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

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent... more>> out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally--the female soldier known as the Full Metal b*tch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death? <<less

The light novel is the official prequel to the anime series.... more>>

It tells the story of how Yuri and Hinata meet, how they find out about “Angel” and the other characters and how the SSS was founded. <<less

“Baccano”, which Narita translates as “s*upid commotion”, is Italian for “ruckus”. Each of the stories in the series involves several unrelated plots intersecting and crossing each other as events spiral farther and farther out of control. Immortal alchemists, mafia operated speakeasies, and many other elements of pulp fiction mashed together for a world straight out of the movies.... more>>

It all started 300 years ago on a boat where the alchemists summoned the “demon” in order to obtain the method of immortality. The demon gave the alchemist the liquor of immortality, the only way to die is to pass down the way to produce the liquor.

But the following night, one of the alchemist started to devour his companions. To escape the threat, the alchemists scattered all over the world. In America during the temperance movement, centering around the liquor of immortality, the “s*upid commotion” starts! <<less

For Tohko Amano, a third-year high-school student and self-styled “book girl,” being the head of the literary club is more than just an extracurricular activity. It’s her bread and butter…literally! Tohko is actually a literature-gobbling demon, who can be found at all hours of the day munching on torn out pages from all kinds of books. But for Tohko, the real delicacies are hand-written stories. To satisfy her gourmet tastes, she’s employed (rather, browbeaten) one Konoha Inoue, who scribbles away each day after school to satisfy Tohko’s appetite. But when another student comes knocking on the literary club door for advice on writing love letters, will Tohko discover a new kind of delicacy?... more>>

Bungaku Shoujo won Kadokawa Shoten’s 2007 light novel award for light novels under the mystery category.

Placed 7th (2007) and 3rd (2008) on “このライトノベルがすごい!” (This Light Novel is Amazing!) without an anime nor manga associate.

Novels:

– Main story:

1. Book Girl and the Suicidal Mime

2. Book Girl and the Famished Spirit

3. Book Girl and the Captive Fool

4. Book Girl and the Corrupted Angel

5. Book Girl and the Wayfarer’s Lamentation

6. Book Girl and the Undine Who Bore a Moonflower

7-8 Book Girl and the Scribe Who Faced God

– Short stories:

1-4. Bungaku Shoujo to Koisuru Souwashuu (Episode)

– Gaiden:

1. Bungaku Shoujo Minarai no, Hatsukoi

2. Bungaku Shoujo Minarai no, Shoushin

3. Bungaku Shoujo Minarai no, Sotsugyou

– Last Volume:

Hanjuku Sakka to Bungaku Shoujo na Henshuusha (Muse) <<less

Meet Haruhi — a cute, determined girl, starting high school in a city where nothing exciting happens and absolutely no one understands her. Meet Kyon — the sarcastic guy who sits in front of Haruhi in homeroom and the only boy Haruhi has ever opened up to. His fate is now tied to hers. Meet the SOS Brigade — an after-school club organized by Haruhi with a mission to seek out the extraordinary. Oh, and their second mission? Keeping Haruhi happy…because even through she doesn’t know it, Haruhi has the power to destroy our universe…... more>>

v1 - The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第一巻: 涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱
v2 - The Sigh of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第二巻: 涼宮ハルヒの溜息
v3 - The Boredom of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第三巻: 涼宮ハルヒの退屈
v4 - The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第四巻: 涼宮ハルヒの消失
v5 - The Rampage of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第五巻: 涼宮ハルヒの暴走
v6 - The Wavering of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第六巻: 涼宮ハルヒの動揺
v7 - The Intrigues of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第七巻: 涼宮ハルヒの陰謀
v8 - The Indignation of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第八巻: 涼宮ハルヒの憤慨
v9 - The Dissociation of Suzumiya Haruhi / 第九巻: 涼宮ハルヒの分裂
v10 - The Surprise of Suzumiya Haruhi (First Part) / 涼宮ハルヒの驚愕 (前)
v11 - The Surprise of Suzumiya Haruhi (Final Part) / 涼宮ハルヒの驚愕 (後) <<less

Naofumi Iwatani, an uncharismatic Otaku who spends his days on games and manga, suddenly finds himself summoned to a parallel universe! He discovers he is one of four heroes equipped with legendary weapons and tasked with saving the world from its prophesied destruction.... more>>

As the Shield Hero, the weakest of the heroes, all is not as it seems. Naofumi is soon alone, penniless, and betrayed. With no one to turn to, and nowhere to run, he is left with only his shield. Now, Naofumi must rise to become the legendary Shield Hero and save the world! <<less

