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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

--- Now, let's kill the girl and save the world!... more>>

The world has been shattered. As a result of the most dreadful of diseases that afflicts only girls --- the 《Labyrinth Disease》. That's why the students are taking lessons. Lessons for the purpose of killing the girl. Learning magic, figuring out the map of the labyrinth, forming teams, and studying the weakness of the girl...... The time limit is 6 hours. If the girl isn't killed within that time, then the world gets destroyed.

"I have no interest in the world at all so please spare me. Frankly, it's really suffocating." Together with the one who said these words, the most horrible protagonist in history, enter the world of whizzing magic and surging youth.

A school fantasy in labyrinth raiding, begins here! <<less

ANOTHER, is a 7 volume side story non-canon for the series set in an alternate timeline split off after the events of Volume 9. The... more>> novels are short extras bundled with each BD release of Season 2. <<less

In his young life, Takeyuki has never really known hardship. The youngest son of a wealthy family, he has never had any difficulty getting anything... more>> he desired. Now, though, Takeyuki is enjoying his last month of freedom before he begins working at his father’s import company in Tokyo, and he has decided to spend that time with his brother and his sister-in-law in Cassina, a small country in the Middle East. Little does Takeyuki know that his prideful manner will soon land him in hot water! In Cassina, some dangers are very real and some people are not who they seem. For example, who exactly is the charming, majestic man who won’t stop staring at Takeyuki during their flight to Cassina, and why do his blue eyes make Takeyuki feel like his chest will burst? <<less

As a child, Kyoichi Utsume was spirited away, but somehow he returned to our world. Now in high school, he's a loner famous for his... more>> all-black outfits, his arrogant attitude, and his extensive knowledge of the occult. Then one day, he meets her, and things between the two worlds are never the same. <<less

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

Set after the events of Queen's Blade, this is the story of the Princess Knight Annelotte, and how she gathered comrades to stop the tiranny... more>> of the Queen.
Published originally in the Hobby Channel website. <<less

High school student Mikoshiba Ryouma was summoned to a different world for the sake of helping his summoner wage wars. Sensing the malice from the... more>> one who summoned him, he reacted by killing the summoner, one of the most important people in the empire. After the escape, he rescues a pair of twin sisters from the hands of bandits. The sisters who can use magic, swear to serve him as subordinates. Thus, Ryouma begins his journey on the path of the supreme ruler. <<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

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 the darkness stands a girl draped in pure white. Don't let her innocent appearance fool you; her hands grip a glistening scythe. Momo is... more>> the dark messenger of death who, along with her wisecracking cat named Daniel, is tasked with releasing humans from their mortal bonds and delivering their souls to the great beyond. First encounters with Momo always end in farewells. <<less