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

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

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

As a precocious child, Lycoris suffers from a strange sense of deja vu. On the day her father told her about her fiancé, she realizes that her fiancé was a character from an otome game she once played in a previous life.... more>>

“I am the heroine’s rival from the game?

And in the bad ending, I get stabbed to death?

What a joke.”

A story in which the protagonist is determined to avoid a yandere situation. <<less

The wife is first, the country is second, and the husband is of lesser importance.... more>>

All of his life was spent riding a war horse and accomplishing meritorious military services. But what was the result? In the end, he was cast aside once he had served his purpose.

Out of selfishness, he had favored his consort and neglected his wife. Ultimately, the one who stood by his side was the wife that he had neglected for 10 years…

After being reborn, Jing Shao decided to repent and turn over a new leaf…

Standing outside the door while holding a pillow, Jing Shao gazed at the sky. He must first mend his relationship with his wife. Jing Shao formed a fist and knocked on the door, “Jun Qing, I know I was wrong, let me in!” <<less

One day, I was reading in the courtyard as usual when a beautiful woman flanked by handsome men at either side approached me with fear... more>> in her eyes. <<less

Julietta, born as an illegitimate child of a nobility, is raised in an opera theatre to hide away from the eyes of the noble’s main wife.... more>>

To pay back her debt, she turns into a servant and challenges the high paying job that nobody could withstand.

But her special charm could not be hidden with clothing, as she catches the attention of the crown prince. Unlike other woman who flock to him, she was brutally honest. But why was he so bothered by her? <<less

Pet shop owner Tang Wan was accidentally reborn into an interstellar world. When he opened his eyes, he found himself automatically married to a vegetable via the StarNetwork. A social status worth ten billion yuan; but with an unconscious husband, he was unable to withdraw any money. Tang Wan held the empty position of the First Gentleman, but was, in fact, a poor man.... more>>

In order to secure his future livelihood, Tang Wan was bound to the “Earth Pet System” and returned to his old business, with the goal of saving money, getting a divorce, and looking for a second spring!

After thousands of years of evolution, Earth’s energy depletion had long been abandoned to the distant corners of the Milky Way. All of the animals in the galaxy had evolved tremendously, and little furry cute ones only lived in textbooks. When Tang Wan and his cute little ones appeared, they became the treasures of the whole universe! The pet shop soon became famous in the interstellar world, and the whole universe lined up to be cat s*aves~

Finally surviving past the compulsory marriage period, Tang Wan happily took off the diamond ring worth billions: he can finally sell it for money!

However, Tang Wan could never have imagined that when he sat down at the dining table on a blind date with some fresh meat, the vegetative partner that he had come to an agreement with would suddenly open his eyes.

Gong: I heard you sold your wedding ring for one billion yuan?

Tang Wan reached out and pushed him down on the bed: Open what eyes, quickly close them. <<less

Shimada Atsuro, a classmate of mine, is an exceptionally pitiful person. The most pitiful thing, though, is having someone like me around at a time... more>> like that. <<less

Pure and kind teacher x dark student with S&M play.

A sweet, naïve young man hands out candy.

The notorious imperial court lackey and the meritorious military general were well-known for their mutual dislike, a pair of arch-enemies set in stone. Who could have foreseen the unexpected change in the winds of heaven: the general injured on the battlefield, both legs disabled, and even forced by the emperor to marry his nemesis. ... more>>

With one marriage edict, two people with mutual hostility are forced to marry and live under the same roof. Yet after these long days together, they come to the realization that this fellow is not truly devoid of any saving grace/unattainable and high out of reach. <<less

“Can’t I properly read stallion novels anymore!”... more>>

Shen Yuan transmigrated into someone who’d tormented the young male lead almost to death, the scum villain Shen Qingqiu.

It must be known, the original Shen Qingqiu ended up being carved alive by his disciple, Luo Binghe, into a human stick, a human stick!

Ten thousand “f*ck your moms” rampaged through Shen Qingqiu’s heart:

“It’s not that I don’t want to cling to the male lead’s thighs, but who made him so f*cking black. The type who seeks thousand-fold retribution!”

Why have all the female lead’s scenes been forcibly given to him.

Why, as a scum villain, does he need to constantly sacrifice himself, blocking knife and gun for the protagonist!

Shen Qingqiu: “…I think I can still save him, one more time.” <<less

One day, Miyako got a love letter for the first time in her life. The sender was a classmate of hers- the timid boy from her class. Curious about her first love letter and having a boyfriend, she started falling in love with him. ... more>>

However, he was a little… “sick”.

She was naive. She didn’t know that their sweet affectionate time will pass by soon. <<less

I have experienced all the eight sufferings of this world.... more>>

I do not ask for nirvana, but for you.

