Warning: The following contains spoilers for Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Episode 9, “Romantic Comedy and Hypnosis,” now streaming onCrunchyroll.
After an intense episodelaced with student council dramaand debates,Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russianoffers viewers a change in pace with a somewhat more laidback episode. Staying true to the series’ romcom roots, the episode offers an array of comedic moments, whether it’s Alya and Masachika’s awkward romance, Kenzaki and Sarashina’s secret rendezvous, or Yuki and Ayano’s perverted antics.
With a change in pace, the episode serves as a breather for fans, especially since the season will be entering its final quarter in the next week. While intense campaigns and guerilla warfare for the presidential elections are set to take center stage soon, viewers can, for now, enjoy a few fanservice moments.
The Aftermath of the General Assembly
Alya Tries to Make Amends With Taniyama
After an intensedebate between Alya and Taniyama, the series cools things off with a slow-paced episode, though not without addressing the aftermath of the previous week’s ordeal. With the entire school now trashing Taniyama for running away from a challenge she started, Alya wishes to revert the damage done to her name. This change in heart stems from the fact that Alya is now aware of Taniyama’s true sentiments, and she believes that the harsh criticism from the school doesn’t hold any merit.
If we want to restore Taniyama’s reputation, then our victory in the general meeting wouldn’t count - Masachika
To sway the public’s opinion, Masachika uses Nonoa’s social connections to spread a rumor that would clear Taniyama’s name for running away from the debate. Alya’s willingness to defend a person who shamed her in public showcases a kind-hearted character underneath her cold, indifferent persona. Despite being aware of the repercussions for her presidential campaign, Alya persisted in going through with clearing Taniyama’s name. While fans currently view Yuki as the most popular female character in the series, moments like these show exactlywhat makes Alya unique.
A Touch of Hypnotic Fanserivce
The Show Features a Fanservice-Heavy Narrative
After a row of heavy episodes,Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russianoffers viewers a break througha fanservice-heavy episode, with Alya and Masha being the victim of the brother-sister duo’s perverted antics. With a hypnosis guide, Masachika puts Masha and Alya in a trance, and Yuki joins in to make matters even more absurd. By giving the sisters the command to open up, the Russian duo quite literally starts opening up, either by showing their true personalities or stripping down bare.
While the hypnotic antics are cut short after Sarashina stumbles upon the mess, the entire scenario served as a much-needed breather for fans. Moreover, this side of the show stays true to the series’ romcom theme, since the series had adopted a more heavy tonality for the past couple of episodes.Alya and Mashamay have been the primary target of these fanservice hijinks, yet the entire ordeal only highlighted Yuki’s role in making the show all the more entertaining.
Your personalities will gradually open up, and you’ll lose your wits. Strip your bodies and minds naked - Yuki
Another Classic J-Pop Song Makes Rounds
This Week’s Ending Theme Features a Classic By Hatsune Miku
Continuing the promise of featuring covers of iconic J-Pop songs ineach week’s ending theme, this week’s episode features a cover of World Is Mine, an iconic song by the famed virtual idol known as Hatsune Miku. Released in 2008, the song was one of Hatsune’s earliest classics, andAlya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russianhas brought back the song for a touch of nostalgia.
With three more episodes left before the season concludes, fans still hope for a Russian song to make rounds. While the possibility is rather unlikely, a Russian song would certainly go well with the series’ theme and Alya’s own character. However, a cover of J-Pop classics in Alya’s voice is surely enough of a pleasure for viewers.
