Unnamed Memory

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Updated from my 2022 Preliminary Review:
As someone who enjoys a good Fantasy/Romance, finding one that isn't an Isekai is like striking gold. When I was looking for a new series to get into at my local Barnes and Noble, I stumbled upon Unnamed Memory, and picking it up was one of the greatest decisions I ever made.

Unnamed Memory is the story of the centuries-old witch, Tinasha, and the cursed prince Oscar. Set in the Kingdom of Farsas, we get to see the daily experiences and interactions that these two have. The storytelling is refreshing. It does not focus solely on the big, dramatic events at ... all times. Rather, it slowly but gracefully shows the growing bond of our two main characters through small occurrences as well as the big events. The side characters get gradually introduced and they never seemed forced in, nor are they ever forgotten. The worldbuilding is done expertly through both dialogue and narration in a way that feels natural, and leaves you with enough relevant information to understand what is going on.

For me, this story had a little bit of everything I would want in a fantasy novel. There’s the grand kingdoms, the inner and outer politics of them, a loveable cast of characters, a detailed magic system, incredible battles, and so much more. One of the best things about it is that it moves away from the generic fantasy tropes we see in so many other light novels. Adventurer guilds, a video game like system, the same old monsters such as slimes and goblins. Not that any of those tropes are bad by any means, but it’s really nice to see a story that feels like a true, original fantasy.

And whenever I would think I knew where the story was going, Kuji Furumiya always found a way to say “no you absolutely don’t”. The twists and turns throughout the story are heart-racing, gut-wrenching, and sometimes comically priceless. I cry-laughed more than once while reading.

As for the “romance” part, the relationship between the witch and the prince actually feels like it’s seriously progressing throughout the story, and it’s truly a joy watching the two of them. Oscar, for one, isn’t the basic male MC we have so often that is either childish, edgy, perverted, or a combination of multiple. He is simply a good, charismatic dude who wants to make sure his kingdom succeeds (and also wants to make the witch his Queen). Tinasha on the other hand is a mystical, elegant beauty who exuberates a frighteningly powerful aura to seemingly everyone (except Oscar). Deep down, she’s kind and sweet, but also hilariously stubborn at times where she comes off as just cute. Main characters aside, seeing the side characters comment on and discuss the relationship between the two feels so great, because it feels like you, the reader, are there with them, sitting down with friends, gossiping over tea about the progress in the Prince and his contractor’s relationship. I think that speaks for both the characters as well as the storytelling done by Kuji Furumiya. There simply is never a dull moment with any of them.

Another thing I love about the way Unnamed Memory is written is that the main climax of each volume is done close to the middle of the story. This allows for the rest of the book to delve into the aftermath of the main event, where changes to the world and characters can be explored in a way that is uninterrupted, rather than waiting for an entire new book or worse, simply being forgotten. I’ve used this word before, but the best way I can describe it is simply “relaxing”.

All in all, Unnamed Memory is an underrated work of art, with excellent storytelling and characters that make for a wonderfully enjoyable experience. I would 100% recommend it to anyone interested in a good romance in a fantasy setting.

Also, the anime is on the way, and I really hope it does this series justice.

A witch who lives in an azure tower.
A cursed prince.
If they could rewrite time, what would they do with such power?
This is the story of what happens when everything is overwritten.

Unnamed Memory is a story of encounter. A story of love. And a story of human conviction to do anything for the one they love.
The story is set in a medieval fantasy world. In this world, we have the protagonist, Oscar, a prince searching for a cure for a curse that made him unable to have an heir, for every woman will die if they bear his child. For this purpose, he ventured to a ... legendary azure tower, where a witch is supposedly live, and anyone who can climb to the highest part of the tower will have their wish granted by the witch. This is an encounter that soon will change their life and destiny…

Unnamed Memory stories is centered upon this relationship between Oscar and the witch, Tinasha. The story will be going to be unravelling the truth about the curse, their past, future, while showing the progress of their relationship with all the joy and grieve that they experience in their journey. At one point, they will realize the truth about their world, and all the past and future that revolve around them, but in the meantime, we can enjoy seeing Oscar trying his best to won Tinasha’s heart, lovely and interesting characters surrounding them, in an amazing world that is brought to life beautifully.

