Betrayed by his lover and abandoned by mankind, the race he saved, Rohen gave up all hopes in life.... more>>

Returning to the past, he laid down his sword and allowed the world to perish as he stood in the side. Just as man turned his back on him, he, too, will do the same.

This was his pledge.

But, his view changes little by little when he meets a girl wielding the same scars as him.

She changes him… heals his broken scar without notice.

***

Looking at Rohen, his body torn and mangled, she burst into tears and asked, “Why… why didn’t you run away?”

He heard her sweet voice. It calmed him. She protected him.

Rohen laughed. “Because you’re here.” <<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

The end of mankind and its doom was right around the corner. Narvas, a giant asteroid, was on the path to colliding with earth. To avoid mankind impending doom, Kiwoo broke through the miraculous odds and  journeyed through the ages of time.... more>>

"...Native Americans?"

However, much to his expectations, Kiwoo arrived in the native lands before the discovery of the New World! For man to survive, civilization needed to develop faster and quicker before the collision of Narvas occurs. Under his guidance, the native land was reborn as an empire of the natives and not as colonial land ruled under eurocentrism. <<less

In the world of fiction, Ariel finds herself mysteriously transported into the pages of an adult novel she had kept hidden, assuming the role of the tormented female protagonist who had suffered at the hands of the male lead.... more>>

But Ariel refuses to accept her fate and decides to rewrite her own story. Determined to break free from the male lead's control, she resolutely declares, "Your body belongs to me," as she confronts the charismatic antagonist.

As Ariel embarks on her quest to reshape her destiny, she is willing to embrace the reputation of a merciless and captivating saint if it means seizing control of her own narrative. <<less

Seventeen year old Hajime Nagumo is your average, everyday otaku. However, his simple life of pulling all-nighters and sleeping in school is suddenly turned upside... more>> down when he, along with the rest of his class, is summoned to a fantasy world! They're treated like heroes and tasked with the duty of saving the human race from utter extinction. But what should have been any otaku's wet dream quickly turns into Hajime's nightmare. While the rest of his class are blessed with godlike powers, Hajime's job, Synergist, only has a single transmutation skill. Ridiculed and bullied by his classmates for being weak, he soon finds himself in despair. Will he be able to survive in this dangerous world of monsters and demons with only a glorified blacksmith's level of strength? <<less

Song Qian was the famous "Sesshomaru" in the underworld, the top assassin in the Red Lotus Assassin Hiring Center.... more>>

On her eighteenth birthday, she sneaked into the presidential suite to enjoy a night! She met a hooligan with great fighting capacity...

"You know who I am? Carefully I kick your ass!"

"pu*sy cat, maybe you are the one!"

An hour later, "From now on! You are my Enemy No.1!"

...

Six years later... She pretended to be a male bodyguard to get her daughter back. Her daughter was addicted to handsome boys.

“Why you are blushing? Why you don't pee?” He approached her slowly.

"Emm... Boss Pei, you didn't wash your hands after..."

"Bodyguard Song! If I change my s*xual orientation because of you, you should be responsible for me!" <<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

Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller envisions a nightmare scenario: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part... more>> of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violet exploitation when first published in Japan—where it became a runaway best seller—Battle Royale is a Lord of the Flies for the 21st century, a potent allegory of what it means to be young and (barely) alive in a dog-eat-dog world. <<less

He was a powerful man who could control everything in the city! She promised to be his mistress only for revenge...

When the kingdom of El Pasa fell into abysmal ruins, Princess Beatrice of El Pasa assumed the identity of Chloe to survive.... more>>

But then, a man known for his exquisite appearance and coldness appeared and stirred up the peaceful life she led in s*avery.

That man was Alexandro Graham — the same man who was the sole reason of her kingdom’s downfall. <<less

Sleeping with him for three years, she received nothing but a check and a letter of dismissal. How could he know she required nothing but... more>> his love... <<less

ML: Xi Nianchen, the mysterious CEO behind the scenes of the business empire, with his noble status and arrogance, he is surrounded by beautiful women, but he only treats her differently.... more>>

FL: Gu Shengxia, a poor girl tripped by the arranged marriage controlled by her father, in low status, unpopular, she always tries to get rid of the oppression of men.

Three years ago, they got married under the arrangements of their parents, they were set up to sleep together by someone tricky. The next day after the wedding, Xi Nianchen confirmed that Gu Shengxia was the one who have planned all these stuffs, so he elope with another women!

