War of the Holy Grail - Pursuing the power of the "Holy Grail" which grants a miracle, this is a contest in which seven magi summon seven Heroic Spirits to compete for it. In that battle whose conclusion was postponed three times, now, the fourth war commenced again. ... more>>

Entrusting their dearest wish of victory, the magi joined the battleground called "Fuyuki", but amongst them, there was a man who was always alone, and could not find out the meaning behind his fights. His name was Kotomine Kirei. Not comprehending the guidance of fate, Kirei was lost, and had kept questioning. Why someone like him was given the Command Seals. However, the fate of his fights crossed Kirei's path with a nemesis by chance. That person is - Emiya Kiritsugu. A man who was sterner than anyone else, more merciless than anyone else, and who sought the miracle of the Holy Grail.

Merely recited in fragments in Fate/Stay Night, this is the Fourth War of the Holy Grail 10 years ago. The truth which unfolded behind the battle between Shirō's foster father, Rin's father, and the younger Kotomine Kirei, is finally revealed...... <<less

Is money really everything in a life?... more>>

If you could live through your life again you must become a God of money. A person who lives for money. A person who treats money with the worth it deserves. <<less

Pei Jin is a black bellied prince. To outsiders he is a kind gentleman and always calm.... more>>

Yan Shi Ning is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. To outsiders she is a gentle bred young lady and always docile.

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning are the perfect couple but behind closed doors…

Pei Jin: Wife, you’re an expert liar.

Yan Shi Ning: Husband, it’s because you taught me well. <<less

I will sell flowers in this life so my next life will be even more beautiful.... more>>

(To do something good for others so that you may also be happy.)

He thought: My favorite person. 

Forgive me for being so greedy. <<less

In ancient times, a time where heroes are born. God, Man, Demon and all things on earth were mixed in between Heaven and Earth. There were three great god tribes: the Central Sheng Nong, the Southeast Gao Xing, the Northwest Xuan Yuan, they occupied three parts of the land, three independent empires.... more>>

The heroes the world paid the most attention was undoubtedly the Sheng Nong Tribe’s War God Chi You and the Gao Xing Tribe’s Prince Shao Hao.

Chi You was the Beast King brought under control by Shen Nong’s Yan Emperor many hundred years ago, cruel and honest, cunning and pure, his powers? He has never lost a battle. He has no rules in his heart, only revenge, his one goal is to use his powers to take over every single thing on earth, in one united empire.

But fate makes fools of men, in his bid to cement his empire, he met the princess of the Xuan Yuan tribe, at first a misunderstanding, but very quickly they fell deeply in love.

Under the Peach Blossom Tree, Chi You made her a promise of love, he will give up everything, and stay by her side for the rest of their lives. <<less

Pain, Pain, Go Away is a novel by Sugaru Miaki, also known as Fafoo, author of Starting Over and Three Days of Happiness. Unlike Miaki’s previous two books, Pain, Pain, Go Away is not a rewrite of any story posted to 2ch, but an entirely original one. ... more>>

The plot involves a young man who becomes a killer (by accident) – but his victim has the power of “postponement,” temporarily delaying her death. <<less

One day, Katsuragi Daichi and his classmates found themselves in a different world. The god who summoned them to another world divided its power and... more>> gave it to them, saying that it wanted Daichi and the rest to defeat the Demon King as heroes. However, Daichi alone was given no abilities. And sure enough, Daichi was thrown away and used as a decoy in a demon’s den. Eaten by a demon, Daichi had lost consciousness and thought he had passed away, though when he came to he noticed his statuses had skyrocketed. He had obtained『Revenge of the Resented』. Every time he died, his abnormal ability powered up. <<less

Once again, I met the person I've been dreaming of――... more>>

The New Orleans Police Department where Jeffrey works, receives a report about the mu*der of a gay prostitute. It is a series of mu*ders targeting a blonde-haired man with blue eyes.

The investigation leads Jeffrey in meeting Raymond, an exceptionally beautiful man, in a cheap apartment.

Hearing the news about the death of his best friend, the beautiful man is shaken and suddenly has a violent panic attack. Jeffrey, who was involved in the rescue of seven boys held captive by a cult eighteen years ago, recalls that Raymond―once known as the "Little Angel"―was one of the victims.

