The story is centred around a cute android who initially had a happy life with her master who dearly loved her. But she was then... more>> struck by a series of misfortunes and ended up in a robot-equivalent of concentration camp. Through experiencing and witnessing the sufferings towards herself as well as the people/robots around her, she eventually gained a better appreciation of life. <<less

The world has advanced to a stage where most of society has been left to human-shaped robots known as hIEs. A 17 years-old youth, Endou... more>> Arato, met with the android Lacia one day and became her owner. Although looking no different from a normal human at one glance, she was actually one of the five Red Box android created by a Super Intelligent AI which boasted of abilities beyond what the world has seen—. The five each have their own will and begin fighting each other to exert them. Between the adults who can do nothing but watch as the fight unfolds, and the youths who have begun to form a new relationship with them. What is it that connects these far too advanced androids and the human world? Just what is important and vital in this age where everything has become convenient and what is the relationship between humans and object, the choice that Arato makes for the future having met Lacia who far surpasses human is—. <<less

Sasami Tsukuyomi is a high-school shut-in who often stays at home and is doted upon by her older brother, Kamiomi. However, due to unknowingly possessing... more>> a god's power, Kamiomi's habit of trying to appease Sasami often puts the world into chaos, while the three Yagami sisters try to put a stop to it. <<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

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

“Impossible… Why are you not following my orders!? Clearly I s**ked your blood, why!?”... more>>

On the very first day of high school, the youth subscribing to the philosophy of “absolutely ordinary everyday life,” Kujou Hisui, encountered disaster head on: He was attacked by Rushella Daamu Draculea, the vampire who had lost her memory. Rushella was greatly intrigued to find her vampire powers ineffective against Hisui. Not only did she make Hisui’s home her own, she even enrolled in his school to stick to him–

Hisui had no choice but to help Rushella regain her memory. But before one crisis could be resolved, many more had risen. With tempting advances from the mysterious Sudou Mei, and kidnapped by the girl from the Supernatural Investigations Section in search of Rushella, Hisui’s ordinary life has been replaced by its complete opposite, drama–

Romantic comedy and supernatural action in a school setting! <<less

A number of university students are given a simple survey in which they must watch a number of short films and rank them in order... more>> of preference. The reader takes the survey along with them with the short films being told as short stories. <<less

A special extra volume of Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? released with the anime DVD / blu-rays.

A collection of short stories by Otsuichi which resembles a Zoo with its many short stories covering different topics, settings, and genre.... more>>

Identical twins brought up in the same household where one is treated like dirt and the other a princess.

The last man on the planet builds a robot to bury him as he muses about his own impending doom.

A family tries to find their father’s spare blood as he bleeds to death after having been stabbed by a kitchen knife.

And many others. <<less

Due to various "reasons" having to leave his parents and living alone, is Kirimura Seiji. With his classmates and a very beautiful bishoujo named Fuyuki Youko (a forceful girl which actually wants the Kirimura Seiji for herself), he barely manages to pass through "normally" each day.... more>>

Until one day, falling out of the sky, is a girl wearing gothic attire. This cute little girl is called Yuu, and she claims to be a vampire. Her appearance is due to the fact that she is searching for her thousand year old reincarnated lover.

Originally he thought that she was raving mad, but never in his farfetched dreams would he have expected to find a Rabbit butler (Sekitoku) and a Steel Maid-en (Koshizu) (a combination android/maid) would appear to retrieve her (Yuu the vampire) home. With these new arrivals, Kirimura Seiji's daily "normal" life is over, and triggers the beginning of his "very abnormal, love life". <<less

A semi-serious school action story revolving around the main protagonist, Tomoharu Natsume. He is haunted by his childhood friend, Misao Minakami, who became a ghost... more>> ever since he barely survived an airplane accident three years earlier. Tomoharu Natsume takes the opportunity to live on his own when he enters high school in his new place of residence, Meiou-tei, and starts enjoying a carefree high school life. His life changed when a beautiful girl named Kurosaki Shuri appears with a trunk which she claimed Tomoharu's brother, Naotaka Natsume, asked her to deliver to him. The presence of the trunk causes the appearance of Takatsuki Kanade, a girl dressed like a shrine maiden who is after the trunk. Tomoharu is in possession of the trunk, which reveals secrets about the world they live in. <<less

It was the bond between humans and humanoids that changed the world.
The Non-fiction Novel "No Collar: Part One" won a literary award. What is... more>> the thought behind the Afterword? <<less

Aki Konishi, a normal office worker, is suddenly transported to another world after her sister is kidnapped by the Demon King. There, she encounters a... more>> handsome hero, a charming mage, and a beautiful young priest. As Aki gets involved in the battle between the hero and the Dark Lord, her ordinary life takes an unexpected turn. <<less

Levi. A Transmigrator, Traveled through the Marvel World and accidentally stumbled upon the Kamen Rider Legacy System.... more>>

As the result, he silently established his position as a pillar of this world, standing atop the legacy he got from Hiden Intelligence, World Tree, Shocker and many other sources!

The consortium X will stand atop this world to rule it! <<less

​Kimihiko Kimizuka has always been a magnet for trouble and intrigue. For as long as he can remember, he’s been stumbling across mu*der scenes or receiving mysterious attache cases to transport. ... more>>

When he met Siesta, a brilliant detective fighting a secret war against an organization of pseudohumans, he couldn’t resist the call to become her assistant and join her on an epic journey across the world.

...Until a year ago, that is. Now he’s returned to a life that is normal and tepid by comparison, knowing the adventure must be over.

