Unnamed Memory - Volume 3 - Chapter SS1

Commentary Notes from Nagatsuki Tappei

Hello, world, this is what Kuji Furumiya is all about!

I’d like to start by saying that while some people read the afterword before the main story, there’s no way anyone would read the commentary notes before the book itself, right?

Even so, if you’ve finished reading the third volume of Unnamed Memory and now you’ve made it to this commentary section, I think you’ll heartily approve of what I’ve chosen to put at the beginning of my portion:

“Hello, world, this is what Kuji Furumiya is all about!”

Unnamed Memory is a story originally published as a web novel on a personal site in 2008 that made waves because it was beautifully written, because it had fully realized characters, and more than anything, because the world-building felt rich and complete. Apparently, anyway.

I say “apparently” because, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I began reading this series online without knowing anything about its popularity at the time.

However, I can assert that it was one of the happiest moments in my life as a reader when I went into Unnamed Memory knowing nothing about it. I literally spent three days and three nights—forgetting all about my deadlines—in a state of supreme bliss, greedily consuming this story.

As it happens, I already knew Kuji Furumiya when I read Unnamed Memory, and with no shame at all, I sent her a long message containing my thoughts on the book. I also bowed and scraped in apology for having only a passing, casual acquaintance with the author of such a masterpiece.

After many twists and turns, I ended up writing an endorsement blurb for Volume 1 of Unnamed Memory when it was published in print form, and now I’m writing a commentary for Volume 3, which has folded the story back on itself.

I have to say, one never knows where their life as a reader will take them.

All right, that’s enough of my very long preamble. I have a task before me, so let’s get to it.

It goes without saying by now, but Unnamed Memory is a gem of a series.

It took only ten years after the story was completed online for the long-awaited print novel version to come out. The online version I read and the three published books that have been put out so far are all fantastic.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how gorgeous the books’ binding and illustrations are, but above anything else, their story is beautiful.

I’m sorry to bring my personal preference into this, but for me, whether or not a story is “beautiful” is highly important to my enjoyment of it.

I define this very vaguely, and I don’t just mean literal beauty. Depending on the person, you might call it “emotional attachment” or “quality.”

According to my own definition, the beauty in the story of Unnamed Memory is among the best of the best.

In a vast land, there are five witches of immense power, and the newest of these witches grants the wishes of those who conquer her tower. And then a tragic prince cursed by an old witch never to bear children takes on the tower’s challenges. When the witch and the prince meet, what follows is a fairy tale that shakes the world they live in.

How can this starting point that evokes the opening lines of a great epic poem that is both heartrending and ephemeral lead to Tinasha and Oscar’s everyday adventures as they bicker like a married couple?

The witch and the prince meet, form a contract, and leave the tower together. That alone could take up a lengthy book all on its own, but the author’s expression and skill turn it into a well-paced, detail-rich prologue.

After that, our setting changes to the royal castle, where a series of fantasy-style mysteries unfold. The author uses her impressive literary style to depict several variations on stories reminiscent of folklore and fairy tales and potent magical battles that, at times, involve the entire mainland. One giant creature appears per volume! This time it was a castle!

Oops. I can’t forget to discuss Tinasha and Oscar’s romantic comedy antics. This pair keeps bickering over whether she will or won’t marry him, surrounded by a circle of fond onlookers. The one thing getting in the way of their union is the witch’s pride!

A good story must belie the reader’s predictions while heightening anticipation.

In terms of continuing to meet that requirement, Unnamed Memory is a tale of high quality.

Every individual adventure is thoroughly described and tied together cohesively. With these as the background, a charming cast of characters runs about fully realized. The story structure, calculated down to the minutest detail, shows that the author is fully dedicated to crafting entertainment that will delight readers. It’s what makes the story as supremely beautiful as it is.

This is also evident from the structure, which goes from the “great epic poem that is both heartrending and ephemeral,” which the reader first pictures in the story prologue, to a series of vignettes that allow us to glimpse the witch and the prince from all angles, before wrapping everything up at the climax.

The curse that eats away at Oscar, and the shackles of the word that label Tinasha a witch.

To find joy in everyday life without giving in to the burden of inescapable fate and the untimely end you can’t fight against—that is what Oscar and Tinasha do. They cherish the irreplaceable time they have together, a fact that will strike readers upon every reread.

The end of Volume 3 of Unnamed Memory also marks the end of Act One of the story.

Readers who have read this far are probably unsure how Tinasha and Oscar’s adventure can even continue after this. I imagine they’re on pins and needles, confused and wondering if their legend ends here.

As things move into Act Two, readers’ hearts will be toyed with by developments that significantly differ from what we’ve seen previously.

However, as someone who knows what the final half of the story entails, allow me to tell you not to fear, wise readers.

If you’ve enjoyed things thus far, I guarantee that you will love what’s to come.

And once you’ve read the ending of Unnamed Memory with your own eyes, I want you to be sure to remember these words:

Hello, world, this is what Kuji Furumiya is all about!