The two are quickly drawn to each other, but it is Jeffrey's cousin, Kyle, the FBI's most talented agent who manages to save Raymond from being the next target... <<less

White Horse Neighing in the West Wind by Jin Yong was first serialized in the newspapers in 1961.... more>>

Li Wenxiu, a young Han Chinese maiden, loses her parents in the Gobi Desert while escaping from a group of bandits who are after a map of the Gaochang labyrinth. Placed on a white steed, she flees to Kazakh territory and is taken into the care of Old Man Ji, an elderly Han Chinese man. While growing up, she meets Supu, a Kazakh boy, and starts a romance with him. However, Supu's father disapproves of the relationship between his son and a Han Chinese girl, so they are forced to separate.

Several years later, Li Wenxiu meets Hua Hui, a hermit, in an oasis in the Gobi Desert, and helps him cure his wounds. Hua Hui feels grateful to her and accepts her as his apprentice and teaches her martial arts. She returns home in the midst of heavy snowfall and sees Supu, his father, and his new lover taking shelter in her house. Chen Dahai, the leader of the group of bandits who killed Li Wenxiu's parents, arrives at Li's home and suspects that the map he has been hunting for is inside the house. He ransacks the house for the map and eventually finds it. The secret of the map is revealed when blood is spilled onto the cloth. Chen wants to silence Supu and the others but is stopped and defeated by Li, who has disguised herself as an old man.

Chen Dahai flees with the map and finds his way to the labyrinth, while Li Wenxiu and Supu gather five others to join them in pursuing Chen and the bandits. The seven of them make their way to the labyrinth, where they are surprised to find ordinary items associated with Han Chinese culture instead of treasure and riches as they expected. To their horror, they encounter a "ghost" who haunts them by killing their companions without leaving any traces. Just as they are about to flee, Supu learns that his lover has been kidnapped by the "ghost" and he tracks the "ghost" to its lair in the labyrinth, where he discovers that the "ghost" is actually a martial arts expert in disguise.

The "ghost" tells his story and reveals that he was forced into exile because he was betrayed by his apprentice, who is actually Old Man Ji. The "ghost" is the hermit Hua Hui, whom Li Wenxiu saved earlier. To everyone's surprise, Old Man Ji is revealed to be actually a man in his 30s in disguise as an old man. Old Man Ji and Hua Hui start fighting with each other. Li is shocked to realise that the two, who are close to her, are actually enemies. Hua Hui eventually dies in his futile attempt to kill everyone in the labyrinth. After leaving the labyrinth, Li Wenxiu hears the true story behind the items hidden in the labyrinth and their origins. She decides to leave the land for central China as she feels miserable after the loss of two of her loved ones and the marriage of her lover to another woman. <<less

The owner of the netherworld inn listens to a ghost recount his life up above before all of it can be forgotten.

On the outskirts of the Pleasure City of Midas lies the Ceres special autonomous area, commonly known as the slums. Gang leader Riki, looking for an easy pocket to pick in the nightlife districts, gets caught red-handed…by none other than one of the highest-ranking, golden-haired android elites ruling from the capital Tanagura: the “Blondy” Iason Mink!
By all rights, a Blondy standing at the pinnacle of aristocracy and a slummer should have never crossed paths—their chance encounter marks the beginning of a love twisted by obsession, soon spiraling into a karmic chain of events...... more>>

⬇️ //// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////
⬇️ //// About the English translation ////
⬇️ //// Current translation status ////
⬇️ //// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

//// About the Japanese novel and anime adaptations ////

Originally serialized in the bimonthly magazine Shosetsu June (小説ジュネ) spanning six chapters from December 1986 to October 1987, the novel was released with minor revisions into a hardcover edition in 1990.
This first version of the story received a two-episode/OVA anime adaptation in 1992 and 1994.

Between the years 2001 and 2007, the original story was greatly expanded upon and released in six paperback volumes. After a change of Japanese publisher, two more volumes were released between 2009 and 2010, completing the series (the six aforementioned volumes were released as volumes 1-4 in the newest Japanese edition).
This second version of the story was meant to be adapted into a twelve-episode OVA anime—initially planned to release in 2010—but was postponed to 2012, only to be discontinued after the fourth episode’s release.

//// About the English translation ////

The English paperback expanded edition is made up of eight volumes: the six first volumes (Seibido/Crystal edition) + the two later volumes (#7 and #8 in English, but #5 and #6 in the newest Tokuma/Chara edition).
The change in Japanese publisher led to a change in translator for the English edition between vol1 to 6 and vol7 to 8: it is highly recommended to read the fan translations of #7 and #8 as opposed to reading the licensed edition, due to the massive loss in translation (expect a 50% word count difference between the two).