Wild and hard-to-tame demon (gong) X Cold, ascetic and childish immortal (shou) <<less

After rebirth, Long Xiaoyuan went into raptures because he was in poor health in his previous life. However, he suddenly found that his soul was in the body of a fatuous and self-indulgent emperor.... more>>

This fatuous emperor put sycophants in important positions while executed the faithful and the upright!

This merciless emperor married the son of a general and kept torturing him!

How could he be reborn as such a person?

The empress was pretty handsome and smart. Since the former soul of the emperor didn’t cherish such an excellent man, Long Xiaoyuan would love the guy and save himself by the way! <<less

All of a sudden, the man covered his eyes with his hand and mutedly laugh towards the sky. His smile was inconsolable and despairing. The falling rain had assaulted his throat while laughing before he finally lowered his head and broke into a bout of violent coughs. His eyes welled up with tears, but he continued to laugh.... more>>

That laughter was more woeful than crying itself…

They were never his, to begin with. That gentle smile. That caring look in the eyes. That comfort of embrace…

They were never his! Never, ever had been!!

He was just a clown! Laughable and expendable!

The main character had already made his appearance. His current self wasn’t even worthy of being a substitute. Not to mention, he was dirty and broken. His face was now disfigured.

So.… He had arrived at this world, lost his status, and lost his loved ones only to become a vessel―a vessel that temporarily carried the breath of life for another. And he thought that he could undertake that someone else’s relationship. <<less

Though it felt a little awkward to be my good brother’s aunt, it was really exciting to find out how handsome and rich his uncle... more>> was. <<less

Made up background, fake dog blood gangster, real “dumb white sweet.”

She is the dark side of the world’s first beauty, shaped by the heart.
He gave birth to a face similar to that of the First Beauty, but could only be exiled to Xiao Qianjie.... more>>

Later, she became the flayer of many people.

Today, she is still in trouble

Flayer: Your uncle is still your uncle

The old lady can go on for another five hundred … No, five thousand years! <<less

Soyun come to the place for outlaws called "Wonderland". Though she knew a lot about this place, but it existed only inside a book she... more>> read in her previous life on Earth. Crude and violent, smelling of blood and decay - she found a perfect place to dwell in... for broken human experiment subject like her. To dwell here until the moment Alice Liddell, the true protagonist of the story, come and a novel's story finally begin.
Soyun become White Rabbit here, completely replacing previous one by killing him heartlessly. Among crazies like King of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Twins, Cheshire and others... she is white-haired ice-hearted White Rabbit with enormous physical power, deep inside hoping to return home, back to Earth. <<less

The 7-year-old little crybaby met 11-year-old big brother who ran away from home.
[This man became the protector of redemption in his life]... more>>

The 16-year-old little dragon fell in love with a 20-year-old big brother.
[It’s a pity that the big brother didn’t recognize him as the little crybaby]

The 23-year-old single father and 27-year-old chief executive meets again.
[This time the little crybaby and his big brother are finally together]

Fortunately we met through hundreds of millions of people, Thank God, for letting us break through many obstacles and get back together again, falling in love with you and being with you again is the greatest fortune in my life. <<less

The little princess was caught by a pair of demon brothers and lived a life of brewing sauce.

As a new anchor of StarTV, Yu Yan’s ruthless tr*sh-talk, natural rifle-shooting skills, and character of never searching houses earned him a big crowd of fans.... more>>

He felt like he was a good anchor who treated all fans of his stream equally—you can suck at the game, you can get knocked down, but if you want the gun in my hand, sorry, no way man.

Until he heard the voice of the streaming platform’s Big Boss.

Yu · ultimate voice-con · Yan: I’m not familiar with this game, swap my Kar98k for your Mini-14.

Yi · brand new noob · Chen: En.

Friend: Daddy, I want to snipe too!

Yu Yan: I think this frying pan suits you very well.

Not-a-very good gamer but dripping with money and looks Big Boss vs Cute, super good tr*sh-talking gunslinger voice-con Anchor. <<less

The six prefectures of Zhongbo were offered to foreign enemies on a silver platter, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to a drowning dog* loathed and condemned by all. Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over. But instead of setting others on him, he kicked Shen Zechuan with his very own leg, rendering the latter an invalid. Who would expect this invalid to turn around and bite him in a counterattack until he was all drenched in blood? That was the start of an epic feud between both men who tore at each other every time they come face-to-face with one another.... more>>

“Fate wants to bind me here for life, but this is not the path I choose. The yellow dust submerged my brothers deep under. I have no wish to bow in submission to an illusory fate. The imperial edict can’t save my troops, and the imperial court can’t fill the stomachs of my mounts. I’m no longer willing to lay down my life for this purpose. I want to surmount that mountain. I am going to fight for myself.”

Note : a 'drowning dog' is someone who is down and out, having lost favor or power. <<less