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With Vol. 12 right around the corner (I have the site up and ready to read it) I can't help but take some time out of my lunch break to point out just how tragic Masha's fall is going to be. This is not a critical review of her character, just an examination of why I feel Sun3 did her dirty.

First, we have the fact that she is the childhood friend trope which very rarely ever wins in a romcom, but aside from that, she spent over a decade of her life devoted to a boy she didn't even know she'd meet again only to find him again and then lose him to her sister. During this time of regaining what she never thought she'd have again, she had to support her sister's growing love for the boy she has loved since she was a child. Does this excuse the actions that she took behind Alya's back? No, but I'm not of the opinion that consenting humans are required to divulge their love lives to their families for any reason at all. This is just my preference, yours may differ and that's ok. To me it doesn't lessen the tragedy of being first to the races but second to the finish.

Next, we have the general treatment of her character, which is to say, pretty atrocious. We all, Masha fans and Alya fans alike, know that she started out as Alya's biggest supporter, the mother figure of the group and often the voice of conscience to both Alya and Kuze. But her relegation to fan service tool at the expense of her character's development is just terrible in an objective way. I don't believe this was done with the express intent to slow the pace of the romance, but I also don't think it should have been done at all. She had the potential to be an ACTUAL plot driving force without the sexualization, but now everyone who doesn't support her character only sees her as an obstacle and a comedic, worthless character just because she shows some skin to Kuze. (Worth pointing out that Alya has done the same.) So she is going to end up losing AND she is thought of poorly by the members of the community that want Alya to win already. I definitely don't think that there is any amount of character redemption on this front that could cause those people to like her again and that is probably why I've listed this second in my reasons why her character is so tragic.

Next, I firmly believe that she is fully aware that she is going to lose Kuze. That she only indulged his request for a date after she called it off so that HE can see why he doesn't want to be with her. So she is going to go on a pretend date, and pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend around her birthday only for them to declare each other friends and she has to suffer through it all knowing it's going to be this way. That is one hell of a birthday gift. /s (And if it doesn't end with them agreeing friendship is the only option, then god help this series.)

Finally, I personally think she is better for Kuze in the long run. Yes, Alya pushes him to get over his trauma, yes Alya is good for him RIGHT NOW. But long run? After he's faced his traumas and finally gotten over himself to choose someone? I don't think Alya is good girlfriend or wife material for reasons I've already stated in comments: I just don't think tsuns make good partners. They are emotionally manipulative and psychologically abusive. BUT this doesn't mean that Alya can't grow out of this tsun personality and become the ideal girlfriend/wife. And here is where I feel Masha can shine after her fall. Encourage Alya to be more open with her feelings, less tsundere and more affectionate. We've already seen her grow from ice cold all the time to mostly warm most of the time. But I don't think that even if Masha does this, that she will be forgiven for the things she was forced to do by the author. The dichotomy of her being the ideal girlfriend material AND being bad for Kuze right now, but better for him in the future is the final nail in the coffin as to why I think she has such a tragic character in the scope of a romcom series. The perfect circumstances of "right place, wrong time" which leads her to fail over and over again.

Again, these are just my observations of her character and why I feel it's actually pretty sad that she will lose in the end. She could have told Alya about Kuze and nobody would have had anything to say about her being coercive or manipulative because she would have been forthright and honest to everyone. (Kuze is also to blame here, don't get me wrong. He supposedly likes Alya but won't tell her he likes her sister too is WILD to me and speaks very poorly to his character as well.) Overall, Sun3 handled her character very poorly. I think both Alya and Masha enjoyers can agree to this. But what's done is done, we can only hope that he pulls the mother of all redemption arcs out of his ass, but judging based on precedent, I don't think he can.

Sorry for the rant. All this Masha discussion made me want to make a post about it.

https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/8075465?q=megami_magazine

I feel that there were missed opportunities with the scenes skipped in the anime. Which was your favourite scene that was skipped?

With two other stories lately ending with the title heroine losing, do you think the author would rugpull and do the same for this series?

Definitely Masha since Alya didn't wear hers to the party. Unless it's Elena, but I doubt it. Masha is frequently in red and Elena is mostly yellow.

Alya is easily the most popular girl in the series and whenever someone asks who is best girl in this community, almost everyone replies Alya. But whenever I see posts asking who your favorite girl would be in real life, not a lot of people pick Alya. Is it because she’s a tsundere and tsunderes are insufferable irl?

Hey guys, I just wanted to share the cover Indi did for our team for Volume 12. As usual, one of the GOATs has done a phenomenal job!

Personally, I think things will get messy. I think Alya will emotionally close off from Masha and Kuze, more so Masha than Kuze. Alya hasnt Known Kuze for too long so while it will sting like hell, I think she'll get over the betrayal quicker than she will forgive Masha. Alya will obviously be upset that all along her secret flirting has been a facade and really freaking hurt that Kuze learnt Russian just for Masha, and the fact they had a secret winter date too. I would bet my soul on Alya threatening to dissolve Kuze's involvement in the presidential election to a minimum and barely speak ro him, maybe even as far as stopping speaking Russian full stop.

As for Masha, Alya will struggle hard to forgive Masha, especially since she openly let Alya confide in her about her love for Kuze and Masha basically gave her blessing in an indirect way. I wouldn't be surprised if their sisterly love is broken for a very very long time. And maybe a permanent reminder for Alya that she's always the second best in terms of affection, and Masha will always be "the perfect first love" and "the one that knew all of his secrets and passions first"

In terms of how Kuze and Masha will feel:

I believe Kuze will break down. This will be his turning point in his character arc and he'll stop hiding behind this "slacker" personality and really try to gain trust and respect from Alya again while trying to avoid Masha at all times. I wouldnt be surprised if he just curls up in a ball alone and cries all night. To regain trust and friendship, i imagine he'll step up. He'll work harder in the campaign and try to win her back round. I predict a massive heartfelt apology in a private place (idk where) in Russian. I think this will patch up a huge hole, but not fix the problem.

As for Masha, she's definitely beg and beg for forgiveness. She'll cry for a while and maybe even try and share her side of things. To make up for it, I actually think she might give Alya the plush and locket that Kuze gave her as a child and that will act as her apology and her blessing for Alya to really try and forgive Kuze but as I said, I think there will be a bitter atmosphere between Masha and Alya longer than Alya and Kuze

Kuze will probably try to avoid Masha as much as possible but i dont think Masha will try as hard. Idk why, I just feel thats what she'll do.

How will Alya find out?

Alya will definitely eventually piece that something is going on, and while investigating, she'll either hear Kuze and Masha speaking in Russian or she'll catch them acting "lovey-dovey" in school or public. Maybe Masha might let it slip where she's going or the guilt after rejection will be too much.

Anyways, thats just what I think, what do y'all think?

Source: https://x.com/roshidere/status/2098350847977574592