//// Current translation status of the different editions of the novel (as of April 20th, 2024) ////

. Shosetsu June edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation.
. 1990 hardcover edition, unlicensed: 2/6 chapters, ongoing fan translation. An older fan translation had 4/6 chapters translated but the project was dropped.
. 2000’s expanded edition, English licensed: fully translated, complete.

//// Drama CDs, prequel and side stories ////

– The Shosetsu June story was adapted into a drama cassette and a drama CD (Dark Erogenous).
– The expanded story was adapted into three drama CDs (Destiny, Nightmare, Resonance)
– A prequel called Midnight Illusion was serialized in Shosetsu June between December 1992 and April 1993, and released as a hardcover in 1996. 3/6 chapters have been fan-translated into English.
– The 5 side stories have all been fan-translated into English (Kizu/Wound, File-0, Cal’s Sighs, Musk, Illusion Night) and are based on the expanded version of the novel.

Look up online “Ai no Kusabi Master List LiveJournal” to find the links to all the material listed above and more.

[This page was updated as per an anon’s request, all credit goes to the AnK community where credit is due.] <<less

Ryoichi, a soft-spoken and quiet fifteen year old, meets Naomi, a young girl who is battling a life-threatening illness through her childhood friend, Tetsuya, who is the ace player of their school’s baseball team.... more>>

As they become closer, she opens up to him about her fears and secrets, and he also comes to deeply care for her. But one day when he visits her at the hospital, she suddenly asks him: “Why don’t we commit a double su*cide?" <<less

A virus has attacked the entire Earth. This is the apocalypse.... more>>

Wu Zhi discovered that he really did f*cking live carefreely and comfortably.

Wu Zhi said, Ye Qingling, you want to keep me in f*cking captivity for my whole life.

…Mhm.

…So scary, you really are.

In the apocalypse, who kept whom in captivity? <<less

From a stumbling lion cub to a majestic lion king, he imagines that his life as a lion would peak and end with him owning a vast territory, dominating the grasslands, terrifying all his enemies while having many wives and concubines. ... more>>

Unexpectedly, his life as a lion has just begun.

The Earth's energy has mutated; all kinds of mutated creatures are attacking, and humans have fallen from the top of the food chain, and the African grasslands fall into a crisis.

And he, too, is gradually becoming stronger through evolution and mutation. <<less

This is a doomed love story of the last prince of the Qing dynasty called Ai Xin Jue Luo Xian Chang with Wang Ming Yue set in a turbulent time.... more>>

A prince who was born in the tumultuous years,

A prince who pointed his gun at someone’s nose to snatch his bride,

A prince who eye witnessed a graceful empress going crazy,

A prince who has to lead a befuddled life to accept the demise of his family’s empire,

A prince who did not leave behind a descendant at the end of his life ……

Once in a lifetime only love, once missed, will be forever.

The most unbearable thing on earth is not to lose the person you love most, but knowing that you will lose her, yet you also have to push her away with your own hands……

He is the Qing dynasty last little prince, eventhough the dynasty is as good as gone, he is still suave romantic, casual, wanton and unrestrained, playing fast and loose.

She is his concubine without a status, his soul, his dream, but also his hate, his unwilling.

Although they love each other deeply, yet cannot overcome the chaotic and changing world, one misplaced kindness, part forever ……

(credit : shushengbar.com) <<less

One leap from the city tower thus fulfills the Marquis of Chang Ye’s triumph in conquering the world, establishing a new era. Yet she only turns into a lonely wisp, accompanying him day and night.... more>>

Note: the title shares the same name as the female lead – Sang Ge 桑歌 meaning mulberry song <<less

The story follows the East German Army's 666th TSF Squadron in its battles and political conflicts during the BETA's westward push in 1983.... more>>

The East German Army 666th TSF Squadron "Schwarzesmarken" (Black Marks) are a special-forces unit tasked with assaulting BETA forces through unconventional tactics; specifically, they target Lux and Magnus Lux to deny the BETA the advantage of ranged firepower. Their orders are given the topmost priority, such that it is common practice for the 666th to ignore allied distress calls that will result in deviation from their original mission, even if only for a short moment. <<less

The year is 2013, and it's the city of No. 6: a stringently controlled, diligently maintained megalopolis that embodies the highest ideals of humankind. Sion has lived under close supervision as a "high-ranking elite and therefore one of the city's assets" since the age of two, and feels secure - if not particularly happy - in his carefully planned out, government-sponsored future. ... more>>

On the night of his twelfth birthday, his comfortable lifestyle is turned upside-down when he meets, tends the wounds of, and shelters, a strange boy with an icy demeanour who calls himself "Nezumi" (Rat).