After all, the detective is already dead. <<less

Captain Eugene was once a hero of space warfare. After being abandoned by his command, he is caught in a space-time tidal wave on his final mission and crash-lands on a world he has never heard of, Murim. ... more>>

Having been plugged into an unknown force, he quietly tries to repair the ship and return home, but it's not easy. "I've finally found a dragon!" "Where can I get some of that delicious holy water?"

They mistake the ship for a dragon, or Coke for holy water, and even when you say something to save them the trouble, it's wrong.

"I am the manifestation of a demon god!" But is there such a thing as a real demon religion? Eugene is a spaceman who wants to avoid a twisted future. <<less

Taking off the heavy and magnificent crown and robe, he met him in Paradise thereafter.

The Secret Society Kisaragi has one mission: world domination! They claim to be an evil organization, but their scientist is eccentric, their hot female generals wear little clothing, and they’re surprisingly concerned about the fate of the world!? ... more>>

No. 6 is a Combatant for Kisaragi, meaning his body has been reconstructed to be stronger and obey the orders of the generals. His latest mission? To do recon on an unknown alien planet with his new partner, the deadpan android Alice. There, he meets a busty female knight...riding a unicorn!? Thus begins their hilarious invasion of a magical fantasy world! <<less

In the cyberpunk era, corporate alliances dominated the world, and both the humans and witches were ens*aved by advanced technology, becoming nothing more than fuel... more>> for society. Unwilling to become a company dog, Xu Yang decided to run away, while saving the cute and powerful witches from the giant enterprises, together they embarked on a road of innovation! <<less

※Attention: ‘Set-ups’ exist in this story.... more>>

-----------------------------

Have you ever wished to become a doll?
When something makes you sad, have you ever found your aching heart annoying?
I have.
Since when have I been living as a doll?

Since when?
Since when have I considered myself not the real deal?

-----------------------------

Japan is at risk because of terrorists called ‘the Neoepicureans’.

A girl attending a girls’ school in Tokyo — Kōko meets another ‘girl’. If you can call her a girl, that is. ‘She’ is an android.

Targeting the android — Ichigo — are those who unveil themselves as ‘magicians’. Deeper and deeper, Kōko is pulled into the battle for Ichigo behind the curtains. Out of the sight of the everyday person, fights unfold between ‘magicians’.

This story is a yuri fantasy set in the modern age, told by the mysterious speaker ‘Metako’.

— If you found a heart weeping, what would you do? <<less

My childhood friend who lived next door since preschool, Ja Saeyeon. On the outside, she appears like an adequately pretty girl who’s like a drawing, but only her body has grown; she was a girl whose mental age was truly that of an elementary schooler. We’d spend time together from time to time, but Saeyeon’s parents, who were often not home, would pay me to take care of her, so we merely had a ‘work’ relationship. But this time her spoiled behavior was more severe for some reason. She fretfully asked for me to sleep together with her since she was too scared to sleep by herself. I even sang her a lullaby, but she... more>> thought that I was going to run away so, with great care, she asked if we could sleep while holding hands. We then slept together. Really, seriously, we merely slept while only holding hands.

But the next morning⎯⎯⎯there was a young girl lying down between us?! <<less

The life of a cyborg, programmed to protect his overprotective older brother and ordered to conceal his identity from his classmates.... more>>

Part serious, part comedy; plot deepens as it goes on. <<less

After the world was recreated countless times, a world that would not be destroyed was created. This marked the beginning of the City era.... more>>

From Berlin to Detroit, this series tells the stories of the unique cities that came to be in that world.

It was Kawakami's debut series and it takes place in the final era of Kawakami's light novels, which include Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon and Owari no Chronicle. <<less

Aizawa Seiji, an ordinary teacher, finds himself transported to another world with his entire class.... more>>

In that other world, demon kings are running amok and “the power of young and brave warriors” is needed to subjugate them. However Seiji is 28 years old, so he cannot be considered as a “young and brave warrior” and he ends up becoming a burden for the class.

Each of the students is given an ability called a “cheat,” but Seiji’s cheat is called “Repair,” which allows him to fix broken things and for some reason his power doesn’t work.

Seiji and his students went to an ancient ruin to train by killing monsters, but in order to protect the student from the sudden attack of a minotaur, Seiji acts recklessly and is left behind alone.

When Seiji confronts the minotaur prepared to die his cheat activates, and he repairs the “broken android maiden Brunnhilde” who suddenly appeared from the ancient ruins.

Brunnhilde, who has defeated the Minotaur with her overwhelming power and calls Seiji her master, and when they escape from the ruins, they find themselves in an unknown land.

Seiji takes Brunnhilde with him on an adventure through another world, in order to return to his students.

This is the story of a humble teacher and a mechanical girl who travel around fixing broken things. <<less

To oppose the deceitful world and save the lonesome princess—the young man raises the flag of rebellion.... more>>

The Anti-vampire Combat Automata, “Byakudanshiki”—the five siblings created by the genius machinist from the Principality of Helweiz, Professor Byakudan, were the heroes to save Europe from the invasion by the vampire army…… or so, they were supposed to be.
The “failed unit”, Minazuki the Sixth, wakes up after ten years to confront a reality that stupefied him.
His five siblings had their names engraved in history as “Carnage Automata” due to a rampage incident which was never supposed to occur.
Moreover, the Grand Duke signed a peace treaty with the Vampire Lord that turned the Principality into the only Republic in the world where humans and vampires live as equals.
Through the encounters with the daughter of the deceased professor, Kanon, and the Vampire Princess, Rita, Minazuki gradually gets used to this new “everyday”.
However, the curtain rises when the creeping tendrils of conspiracies entwines around him and the girls.

The Rebellio of the Machina starts now—. <<less