This manga is a ride; an almost cheesy action ride at times, completely in a good way. It starts out as a blend of slice of life and quick/efficient assassin action, but over time the assassin angle becomes more and more overpowering. It all works, though; I'm not complaining. Wrote a long review of the series. At first, I remembered not liking how the series ended, but on a second read I barely had any complaints. Pretty good!

Full review:
https://terrenceswiff.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/alyosha/

Alyosha starts out with events leading to the main story. Estolakian (Estonia) assassin Alyosha, codemane Kortik, was sent to Japan to masquerade as a high school student to have a chance to kill Solessia (Russia) President (who is very intentionally drawn to look like Vladimir Pudin), who is visiting the same school because he happens to be old friends with the principal. However, the mission is called off last minute, leaving Alyosha stranded in Japan, with her commander's last order is for her to live as a normal high school student. Naturally, being raised as an assassin, she has no idea how to do that, and questions how to go on with her life. At just this moment, a classmate arrives and offers her cake, the first time she's ever had some. With newfound conviction, she decides to follow her last order and attempt to live normally... because the cake was tasty. From here, the tribulations and resulting hi-jinks of Alyosha trying to live a normal life begin. The plot is absolutely ridiculous filled with plot convenience, but you know from the beginning that it's not meant to be taken seriously, and instead laugh at it for it's excuse plot and attempts to make funny what when taken seriously usually wouldn't be.

However, around the chapter 20s, the series takes a more serious and darker approach. The author changes gears and decides to write a branching plot, and this was a mistake. As a reader, with the change in tone shifting from mostly comedic to a tense atmosphere, I had to look at it from a serious perspective. Once I did, the jokes before and in future chapters stopped being funny.

The characters were not enough to keep me invested in the later half, as none of them were particular endearing. Both Alyosha and another character, and FBI agent, aren't particularly deep. Both are extremely gifted at their craft to the point of perfection, not having any particular flaws to humanize them. They get in the most dangerous situations, but never once did I feel they are in any actual trouble after the shift. The author will narrate that they have this specific skill that gets them out of trouble, that the reader will just then learn about. It's another reason why the change in storytelling wasn't a good idea, because when the story gets serious, you're expected to feel for these characters now. However, on top of changing midway from a comedy where the characters before were in no danger to a serious one where they will be, to empathize is impossible, and those moments where "Oh no, Alyosha is in danger, but wait, she has this certain skill, so she wasn't in any danger at all" only furthers the detachment from the setting. The final chapter felt hollow because of this, even when it's intended to be very emotional.

Alyosha started off as a comedy, and about halfway changes gears to an action drama; one that wasn't to the story's benefit as a whole.

... Last updated on October 1st, 2016, 6:35pm

this kind of premise can go any number of ways, and most usually they can drag this out from one misunderstanding to another. but, this mangaka has a vision and he has a plan, and i think he execute them wonderfully. every chapters are set to promote the plot further even for just a little. i like the political part in this manga, the mangaka manage to explain it without we feel like it's just an ass pull. all in all, a funny planned out manga.

Seriously, it's not the first time a manga mistakenly used a male name or female name. It doesn't affect the quality of the story or characters in any way. Heck see Fushigi no Maria-kun or even this page.

Now regarding the actual series, I think it's been a LONG time since I've become so engrossed and saddened a series ended. Everything was paced very well and it knew exactly where to end without prolonging the series unnecessarily (you know what I mean). I just loved how much thought the Mangaka put into the story to show the logical thinking and actions the characters took. Despite the initial premises, the story was done in a pretty good realistic way yet still maintained it's adorable humor that didn't force the readers to suspend their disbeliefs in many other action/comedy series. And in case you were wondering, it does start a little bit episodic, but there are many hints to quickly show there is an ongoing and interesting plot.

I would definitely recommend this for both the light comedy, as well as for the interesting engrossing medium-length read.

...and not one of the either-or kinds either. They musta been thinking of the OTHER Alex name - Aleksandr(m)/ Aleksandra(f) indeed both abbreviate to "Sasha", but Alexei(m) => Alyosha is strictly boy-only.

Now "Alexis", a western version, does indeed seem to go both ways... but it isn't Slavic and doesn't turn into pet name "Alyosha" at all.

Btw, little Russian to Japanese comparison lesson:
Alexei, just Alexei = basic
Alexei + patronym = Alexei-san
"Lyoha"/ "Lyosha" = Alexei-kun
"Alyosha" = Alexei-chan

... Last updated on April 24th, 2013, 1:15pm

At first I thought it would be the standard assassin who doesn't kill gag comedy routine. I was wrong. Once it finally starts up its plot it becomes a lot more thrilling than I would have guessed. My original impression of this manga was that it wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Now its on the fast track to legend IMO. Additionally the gag humor is a great contrast to the dark plot, and it makes the read VERY memorable.

Btw by gag I was generally refering to stuff like the eccentric rich guy acting homeless, and the ninja clan and such. Idk if that classifies gag, and it fits surprisingly well into the story. You know its totally ridiculous, but for some reason it feels natural

... Last updated on June 6th, 2012, 10:47pm

Nice, but as a russian, i must point that Alyosha is a male name. In russian culture it`s unthinkable to call a girl Alyosha (Alyosha is a short for Aleksey/Alexius). It`s even more ridiculous than calling a girl John in USA.

I guess in Japan there is less difference in male and female names...

So far (ch13) there's no real plot of any kind going on and most of the events are pretty generic (with a silly outcome)... Oddly enough, I still want to read more . The lack of fanservice/ecchi is definitely a plus.

If they decided to make an Anime out of this (or similar), I'd watch it.

... Last updated on August 27th, 2011, 10:58am

Cute and a little interesting. The story isn't one that gets anywhere close to the "great" manga, but it keeps your attention enough to keep you laughing and look forward to the next chapter.