Why did I open the window that night? If I had not, I'd never have been forced to know what it's like to fight, to starve, and to suffer in anguish... <<less

Maria Lunalady Blackhazel is a beautiful genius with heterochromatic eyes. Oh, that and she’s also the leader of a ruthless, multinational private military company that brings forth chaos and destruction. Known as the “Princess of Pure Darkness” around the world, she’s the subject of many people’s admiration, hatred and fear. But to the main character Siyoung, he’s an irrelevant person living in a completely different world. That is, until one day she suddenly shows up and kisses him.... more>>

“I wanted to see you, Onii-sama…”

And just like that, Siyoung was given the world’s greatest little sister. <<less

Socrates in Love is a bittersweet journey of young love, enduring devotion, and heartbreaking loss. Affectionately known in Japan as Sekachu (short for Sekai no... more>> Chushin de Ai wo Sakebu), the incredible popularity of Katayama’s novel developed into a social phenomenon in Japan and drove it to become one of the classic love stories of all time. Socrates in Love took the Japanese publishing industry by storm, becoming the all-time best-selling novel in Japan! <<less

Princess Shunde captured a jiaoren demon and wanted to find someone to tame it. The princess has three wishes: that the demon utters human words, that the demon's tail turns into legs, and that his heart will never be rebellious.... more>>

Everyone knows that the East Demon Island, the West Demon Mountain, the South Demon Valley, and the North Demon Terrace are the only four places in the world that permit people with the ability to control demons. And the Demon Valley in the south has the strongest Demon Controlling Master in the world.

She was the most powerful demon master in the Demon Valley, but her heart was enchanted by a demon. <<less

Ah……..she was married to a Marquis, yet he only had intent to treat her as a concubine not as his first wife, a princess (princess refers to a person’s first wife, it is a position of power among the wives and in the household). Now she overheard that he only married her for appearances sake?... more>>

It was just great! Not only was she forced to marry, she also lost her freedom. Since her husband was also unwilling to marry, they might as well not bother with each other…….

His newly wedded wife was so very strange!

A night before the wedding he caught her peeking shamelessly. She also demanded that the favor he owed her for having saved his life, two years prior in the desert was to not touch her?

Usually a wife would be sharing a husband with three or four other women. Thus they would be full of worry and trepidation, serving their husband to the best of their ability attempting to become the favourite and obtain the valued Princess position. Yet she actually tried to distance herself from him as much as possible. How was this a relationship?

Though it did not matter to him, for he long had the intention to separate himself from her, he was only marrying her because of the Imperial Edict after all. If he didn’t seize this golden opportunity then he was too dumb to deserve it.

Let her regret it!

She was very proficient in the art of Qi Huang. Even though this princess’ beauty wasn’t too outstanding, it wasn’t bad and her temperament was unquestionable. This Prime Minister’s Daughter even had a touch of feminine charisma. Her varying facial features made him forget about the other beautiful concubine completely and made him want to……..only care for her!?

Although he swore to the moon that he would not touch her, however tonight the night sky was cloudy……… <<less

Kaela, who was neglected by her husband who loves another woman, and was miserably killed in a war with the emperor, who is her husband’s stepfather and uncle.... more>>

She was rather happy to die and willingly died, but when she opened her eyes, she went back to before she got married.

This time, she desperately ran away to avoid death, but she ended up marrying her husband again and went to the cold north again.

Let’s just give up everything.

Now, she has no regrets and is only waiting for a chance to die, but strangely, her husband protects, guards, and loves her dearly.

It’s useless. Only death will bring her rest, so she decides to die properly this time.

For someone, it’s a life without regrets and tedious, but for someone else, it’s a desperate confession.

The couple who should be together are misaligned, the wife sees death, and the husband only looks at his wife.

In the end, one side was destined to go crazy with madness. <<less

Why must I taste all the suffering? Why must I bear all the pain?