Fans of the charming romantic comedy anime “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” can anticipate its return, as the second season is officially slated for a 2026 premiere. The announcement, which included the reveal of a new teaser visual, has generated significant excitement following the conclusion of the first season in September 2024.
The Continuation of a Beloved Rom-Com
The confirmation of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” Season 2 for 2026 promises to delve deeper into the unique dynamic between its two central characters, Alisa “Alya” Mikhailovna Kujō and Masachika Kuze. The series, often abbreviated as “Roshidere,” has garnered a dedicated following for its blend of humor, romance, and cultural elements.
The upcoming season is expected to adapt content from the light novel’s fourth volume, with a significant focus on the highly anticipated summer vacation arc. This arc will see Alya and Masachika spending more time together, including study sessions at Masachika’s home and a trip to the beach with other student council members. Beyond the lighthearted summer activities, the narrative will also explore Masachika’s complex family background, including his connection with the influential Suou family and his relationship with his sister, Yuki.
Behind the Production of Season 2
Doga Kobo, the animation studio responsible for the critically acclaimed first season, will once again helm the production of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” Season 2. While the animation studio remains consistent, there will be changes in key directorial and scripting roles to bring a fresh perspective to the series.
New Leadership and Returning Talent
Hiroshi Haraguchi, who previously served as an episode director for the first season, will step into the role of director for the second season, taking over from Ryota Itoh. Similarly, Yuka Yamada, credited with writing an episode script in the first season, will now be in charge of the series scripts, also replacing Itoh. Yuhei Murota, whose character designs were central to the visual appeal of the initial season, will return to continue his role, ensuring a consistent aesthetic for the beloved characters.
First Season’s Journey and Reception
The first season of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” captivated audiences from July 3 to September 18, 2024, airing on various networks including Tokyo MX. Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired, providing accessibility to a global audience, and also offered an English dub. The inaugural season encompassed 12 episodes, primarily focusing on Alya’s interactions with Masachika, leading to his involvement with the Student Council and eventually becoming her running mate for Student Council President. The opening theme, “Ichiban Kagayaku Hoshi” (“The Brightest Star”), was performed by Sumire Uesaka, Alya’s voice actress, who also performed a different cover of a pre-existing Japanese song for each episode’s ending theme.
The Original Source: Light Novels and Manga
The anime series is an adaptation of the popular Japanese light novel series written by SunSunSun and illustrated by Momoco. The light novels were initially published online as two short stories in May 2020 before being acquired by Kadokawa Shoten, which began publishing the series under their Sneaker Bunko imprint in February 2021. Yen Press is responsible for releasing the English translation of the light novels, making the source material available to a wider international readership.
In addition to the anime, a manga adaptation illustrated by Saho Tenamachi began serialization online in Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app and website in October 2022. By August 2024, the light novel series had already sold over 500,000 copies in circulation, highlighting its significant popularity even before the anime adaptation.
Plot Overview: A Lingual Love Story
The core premise of “Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian” revolves around Alisa Mikhailovna Kujō, a beautiful and highly intelligent transfer student at a Japanese high school. Despite her popularity, Alya often maintains a seemingly cold demeanor, especially towards her seemingly unmotivated classmate, Masachika Kuze. Unbeknownst to Alya, Masachika secretly understands Russian, a fact he keeps to himself. This hidden understanding leads to comedic and romantic tension as Alya frequently makes flirtatious or honest remarks about Masachika in Russian, believing he cannot comprehend her true feelings. The ongoing dynamic of Alya’s increasingly bold Russian comments and Masachika’s struggle to contain his growing feelings forms the central comedic and romantic heart of the series.
