5 Reasons Why 'Back When You Called Us Devils Ch 1' Remains A Psychological Horror Masterpiece
December 21, 2025—The opening chapter of a manga is the most crucial element in hooking a reader, and few have executed a more brutal or effective opening than Takashi Sano's Back When You Called Us Devils (Original title: Kimi ga Bokura wo Akuma to Yonda Koro). This psychological horror series, which explores themes of amnesia, guilt, and the darkest parts of the human psyche, begins with a shocking revelation that immediately establishes its high-stakes, morally ambiguous world.
Chapter 1, the focus of intense fan discussion, is a masterclass in narrative misdirection, presenting protagonist Yusuke Saito as a seemingly normal high school student before tearing his reality apart in the final pages. It’s a must-read for fans of deep, unsettling thrillers, and a perfect case study in how to craft an unforgettable opening hook that sets the stage for a sprawling story of trauma and potential redemption.
Series Profile and The Architect of Psychological Dread
Back When You Called Us Devils is a completed Japanese web manga series that was serialized in Kodansha's Magazine Pocket app.
- Original Title: 君が僕らを悪魔と呼んだ頃 (Kimi ga Bokura wo Akuma to Yonda Koro)
- Author/Artist: Takashi Sano
- Genre: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Seinen
- Serialization: Kodansha's Magazine Pocket
- Status: Completed (Total of 154 chapters across multiple volumes)
- Protagonist: Yusuke Saito
- US Publisher: Kodansha USA
- Key Themes: Amnesia, Guilt, Moral Ambiguity, Trauma, and the Nature of Evil
Takashi Sano, the mind behind the series, is known for his unflinching exploration of dark subject matter. The manga’s premise centers entirely on the unsettling truth that a person’s identity is not defined by their present actions, but by the crimes they may have forgotten. This focus on internal conflict and external consequence is what elevates the work beyond a simple crime thriller into a profound psychological study.
The Shocking Hook: Deconstructing 'Back When You Called Us Devils Ch 1'
Chapter 1 is meticulously structured to maximize the final, devastating reveal. It begins by establishing the protagonist, Yusuke Saito, as a high school freshman who, despite his outwardly normal life, carries a profound secret: he suffers from complete amnesia.
Yusuke Saito's False Reality
The chapter spends its initial pages painting a picture of a typical, if slightly awkward, student life. Yusuke is portrayed as a young man trying to find his place, but the narrative subtly introduces elements of his past that he can't reconcile. His amnesia is not a minor plot point; it is a fundamental part of his existence, as he can only recall the last six months of his life.
The manga reveals he had previously vanished for half a year and was found in a shocking state—naked, bound, and unconscious in a rowboat floating off the coast. This detail, often mentioned early in the chapter, is the first crack in the facade of his "normal" life, a chilling premonition of the darkness to come.
The Inciting Incident: The Shattering Confrontation
The true genius of Chapter 1 lies in its final pages, where Yusuke's carefully constructed new life is destroyed. This is the moment a mysterious figure confronts him, forcing him to face the reality of his forgotten past. This antagonist does not mince words, directly accusing Yusuke of monstrous crimes committed before his amnesia.
The confrontation is the chapter’s inciting incident, and it is here that the infamous title, Back When You Called Us Devils, takes on its terrifying meaning. The antagonist reveals that Yusuke was not a victim, but the perpetrator of horrific acts, including suggestions of extreme violence and other heinous crimes.
The chapter concludes with Yusuke's realization that the person staring back at him in the mirror is not the innocent boy he thought he was, but a "devil" responsible for unimaginable suffering. This cliffhanger is a perfect blend of horror and suspense, forcing the reader to immediately question the nature of identity and the possibility of redemption.
Why Chapter 1 is a Masterclass in Psychological Thriller Manga
Chapter 1 of Back When You Called Us Devils is not just a strong start; it is a blueprint for effective psychological horror, utilizing several key narrative devices:
1. The Amnesia as a Moral Shield
The story weaponizes Yusuke's amnesia. By stripping the protagonist of his memory, Takashi Sano forces the reader to empathize with a potential monster. The mystery is not "Who did it?" but "What did *I* do?" This shifts the focus from a traditional whodunit to a deeply unsettling exploration of personal guilt and moral responsibility, even for actions one cannot recall.
2. High-Stakes Emotional Entities
The chapter immediately introduces high-stakes emotional entities, ensuring the reader is invested. These include:
- The Innocent Persona: Yusuke's current, kind identity.
- The Forgotten Trauma: The six months of his disappearance.
- The Accusation of Evil: The dark past of rape, incest, and other crimes.
- The Antagonist's Vengeance: The immediate threat of retribution.
- The Search for Truth: Yusuke’s desperate need to uncover his own history.
3. The Use of LSI Keywords for Topical Authority
The natural flow of the narrative allows for the organic inclusion of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that build topical authority around the series and its genre. Terms like *psychological thriller*, *seinen manga*, *moral ambiguity*, *redemption arc*, *trauma narrative*, and *dark past* are all essential entities that define the series' core appeal, making the article a comprehensive resource.
4. Unflinching Horror and Suspense
Sano’s art style in Chapter 1 is sharp and visceral, perfectly capturing the protagonist's terror and confusion. The horror is not supernatural; it is human. The realization that the "devil" is oneself is a far more terrifying concept than any ghost or monster. This focus on *human depravity* is a hallmark of the best modern horror manga.
5. The Promise of a Redemption Arc
Despite the dark content, the chapter sets up the ultimate question that drives the rest of the series: Can a "devil" truly be redeemed? Yusuke's journey is a desperate attempt to atone for sins he didn't commit but is nonetheless responsible for. This internal conflict is the true engine of the story, making Chapter 1 an essential foundation for one of the most compelling and unsettling psychological thrillers in recent manga history.
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