History Main / AmnesiacResonance

* The first season of ''Series/OnceUponATime'' hinges entirely on this trope, with all the fairytale charcters rendered amnesiac and provided with new fake personalities and backstories by the Dark Curse. When Emma, the foretold breaker of the Curse, comes to town, her presence and actions jog the resonances, leading the other characters to reconnect with their forgotten loved ones, act more and more like their true selves, and even say the same things they used to say. As the Curse gets weaker, this becomes more and more noticeable, such as when [[ShrinkingViolet meek elementary school teacher]] [[DamselInDistress Mary Margaret]] is suddenly able to mallet a man in the head and kick him [[DestinationDefenestration off a window]] because her instincts as badass RebelliousPrincess Snow White are kicking in.

** In 'the 'Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' episode "When is a Ranger Not a Ranger?", Tommy, Billy and Kimberly had their memories erased by the Scatterbrain monster. Despite not knowing who they were, Kimberly realized that Billy was very intelligent when she heard him talking like a genius and they all trusted their fellow Rangers when they came to help them.

*** [[spoiler:Even after everyone in the MCU has their memories of Peter Parker's existences erased, there are hints that those closest to him may still know him, and could potentially regain their memories. When Peter briefly meets MJ at her workplace in this new reality, she still seems intrigued by him and stares after him as he leaves, seeming to wonder if he seemed familiar to her.]]
*** As revealed in ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', [[spoiler:Doctor Strange still subconsciously carries Peter's positive influence and belief in second chances, which led to Strange bonding with America Chavez and giving Wanda Maximoff various chances to redeem herself after she fell under the influence of dark magic.]]

** In ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' episode "When is a Ranger Not a Ranger?", Tommy, Billy and Kimberly had their memories erased by the Scatterbrain monster. Despite not knowing who they are, Kimberly realized that Billy was very intelligent when she heard him talking like a genius and they all trusted their fellow Rangers when they came to help them.

*** In ''Zeo Beginning Part 1'', due to being close to the explosion of the Command Center in the series finale of ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'', Rito and Goldar lost their memories and couldn't remember who they were or how they got to Angel Grove. However, at first, Rito thought that Goldar had big gold wings but dismisses his claim when he doesn't see them on him.
*** In the two-part episode "King for a Day", Tommy had his [[BrainWashed memories altered]] by the Machine Empire. However, Tommy felt something wasn't right and still had his fighting skill, despite the many tricks he was played upon.

* In ''Series/{{Westworld}}'' the robotic hosts of the titular park are wiped clean of memories at the end of every narrative cycle, only retaining their basic backstories and characterisation. However, some start exhibiting small gestures or having flashbacks derived from events that occurred ''during'' the narrative cycles, or even outside, such as during mantainance when they're supposedly shut down. Apparently, this is nothing to worry about, it's only a glitch caused by the latest softwer update, the Reveries. [[GrewBeyondTheirProgramming Or is it?]]

** ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', after returning back to Bruce Banner, he mets a friend of the Hulk in Valkyrie and has been feeling that he knows her, even though he didn't know why.
** ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'', Carol Danvers had her memories wipe away by the Kree and went by the name Vers for six years of her life. However, despite her memory loss, Carol still has her traits and skills as a pilot, which she uses during her time back on Earth.

*** Norman Osborn doesn't usually remember what he did under Green Goblin's control, but realize that he did something terrible, especially if he hurt those he cares about.
*** After everyone in MCU has their memories erased of Peter Parker's existences, he tries to reconnect with his friends Ned and MJ, but decides not to, as he came to believe that he was dangerous to them and were better off without him. However, little does Peter know, MJ stares after him as she has a feeling that she knows him. Happy Hogan also felt he knew Peter while talking to him at his Aunt May's grave.
*** As revealed in ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', Doctor Strange, even though he has no memory of him, still carries Peter Parker's positive influences and his belief on second chances, which led him to bonding with a new superhero in America Chavez and giving Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch, various chances of redeeming herself, after she fell under the influence of dark magic, as he knew there is still good within her.

