Line #12 Manga/InTheseWords


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_m8qoseq5jy1qexod6o1_500.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Who controls who? [[note]] Asano: Standing. Shinohara: Sitting. [[/note]]]]
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4	''In These Words'' is a thriller/mystery {{Manga}} written by 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.
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6	Katsuya Asano is a world-recognized profiler who has been brought in 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 too 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.
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8	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 memories? 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 seems to be playing with him, including sexually...
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10	In more ways than one, ''In These Words'' stands out from the usual YaoiGenre 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.
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12	Currently, there are 3 tomes released in English-speaking countries and a fourth one is to be released in 2021. A total of 12 prequels have also been published, explaining a bit further on both characters' backstory.
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14	The Guilt Pleasure team has a website dedicated to this series along with the prequels [[https://guiltpleasure.ecrater.com/about.php here]].
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17	!This manga contains examples of:
18	* AllJustADream: What Katsuya sometimes believes all of this may be.
19	* AloneWithThePsycho: Asano's nightmares often envision this scenario. Ironically, [[spoiler:it's also what happens to him in real life -- twice]].
20	* AmnesiacLover: It turns out that [[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]].
21	* AnimalMotif: The raven, for obvious reasons, to symbolize death and mystery.
22	* BigGuyFatalitySyndrome: [[spoiler:Iwamoto]] is one of the first named characters shown dying.
23	* CastFullOfGay: Averted. Aside from Asano, Shinohara and Asano's abductor, nobody is stated as being gay or bisexual.
24	* CastFullOfPrettyBoys: Downplayed. With the exception of Shibata, all the main characters are adult men and look it but they're all [[MrFanservice very good looking and will readily get shirtless or stark naked]].
25	* TheChessmaster: Asano believes himself one, but Shinohara seems to be even better at this. Or so it seems.
26	* ChromosomeCasting: A given for a YaoiGenre series. Female characters are only there as extras or for minor interactions.
27	* CriminalMindGames: Discussed all through the series, be it within Asano's team or with Shinohara himelf.
28	* CruelAndUnusualDeath: The victims of the serial killer are murdered in a particularly horrific way.
29	* DaChief: Commissioner Kizaki, the man who summoned Asano to solve the case, is a very egregious example of the trope.
30	* DeadpanSnarker: Shinohara's stock in trade. He just loves to push Asano's buttons.
31	* DreamSequence: All the time. The goal being to display Asano's shattered mind, constantly obscured by blurry memories and nightmares.
32	* FairCop: Young Shibata is a rather [[PrettyBoy attractive young man]]. [[spoiler:Shinohara also.]]
33	* HannibalLecture: What Shinohara eventually manages to do to Asano. Asano tries it on the man in his nightmares but is unsuccessful. See below.
34	* 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.
35	* IfICantHaveYou: Asano is the subject of this but from a man whose face he never seems to remember.
36	* IHaveYouNowMyPretty: Asano's dreams are pretty much all about this, featuring his abductor getting off on tormenting, abusing, raping and even ''stabbing'' him, leaving him with nasty gashes on his back, all while telling him that he loves him.
37	* ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou: The psycho in Asano's nightmares says just as much.
38	* InterplayOfSexAndViolence: Constantly. Sex scenes are present but they all serve a purpose other than mere {{Fanservice}}.
39	* LecherousLicking: Too many times to keep score.
40	* 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.]]
41	* LoveHotels: In one of these, [[spoiler:Asano and Shinohara first make out with each other during one of their first undercover missions]].
42	* LoveMakesYouEvil: The ''other'' thing that the psycho in Asano's dreams always says.
43	* LustObject: Asano is particularly prone to being this, due to his excessive good looks and his [[SharpDressedMan classy and serious attitude all in all]].
44	* LongingLook: Shinohara often teases Katsuya with this, which really troubles Katsuya.
45	* MaleFrontalNudity: Unlike many YaoiGenre titles, penises are not censored at all in this series, not even erect ones.
46	* OralFixation: As Asano and Shinohara share a meal, this is all that Shinohara can watch, thinking that Asano's way of eating is deeply erotic.
47	* 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]].
48	* 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.
49	* SacrificialLamb: Such is the fate of [[spoiler:Shibata, the naive young cop assigned to help Asano in his tasks and Iwamoto, his stern bodyguard]].
50	* SerialKiller: The whole premise of the series revolves around this.
51	* SexIsViolence: The defining theme of Asano's nightmares.
52	* 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 by slashing his back and raping him.
53	* SkeletonMotif: A recurring theme, along with the [[ChessMotifs chess game]].
54	* SnowMeansDeath: During Asano's dreams, it's often snowing outside.
55	* 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]].
56	* StraightGay: Shinohara and Asano are both rather masculine men.
57	* TallDarkAndHandsome: Katsuya qualifies with his dark hair and firmly toned body.
58	* TallDarkAndSnarky: Katsuya again.
59	* TarotMotifs: The third volume is centered around The Tower, hinting at shocking events and revelations.
60	* TheyLookLikeEveryoneElse: Asano's conclusion about the serial killer he's trying to frame. [[spoiler:He was 100% correct.]]
61	* 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]].
62	* VillainsOutShopping: Exactly how Katsuya meets [[spoiler:his kidnapper and stalker]].
63	* {{Yandere}}: A [[GenderInvertedTrope rare male example]] is found in the faceless man of Asano's dreams. Also, a particularly dark version of it.

Context Manga / InTheseWords