What is a girl to do when she has 4 suitors, one of which she was going to pick to marry, but she loses her memory? Each guy is equally cute and charming, but which one was the one who captivated Mia’s heart??
About Love at First Memory
Love at First Memory is a shojo manga series by Narumi Hasegaki, published in English by Kodansha. This reverse harem manga stars one Mia Takanashi, an heiress to the Takanashi Group. After an unfortunate accident, Mia wakes up to learn that she had her heart set on not one, but FOUR different guys. Allegedly, she chose who she was going to marry right before her accident, but wasn’t able to reveal it. Now, she must learn what her relationship with each guy really was and who she was going to pick to marry.
My Thoughts
I’m not always the biggest fan of harems, but Love at First Memory definitely put in some work to change my mind. To start, past Mia was living that life! Four different guys and they are all cute and charming? Sign me up! Each guy seems to be completely different from the next, giving present (post amnesia) Mia a lot to think about. You have the arranged fiancé, Tsurugi Jinguuji. The childhood friend, Ririto Suzumura. The top model boyfriend, Kei Mitsui. And a potential con-man, Issei Asami. All four swear Mia was going to pick them but what really is the truth?
This premise is so fun and wacky, I was on board almost immediately. In these first three chapters, we learn a lot about past Mia but also present Mia, who feels like her pre-amnesia self is a complete stranger. I love how this situation is crazy yet Mia remains grounded and figures out that the best way to overcome this situation is to go through it. She’s committed to getting to re-know each of the guys and figure out what past Mia was really thinking.
Each guy is a total mystery to Mia but as she gets to know them, she feels little moments from the past start to filter in. All except the con-man, Issei Asami. The other guys are convinced he’s just out to get Mia, since they didn’t know of his existence prior to her accident. Issei is a good sport and is leaning into this con-man identity, but it feels like there’s more under the surface we don’t know yet.
I’m excited to follow Mia along as she uncovers who she really was prior to the accident and how she reconciles that with her current self. It’ll be interesting to see if she remembers who she was going to pick and if that ends up being who she wants to be with post memory loss. Selfishly, I also hope she doesn’t pick one and they all live together in this harem forever! A girl can dream, can she??
Where to Buy Love at First Memory, Volume 1
Love at First Memory Volume 1
Mangaka: Narumi Hasegaki
Translator: Nicole Frasik
Letterer: Belynda Ungurath
Editor: Vanessa Tenazas
Publisher: Kodansha
Love at First Memory, Volume 1 is available now.
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the ARC!