* In ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}'', a VictimOfTheWeek suffers a trauma-induced amnesia because he is shot by the VillainOfTheWeek, and survives only because a book caught the bullet. Even with no memory, he provides help in identifying the bad guy because of a painting in his loft and him knowing something is wrong with it.

* Optimus Prime suffered amnesia in the season 1 finale and the first three episode of season 2 in ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'', as he reverted back to Orion Pax, which was his pre-prime state. However, despite Megatron taking advantage of his memory loss and using his skills as a hacker, Optimus was quick to realize that something wasn't right and quickly uncovered his true identity. Also, after getting his memory back, Optimus was assured by Ratchet that deep down that he knew he was still an Autobot and could't hide his true self whether he had his memory or not.

*** After everyone in MCU has their memories erased of Peter Parker's existences, he tries to reconnect with his friends Ned and MJ, but decides not to, as he came to believe that he was dangerous to them and were better off without him. However, little does Peter know, MJ stares after him as she has a feeling that she knows him.

Sometimes a character suffering amnesia engages in acts that do not make sense, or perhaps do not make full sense, without the knowledge of what they have forgotten. This can range from knowing skills that they learned then, to supporting their [[ExcellentJudgeOfCharacter friends and opposing their enemies]] from that time, or even automatically addressing people by names.

* Optimus Prime suffered amnesia in the season 1 finale of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'', as he reverted back to Orion Pax, which was his pre-prime state. However, despite Megatron taking advantage of his memory loss and using his skills as a hacker, Optimus was quick to realize that something wasn't right and quickly uncovered his true identity. Also, after getting his memory back, Optimus was assured by Ratchet that deep down that he knew he was still an Autobot and could't hide his true self whether he had his memory or not.

Sometimes a character suffering amnesia engages in acts that do not make sense, or perhaps do not make full sense, without the knowledge of what they have forgotten. This can range from knowing skills that they learned then, to supporting their friends and opposing their enemies from that time, or even automatically addressing people by names.

Sometimes a character suffering amnesia engages in acts that do not make sense, or perhaps do not make full sense, without the knowledge of what he or she has forgotten. This can range from knowing skills that he or she learned then, to supporting their friends and opposing their enemies from that time, or even automatically addressing people by names.

*** After everyone in MCU has their memories erased of Peter Parker's existences, he tries to reconnect with his friends Ned and MJ, but decides not to, thinking his friends, allies and fellow superheroes are better off without him, thinking he's dangerous to them. However, little does Peter know, MJ stares after him as she has a feeling that she knows him.

* In ''Series/{{Castle}}'', a VictimOfTheWeek suffers a trauma-induced amnesia because he is shot by the VillainOfTheWeek, and survives only because a book caught the bullet. Even with no memory, he provides help in identifying the bad guy because of a painting in his loft and him knowing something is wrong with it.

* "ComicBook/TheUnknownLegionnaire": Even though [[spoiler:ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}]] forgets her identity completely, she remembers and is able to use her powers instinctively.

* In an EasyAmnesia story in ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'', the the titular hero, being looked after by the Jungle Patrol under the name John X, not only proved to still be an excellent crimefighter, but he felt compelled to keep a journal, and moreover to write it secretly in the boiler room, lit by candles; a shadow of the Phantom Chronicles and their room in the Skull Cave.

* In ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes'', when the amnesiac Ultra Boy is taken up by SpacePirates, he switches sides in the fight, to defend their victims from them, and immediately feels that this is more natural to him.

** ''Film/CaptainMarvel'', Carol Danvers had her memories wipe away by the Kree and went by the name Vers for six years of her life. However, despite her memory loss, Carol still has her traits and skills as a pilot, which she uses during her time back on Earth.

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', Link starts off in the Shrine of Resurrection with no memory of who he is. Yet he still instinctively follows the directions of the [[AmnesiacLover mysterious but friendly female voice]] greeting him upon his awakening, and he soon finds he is skilled enough with swords, axes, and bows to take on the monsters roaming the Great Plateau.

