Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian episode 2 review: Doga Kobo perfectly blends comedy and fan service

On July 10, 2024, episode 2 of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian was aired under the direction of Doga Kobo. This episode, titled So Much For Childhood Friends, showcased the production studio’s impressive skills in blending comedy, fan service, and a hint of romance.

After its impressive debut on July 3, 2024, the anticipation for episode 2 of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian was at an all-time high. We are pleased to report that the production studio delivered exactly what the fans were eagerly waiting for.

The episode effectively portrayed several memorable moments from the light novel and manga, such as Alya’s experimentation with stunning outfits during the trial and Suou Yuki’s daring scene. Additionally, it hinted at a crucial aspect of Alya’s personality.

Alya’s Struggle with Hidden Emotions in Doga Kobo’s Russian Episode 2 Review

In Russian episode 2 of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings,”Doga Kobo’s production reached new heights as the studio expertly enhanced the source material with a brilliant adaptation. Despite not following a linear adaptation, the episode exceeded all expectations from fans of the series.

Being a prestigious studio, Doga Kobo was aware that the series would greatly benefit from a flawless combination of romance, humor, and fan service. It was intriguing to see how in episode 2 of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian”, the studio dedicated their efforts towards blending these elements to create a stunning result.

The studio was unable to adapt the events from the manga in a linear fashion, so they made the decision to skip a few chapters, including a major arc. As a result, Doga Kobo began the adaptation from chapter 16 for episode 2. This approach allowed for a stronger portrayal of Alya’s character and the development of her chemistry with Masachika Kuze.

Alya, as seen in the episode (Image via Doga Kobo)

Upon further examination, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian episode 2 predominantly centered on three aspects: the dynamic between Yuki and Masachika, the inclusion of fan service, and the portrayal of Alya’s character, showcasing both her humorous nature and determined persona.

It was disclosed that Yuki and Masachika were actually siblings. This revelation surely caught anime-only viewers off guard. However, the episode skillfully portrayed their bond as brother and sister through several significant moments, including the well-known “risque”scene from the manga.

In addition, the second episode of Russian drama “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings”revealed a different side of Alya. She is not simply a high school student with a distant attitude, but rather a complex individual who carefully controls her feelings.

Alya and Masachika, as seen in the episode 2 (Image via Doga Kobo)

Alya’s desire for attention from Masachika Kuze, the only boy in school she has chemistry with, remains strong. She hopes to have Kuze as her running partner in the upcoming Student Council presidential campaign, but she struggles with how to ask him.

This is the reason why she often finds herself blurting out her true emotions in Russian. While Masachika is able to comprehend everything, he struggles with how to react to the girl’s feelings. Undoubtedly, these moments in episode 2 of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian added depth to her character.

Yuki and Masachika, as seen in the episode (Image via Doga Kobo)

Alya’s presence was perfectly captured in the episode, showcasing both her humorous side at the Hell’s Cauldron restaurant as she attempted to conquer a bowl of incredibly spicy noodles, and her elegant side as she tried on numerous outfits during the trial.

Despite focusing on Alya, Doga Kobo made sure that the episode also included scenes with Yuki. Yuki’s playful teasing of Alya and her loving bond with Kuze added even more depth to the episode. It was clear that Doga Kobo carefully crafted the episode with intention.

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Episode 2 Review – A Detailed Analysis of Doga Kobo’s Production and Voice Acting

Alya’s ability to conceal her emotions was highlighted in Russian episode 2, as mentioned before. This episode expertly weaved together multiple themes, resulting in a surpassing rendition of its source material.

Despite emphasizing the combination of fan service and humor, the studio also gave attention to the more serious elements, such as Alya’s yearning for someone who could truly comprehend her.

Regarding this matter, the episode may have gone beyond simply catering to fans. Doga Kobo made modifications to the source material in terms of production. As mentioned earlier, the studio chose to omit a mini-arc, which may be unveiled in upcoming episodes.

Masachika and Yuki shops for clothes (Image via Doga Kobo)

Despite this, the adapted elements for Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian still displayed the studio’s impressive animation skills and unique art style. From the character designs to the cinematography and background art, everything was flawlessly executed.

While a better soundscore could have slightly improved the episode, it did not greatly impact the overall quality. The episode was directed by Koki Uchinomiya, who executed it flawlessly with perfect planning.

Alya in Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian episode 2 (Image via Doga Kobo)

The director, Ryota Itoh, collaborated with Takafumi Kuwano to storyboard the episode. It should be noted that Ryota-san skillfully managed to arrange the chaotic events, resulting in the success of episode 2, titled “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian.”

Despite the impressive production, Sumire Uesaka’s outstanding voice acting was the highlight. She skillfully conveyed Alya’s inner emotions in Russian, truly bringing the character to life. In episode 2 of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Doga’s Kobo’s consistent production and the brilliant voice acting from the entire cast were evident.

Conclusion

Alya, as appears shocked in the anime (Image via Doga Kobo)

In episode 2 of the Russian adaptation, Alya continued to hide her feelings, staying true to the themes that define the series and showcasing Doga Kobo’s exceptional adaptation.

It is yet to be determined if the studio will maintain the same level of quality for the remaining episodes in the Summer 2024 anime line-up.