AI buster, the prequel to .hack//SIGN, is the story of Albireo,a debugger, who used to play ‘Fragments,’ the beta version of ‘The World.’ Albireo encounters... more>> Lycoris, whom he assumes is an event NPC (an AI character) but she’s actually a failed version of Aura. She is blind, deaf, and mute, because Albireo debugged her and broke up important files. The missing files are hidden as items in the World, and when returned to Lycoris, she gets a function back. When she gains them all, she changes into a teenage form with purple hair who looks like Aura. Because of his acquaintance with Lycoris, Albireo cannot log out of the game and exit the World. <<less

.hack//CELL is a novel series written by Ryo Suzukaze, serialized in the magazine .hack//G.U.: The World, and published in paperback format.... more>>

It follows the experiences of a female Edge Punisher, Midori, as she hires herself out to players who want to fight her without resistance <<less

“The World” is a massively multiplayer online game played by more than twelve million people across the globe. Within this virtual world Haseo, a PKK... more>> (Player Killer Killer), continues an endless fight. Everything he does is for the sake of the girl Shino, who back in the real world, is hospitalized by an unexplained coma. However, on finally meeting with his sole lead, a PK called ?Tri-Edge,? Haseo is dropped back to Level 1 by a mysterious power! Can Haseo save Shino now that he has lost all of his abilities? <<less

Ichimonji Hayate, aka Monji, is an energetic ordinary highschooler. Chatting about nothing with his best friend Kirika, going home with the senpai that he admires,... more>> and spending peaceful days... that's what he thought. One day, he met a mysterious girl, and suddenly she gave him a cellphone called D-phone. It was "actual fact" about gathered urban legend site, linked to the "8th world." He was chosen to be a main character of "100 stories." To Ichinoe Mizue, a new transfer student whisper to him "why didn't you answer to the phone?" <<less

"Ehh...Uhmm...long time no see, sir"
(.......No way)... more>>

Komamura, a bachelor salaryman, has been entrusted to take care of his cousin, Kanon, A Gal JK.
Just as he was wrapping his head around the sudden change in his life as he went on with his work—

“Can I stay with you overnight?”
“Hey, I really think it’s better for you to head back home......”
“That’s the last thing I would ever want to do.”
(................)

He was in the city when surprisingly, responsibility came rolling in—
When he met the Runaway JK, Himari, at a loss on what to do.

“Kazu-nii, Himari. I made sukiyaki tonight.”
“Komamura-san, I-I’ll be washing your back.....!”
“All of you just go to bed!”

Their abrupt cohabitation that came out of nowhere.
A heartwarming home love comedy that’s spun from living with two high-school girls <<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

Let’s start a “battle” between the hated me and the invisible senior.... more>>

“You and I are all alone, is there anything we can do to save each other?”

Fujishiro Toya, a first-year high school student, got into a dispute and was suspended from school right after he entered school. There are rumors that he is a wicked delinquent at school after his suspension, and none of his classmates even make eye contact.

While spending his high school life alone, he meets a beautiful senior, Akane Yunagi, at the old school building.

As he interacts with Akane, she learns that she has serious troubles with her. One day, after the virtual self appeared, no one recognized the real Akane. I want to help my only senior who believed in me! Toya tries to save Akane by himself, but…?

A coming-of-age story about two people who lost their place together and regain their “place to be”. <<less

Will you marry me?... more>>

Alice, a poor girl who has been oppressed for years in the kingdom of Welbeza, made a once-in-a-lifetime confession.

But the one who accepts is the next duke, whom she's never met before!
Arthur Grindelwald is a man of great beauty.

The beautiful Arthur Grindelwald has a gentle smile and affirms her lack of confidence.
And he swore he would do anything for her?

With such good fortune, Alice sets out to become a duchess.

The road is hard, and there is no shortage of people who take advantage of her weakness.

But no matter what happens, Arthur's love for her burns brighter and brighter. ......

She's not the only one to fall in love with him.

No one will ever touch you again.

(......Why do you love me so much?)

A sweet and heavy story about two people with a secret past. It's a miracle, a royal Cinderella story! <<less

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

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

Akikan (”Empty Can”) is the unlikely story of high school boy Kazuichi Souda, whose can of melon soda magically transforms into a human girl. More... more>> "akikan" girls begin appearing, each of them needing to be infused with carbon dioxide from their respective drink types to survive. The akikans were created as part of the 'Akikan Elect' to determine whether steel cans or aluminium cans are superior. The akikans must battle each other until only the strongest type is left standing. <<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

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

Allison is an adventure series set in a world containing one continent (extending roughly from the Equator to 60 degrees North latitude) which is divided down the center by a towering mountain range and a huge river. The industry and technology of the world are roughly equivalent to Europe in the 1930s. Due to the geography, two cultures developed on either side of the divide, and at the time the story begins, the cultures have been at war on and off for hundreds of years. The bloodiest conflict yet began thirty-five years before the start of the story; both sides are so exhausted by the conflict that an uneasy armistice is signed after some five... more>> years of fighting. Aside from a brief conflict over the jurisdiction of the river, resulting in the formation of a buffer zone on either side, this peace has largely been unbroken. The east side of the world is known as Roxche, though formally the region's name is the Roxcheanuk Confederation. The entire region comprises sixteen countries which all speak a common language. The west side is known as Sou Beil, though formally the region's name is the Allied Kingdoms of Bezel Iltoa. The region comprises the two kingdoms of Bezel and Iltoa which both serve to bring together a small number of countries under a common language different than that of the eastern region. There are far more blond-haired people in the West than the East.

