, he is fully aware of them.
Over time, as they interact more, Masachika develops feelings for Alya, and a surprising twist reveals that his supposed childhood friend Yuki is actually his sibling.
Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou (アリサ・ミハイロヴナ・九条, Arisa Mihairovuna Kujō）
Alya, a striking first-year student, is renowned for her beauty and aloof demeanor. With a Russian father and a Japanese mother, her multicultural background adds to her allure.
She occasionally speaks in Russian, puzzling both her classmates and teacher.
Alya is often irked by her seatmate Masachika’s lackadaisical approach to school, yet she also finds him intriguing. Additionally, she has a sister named Maria.
Yuki Suou (周防 有希, Suō Yuki)
Yuki Suo, a first-year student, holds the position of public relations officer on the student council.
Coming from the distinguished Suo family, which has a noble heritage and a long line of diplomats, Yuki embodies the traits of a true young lady.
Initially, Alya feels a twinge of jealousy towards Yuki due to her close childhood friendship with Masachika.
However, it later comes to light that Yuki is actually Masachika’s younger sister, which adds a layer of complexity to their relationships.
Maria Mikhailovna Kujou (マリヤ・ミハイロヴナ・九条, Mariya Mihairovuna Kujō）
Masha, known as Маша, is Masachika’s senior and Alya’s older sister, serving as the student council’s secretary.
Renowned alongside Chigasaki as one of the school’s top beauties, she is dubbed the “Madonna of the Academy.”
Originally blonde, her hair darkened over time. Masha’s relationship with Masachika began in a park where they first communicated using Russian,
leading to a misunderstanding that caused her to mishear and subsequently call him “Masachika.”
Although their connection deepened into first love, language barriers and eventual separation due to her parents’ relocation led to unresolved misunderstandings between them.
Ayano Kimishima (君嶋 綾乃, Kimishima Ayano)
This character serves as the student council’s general affairs officer in 1st year class C. They are a loyal servant to Yuki and previously served Masachika as well.
They show immense devotion and loyalty to their master. Although they consider themselves a “super-class maid,” as told by Yuki, they actually have a masochistic personality.
The highlights
The highlights of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” can be encapsulated in the following aspects
- Cultural Fusion: The main characters’ mixed Japanese and Russian heritage brings an interesting and complex layer of intercultural exchange to the story. The humor arising from the language gap between Russian and Japanese offers enjoyment from an international perspective.
- Relationship Dynamics: The subtle emotional shifts and comedic misunderstandings between Alya and Masachika are engaging. Additionally, how Masachika’s secret impacts his relationship with Alya is a key element to watch.
- Youthful Struggles and Growth: Set in a school environment, the narrative carefully portrays the characters’ growth and internal changes. Particularly, the conflict between Masachika’s past and present self, and how Alya’s family background influences her actions, are central to the story.
- Balance of Comedy and Romance: The story skillfully blends light-hearted comedic elements with the characters’ gradually deepening romantic relationships, providing a well-balanced mix of laughter and touching moments.
These elements combine to set this series apart from typical school stories, making it a uniquely appealing work.
style and themes
The style and themes of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” are characterized by a blend of humor, cultural exploration, and romantic development, which are pivotal to its narrative structure
Artistic Style:
- The series employs a light-hearted and whimsical artistic style, which complements its comedic and romantic elements. The illustrations, particularly in the manga adaptation, enhance the cultural nuances and emotional expressions of the characters, making the intercultural interactions visually engaging.
Themes:
- Intercultural Communication: A central theme of the series is the exploration of cultural differences and misunderstandings, highlighted by Alya’s use of Russian and the ensuing miscommunications with her classmates. This theme is not only a source of humor but also a vehicle for exploring deeper issues of identity and belonging.
- Youth and Identity: The characters grapple with typical adolescent issues, such as self-discovery, personal growth, and the formation of relationships. The series delves into how these personal journeys are influenced by their unique cultural backgrounds and family histories.
- Romance and Misunderstanding: The evolving romantic feelings between Alya and Masachika, complicated by language barriers and personal secrets, drive much of the narrative. This theme explores how true understanding can be obscured by assumptions and the masks people wear.
- Hidden Depths: The series often plays on the idea that people have hidden depths and unknown facets, as seen with Masachika’s secret understanding of Russian. This theme is reflected in the characters’ interactions and growth, showing that everyone has more to them than meets the eye.
Through its combination of comedic missteps, cultural clashes, and youthful drama, “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” provides a rich, entertaining look at the complexities of adolescence and cross-cultural interactions.
Domestic Reception of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” (RoshiDERE)
Novels
- With over 1.7 million copies sold in the series within two years of its release, RoshiDERE has become a highly popular work.
- On the book review site “Book Meter,” it has over 300 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 stars, indicating high praise.
- Readers’ comments include “entertaining,” “heartwarming,” and “eagerly awaiting the next installment.”
Anime
- Anticipation for the anime’s July 2024 premiere is growing on the official website and social media.
- The announcement of the anime adaptation has led to a further surge in book sales.
- The released trailer has received positive feedback from fans of the original work.
Other
- RoshiDERE won the Gold Prize in the “This Light Novel is Amazing! 2024” awards held in December 2023.
- A RoshiDERE stage event was held at “AnimeJapan 2024” in March 2024, attracting a large number of fans.
Overall, “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” has garnered significant acclaim domestically.
Staff and Cast
| Role or Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Cast | |
| Masachika Kuze | Kouhei Amasaki |
| Alisa Mihailovna Kujou | Sumire Uesaka |
| Yuki Suo | Wakana Maruoka |
| Mariya Mihailovna Kujou | Yukiyo Fujii |
| Ayano Kimishima | Saya Aizawa |
| Kayasaki Chimaki | Maki Kawase |
| Tōya Kanzaki | Kaito Ishikawa |
| Sayaka Taniyama | Ikumi Hasegawa |
| Nonna Miyamae | Yoshino Aoyama |
| Tsuyoshi Maruyama | Hiroshi Sakai |
| Mitsuru Kiyomiya | Taichi Ichikawa |
| Staff | |
| Original Creator | Sansan SUN (KADOKAWA Sneaker Bunko) |
| Original Illustrations | Momoko |
| Director & Series Composition | Ryota Itoh |
| Character Design & Chief Animation Director | Yuhei Murota |
| Art Director | Risa Wakabayashi |
| Color Design | Yuuka Ito |
| Director of Photography | Seiichi Sugai |
| Editor | Yoshiko Kimura (MADBOX) |
| Sound Director | Takeshi Takadera |
| Music | Hiromi Tsutsumi |
| Production Producer | Ryo Kobayashi |
| Animation Production | Doga Kobo |
So, What Did You Think?
And there you have it!
Today, we delved into the world of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian,” also known as “RoshiDERE,” an upcoming anime series set to premiere in July 2024.
With its cast of eccentric characters, hilarious plot twists, and sweet and heartwarming rom-com elements, RoshiDERE is sure to capture your heart this summer.
If you haven’t already heard of RoshiDERE, I highly recommend checking it out. You won’t be disappointed!
Embrace the RoshiDERE Experience this Summer!
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