AI buster, the prequel to .hack//SIGN, is the story of Albireo,a debugger, who used to play ‘Fragments,’ the beta version of ‘The World.’ Albireo encounters... more>> Lycoris, whom he assumes is an event NPC (an AI character) but she’s actually a failed version of Aura. She is blind, deaf, and mute, because Albireo debugged her and broke up important files. The missing files are hidden as items in the World, and when returned to Lycoris, she gets a function back. When she gains them all, she changes into a teenage form with purple hair who looks like Aura. Because of his acquaintance with Lycoris, Albireo cannot log out of the game and exit the World. <<less

.hack//CELL is a novel series written by Ryo Suzukaze, serialized in the magazine .hack//G.U.: The World, and published in paperback format.... more>>

It follows the experiences of a female Edge Punisher, Midori, as she hires herself out to players who want to fight her without resistance <<less

“The World” is a massively multiplayer online game played by more than twelve million people across the globe. Within this virtual world Haseo, a PKK... more>> (Player Killer Killer), continues an endless fight. Everything he does is for the sake of the girl Shino, who back in the real world, is hospitalized by an unexplained coma. However, on finally meeting with his sole lead, a PK called ?Tri-Edge,? Haseo is dropped back to Level 1 by a mysterious power! Can Haseo save Shino now that he has lost all of his abilities? <<less

The setting for this story is a country town in 1970’s Japan. One day, Saijo-kun, one of the biggest trouble makers of our school, was caught speeding on his scooter. As his friends, “we” commenced our counterattack on the local resident police officer. Our opponent was a newly appointed, motivated, and young Chuzai-san (resident local police officer). Chuzai-san kept getting back at us with his clever counterattacks! To boot, this Chuzai-san had a young and beautiful wife! Our prank war escalated, and its circumstances wrapped the whole town in confusion. This is the heartwarming (?) story about “our” relationship with “Chuzai-san.”... more>>

Two volumes of novel were published in April 2007. A live action movie is also being planned. <<less

A comedy of exploration unfolds between two individuals caught in a mutual crush—a love comedy bound to induce sighs!... more>>

"So, a friend asked me… what type of girl is Sota into?"

Troubled second-year high school boy, Sota Sedaka, finds himself one day receiving an unusual consultation from his childhood friend and crush, Noa Fujishiro.

"Noa…! Could it be that this is…?"

"N-no, it's not! I told you, it's just about a friend!"

With this approach, even the romance-inept Sota knows the drill.

In other words, could it be that Noa is also into Sota? However, on another day, Sota ends up being confessed to by another girl. Was it really just "a friend's talk" after all? But Noa keeps coming closer, and who on earth is this "friend" they are talking about!? <<less

Ichimonji Hayate, aka Monji, is an energetic ordinary highschooler. Chatting about nothing with his best friend Kirika, going home with the senpai that he admires,... more>> and spending peaceful days... that's what he thought. One day, he met a mysterious girl, and suddenly she gave him a cellphone called D-phone. It was "actual fact" about gathered urban legend site, linked to the "8th world." He was chosen to be a main character of "100 stories." To Ichinoe Mizue, a new transfer student whisper to him "why didn't you answer to the phone?" <<less

"Ehh...Uhmm...long time no see, sir"
(.......No way)... more>>

Komamura, a bachelor salaryman, has been entrusted to take care of his cousin, Kanon, A Gal JK.
Just as he was wrapping his head around the sudden change in his life as he went on with his work—

“Can I stay with you overnight?”
“Hey, I really think it’s better for you to head back home......”
“That’s the last thing I would ever want to do.”
(................)

He was in the city when surprisingly, responsibility came rolling in—
When he met the Runaway JK, Himari, at a loss on what to do.

“Kazu-nii, Himari. I made sukiyaki tonight.”
“Komamura-san, I-I’ll be washing your back.....!”
“All of you just go to bed!”

Their abrupt cohabitation that came out of nowhere.
A heartwarming home love comedy that’s spun from living with two high-school girls <<less

Noda has never wanted to be a source of disappointment or shame to his family. Raised in a pious, conservative household, he knew he had certain expectations to meet. Get a job, find a wife, have children- these were to be his destiny. But Noda has a secret. 10 years ago, he had a torrid s*xual affair with an acquaintance, a male acquaintance. Noda had kept himself from getting to know Wakasugi too well, hoping to distance himself from emotional entanglements. After all, it had to end sometime s two men couldn't carry on a forever type of relationship. When it got too personal, Noda pushed Wakasugi out of his life.... more>>

Now, Noda is all alone in his newly built house. His wife has left him, and they've had no children together. Then came the unexpected phone call from Wakasugi. Feelings buried for ten long years were given an opportunity to be laid to rest. But the outcome was not as either man expected, as passions that had simmered for ten long, lonely years insist upon a reckoning. Is Wakasugi ready to risk his heart again, and can Noda find the courage to step out of the closet he has locked himself and his emotions into? Two hearts reach across time and emotional distance to feed the fever that burns... <<less

One day, high school student Ryou Aomi loses his childhood friend and first love, Mia Morisaki, to illness, and is suddenly summoned by a hero and transferred to another world.... more>>

A few weeks later. He begins to think that there is a possibility that Mia has been reincarnated in this world, but his life is taken away as a person who brings disaster.