At the beginning of the first novel, Allison, a pilot in the Roxche Air Force, has come to visit her childhood friend Wilhelm ("Wil" for short), who has remained at school over his summer break to continue his studies. While traveling in the countryside near the school, the two encounter an old man well-known to Wil's schoolmates as a teller of tall tales. Nevertheless, he captures their interest with his talk about a "treasure" which, if found, is said to be able to put an end to the war. No one would believe him that the war between the countries could ever end, so no one listened to him. When the old man is abducted and taken over to Sou Beil, Allison and Wil steal an airplane and chase the abductors across the river into the next region. Fortunately, the two were raised as orphans by a woman who came from the West, and thus can speak both languages. <<less

Seiya Kanie is a good looking, perfectionist boy who is forced by the mysterious Isuzu Sento to visit an amus**ent park named Amagi Brilliant Park, which is in serious financial trouble and about to be closed forever.... more>>

The park is actually staffed by refugees from a magical realm called Maple Land, and the park is a facility for harvesting magical energy from visitors while they’re having fun. As such, the park is the only way the refugees can maintain their existence in the human realm.

To save the park from closing, Seiya is hired by the owner, Latifa Fleuranza, to use his skills in entertainment to become its new manager. However, to not lose the land to a real estate agency, they have only three months left to attract 250,000 visitors, a feat that seems impossible given the park’s current situation. <<less

The cool, attractive chemistry teacher Kuroki reaches out to the timid, lonely Tomoya. He forces his man-heat into Tomoya's sensitive body at school and on... more>> the train they commute by together; forcing Tomoya to drown in lustful pleasure. Pleasure and shame turns into attraction, and Tomoya begins to bloom. As his lonely heart trembles at this unpredictable love, the always kind Sakisaka sweetly approaches him... The men's ecstatic love hungers for Tomoya's affection. <<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

If I gracefully accept the fate that will happen, my heart will definitely feel at ease.... more>>

Until I fall in love with you on that day. <<less

Ichiro Sato formerly suffered from a case of youthful delusions of fantasy and grandeur, which caused him to be bullied throughout middle school. Now in... more>> high school, he strives to be a normal student. Unfortunately, his teacher has entrusted him with the care of a girl with a similar case of delusions. <<less

Douglas is an adventurer who uses an axe as a weapon, a very serious and hard-working man who has lived an unrewarding life. One day... more>> he is betrayed by his teammates in the depths of a dungeon, and almost loses his life. In the midst of his despair, he finds an axe, a fearsome weapon with mythical power. After this great find, his life changes drastically from that day on. He becomes a man loved and adored by three beautiful girls. The forty year old adventurer begins a journey to become a hero to be envied by all. <<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

Main Story volumes:
1: Nagareyo Hikari, to Majo ha Itta (流れよ光、と魔女は言った)
2: Horobiyo Tama, to Shishi ha Hoeta (滅びよ魂、と獅子はほえた)
3: Yomigaere Mukuro, to Miko ha Sakenda (蘇れ骸、と巫女は叫んだ)
4: Messeyo kono Omoi, to Kanojo ha Naita (滅せよこの想い、と彼女は哭いた)
5: Samayoe waga Genmi, to Mouja ha Umeita (彷徨えわが現身、と亡者はうめいた)
6: Todokeyo kono Nikushimi, to Shounen ha Nadashiita (とどけよこの憎しみ、と少年は涙した)
7: Shitagae waga Shukumei ni, to Otome ha Tsubuyaita (したがえわが宿命に、と少女は呟いた)
8: Hibikeyo waga Inori, to Otome ha Etta (響けよわが祈り、と少女は笑った)
9: Shizumeyo Koigokoro, to Ame ha Maiorita (沈めよ恋心、と雨は舞い降りた)
10: Tonaeyo Yasuragi no Uta, to Hoshi ha Kiita (唱えよ安らぎの歌、と星は輝いた)... more>>

Side Story volumes:
1: Mahoutsukaii de Ikkakusenkin! (魔法使いで一攫千金！)
2: Jutsusha no Mezame ha Usagi no Dansu!? (術者の目覚めはうさぎのダンス！？)
3: Yomiji ha Tsuranaru Bankokuki! (黄泉路へつらなる万国旗！)
4: Futago no Shiiku mo Gin Tama Jidai! (双子の飼育も銀玉次第！) <<less