History Manga / InTheseWords

In more ways than one, ''In These Words'' stands out from the usual {{Yaoi}} production, mostly due to the thickness of the plot and the [[SugarWiki/AwesomeArt exquisite artwork]]. [[ExplicitContent While it doesn't skimp on the explicit sex scenes]], some of these scenes can border on FanDisservice, given the unusual setting. And the overall atmosphere, constantly striding the line between dreams, madness and reality reminds strangely of the works of Creator/SatoshiKon.

* AloneWithThePsycho: Asano's nightmares often envision this scenario. Ironically, [[spoiler: it's also what happens to him in real life. Twice.]]
* AmnesiacLover: Turns out [[spoiler: Katsuya and Keiji have been involved with each other long before the story starts proper. But for some reason, Katsuya cannot remember anything about that]].

* BigGuyFatalitySyndrome: [[spoiler: Iwamoto]] is one of the first named characters shown dying.

* ChromosomeCasting: A given for a {{Yaoi}} series. Female characters are only there as extras or for minor interactions.

* FairCop: Young Shibata is a rather [[PrettyBoy attractive young man]]. [[spoiler: Shinohara also.]]

* GoldDigger: Invoked. The young student who tries to hit on [[spoiler: Keiji]] at the university where Asano teaches is immediately turned off when he tells her that he's not rich.

* LeftForDead: [[spoiler: Asano's stalker leaves him for dead in a coffin, in a deserted factory, but Asano wakes up and manages to crawl out to get help.]]
* LoveHotels: In one of these, [[spoiler: Asano and Shinohara first make out with each other during one of their first undercover missions.]]

* MaleFrontalNudity: Unlike many {{Yaoi}} titles, penises are not censored at all in this series. [[CrossesTheLineTwice Not even erect ones]].

* RapeAsDrama: The rape of Asano by the faceless man who claims to love him isn't treated as kinky or sexy but as dramatic since Asano is clearly not enjoying it... [[spoiler: until that man puts him on drugs that make Asano much more docile and willing]].
* TheReveal: In volume 3, Asano is eventually able to see the face of the man molesting him. [[spoiler: But this man isn't Shinohara, and he can't name him.]] See below.
* SacrificialLamb: Such is the fate of [[spoiler: Shibata, the naive young cop assigned to help Asano in his tasks and Iwamoto, his stern bodyguard.]]

* SkeletonMotif: A recurring theme, along with the [[ChessMotif chess game]].

* SoftSpokenSadist: TheFaceless man that tortures and rapes Asano in his dreams is just this. Shinohara also fancies himself as this, especially after [[spoiler: he manages to subdue and capture Asano, treating him exactly like the man in his dreams. But they're not the same person.]]

* TheyLookLikeEveryoneElse: Asano's conclusion about the serial killer he's trying to frame. [[spoiler: He was 100% correct.]]
* TheUnreveal: While we eventually get to see [[spoiler: Asano's kidnapper's face, it is still left unrevealed who he is, why he's after Asano especially and how he fell in love with him]].
* VillainsOutShopping: Exactly how Katsuya meets [[spoiler: his kidnapper and stalker]].
* {{Yandere}}: A RareMaleExample is found in the faceless man of Asano's dreams. Also, a particularly dark version of it.

* TarotMotifs: The third volume is centred around The Tower, hinting at shocking events and revelations.

* BespectacledBastardBoyfriend: Subverted. Katsuya only ''looks'' like one, complete with the aloof and cold attitude. But he isn't one at all.

* AmnesiacLover: Turns out [[spoiler: Katsuya and Shinohara have been involved with each other long before the story starts proper. But for some reason, Katsuya cannot remember anything about that]].

* ShutUpHannibal: Defied. Despite trying to get under his torturer/rapist's skin using his advanced knowledge of criminal minds, it only gets Asano silenced by his kidnapper who "punishes" him with gashes on his back and raping him.

Katsuya Asano is a world-recognized profiler who has been requisitioned to investigate a series of unusually gruesome murders of young men in Tokyo. The alleged perpetrator, Keiji Shinohara, has been arrested and is being set up for interrogation. Unbeknownst to Katsuya, Shinohara has actually requested to be cat-scanned by him. As the interrogation goes on, Katsuya starts having very strange nightmares that [[YourMindMakesItReal feel way to real]] and seem to be linked to the strange [[WoundThatWillNotHeal scars on his back]]. During these {{Dream Sequence}}s, [[TheFaceless a man whose face is constantly shrouded in shadows]] tortures and rapes him, all while claiming to love him to death.