* One storyline of ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'' has Matsuri lose his memories and believe he was always a girl [[GenderBender rather than originally being male]]. However, "she" still takes an immediately liking to Matsuri's ''[[UsefulNotes/JapaneseHonorifics senpai]]'' Soga Ninokuru--[[JumpingTheGenderBarrier except instead of as a friend]], she falls in LoveAtFirstSight. Then Matsuri's memories are restored and, in a comical aversion of AmnesiacDissonance, he doesn't question this at all.
-->'''Mei''': Ninokuru is the only guy around the same age who [[OneOfTheGirls Matsuri]] trusts and confides in. If the hypnosis makes him think he's a girl, of course Matsuri would be drawn to him!

** ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', after everyone in MCU has their memories erased of Peter Parker's existences, he tries to reconnect with his friends Ned and MJ, but decides not to, thinking his friends, allies and fellow superheroes are better off without him, thinking he's dangerous to them. However, little does Peter know, MJ stares after him as she has a feeling that she knows him.
*** Also, as revealed in ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', Doctor Strange, even though he has no memory of him, still carries Peter Parker's positive influences and his belief on second chances, which led him to bonding with a new superhero in America Chavez and giving Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch, various chances of redeeming herself, after she fell under the influence of dark magic, as he knew there is still good within her.

** ''Literature/ThreeHeartsAndThreeLions'' sees a young Dane, whose last memory is of a fire-fight with the Germans on a beach near Frederikshavn, wake up naked in a field on a sunny day. Nearby is a warrior's war-horse, which appears to know Holger. Packs on the horse carry clothing and armour. Holger wonders why he instinctively knows how to wear the clothing, how he instinctively knows how the armour goes on, why wearing a sword feels so right, and above all, why he feels so comfortable riding a horse. [[note]] Later in the book he discovers he is [[Myth/KingArthur Holger Dansk]], the Once And Future King of Denmark, who will return to lead his country in its hour of need. He has had his memory wiped and has been transferred to the nearest available Denmark in a different dimension, for safekeeping.[[/note]]

* One storyline of ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'' has Matsuri lose his memories and believe he was always a girl [[GenderBender rather than originally being male]]. However, "she" still takes an immediately liking to Matsuri's ''[[SenpaiKohai senpai]]'' Soga Ninokuru--[[JumpingTheGenderBarrier except instead of as a friend]], she falls in LoveAtFirstSight. Then Matsuri's memories are restored and, in a comical aversion of AmnesiacDissonance, he doesn't question this at all.

** An even straighter example with Prince Charming, who was put into a coma by the curse and wakes up as a completely amnesiac John Doe. The first thing he does? Goes to look for something unspecified in the forest, the place where he'd promised Snow White [[{{Catchphrase}} he'd always find her]].

There is a certain amount of TruthInTelevision to it, particularly skills, since memory is not a unitary thing that can be turned on and off.

* One storyline of ''Manga/AyakashiTriangle'' has Matsuri lose his memories and believe he was always a girl [[GenderBender rather than originally being male]]. However, "she" still takes an immediately liking to Matsuri's ''[[SempaiKohai senpai]]'' Soga Ninokuru--[[JumpingTheGenderBarrier except instead of as a friend]], she falls in LoveAtFirstSight. Then Matsuri's memories are restored and, in a comical aversion of AmnesiacDissonance, he doesn't question this at all.

* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'': Even after losing his memories at the beginning of the series, Touma still retains his physical skills, and his [[AllLovingHero personality]].

* ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'': After Tiol undergoes an EmergencyTransformation at the hands of the MadScientist Yatsubiyashi PlayingWithSyringes, he loses most of his memories and personality except for basically his strongest feelings. Mainly, those [[ThePowerOfLove regarding love]] or [[ThePowerOfHate hatred]], relating to Sheryl and Akira, respectively. This allows Tiol to, despite having A.I. {{Nanomachines}} filling his body, be FightingFromTheInside, and go beyond their RestrainingBolt programming to make more lethal monsters for his attacks. It also makes him into a ScreamingWarrior and LaughingMad at different points while fighting Akira.