Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian angers feminists

As part of the Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2024, the company that manages the Karasuma Line of the train in Kyoto decided to decorate its carriages with details alluding to the anime "Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian", an adaptation that is currently on air. However, what began as a promotional action, quickly unleashed a wave of criticism on social networks.

One user expressed his outrage with the following comment:

• "Looking at this from outside Japan, one of the things that seems most 'abnormal' to me is this kind of thing. Can't they stop sensualizing characters who are middle school or high school students, even if they are fictional? And besides, why put it in public spaces? There are children, women and tourists who pass by."

This message, which condemns the eroticization of adolescent characters, generated a cascade of responses. Some users were equally upset, while others defended the decoration arguing that there was no real reason for such accusations. Among the harshest comments are the following:

• "It's disgusting, disgusting, disgusting! All people who support this should have their human rights taken away and put in prison immediately! Don't let these future criminals go free!"
• "It's really disgusting. Even if the characters are adults in the story, their faces look like teenagers... It's pathetic that there's only demand for girls with childish faces, how immature and pitiful can men be?"
• "This is disgusting in a public space. A complaint is necessary!"

"Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian" is a series that revolves around Alisa Mikhailovna "Alya" Kujou, a half-Russian, half-Japanese student at the prestigious Seirei Academy. The story focuses on the interaction between Alya and her partner Masachika Kuze, who, despite seeming disinterested, understands Russian perfectly, which generates a peculiar dynamic between both characters. The work has recently gained popularity thanks to its anime adaptation, which has increased interest in its romantic story and the cultural details it introduces, particularly in relation to the Russian language.

Despite the success of the series, the controversy surrounding the decoration of the train has opened a debate about the representation of young characters in situations that some consider inappropriate for the public space. However, not everyone agrees with this view. Some social media users have defended the decoration, stating that sensualization is an individual perception and that the work should not be censored for it:

• "Why do they bother? They are only drawings, there is no reason for so much scandal."
• "If this seems inappropriate to you, it's because your mind is full of twisted thoughts all the time."
• "It's a collaboration for a cultural event, they don't force anyone to see it, it's not that bad."

Other users have pointed out the hypocrisy of some criticism, arguing that anime art and culture are part of Japan's identity and that despite the protests, these types of collaborations are still popular with both businesses and fans.

The discussion continues to generate a large number of diverse opinions, and the railway company has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. What is clear is that the controversy reflects the clash between anime culture and outside perceptions, especially regarding the limits of what should be considered appropriate in public spaces.

Source: Yaraon!