In most of fantasy/romance setting, there will be a strong protagonist that will protect and love their hero/heroine. Unnamed memory differs than its peer in this regard. Oscar is a handsome prince, a very strong swordsman, and the wielder of the legendary sword Akashia. On the other hand, we have the heroine, Tinasha, the Witch of The Azure Moon, hailed to be the strongest witch that existed, with an unparalleled beauty that can captivate everyone that gaze upon her. Their background made their behaviour around each other very interesting to watch. At one time, they will be seen very attached to each other, but at other time, they can show complete independence and confidence when doing their job. On most occasion, they will fight, laugh, flirt(?), and love each other as an equal. This equal supportive relationship is surprisingly rare to be found in a fantasy/romance series, so it really fills me with joy every time they interact with each other.

Unnamed memory is separated into some parts, called “Act.” Its not your usual “chapter” or section. Its more akin to new game plus in a game. Without spoiling more, this is the limit of what can be elaborated. But I can guarantee that this will provide a unique reading experience that you wont often see in this type of media.

Unnamed memory doesn’t have something that can be called a weak point for me, especially in a fantasy/romance trope. One thing I can nitpick about it is how I liked the first Act more than the rest. But the rest of the Act is explaining a lot of character and thing that doesn’t have much screen time in the first Act, and I also enjoying it, so it’s hardly a complain.

Unnamed memory is a story of love. A story of encounter. A story that tells us no matter how cruel destiny is, how many time have past, how many live has come and gone, love will traverse all. A story that tells no matter how many times it is need to try, you will find the place of your love. This is a story that tell us the beauty of an everlasting love that traverse time, space, and destiny itself.

“A desire to save the people we love, even if it goes against all logic, is an extremely common, extremely human emotion. Denying that would be tantamount to refuting our humanity.”
-Kuji Furumiya, Unnamed Memory

'Unnamed Memory' (the light novel series) is one of the best pieces of fantasy and romance literature I have ever read, and I am grateful for all the months that I've been reading the light novels alongside watching the anime.


§ Overview

Oscar has been cursed so that whoever bears his children will die. That's why he goes to the Azure Tower to meet the Witch of the Azure Moon and wish this condition away. The witch named Tinasha, it turns out, is young-looking. Since Tinasha will have to break the curse albeit with some difficulty, Oscar may choose to marry someone who can withstand the curse, ... namely a witch, and Tinasha is the only one who can do that. Of course, Tinasha refuses this and subsequent offers of marriage, and how Tinasha changes her mind is part and parcel of this light novel series.


§ Notes


1. The anime was commissioned to promote this light novel series, but due to the unfortunate incompetence of the studio, one must read the LN to even understand what the hell is going on in the anime. Without reading the novels, watching the anime alone is a horrible experience.

So read the light novels first or concurrently with the anime, and treat the anime as a supplement.


2. The story in the light novel is perfect or almost perfect as it is. What the anime-only viewer misses includes some missing chapters. Sometimes, the anime includes the events themselves, but the light novels explain the significance of something.

Even more important is the missing lore. Even if some are included in the anime, there can be no substitute for reading the novels because it is explained in the LN better.


3. The English translation is great. The titles of each volume as well as chapter titles are rendered in English in the most poetic way possible.

The light novels also include archaic English words, which probably reflect the Japanese.


4. Even though anyone will be satisfied with the mix of action and romance in these volumes, what's even more important that one should understand is the theme that emerges in the final chapter of the LNs but was being implicitly developed all this time. It's about one's relation to time and the past. I won't spoil it. (It was present in the final episode of the anime's season 2, but again, it's better explained in the LNs.) This particularly becomes even more relevant the older you become, especially if you have lived a lifetime of regrets due to your mistakes or circumstances outside your control that you wish were different.


5. The only thing I'm disappointed about is that the light novels did not include the Witch of Water. Yes, she is technically there, but she was there only in disguise, not as the Witch of Water. Hopefully, we get to meet her and know her backstory and powers in the 'After the End' volumes once these are translated.


§ Conclusion

'Unnamed Memory' is one of the best pieces of fiction you can ever read. I reckon it can even hold itself up to popular fantasy such as Harry Potter or even classics like Tolkien's works.

Much more important than the romance in these volumes is appreciating its important message that, if understood and our behaviour changes accordingly, will help us live better lives.