But the thing he said completely broke her heart and made her decide to leave: “This is your true purpose, right? Having another child so you can inherit Xi’s property! ”

Five years later, the tender woman turns into a noblewoman in uppertendom, coming back to the country with a cute kid, she smiles proudly and says: “Haven’t seen you for a long time, Mr. Xi.” <<less

Begging for a warm night on bed, she lost her dignity. Rough treatment, no foreplay. It's all because of her bit*h bestie...

A near future, where humans have been defeated by the viral parasites named Gastrea. They have been exiled into a small territory and live in despair, side by side with terror.... more>>

In this world trapped in darkness—

Rentaro, a boy living near Tokyo and member of the "Civil Security" – an organization specializing in fighting against the Gastrea – is used to accomplishing dangerous tasks. His partner is Enju, a precocious young girl. They fight thanks to their peculiar powers until one day, when they receive a special assignment from the government. This top secret mission is to prevent the destruction of Tokyo...

Set in a near future, this thrilling heroic-action story... starts now! <<less

Rock (Okajima Rokuro) was just a normal Japanese businessman, but through a series of unlikely events, he found himself part of the "Lagoon Company," a group of transporters who do a little pirating on the side. Together with Dutch, Revy, and Benny, he sails the seas of Asia aboard the modified torpedo boat "Black Lagoon."... more>>

Their base, the lawless city of Roanapur, is just barely balanced on the brink of outright war, controlled and occupied by criminal organizations from across the globe. At the head of the pack are Balalaika of Russia and Chang of Hong Kong.

Our story finds Roanapur just a little while before Rock, with Revy in tow, is due to head back to his old home of Japan.

It is a tale about soldiers who once fought united under a cause in a land of sandy winds, the strictly personal reunion of a captain and her one-time subordinate... <<less

This is a typical story of love and betrayal between a mafia boss and an undercover cop.

On her wedding day, she is betrayed by her sister and her fiancé. ... more>>

But she has to choke down this insult for the family’s face.

Shen Jiayi, who has been a well-behaved girl for over twenty years, chooses to indulge herself one night.

Originally thought it is merely physical, while she is spoiled by him so much! <<less

A plot tied them together. She's drunk and pretty high in the bar! To keep her safe, he took her to the hotel... So, the... more>> next step? <<less

My husband cheated on me, so I did the same to him in revenge. I hired a gigolo... And he always appeared around me!

Song Zhong’s parents were the geniuses of the sect. But they were apparently killed while on a mission when he was barely 6. As he apparently did not excel in any of the 5 elements, in fact, all 5 elements are in balance in his body. Thus, our fatty is deemed to be tr*sh and does not deserve the respect his parents had.... more>>

He is allowed to have one task, to collect garbage of the sect until he reaches the initial test-age where he has to prove that he is worthy to stay in the sect.

Our fatty has no choice but to cultivate the only heritage his parents gave him. A mysterious black pearl.

Unfortunately for him, this pearl seems to be only useful for… collecting garbage… <<less

When he finished taking a bath and got out of the bathroom. He saw a woman lying in his bed, and he frowned displeasantly. No,... more>> he doesn't need a woman. But she's so tantalizing... <<less

The formless ancient world was infested with despicable demons. They hunted and feasted on mankind, keeping the human civilization constantly in a weak and suppressed state.... more>>

During the first known year, a magical mountain descended into the world from the realm of the Gods. Carved on this enormous mountain was a message: ‘Heaven Prevails’…

After the Grand Descent, a name that was given to the descending of the mountain, the Three Great Sages made their ways to Mystic Mountain where they learned to harvest what we now call magic, establishing the Mystic Cults and eighty-one sacred shrines to help aid mankind with the cult’s mystic powers against the eternal fight to the death with demons. <<less

Youth Wei Qian, orphaned at thirteen or fourteen, struggles through life with a half-sister. He picks up a street child who shamelessly latches onto him and gives him the name Xiaoyuan.... more>>

Wei Qian dreams of rising above the crop. He is someone who values money over his own life. In the earlier part of his life, he battles against many obstacles, with his number one mission being to make a name for himself. Finally, when he achieves some success and thinks that he’s seeing the light of daybreak in life, Xiaoyuan suddenly goes crazy. <<less

Evil Lord Li Zong had wanted to refine the four supreme dragon souls to break through his own realm, but he never expected that he... more>> would bring the power of the four supreme dragon souls back to three thousand years ago when he was a teenager! He had killed all his enemies in advance in his previous life that he had not been able to avenge in his previous life, and he had been unable to posture in time. He would offer everything he had in this life! <<less