However, just before his soul is about to be extinguished, he activates his only gift, "Ikiru Ryuten," and is revived as the strongest being in the world.

『If you are reborn in another world, please meet me again...... and love me again.........』

After changing his name to Siryu and becoming an adventurer, Siryu sets off on a journey to another world where danger and adventure await him, in order to fulfill the promise he made to Mia.

Is the girl he meets there the reincarnation of Mia? <<less

A message affixed to the door of a flower shop saying, "I will choose the flower that suits you best."... more>>

The clerk will select and introduce the flowers that suit the customer, but there are only strange flowers that are not found in any other flower shop.

Not this one, nor this one. I was strangely attracted to one flower.

So what of the flowers that weren't to your liking? If you don't need them, then let's dispose of them. <<less

Born to a house where women were only seen as tools to birth children, I was already in my twenties. I was standing on the crossroads of life.... more>>

At my fingertips were close to fifty photos of different men. They were the marriage partner candidates my father had prepared.

Those who took the initiative and volunteered because they wanted his company, and those that were recommended to strengthen our ties with other companies. There were various reasons, but I was to marry one, and build up a child.

That was my reason for existence in this house.

I don’t think I can love another.

I wonder how everyone believes in something so shapeless as love. It was only a marvel to me.

That I couldn’t do something any standard person could must be because I was a person who was never properly loved.

I put a break on the countless unanswered questions I held since my birth, and stared down at the photos around me.

That I chose him was truly a coincidence. <<less

“You haven’t done anything lately. I don’t need you anymore,”... more>>

One day, Zenos was told by Party Leader, Aston.

Zenos is a favela-born healer and does not have an official license. Still, he was desperately honing his skills to get back for the party that had picked him up

In fact, if a friend was injured even slightly, he would be treated immediately. And he can also use protective magic, auto-recovery magic, and ability-strengthening magic that were hard to do, and Zenos' Party would be named as if they were invulnerable.

However, the party members misunderstood that those who weren’t hurt as they got stronger and started to think of Zenos as baggage.

And they started to think that the presence of Zenos, who did not have an official license and came from the favela, was just suck on party fame.

After being kicked out of the party, Zenos saves the life of elf-s*ave girl who is badly injured.

“I’m still alive…? I thought I was dead. ”

“Haha, this much is just a scratch.”

“… Amazing.”

After helping a elf girl, Zenos decided to open a clinic as a dark healer on a street corner.

Even though he did not have a license, his treatment was not trivial, even rumors about the dark healer helping the weak and earn a lot money from strong people spread by word of mouth, finally reaching the royal palace.

Meanwhile, Zenos’s party suffered defeat and was seriously injured due to the absence of a good healer.

However, even if he was told to come back now, he had made it so that they would charge high maintenance fees for people they didn’t like… Can you guys pay your bills? <<less

Let’s start a “battle” between the hated me and the invisible senior.... more>>

“You and I are all alone, is there anything we can do to save each other?”

Fujishiro Toya, a first-year high school student, got into a dispute and was suspended from school right after he entered school. There are rumors that he is a wicked delinquent at school after his suspension, and none of his classmates even make eye contact.

While spending his high school life alone, he meets a beautiful senior, Akane Yunagi, at the old school building.

As he interacts with Akane, she learns that she has serious troubles with her. One day, after the virtual self appeared, no one recognized the real Akane. I want to help my only senior who believed in me! Toya tries to save Akane by himself, but…?

A coming-of-age story about two people who lost their place together and regain their “place to be”. <<less

Will you marry me?... more>>

Alice, a poor girl who has been oppressed for years in the kingdom of Welbeza, made a once-in-a-lifetime confession.

But the one who accepts is the next duke, whom she's never met before!
Arthur Grindelwald is a man of great beauty.

The beautiful Arthur Grindelwald has a gentle smile and affirms her lack of confidence.
And he swore he would do anything for her?

With such good fortune, Alice sets out to become a duchess.

The road is hard, and there is no shortage of people who take advantage of her weakness.

