[[quoteright:250:[[Manga/{{X1999}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Chains_of_love_resized.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:250:Kamui and Fuuma don't seem to mind the chains...]]

->''"Come to me, cover me, hold me''\\
''Together we'll break these chains of love."''
-->-- '''Music/{{Erasure}}''', "Chains Of Love"

An {{Anvilicious}} version of the RedStringOfFate, Chains of Love are often utilized in manga artwork, especially in {{Shoujo}} and {{Yaoi}}. Used to indicate that two people are "bound" together literally and often unwillingly, perhaps suggesting that one of the two is the "old ball and chain" to the other. Often used to generate sexual tension between the chained parties that may or may not progress into SlapSlapKiss depending on the plot.

May overlap with BecauseDestinySaysSo and WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic If used in a villainous or negative way, this often overlaps with BondageIsBad.

Alternately can be seen as bits of cloth, thorns, or in one case, ''red wires'', an amalgamation of the Chains and Red String that's possibly even ''more'' {{Anvilicious}} than the two separately.

On the non-symbolic side is the ChainedHeat plot. See also SlaveCollar.

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!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Anime & Manga ]]

%%* ''Manga/AngelSanctuary'': Kaori Yuki's official art tends to portray her like this.
* Creator/{{CLAMP}} is fond of this imagery, to the extent that it's not clear if they have a bondage fetish or simply enjoy teasing the fans.
** ''Anime/CodeGeass'':
*** Quite frequently with Lelouch and Suzaku in official art. The art book "Mutuality: CLAMP works in Code Geass" is full of this.
*** {{Exaggerated}} in the second season's first ending theme; which puts everyone in chains (with the exception of Nunnally, who gets ribbons instead). The second ending sequence puts Lelouch and Suzaku in chains again.
** ''Manga/DrugAndDrop'': The two leads appear multiple times in bondage-gear, playing up the HoYay even further.
** ''Manga/X1999'': Kamui and Fuuma are shown several times in these, tying into the "destined" aspect of their relationship and rivalry.
** ''Manga/TsubasaReservoirChronicle'': Sakura and Syaoran are shown sporting the chains in some color pieces, and at one point, all the main characters receive clothing with prominent chains.
* ''Manga/DeathNote'' Light and L are literally chained together during a story arc to prove an amnesiac Light's innocence. GenreSavvy Misa points out that the main symbolic meaning is something else entirely.
* ''Manga/DescendantsOfDarkness'': The back cover of one volume and at least one or two other official illustrations show DepravedBisexual Muraki and Tsuzuki in this pose, featuring red or black ribbons or chains. Not surprising given Muraki's tastes...
* ''Anime/TheFamiliarOfZero'': Used in the second season's EndingTheme; Louise mentions taking Saito for a walk with the "chains of love" (or "leash of love", same difference). Given [[FetishizedAbuser how she treats him normally]], this is entirely unsurprising.
* ''Literature/FullMetalPanic'': One gag doujinshi rom in an episode of ''Manga/LuckyStar'' features [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/OhLord.jpg Gauron and Sousuke]].
%%* ''Manga/GetBackers'' sure contains a lot of this for a {{shounen}}.
* ''{{Manga/Loveless}}'': Happens both literally and in the official artwork; in the literal case, it's used as a spell to try and immobilize the protagonists.
%%* ''Manga/OkaneGaNai'': A lot of artwork includes Ayase in chains.
* ''Manga/ShinigamiLovers'': Miku becomes chained to the shinigami Sei, her LoveInterest, after a near-death experience.
%%* ''Manga/VampireKnight'': Matsuri Hino.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Comic Books ]]

* ''ComicBook/StrangersInParadise'': Katchoo and Francine are handcuffed together by their friends Casey and David in an attempt to make them finally work out their differences.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Films -- Live-Action ]]

* ''Film/{{The 39 Steps|1935}}'': It is commented that after being handcuffed together for most of the film, it makes sense for the male and female protagonists to marry.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Literature ]]

* ''Literature/BakaAndTestSummonTheBeasts'': PlayedForLaughs. {{Yandere}} Shouko Kirishima will do whatever it takes to bring {{Tsundere}} Yuuji Sakamoto with her to the movies. Even if it means chaining him up and applying her reluctant boyfriend a StaticStunGun for some ShockAndAwe and a twisted variant of ElectricTorture.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Music ]]

* Creator/CaroleKing: "Chains," first recorded by the Cookies and later covered by Music/TheBeatles.
-->Chains, my baby's got me locked up in chains\\
And they ain't the kind that you can see\\
Whoa, these chains of love got a hold on me

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Pinball ]]

* Done metaphorically and maternally in Creator/{{Bally}}'s ''Pinball/{{Wizard}}!''; the backglass shows Tommy's mother Nora with a heavy silver ball shackled to her ankle reading "Tommy."

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Theatre ]]

* ''Theatre/ThePajamaGame'': In the FashionShow finale, Hines and Gladys are brought on in [[InstitutionalApparel convict-striped]] pajamas, and are revealed to be handcuffed to each other.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Video Games ]]

* ''VideoGame/MeineLiebe Weider'' puts Ludwig in chains in the OP.
* ''VideoGame/PandorasTower'': Aeron carries around a literal chain, enchanted with a lock of Elena's hair, allowing him to track her location and monitor the progress of her curse. It avoids being too ostentatious since apart from being an incredibly dangerous weapon that gets stronger with the couple's bond, [[SwissArmyWeapon it's also an exploration aid and device-activating multitool]], among other plot-driving powers.

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