S&M Series

The **S&M Series** (S&Mシリーズ, *S&M Shirīzu*) is a series of mystery novels written by Hiroshi Mori. It was published by Kodansha between 1996 and 1998, with a total of 10 volumes released within the Kodansha Novels imprint. The volumes then got reprint versions between 1998 and 2001. Its first installment, *The Perfect Insider*, was the 1st winning work of the Mephisto Prize.

## Synopsis

The S&M Series follows Souhei Saikawa, an associate professor of architectural engineering at N National University, and Moe Nishinosono, his student and the daughter of his mentor, as they are wrapped up in various cases, usually brought on by Nishinosono, which Saikawa is then forced to solve.

## History

The series debuted with *The Perfect Insider* on April 3rd, 1996, which won Hiroshi Mori the first Mephisto Prize. It was originally planned to be a series of five novels concluding with *Who Inside*, but at the editorial department's request, *The Perfect Insider*, which was originally planned to be the fourth novel, became the first, and the entire series was restructured, the following five novels being rewritten. Although the series ended with *The Perfect Outsider* on October 7th, 1998, there are many connections between it and other series (especially the *G Series* and the *Four Seasons Series*).

## Main Characters

See also: S&M Series/Characters (Contains Spoilers)

* **Souhei Saikawa** (犀川(さいかわ) 創平(そうへい), *Saikawa Sōhei*)**:** The detective of the S&M Series. A professor of architectural engineering at N National University, and the pupil of Kyousuke Nishinosono, the former director of N University. 32 years old. He dislikes alcohol, cucumbers, bean paste, soybean flour and canned coffee. He hates meetings, and doesn't partake in anything he isn't interested in during his free time. He has published many research papers and is considered a genius, called the "hope" of the academic world.
* **Moe Nishinosono** (西之園(にしのその) 萌絵(もえ), *Nishinosono Moe*)**:** The protagonist of the S&M Series. A student of N National University's department of architecture. A beautiful girl who catches people's attention. She is highly proficient at mathematics, even being able to instantly compute complex operations in her head. She is in love with Saikawa, whom she's known since she was in 5th grade.
* **Momoko Kunieda** (国枝(くにえだ) 桃子(ももこ), *Kunieda Momoko*)**:** A reoccuring character of the S&M Series. An assistant professor at N National University. A boyish woman with a constantly expressionless face. Students are afraid of her because she always looks moody. She tends to not take much interest in the case at hand.
* **Setsuko Gidou** (儀同(ぎどう) 世津子(せつこ), *Gidō Setsuko*)**:** A mysterious journalist working for a women's magazine. She has a playful attitude and refers to Saikawa as "Souhei-kun".

## Genre & Style

The S&M Series falls under the *shinhonkaku* genre of detective fiction. Its title stems from the initials of the two main characters, and as a "science-based mystery", it delves into subjects such as engineering, bioengineering, computer science and cognitive science. Additionally, the series often delves into abstract philosophy through its characters.

## Media

See also: S&M Series/Media

1. **The Perfect Insider** (すべてがFになる The Perfect Insider(ザパーフェクトインサイダー), *Subete ga F ni Naru Za Pāfekuto Insaidā*)
2. **Doctors in Isolated Room** (冷(れい)たい密室(みっしつ)と博士(はかせ)たち Doctors in Isolated Room(ドクターズインアイソレイテッドルーム), *Reitai Misshitsu to Hakasetachi Dokutāzu In Aisoreiteddo Rūmu*)
3. **Mathematical Goodbye** (笑(わら)わない数学者(すうがくしゃ) Mathematical Goodbye(マスマティカルグッドバイ), *Warawanai Sūgakusha Masumatikaru Guddobai*)
4. **Jack the Poetical Private** (詩的私的(してきしてき)ジャック Jack the Poetical Private(ジャックザポエティカルプライベイト), *Shiteki Shiteki Jakku Jakku za Poetikaru Puraibeto*)
5. **Who Inside** (封印再度(ふういんさいど) Who Inside(フーインサイド), *Fūin Saido Fūin Saido*)
6. **Illusion Acts Like Magic** (幻惑(げんわく)の死(し)と使途(しと) Illusion Acts Like Magic(イリュウジョンアクツライクマジック), *Genwaku no Shi to Shito Iryūjon Akutsu Raiku Majikku*)
7. **Replaceable Summer** (夏(なつ)のレプリカ Replaceable Summer(リプレイシアブルサマー), *Natsu no Repurika Ripureishiaburu Samā*)
8. **Switch Back** (今(いま)はもうない Switch Back(スイッチバック), *Ima wa Mō Nai Suicchi Bakku*)
9. **Numerical Models** (数奇(すき)にして模型(もけい) Numerical Models(ニューメリカルモデルス), *Sukinishite Mokei Nyūmerikaru Moderusu*)
10. **The Perfect Outsider** (有限(ゆうげん)と微小(びしょう)のパン The Perfect Outsider(ザパーフェクトアウトサイダー), *Yūgen to Bishō no Pan Za Pāfekuto Autosaidā*)

## References

1. ↑ The Perfect Insider (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
2. ↑ Doctors in Isolated Room (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
3. ↑ Mathematical Goodbye (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
4. ↑ Jack the Poetical Private (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
5. ↑ Who Inside (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
6. ↑ Illusion Acts Like Magic (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
7. ↑ Replaceable Summer (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
8. ↑ Switch Back (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
9. ↑ Numerical Models (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.
10. ↑ The Perfect Outsider (in Japanese). Published by Kodansha.