But no matter what happens, Arthur's love for her burns brighter and brighter. ......

She's not the only one to fall in love with him.

No one will ever touch you again.

(......Why do you love me so much?)

A sweet and heavy story about two people with a secret past. It's a miracle, a royal Cinderella story! <<less

All women in the near future were managed by men.... more>>

Women are regarded as possessions of male individuals, national enterprises, and corporations, and are used for various things as well as domestic animals.

Men are relieved from various risks of having wives and children so far, but women are turned into animals, and are always naked because they do not have the right to own clothing.

This is a story about the everyday life of men living in such a world. <<less

Keiichi Morisato was a typical college student, a failure with women, struggling to get through his classes, and in general living a pretty nondescript life.... more>> That is, until he dialed the wrong number and accidentally summoned the Norse goddess Belldandy. Not believing Belldandy was a goddess and that she could grant his every wish, Keiichi wished for her to stay with him forever. As they say: Be careful what you wish for! Now bound to Earth and at Keiichi’s side for life, the lives of this most un-normal goddess and most lucky human will never be the same again. <<less

Even in the future, all the advances and innovation in the world can’t change the dynamics of the school playground. And for Haruyuki Arita, a... more>> fat kid in junior high, that means he’s destined to always be at the bottom of the food chain, prime pickings for the school bullies. But when he encounters the beautiful Kuroyukihime, an avatar in the virtual world where he relaxes, Haruyuki’s life is turned on its head as he dives into Brain Burst, a mysterious computer program, and the Accelerated World with her help. And it’s in the Accel World that Haruyuki casts off his depressing reality and takes hold of the chance to become a Burst Linker, a knight to protect his princess! <<less

In order to save the world, adventurer Lindy entered the Demon Forest to seek the Seven-Coloured Jewel. When she was captured by demonic tent**les, her... more>> guild member Sharozen appeared. After being bathed in the light of the Jewel, he realised his feelings for Lindy. He then proceeded to assault the Lindy before him …… and so goes the simple yet perfect ero ero tale. <<less

Daikichi Yoshikawa, a sophomore in high school, witnesses his childhood sweetheart, Akari Beniya, cheating on him. When he asks her about it, she simply admits it and leaves him.... more>>

Akari tells him that he is not masculine enough, so Daikichi begins a two-week survival program on his grandfather’s deserted island to learn how to be a man.

A few days before his time on the deserted island is about to end, he discovers a beautiful girl named Yukiho washed up on the beach. She is a national idol, but Daikichi, who doesn’t watch TV, thinks she is just a beautiful girl and helps her.

This triggers a confession from Yukiho to Daikichi. Soon the two start dating.

The relationship between Yukiho and Daikichi becomes known throughout Japan through national TV.

Naturally, it catches the attention of Akari.

Then, after all this time, she pressures Daikichi to get back together. <<less

I am Americaine, daughter of the Duke of D'Vogue. I am the fiancee of His Highness, the Crown Prince.
I was reincarnated in this world... more>> similar to the otome game I was addicted to in the past as a villain.
What I wish for is the happiness of His Royal Highness. To that end, I have continued to harass the heroine, aiming for the happy ending between her and His Highness. And today was the day of my conviction. <<less

High school student, Ryoi Takashi, plays a VRMMO, Al Gate Online as a samurai, he was then blown into a world that is similar to... more>> Al Gate Online. An elf hero has decided to become his family, with a pet wolf, he can have adventures with the woman swordsman, while holding modern knowledge, it’s his story of wandering in a different world. <<less

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

High school senior, Junya Sawa, gets a new classmate when Uzuki Kobayakawa, the heir to notorious crime syndicate, transfers to his school. The other students... more>> in Junya's class all keep their distance, giving Uzuki a wide berth, however Junya soon becomes good friends with him. Gradually, the two become attracted to one another, but Uzuki's educational "advisor" admonishes him, telling Uzuki that the world he must live in has no room for Junya, and the two are separated. Then, 8 years later, still holding that wound that never healed, the adult Junya reunites with Uzuki... <<less

Takechi Shigeto needs medicine for one of his patients, but can't afford it. a childhood friend sees his problem and pays for it for him.... more>> However, the medicine must be paid back at a cost.. <<less

Akikan (”Empty Can”) is the unlikely story of high school boy Kazuichi Souda, whose can of melon soda magically transforms into a human girl. More... more>> "akikan" girls begin appearing, each of them needing to be infused with carbon dioxide from their respective drink types to survive. The akikans were created as part of the 'Akikan Elect' to determine whether steel cans or aluminium cans are superior. The akikans must battle each other until only the strongest type is left standing. <<less