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

In the spring of 1998, Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School. In class, he develops a sense of unease as he notices that... more>> the people around him act like they’re walking on eggshells, and students and teachers alike seem frightened. As a chain of horrific deaths begin to unfold around him, he comes to discover that he has been placed in the cursed Class 3 in which the student body head count is always one more than expected. Class 3 is haunted by a vengeful spirit responsible for gruesome deaths in an effort to satisfy its spite. To stop the vicious cycle gripping his new school, Kouichi decides to get to the bottom of the curse, but is he prepared for the horror that lies ahead…? <<less

A universe known as Luofu exists in the Kingdom of Heaven. It would appear every 100,000 years and be destroyed in another 100,000 years. Every... more>> single organism in this universe would be stuck in this endless loop of life and death every 200,000 years. Until one day, a young man that had already died hundreds and thousands of years ago awakens in Hidden Sword Tower... <<less

Toru lost his most of his memory in an accident. He can’t remember anything that happened from the past six years. But with time, yet... more>> he struggles, he slowly recovers his memory. He feels as if he is a different person now, and he hates “the other guy” – the “himself” from six years ago… And thinking, Fujishima was his friend, felt like he was being watched over like a guardian angel but in the end he’s betrayed. Miserable and emotionally drained, Toru is trying not to relive in the shadow of his past. He is trying to move on with his new life… but harder he tries, he finds himself being pulled in by Fujishima. <<less

Fujishima’s wound he suffered from protecting Tooru has healed and he’s finally been released from the hospital. Their life together starts again once more. Tooru... more>> wants them to live together as lovers, but Fujishima refuses, saying “I have no intentions of loving you.” Is Fujishima afraid of Tooru remembering something in particular if he regains his memories? The bonds of the past are finally becoming clearer... <<less

After losing his memory in a serious car accident, Tohru Takahisa is taken in by Fujishima, an older man who claims to be his friend. But the taciturn Fujishima refuses to reveal anything about Tohru’s past! Despite the gulf between them, a strange and awkward tenderness grows, even as they are held apart by the tragic events of Tohru’s forgotten past! Dramatic, heart-wrenching romance and tragedy combine in a gripping story where the past and present are intricately entwined.... more>>

Reading order of the series:
Cold Sleep
Cold Light
Cold Fever <<less

April 10th. Yesterday was the last day of spring vacation, so starting this morning it was a school day. After being woken up by his cute little sister, Itsuka Shidou believed that it would be the start of another normal day. As for predicting the chance meeting with the girl who called herself a spirit......... more>>

Along with a sudden shockwave, the townscape vanished without a trace. In a corner of the street which had now become a crater, the girl was there.

"?You, have you come to kill me too?"

She is the disaster that will destroy humanity, a monster of unknown origin, and a being rejected by the world. There are only two ways to stop this girl: annihilation, and conversation. His little sister Kotori, wrapped in a military uniform, thus said to Shidou: "Since it's like this, just go date her, and make the spirit fall for you!" "Wh.. whaaaaaaaat!?" Enter a new age of boy meets girl!! <<less

Long ago, a powerful demon lord ruled over the people until an equally powerful hero rose up to defeat him. To counter future threats, Rosewood... more>> Academy, a school for heroes-in-training, was created. Today, Rosewood Academy enrolls only the best of the best, and Arnest Flaming is the best of them all. The top student in the school, a dutiful girl nicknamed "Empress of Flame," she has an irritating encounter with a light-hearted boy in the school hallway one day who seems to equal her powers, though she's never seen him before. He introduces himself only as Blade, and Arnest soon finds out not only is he transferring into the school as a new student, but she is personally requested by the King to help him settle in to daily life in Rosewood Academy. <<less

Ludenberg Lavante was a genius. Born of noble lineage, he received admiration from all, and his future seemed nothing but bright until he was forsaken... more>> by the gods. Unable to awaken the divine power that everyone in the Solemnute Empire could, Ludenberg became distrustful of others due to those who turned their backs on him. One day, he met a mysterious woman in his dream, who told him he was destined to be consumed by evil. Waking from this unsettling dream, Ludenberg found himself confused. He checked the date and frowned. Today was the day he was to enroll in the Imperial Academy, Solemnute Adem. <<less

Yu Sui and Shi Luo met each other when they were much younger. One was a pro-gamer, a widely-renowned, best of the best, in-game medic. The other was an e-sports newcomer who was just starting out. The two originally played for the same team, during which their relationship became increasingly deep.... more>>

But things did not go as expected. Yu Sui went to Europe and Shi Luo changed his in-game job to become a striker. The two belonged to different teams and different divisions, with oceans between them, each doing wonderfully …

They had become two tigers on separate mountains. The last thing anyone expected was for Yu Sui to return to the domestic league two years later. There was no way to avoid it and the two met once again. <<less

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, surrounded by neighbors, no, strangers who looked at us with sneering eyes. My father, he was a hoodlum and my mother a lady of the evening or for better or worse, a harlot. I thought it was normal, that this life I lived was normal. After all, this was the only life I’ve ever known.... more>>

Though most of the time, they hardly bothered over my well-being and dread going home, home to that deserted house. Gradually, I began to hate life… or so I thought ‘till a girl of my own age, yet older than me, appeared like a spring flower.