Moreover, Shinohara seems to be perfectly aware of the dreams of his interrogator, which troubles Katsuya even more. But are these truly dreams? Or are they deeply repressed reminiscences? And is Shinohara ''really'' the murderer that Asano is looking for? As the line between dream and reality starts to fade, Asano wonders if he isn't starting to become insane himself, all while Shinohara seem to be playing with him, including sexually...

* BespectacledBastardBoyfriend:Subverted. Katsuya only ''looks'' like one, complete with the aloof and cold attitude. But he isn't one at all.

* DreamSequence: All the time. The goal being to display Asano's shattered mind, constantly obnubilated by blurry memories and nightmares.

* LoveMakesYouEvil: The ''other'' thing that the psycho in Asano's dreams always say.

* ShutUpHannibal: Defied. Despite trying to get under his torturer/rapist's skin using his advanced knowledge of criminal minds, it only garners Asano getting silenced by his kidnapper who "punishes" him with gashes on his back and raping him.

* SoftSpokenSadist: TheFaceless man that tortures and rapes Asano in his dreams is just this. Also Shinohara himself fancies himself as this, especially after [[spoiler: he manages to subdue and capture Asano, treating him exactly like the man in his dreams. But they're not the same person.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Who controls who? Does anyone control anything?]]

Currently, there are 3 tomes released in English-speaking countries. A total of 12 prequels have also been published, explaining a bit further on both characters' backstory.

[[caption-width-right:350:Who controls who? Does anyone controls anything?]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/56c781457d890_373917b.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350: Dream, reality or reminiscence?]]

* CastFullOfPrettyBoys: Also averted. With the exception of Shibata, all characters are adult men and look it.

* ShutUpHannibal: Defied. Despite trying to get under his torturer/rapist's skin using his advanced knowledge of criminal minds, it only garners Asano getting silenced by his kidnapper who "punishes" him with large gashes on his back and raping him.

Katsuya Asano is a world-recognized profiler who has been requisitioned to investigate a series of unusually gruesome murders of young men in Tokyo. The alleged perpetrator, Keiji Shinohara, has been arrested and is being set up for interrogation. Unbeknownst to Katsuya, Shinohara has actually requested to be cat-scanned by him. As the interrogation goes on, Katsuya starts having very strange nightmares that [[YourMindMakesItReal feel way to real]] and seem to be linked to the strange [[WoundThatWillNotHeal scars on his back]]. During these {{Dream Sequence}}s, [[TheFaceless a man whose face is constantly shrouded in shadows]] tortures and rapes him, all while claiming that he loves him.

* TheReveal: In volume 3, Asano is eventually able to see the face of the man molesting him. [[spoiler: But this man isn't Shinohara, and he can't name him.]]

* ShutUpHannibal: Despite trying to get under his torturer/rapist's skin using his advanced knowledge of criminal minds, it only garners him getting silenced by his kidnapper who "punishes" him with large gashes on his back and raping him.

''In These Words'' is a thriller/mystery {{Manga}} written Narcissus (aka Kichiku Neko) and illustrated by Jun Togai (aka Toga Q) who form the creative duo Guilt Pleasure. The story is centred around the complicated events that surround Katsuya Asano and Keiji Shinohara.

* CastFullofPrettyBoys: Averted. With the exception of Shibata, all characters are adult men and look it.

In more ways than one, ''In These Words'' stands out from the usual {{Yaoi}} production, mostly due to the thickness of the plot and the [[SugarWiki/AwesomeArt exquisite artwork]]. [[ExplicitContent While it doesn't skimp on the explicit sex scenes]], some of these scenes can border on the disturbing, given the unusual setting. And the overall atmosphere, constantly striding the line between dreams, madness and reality reminds strangely of the works of Creator/SatoshiKon.

* DreamSequence: All the time. The goal being to display Asano's shattered man, constantly obnubilated by diffuse memories and nightmares.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/214898_0.jpg]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/19489_8.jpg]]

In more ways than one, ''In These Words'' stands out from the usual {{Yaoi}} production, mostly due to the thickness of the plot and the [[AwesomeArt exquisite artwork]]. [[ExplicitContent While it doesn't skimp on the explicit sex scenes]], some of these scenes can border on the disturbing, given the unusual setting. And the overall atmosphere, constantly striding the line between dreams, madness and reality reminds strangely of the works of Creator/SatoshiKon.

In more ways than one, ''In These Words'' stands out from the usual {{Yaoi}} production. [[ExplicitContent While it doesn't skimp on the explicit sex scenes]], some of these scenes can border on the disturbing, given the unusual setting. And the overall atmosphere, constantly striding the line between dreams, madness and reality reminds strangely of the works of Creator/SatoshiKon.