I’ve already left a review on the Light Novel that goes over the general plot, so I will keep this overview brief. Unnamed Memory is the story of the centuries-old witch Tinasha, and the cursed prince Oscar. As a child, Oscar was cursed by the Witch of Silence so that he could never bear children. Many people have tried to help, but to no avail. So after exhausting every other option, Oscar decides to go to the Witch of the Azure Moon who is said to grant the wish of whoever conquers her tower.
Oscar conquers this tower and meets the witch, Tinasha. His initial plans were to ask her to help him break his curse, but after seeing her and realizing that breaking a curse is not so simple, he settles on a different request. He asks that she marry him.
Now I ask you, do you think that is an absurd jump from plan A to B? Tinasha definitely thought so, and when I say her reaction was hilarious in the Light Novel, believe me when I say that the Manga does an incredible job of capturing her priceless befuddlement. And that just goes to show how great of a job the artist Naoki Etsumi did, along with the writing of Kuji Furumiya.
It’s a good time to talk about the art now.
If anyone could make a comedy manga using purely character’s facial expressions and minimal dialogue, Naoki Etsumi definitely could. All the characters of the Unnamed Memory manga feel alive and animated. Their body and faces convey so much emotion that is so often lost when adapting a novel into manga. Things such as humor, happiness, despair, and agony all are excellently delivered through the art.
Do you want an example?
Remember that Tinasha is a witch who has lived for centuries. She has seen many people live their lives and pass on, always leaving her behind. Oscar isn’t the first Farsas royalty she has met either, she was well acquainted with his great grandfather. Someone who has long left their world.
These experiences lead to a tremendous loneliness in a person. But at the same time, Tinasha is someone who wouldn’t like to let that show, and she plasters a smile and marches on.
The art of Unnamed Memory perfectly captures that loneliness. Simply from her face, you can see the pure willpower of Tinasha, while also the depths of loneliness in her eyes. It’s truly an incredible feat the artist has done, and I think it should be recognized more.
Art is the main topic when it comes to manga, but how about the characters and story?
Starting with characters, there is an entire cast of loveable characters each with their unique quirks, relationships and stories going along with the main story of our two leads. Speaking of the leads, Oscar and Tinasha have such a relaxing dynamic between them. Their relationship is not forced nor rushed. This seems a bit odd to say, since in their first interaction with each other, Oscar proposed to her, but that just goes to show how good the writing is. Their relationship and romance progress very smoothly and as a reader, the best way I could put it is that it’s really relaxing.
To the story, it follows the same pros that the characters have, and that is that it has a excellent blend of depth and detail while also progressing at a relaxing pace. Every chapter, we as the readers are learning something new, not only about the characters, but also about the world.
Something the series does extremely well is that is doesn’t discount the years Tinasha has. Though the story’s plot starts with Oscar ascending the tower, the world’s plot starts well before, and Tinasha is a witness to a lot of it. Whether it be the prior Kings of Farsas, or the many nations that have risen and fallen, Tinasha was there for it, and through her the reader is able to learn more. This also adds to the aura of mystique and elegance that the Witch has going for her.
All in all, this is a definite recommend for me. Not to mention, the series is getting an Anime soon! To anyone interested in giving the series a try, the manga is definitely what I would recommend to newcomers. If you enjoy the manga, then head on over to the Light Novel (who’s main-line story is complete now, with a sequel series ongoing) and learn the secrets to the world of Unnamed Memory!