Her name was Qing Qing and she was born in the middle of winter.

I call her Big Sister Qing Qing.

When she smiled, she had those two sweet dimples adorning her cheeks as her pair of beautiful long hair shone under the rays of the sun. Her pink pleated skirt was an elegant contrast to her white and fragrant figure.

Looking at her… my heart thumped…

I think she stole my heart without notice, without me knowing.

And I fell hard. <<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

After being soundly thrashed by the hero Emilia, the Devil King and his general beat a hasty retreat to a parallel universe…only to land plop... more>> in the middle of bustling, modern-day Tokyo! Lacking the magic necessary to return home, the two are forced to assume human identities and live average human lives until they can find a better solution. And to make ends meet, Satan finds gainful employment at a nearby fast food joint! With his devilish mind set on working his way up the management food chain, what will become of his thirst for conquest?! <<less

I never want people to hate me. In my previous life I lived and behaved with that kind of thoughts, but it wasn’t until later that I realised that such thinking won’t make anyone like me in the end. Unfortunately, I was killed in an accident. But fortunately or unfortunately, I was reincarnated as Regis, a villain in a world similar to the game I used to play.... more>>

In this world, I discover that I can see people’s likeability, but because I am a villain, I am hated by everyone around me.

Because of this, I cannot train in sword and magic. The situation is worst than in the previous life.

But I don’t want to be someone that everyone hates like in my previous life, I want to live a life where people love me

But I don’t want to force myself to read the atmosphere like in my previous life. I don’t want to be swept away, I want to live positively.

I also need to train in sword and magic, so that I don’t die. <<less

It details the life of a mid-rank soldier who died at the very end of the war against the Demon Race. Fortunately for him, he... more>> wakes up to find that he’s a baby again, in the embrace of his real mother, years in the past. Determined to avoid the chain of tragedies that took his beloved ones away from him, he takes advantage of the advancements in swordsmanship and magic that developed during the war (as we all know, wars are when many scientific breakthroughs tend to happen), and tries his best to prepare for the demon invasion as well as strengthen himself with maximum efficiency. <<less

On my third year of being a fangirl to the male protagonist.... more>>

I was caught by the tyrant Duke Hades Louvremont, who was a fool for his son.

"Constantly following me, offering expensive gifts, and even desperate enough to go all the way to the north regardless of the dangers in here..."

"I'm very sorry. I have nothing more to say."

"Alright, I concede. I can't pretend to be oblivious anymore."

"...As expected, I'm your ideal man, aren't I? I don't think I've ever witnessed such devotion."

"Many women have long been pursuing me, but I've never seen anyone as persistent as you. It's rather fascinating. Of course, we can proceed with the marriage as soon as possible."

"Hah...?"

"By all means, I'll do it."

"I-I'm sorry, what?! What did you say?"

...What did he mean by that?

I must've heard that wrong, right?

Yet the duke let out a bloody smile at my blank face and gave me a proper confirmation.

"I said I'll do it. I'll marry you."

Oh my god.

The hero's father is extremely narcissistic! <<less

“Do you love me, Sheemon?”... more>>

“Of course, Leila,” he said, looking at her tenderly.

But this love was a farce.

Leila Hessus was betrayed by her own sister and fiancé, the two people she cared most in this world. And when she was at death’s door, soon to die by the hands of her lover, flashes of regret smeared across her face.

As she jumped to her, a black shadow appeared.

“It’s me, Miss Leila.”

He held her in her arms tight, careful to not let her go.

“I’ll protect you. I’ll be your tool for vengeance.”

Will she be able to live a life without regrets? <<less

One day, I fell down and remembered my past life.... more>>

It’s actually a reverse harem novel where my sister is the main character, and I was the daughter of the mad blood-devil Duke Chrysis. I didn’t mean to get involved with Duke Chrysis, but my sister’s illness deteriorated rapidly and I was forced to visit him as his daughter…

“My daughter doesn’t have to kneel for anyone. Even if this was the Emperor of the Empire, you wouldn’t need to bend your knees.”
Duke Chrysis, who had no blood, no tears, was a little strange.

