Summary
Nameless Memory cleverly avoids the forced marriage seen in many anime, providing a more palatable alternative for viewers. The main character, Oscar, demonstrates moral integrity in his treatment of Tinasha, which differs from the usual power dynamics seen in similar series. This fantasy series effectively subverts controversial topics, showing that nuanced storytelling can be achieved without resorting to harmful tropes.
Warning: Spoilers for Untitled Memories episode 1Crunchyrollnew fantasy series by Nameless memory initially set itself out to follow the problematic steps of many new anime but has pivoted in time to enter safer, non-controversial territory. This subversion is especially relevant now, as Crunchyroll's other new series from spring has clearly gone down a more provocative route in its first two concurrent premieres.
The topic covered is a form of slavery between male master and female slave that eventually leads to marriage. In Unnamed Memory, the main character and crowned prince Oscar were initially in one positions of power may have forced a witch named Tinasha became his wife.
However, instead of Oscar exercising his power to sway Tinasha, the episode ends with Tinasha agreeing of her own free will to spend a year with Oscar in an unwanted capacity to see if she wants to get married. with him or not. This proves that the controversial topics that are so common in modern anime can be easily avoided without harming the story.
Unnamed Memory successfully deviates from the forced marriage trend it clearly alludes to
Based on the light novel series by Kuji Furumiya; Produced by ENGI
What led to Oscar holding enough power that could force Tinasha to marry him as a slave was her own words that she would do anything to help alleviate the blessing that had befallen him as a curse. curse. After all, he had just completed a major feat that usually resulted in the winner getting any of her wishes granted. Since she cannot break the blessing, Tinasha is essentially still under a contract that requires her to fulfill her obligations, and since Oscar asks her to marry him to help offset the effects of the blessing.Of course she had to obey.
What is even more remarkable is Tinasha's willingness to fight against such a fate.
Furthermore, Oscar demonstrates a reluctant willingness to commit violence against Tinasha when she threatens to erase his memories, and since he is armed with a sword that can overcome her magic, Oscarcan easily dominate her and thus force her into submission. And yet, Oscar is clearly a more morally inclined individual than the modern protagonists who find themselves in similar situations. Not only did he offer a more affordable option, but he also offered a year-long solution that would give Tinasha the ability to make her own decisions. What's even more remarkable is Tinasha is ready to fight against such a fate.
Nameless Memories is a more reasonable answer to the Archdemon's dilemma
This nuanced situation in Unnamed Memory clearly breaks with the current trend in anime, where the male protagonist enters into a contract in which a woman becomes his slave. Of course, many of these series add more nuance to make each master's decisions more morally gray than blatantly evil, but slavery is still relevant. , which understandably upset many viewers.
Although the most famous culprit is The Rising of the Shield Hero, the most recent example, which incidentally includes the prospect of marriage, is An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride. The eponymous fiend may have only signed such a contract with his enslaved potential goblin bride because he made the decision in a moment of extreme mental strain due to a feeling of love that he was unfamiliar with, but she was still enslaved.
The Archdemon's Dilemma may offer a satisfying twist to the whole slavery narrative for some viewers, but Nameless memory ABOVE Crunchyroll has conclusively demonstrated how the conventional formulas that naturally lead to such a problematic relationship can be subverted to create a similar situation but without the resulting tropes. argumentative.
Nameless memory available on Crunchyroll