Honoo no Mirage (Mirage of Blaze) is a complexly-plotted novel which incorporates a large number of elements, including romantic melodrama, historical politics and supernatural fantasy. Japanese history predominates the heavily structured story-line, which mainly involves the continued aggression between power-wielding guardians ('possessors'), and the denizens of a 'feudal underworld'- a group of restless souls belonging to long-dead samurai from the warring states period who are attempting to re-ignite those age-old wars in present-day Japan.... more>>

Volume Titles:

1: Honoo no Shinkirou (炎の蜃気楼)
2: Aka no Zanei (緋の残影)
3: Garasu no Komoriuta (硝子の子守歌)
4: Kohaku no Ryūseigun (琥珀の流星群)
5: Mahoroba no Ryūjin (まほろばの龍神)
6: Hasha no Ma Kagami 1 (覇者の魔鏡(前編))
7: Hasha no Ma Kagami 2 (覇者の魔鏡(中編))
8: Hasha no Ma Kagami 3 (覇者の魔鏡(後編))
9: Minagiwa no Hangyakusha (みなぎわの反逆者)
10: Wadatsumi no Yōkihi 1 (わだつみの楊貴妃(前編))
11: Wadatsumi no Yōkihi 2 (わだつみの楊貴妃(中編))
12: Wadatsumi no Yōkihi 3 (わだつみの楊貴妃(後編))
13: Yomi e no Kazaana 1 (黄泉への風穴(前編))
14: Yomi e no Kazaana 2 (黄泉への風穴(後編))
15: Hiwa no Ōkoku 1 (火輪の王国(前編))
16: Hiwa no Ōkoku 2 (火輪の王国(中編))
17: Hiwa no Ōkoku 3 (火輪の王国(後編))
18: Hiwa no Ōkoku Reppū-hen (火輪の王国 烈風編)
19: Hiwa no Ōkoku Retsu Tō-hen (火輪の王国 烈濤編)
20: Jūjika o Daite Nemure (十字架を抱いて眠れ)
21: Retsumyō no Hoshi (裂命の星)
22: Sakigake no Maji (魁の蠱)
23: Onshū no Mon Oumi-hen (怨讐の門 青海編)
24: Onshū no Mon Shakkū-hen (怨讐の門 赤空編)
25: Onshū no Mon Hakurai-hen (怨讐の門 白雷編)
26: Onshū no Mon Kurohi-hen (怨讐の門 黒陽編)
27: Onshū no Mon Kōjō-hen (怨讐の門 黄壌編)
28: Onshū no Mon Hakai-hen (怨讐の門 破壊編)
29: Mugen Jōdo (無間浄土)
30: Akaru hen Mokushiroku I Nachi no Shō (変黙示録 I 那知の章)
31: Akaru hen Mokushiroku II Nuno-to no Shō (耀変黙示録 II 布都の章)
32: Akaru hen Mokushiroku III Yata no Shō (耀変黙示録 III 八咫の章)
33: Akaru hen Mokushiroku IV Jinmu no Shō (耀変黙示録 IV 神武の章)
34: Akaru hen Mokushiroku V Tenma no Shō (耀変黙示録 V 天魔の章)
35: Akaru hen Mokushiroku VI Ranka no Shō (耀変黙示録 VI 乱火の章)
36: Akaru hen Mokushiroku VII Nigoyabu no Shō (耀変黙示録 VII 濁破の章)
37: Kakumei no Kane wa Naru (革命の鐘は鳴る)
38: Ashura no Maegami (阿修羅の前髪)
39: Kaminari no Ikusaba (神鳴りの戦場)
40: Senoku no Yoruwokoete (千億の夜をこえて) <<less

Planet Martine is suddenly attacked! The alien invaders are known as the Abh. They are of human origin, but have been genetically modified so that... more>> each Abh has superior talent, skill, beauty, and longevity. Martine's president surrenders completely in the face of the Abh's awesome military power. Through a bizarre twist of fate, his son Jinto becomes a nobleman in the Abh's vast, intergalactic empire. <<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

One moonlit night, Detective Kusaka Daisuke of Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Investigation Department, 1st Division, managed to catch some criminals red-handed in the middle of an... more>> illegal drug deal. Struck by one of the perp's bullets, the detective sought refuge down one of the city's many back alley and stumbled upon a beautiful blond boy. The boy's eyes shone red, his skin unearthly pale like a porcelain doll. He called himself Luca, and against all logic, mysteriously aged into a young man before Kusaka's very eyes! What will become of this chance encounter? Find out in this modern-day fantasy set in the bustling streets of Tokyo. <<less

The official novelization of the first chapter of the manga Viewfinder by Yamane Ayano, originally released as a short story in B-Boy Phoenix in 2007.... more>> Only the first chapter of the manga was ever adapted into prose. <<less

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with... more>> just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine—that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of “Holo the Wisewolf” to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame? <<less

S Vol. 1... more>>

Shiba is a detective in the fifth anti-organized crime division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, a.k.a. “Anti-Gang 5” specializing in handgun seizures. Shiba’s secret weapon is “S” (“spy”), an informant who plays a key role in Shiba’s information gathering. Shiba is training an informant who has been officially accepted into Shinjuku’s Matsukura Group within the Budoha crime syndicate. One day, Shiba awakes to an anonymous phone call. “Watch out for your S.” A tale of two men whose lust, pride and loneliness collide!

