Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian isa romantic comedy animethat follows the titular protagonist who falls for one of her classmates at a prestigious Japanese school. The story exploresthe intricacies of teenage romance, the influence of childhood trauma, and the challenge of building meaningful relationships while overcoming insecurities.
In its realistic inquiry of personal growth, the series introducessome compelling female characters. In this list, we explore a few of them who leave the most lasting impression on the viewer.
5Sayaka Taniyama
An Elite of the Seriren Academy Who Once Competed Against Yuki
A member of the Disciplinary Committee at Seiren Private Academy, Sayaka Taniyama isa hard-working high schoolerwho places high expectations on herself. Unlike some of her peers, she is quite confrontational and takes everything seriously. Sayaka’s high expectations are understandable as she comes from an elite family and her father is the CEO of the well-known shipbuilding company known as Taniyama Heavy Industries.
Sayaka competed against Yuki for the student council’s president position in middle school but ended up on the losing side. The loss was a difficult one to digest for her and it took some time before she came to terms with it. Following the loss, Yuki’s interest in the otaku world appeared to have influenced Sayaka too as she became an otaku herself.
4Ayano Kimishima
Masachika and Yuki’s Maid and Friend
Ayano is a polite, shy, and inexpressive teenager. From a young age, she was taught by her grandparents to never make a sound and always blend into the background. As she looked up to them, she followed in their footsteps and became a servant to the Suou and Kuze families. Ayano’s upbringing has influenced her docile personality as she does not even have the will to criticize others. She has also grown up to become a reserved person who keeps her feelings to herself except for a few sentimental moments.
Ayano has served Masachika and Yuki for years and has formeda complex bond with the siblings. She is not only extremely loyal to them but feels an excessive admiration for the duo that extends beyond mere respect.
3Maria Mikhailovna “Masha” Kujou
Alisa “Alya” Kujou’s Older Biological Sister
Maria Mikhailovna Kujou is a warm and friendly high schooler whose inherently gentle disposition and mature smile melt the hearts of the people she interacts with. Her motherly aura, nurturing instincts, and ravishing looks have helped her earn the title of the school’s Madonna, as students view her appearance as something worth aspiring to. Interestingly, she is also a model student who excels in academics, sports, and other extracurricular activities.
Before the Kujou family moved to Vladivostok for a few years, Maria used to be friends with Masachika. Following their reunion, the duo rekindled their childhood friendship, which was further strengthened as Maria’s sister Alya developed feelings for him.
2Yuki Suou
Masachika Kuze’s Younger Sister
Known as the Noble Princessat Seiren Private Academy, Yuki Suou is a street-smart young lady, who is popular at the school for her sophisticated behaviour and graceful conduct. In middle school, she served as the student council president and currently works as a public relations officer. As Yuki has demonstrated her reliability in different roles, she is considered dependable by her peers, who value the excellent work she has done especially as a president. Furthermore, she is also good at academics and is regarded as one of the most promising students at Seiren Private Academy.
Yuki’s professionalism and integrity are rooted in her upbringing. She has served as the diplomat and the heir of the noble Suou family ever since Masachika left the family with his mother. Her experiences have shaped her into a straightforward person who understands how to handle things diplomatically, thus giving her an edge over her peers in leadership roles. Although Yuki is known for her elegance, when she is alone with her brother Masachika, she sheds her social inhibitions and allows her true personality to shine.
Deep down, Yuki has always been an otaku who loves watching anime and when she is notreading a light novel, she relishes every opportunity to tease her brother. She seems to deeply care about Masachika and is desperate to ensure that he ends up with Alya. Her relationship with Alisa is a complex one as they can be friends or rivals depending on the circumstances. Since the two of them are considered the prettiest girls in their grade and are also competing with each other for the student council president, there is healthy competition between them.
1Alisa Mikhailovna “Alya” Kujou
The Reserved Russian-Japanese Highschooler
Alisa Mikhailovna Kujou, also known as Alya, is a brilliant and competitive young girl who excels not only in academics but also in sports while still finding time to serve as the student council’s treasurer. Dubbed the “solitary princess,” she rises to fame soon after her arrival at Seiren Private Academy by scoring first place in a proficiency test. Interestingly, Alya spent several years in Vladivostok,before returning to Japan because of her father’s transferand her reserved personality was deeply influenced by her experiences there.
Alya’s classmates in Russia were ignorant and lacked motivation, which initially made her grow a sense of superiority. This also created circumstances for conflict, and to avoid it altogether, she became cold and distant. Alya was also somewhat disappointed that she did so well in her first proficiency test after arriving in Japan, as she wished to be around more competitive students like herself. Despite coming from a well-off family, her drive to chase excellence encapsulates her desire to grow as an individual unencumbered by her privileged upbringing.
I admit I’m better-looking and more gifted than the average person, but I’ve never taken that for granted. Not even once. I don’t like people thinking I was just born with what I’ve worked so hard for.
Alisa’s ethereal appearance also contributed to her popularity at Seiren Private Academy, and it appears that she understood how interpersonal relationships are shaped by beauty. Although she got attention from girls and boys alike, Alya was quite puzzled by Masachika’s lack of interest in her. Her attraction to himeventually turned into loverevealing her jealous and possessive personality.
Alya navigates her relationships with a strange combination of prudent self-restraint and momentary recklessness. Her duality makes Alisa Mikhailovna “Alya” Kujou an interesting character, whose ability to be reserved contrasts with her moments of vulnerability. Deep down, she is a warm and sensitive person who looks after people she values and cares about.
