Image via Yen Press
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When different adaptations of a story appear, it’s common for preferences come up for different tellings. In the case of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, it started as short stories and a light novel before becoming a manga and anime. Yen Press picked up the manga, following already handling the light novel, in 2025. It’s to all our benefit that the company did, as it does a fantastic job of retelling the story and features gorgeous Saho Tenmachi art.
Editor’s Note: There will be some mild Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian manga spoilers below.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian is one of those stories that starts in the middle of things with some already established relationships, and the manga adaptation is no different. Alisa (Alya) Mikhailovna Kujou is one of those “top” students and “idols” at Seirei Private Academy, and she’s intimidating due to her intelligence, diligence, professionalism, beauty, and also because she’s considered somewhat special due to being half Russian and half Japanese. As such, it is quickly established that she really doesn’t get close to anyone and has walls up, except with her classmate Masachika Kuze that sits next to her. While the introduction might make it seem a little dramatic, it’s a prime romantic comedy since we soon learn Masachika does know Russian, due to watching movies with his grandpa. She doesn’t know that. So he’s catching her asides when she talks and is aware of the fact that she’s not 100% who she appears to be and is fond of him.
So right away, Saho Tenamachi’s artistic direction for the manga version of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian is absolutely gorgeous. I think it’s even prettier than the anime adaptation. Plus, it really highlights the more enthusiastic side of Masachika. I always felt like the anime made him appear a little more mature and “bishounen” in a way that didn’t seem completely accurate to the situation. Likewise, while Alya’s design is quite pretty across all adaptations, I feel like Tenamachi’s work really helps capture her more severe and innocent moments. It’s just generally a very pretty series.
The manga adaptation of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian also offers some wonderful depictions of the more lighthearted moments. Again, this is in part due to Tenamachi’s take on these stories. For example, Masachika’s over-the-top reactions to getting the Tsukuyomi pull in his gacha game, Alya confiscating his phone and ending the game as part of her duties as a member of student government, and her reactions to his love of the game, affection for the character he pulled, and embarrassment when caught by her sister sort of “cosplaying” as that character later are fantastic.
I also feel like the manga version of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian helps us appreciate the times when Alya is speaking Russian. This is because the Russian Cyrillic alphabet is used for those asides. So it really is immersive in a way I appreciate. Especially since the speech bubbles really make the translation clear.
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings tells a fun story regardless of how you’re seeing Alya and Masachika’s romance blossom, but I really feel like the manga adaptation is possibly the best way to enjoy it. The art is gorgeous. It does a fantastic job of telling the tale. It also really highlights characters’ personalities well through their expressions. Plus, the Russian Cyrillic alphabet usage is quite fun.
Volume 1 of the Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian manga is available now, and Yen Press will release volume 2 on September 23, 2025. The company also handles the light novel.