S Vol. 2: A Love Bite

Detective Masaki Shiiba's informant or "S," Keigo Munechika, has proven himself to be an excellent source of information. But the payment of s*x for every lead given is taking its toll on Shiiba. But with his new assignment as back-up to a fellow undercover detective, Shiiba learns that there are far worse things than having s*x with your male S--falling helplessly in love with him, for example. S volume 2 continues the drama and passion between a detective and his spy set in the highly-charged underground world of Tokyo.

S Vol. 3: Split

For almost a year now, Shiiba has been using Keigo Munechika as his “S,” his spy, to get information on the gun dealings of the Yakuza world. Shiiba uses his body in exchange for Munechika's sensitive information… and only his body as far as Shiiba is concerned. Shiiba vows their relationship will not go beyond that. But when a rowdy young man with a penchant for piercing and an enigmatic Yakuza leader cross paths with the young detective, sins of the past are unearthed once more-sins that just might shatter the fragile bond between the detective and his “S.”

S Vol. 4: Afterglow

At the end of S volume 3, detective Masaki Shiiba was last seen running away from the hospital room of his injured S, Keigo Munechika. Now, Shiiba has turned in his resignation, bought a gun of his own, and is bent on only one mission--to kill Takanari Godou. He vows to get the truth from Godou, even if he has to throw away his morals and life to do it. But can he do it? Can he shoot another person and commit cold-blooded mu*der for revenge? <<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

One day after school, high school student Meguru Shina is ravished in the train station bathroom by Sasakawa, his math teacher. Usually Sasakawa deceives the world with his slightly dirty white coat and teacher’s mask, but in reality he is a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.... more>>

Starved for love but unable to reveal his weakness due to his own pride, Shina is drawn in by Sasakawa’s sweet words and pleasing techniques. Shina is trapped by s*xual desire. Sasakawa burns with jealousy. The two fall deep into the darkness of a corrupting love… <<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

Suddenly a high school student Subaru Natsuki has been summoned to another world on the way back from the convenience store. With the biggest crisis of his life being summoned to another world and no sign of the one who summoned him things become worse when he is attacked.... more>>

But when he is saved by a mysterious silver-haired girl with a fairy cat, Subaru cooperates with the girl to return the favor. When they finally manage to get a clue Subaru and the girl are attacked and killed by someone.

Subaru then awakens in the place he was summoned and notices the ability he gained “Returns by Death” a helpless boy that only has the ability to rewind time by dying. And beyond the despair can he save the girl from the fate of death! <<less

In the town of Lindworm where monsters and humans coexist, Dr. Glenn runs an exemplary medical clinic for monster girls with his lamia assistant, Sapphee.... more>> Whether receiving a marriage proposal by a centaur injured in battle, palpating the injury of a mermaid, or suturing the delicate wounds of a flesh golem, Dr. Glenn performs his job with grace and confidence. But when an unsavory character seeks to steal a harpy egg, how will the unflappable Dr. Glenn respond…? <<less

The series takes place in an indeterminate time in the future, 500 years after an apocalyptic war between all of Earth’s nations destroyed civilization, when humanity has reestablished itself. ... more>>

In this future world, the Roman Catholic Church has become a major military power, whose goals include the protection of humanity against the vampiric Methuselahs, who war upon humankind (or “Terrans,” as they call humans). Their seat of power is the Vatican, an attractive place with traditional European architecture; it is likely the same Vatican city in the real world (albeit perhaps rebuilt following the previous war).

The Methuselahs are themselves another major political and military force. Their capital of Byzantium (presumably built on the site of the real world’s Byzantium, now Istanbul) appears as an elegant metropolis, surrounded by a field of particles which filters out UV radiation, thus protecting the Methuselah population. <<less

Minoru Utsugi, a teenager who was living a peaceful (if boring) life with his sister-in-law, finds his life changed when extraterrestrial contact grants his dearest... more>> wish, leaving him with the power of "The Solitude." But the ability to realize absolute isolation only plunges Minoru into a battle he never wanted to fight. As his old life comes to an end, he steps into a new role—as the "Isolator!" <<less

On the very first day that innocent country boy, Oyamada Kouta, transfers to a city high school, the prettiest girl in school asks him to meet her alone. They meet in the music room, all alone. Her shining hair and entreating eyes! Her flushed cheeks! Her sweet lips! Her... fox tail?!!... more>>

Who is this mysterious and alluring girl and just what does she want with unsuspecting Kouta? <<less