Chance encounters are important … you never know what they will bring.
Creative Staff:
Art: Yu Shinomura
Original Story: Fujino Omori
Contributions: Danmachi ~Memoria Freese~
Translation: Dale Delucia
Lettering: Carolina Hernandez
What They Say:
The Holy Night Festival has arrived, and Bell and the rest of Hestia Familia have worked hard to afford a lovely dress for their goddess to wear during the festivities, so there’s only one thing left to do – celebrate! Their merriment is soon interrupted, however, by a mysterious girl from a foreign land, and it’s up to Bell to help the girl evade her would be captors!
But his new friend isn’t content to simply escape – she wants to enjoy the festival just like everyone else! Just who is this young lady, and why has she made the long journey to Orario …?
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
As they continue their lengthy excursion through the Dungeon, Welf and Lili cannot but physically scold Bell for his careless enthusiasm, unintentionally splattering his friends with monster blood, but as the white haired boy explained his rush to finish their current quest to being able to buy it before being sold out, it was this reasoning that made the accident sincerely excusable, with all knowing they had to earn enough if they wished to get back in time, with this new rush of eagerness fueling their rapid pace across a stone bridge leading into a trap Mikoto set beforehand, allowing their journey to finally close with success. Yet as the group returns to Hearthstone Manor, they are surprised to witness the entirety of the mansion has been elegantly decorated for the Holy Night Festival, with a happy Haruhime modestly declaring these decorations were the least she could do since she is the newest member of the familia, only to stop her apology after recalling their goddess wished for Cranel to come to her room to have his status updated. However, as Hestia cunningly manipulates her innocent follower into a compromising position, the rest of the group interfere before anything harmful can be done, with this frustrated deity’s reasoning being she has been lonely since they have been coming home so often lately, only to be surprised when their goal is revealed in the form of a marvelous dress for their patron, a gift for this special holiday in which they should all be able to joyously celebrate.
Yet as this overly exuberant goddess tries to tempt Cranel to help her change, with the protective supporter barring any such perversion, it is a serene Haruhime who cannot but compare the warm surroundings around her to those of a hearth, with everyone cooperating to accomplish a singular task, like a true family, but it is her turn to be surprised as their leader presents a Eastern inspired kimono to their newest member to celebrate her first Holy Night Festival, with everyone in being treated equally no matter how long they have been with the familia. Yet as all enjoy a bountiful meal and the white haired boy reflects on how he and the goddess have expanded upon their small group, it is Hestia who suggests Bell escort Haruhime to see the large tree in the plaza, with the pair happily accepting the invitation as they chat among themselves amid the crowded streets filled with vendor stalls, the timid renart asking if they can get close, with her friend warning they should not get separated. However, as they draw close to the wondrously festooned conifer as it dominates all with its illuminated brilliance, both are stunned as they meet a captivating woman who walks beside, her heterochromatic eyes staring at them during this casual meeting, all unsure of what their next step should be, with a swirling whirlwind of petals making the chance encounter all the more mystical in nature.
In Summary:
Upon first hearing that the mobile game Danmachi: Memoria Freese would be expanded beyond its normal perimeters, I was unsure how of how to react to something which I have never played, particularly when any information which can be found about the application seems purposefully vague, since the adventure itself appears to be randomly generated and dependent upon selections the individual may chose, causing every play through to as unique as the player themselves. Therefore, since the main story for the game was created by the developers, it is not canon to either of the light novel series, even if some of the side stories utilized as quests are adaptations based on Omori-sensei’s own creations, which is where this curious title fits into the Danmachi universe – an interesting tale that involves the characters we know so well, but at the same time, not fitting into the popular narrative, perhaps occurring sometime after the liberation of Haruhime from Ishtar Familia, introducing new actors who may not appear in any future stories.
As we keep these enticing notions in mind while we appreciate this curious creation, it is an odd shift within the narrative that causes observant readers to wonder why Omori-sensei chose to change the direction from which we began, with the volume opening as Bell and friends are hunting in the Dungeon to earn enough money to buy a present for Hestia, and though the first chapter progresses down this joyous path with everyone enjoying themselves, it is the nonchalant comment by the goddess to escort Haruhime to see the tree which takes the story in a different direction, centralizing the story around this unlikely pair who would not normally associate due to their shyness. To see this hesitation dissolve so easily is strange, even if it allows the narrative to move forward from an unexpected act, with the foreign renart able to celebrate her first Holy Night Festival with a fellow visitor to Orario in the form of Tarvi, who supposedly shares the blood of her race, thus making their relationship somewhat special. But if this was the sentiment which Omori-sensei was aiming for, then why not have Haruhime share this holiday with people she is comfortable with such as new and old families instead of some complete stranger, aside from allowing this chance encounter to be an opportunity to propel forward a new friendship. Yet as we contemplate this narrative choice, one thing we cannot deny is the adorable nature of mangaka Shinomura-sensei’s illustrations, these unassuming monochromatic images conjuring forth an undeniable charm which engenders the reader toward an uncertain journey, for while loyal readers may be used to the graphic nature of the main and side series, there is a growing fascination which causes us to become drawn deeper into this captivating adventure, one from which the cuteness of Haruhime and Tarvi will play a major role against the cruelty that quickly envelopes the joy now in Orario.
While Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Memoria Freese: Holy Night Traumerei may attempt to create a sublime departure from what loyal fans think we knew about ordinary life within Orario, there is always an element of danger lurking around the corner due to the reputation of Babel, that being the Dungeon luring strangers wanting to test themselves against the strength of monsters lying beneath their feet, with an adventurer’s arrogance never leaving tested hands covered in blood and ash. Yet as we attempt to leave behind that ugly side of the Labyrinth City, it is this charming diversion which allows the audience to become entranced within the light hearted humor of how Bell and Haruhime entertain a new companion, one who is hiding a secret which may endanger them, but at the same time, to witness a sheltered girl like Tarvi attempt to escape from her duties makes the journey all the more enjoyable. With adorable illustrations that attempt to hide the darker side of the city within the joy of the Holy Night Festival, there is the sense of familiarity which calls us into the story, even as we wonder what kind of mysteries are obscured behind endearing smiles, even as new friends find themselves lost within the delight of the season, all while threats loom within shadows of uncertainty.
Content Grade: A
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: A+
Text/Translation Grade: A-
Age Rating: Older Teen
Released By: Yen Press
Release Date: June 20, 2023
MSRP: $13.00