“If you cry before my sister’s eyes, you’ll only die.”
My angel-like sister, Aria, also blackened for some reason.

“You’re the one who saved my life, and you’re responsible. Have you forgotten the night you spent with me?”

“I’ve admired you for a long time. Can’t you give me a part of you?”

“You don’t want to be Queen? Then you will be the King. I’ll be your husband.”

“People think I’m the Pope who serves the Sun God, but do you know that God is you to me?”
They were the fishes of my sister’s fishing grounds.
Was the world crazy? <<less

I’d been reincarnated as the heroine of a predictable third-rate harem novel. I decided to live as the heroine and enjoy my comfortable life with the hero… but what kind of romance is this?! Having a soldier for a boyfriend, there was a constant stream of women surrounding him... and all kinds of incidents occurred. So now I was trying my best to live a normal life. I broke up with my boyfriend and married a man I’d met during a blind date but… What? My husband is the demon king?... more>>

“Ha, what do you have your guard up for? Are you scared that I’m going to do something to you? I can see that you’re scared.”

“Why would I be scared?”

“What?”

“What would you be able to do to me? Don’t flatter yourself, I’m just uncomfortable.”

“I want you to be mine, but that seems to be impossible.”

…. No matter how much I think about this, everything seems to be wrong. <<less

[Apocalypse] + [Rebirth] + [Hoarding Supplies] + [Surviving] + [Infinite Space] + [Dark Revenge & Non-Saintly]... more>>

The world enters an Ice Age, ushering in an icy apocalypse where 95% of humanity perishes! In his past life, Zhang Yi was killed by those he had kindly helped, due to his benevolent nature. Reborn a month before the ice apocalypse, Zhang Yi awakens a spatial ability and begins to hoard supplies frenetically! Running out of supplies? He empties the warehouse of a super-mall worth billions! Uncomfortable living conditions? He constructs a super-secure dwelling comparable to a post-apocalyptic fortress! As the apocalypse arrives, while others freeze like dogs and would abandon anything for a bite to eat, Zhang Yi lives even more comfortably than before the apocalypse.

Green Tea b**ch: "Zhang Yi, let me into your house, and I promise to be your girlfriend."
Rich Second Generation: "Zhang Yi, I'm willing to trade all my wealth for a meal at your place!"
Beastly Neighbors: "Zhang Yi, you should share your supplies with us, don't be so selfish!"
......
Watching these people who betrayed him in his past life, Zhang Yi lies comfortably in his safe house, living a carefree life as if in a paradise.
Zhang Yi: "Why should I care whether you live or die? I wouldn't give you my things even if it was to feed dogs!" <<less

Qiaosheng, you are the one who saves me, yet you are also the one who gives me hell. If we cannot grow old together, I’d... more>> rather we’ve never met before. <<less

Bai Muchen had it all — not only was he the most renowned martial artist of the Nine Heaven continent, he even had the Five... more>> Meridians of Tianling and was engaged to Xuan Qingzhu, the beautiful daughter of his mentor. But everything falls apart when he’s set up by his fiancé and mentor during a cultivation session, and he is killed.
Reborn as a young man named Xiang Nan, the heir of a declining family, can Bai Muchen get his revenge? <<less

Asada Yuzuru’s regrets. It was Mizuno Ai, the sweetheart in middle school. I like Ai. But she suffers from her freedom. A romance in the past high school. The love between the two gradually became a thing of the past and should become a memory. However, in the summer of his first year of middle school, Ai reappears in front of Yuzuru.... more>>

“I like Yuzuru.”

……With the same help as before. You can’t convey it unless you put it into words. But I can’t understand it from words alone. The two opposites collided and passed each other… What was the answer that was finally found? A love story and dialogue between a boy and a girl who have regrets. <<less

I came here with only the goal of revenge.... more>>

I overthrew the Tulkan Empire, a single nation that dominated the continent.

I had always succeeded in gaining victory. I had accomplished all I needed to and was satisfied.

That’s why I accepted my approaching death. I no longer had a reason to live.

And so my heart stopped beating.

I definitely felt it stop.

However, what in the world happened?

“It’s not black magic and it doesn’t seem like an illusion either.”

A boy with short, black hair was reflected in the mirror.

I looked exactly like when I was 14, which was 20 years ago. A young boy, who hasn’t lost his baby fat yet, patted his cheeks and murmured, “How is this possible?”.

I had returned.

To the time filled with my regrets. <<less

“Why should I only marry one man?” the female emperor declared. ... more>>

“In past generations, the emperor has had at least five concubines, and an average of fifteen. Now that I am emperor, I should have at least five concubines too. The son of a chancellor? The successor to a powerful family? If they are good, send them to the harem.

“My favorite one will become the male empress.” <<less