Set in early-20th century China, this story takes off in the port city of Tientsin (Tianjin) that is divided into lands called concessions and owned... more>> by several foreign powers. Shen Liangsheng is a charismatic and cunning playboy, a son of a rich businessman, who has profits as his top priority. He meets Ch'in Ching, an average school teacher who appears mild but actually holds a patriotic heart for his home. The two cross paths and sparks fly. But will their love hold strong through the imminent forces that will tear the country apart...? <<less

Bai Pingting has always been contrary to the saying, “A woman’s virtue is ignorance.” ... more>>

Although she serves the Marquess of Jing-An as a maid, she leads a life far richer than most women. Her plain appearance is not what defines her — but her intelligence, far beyond many wise men.

Although Chu Beijie was an enemy general, she still cannot help being attracted to this man, despite the many lies and conspiracies…but between love and loyalty, she must make a choice. She can only hope that man’s love for her isn’t as deep as she thought.

One is a soul who seemingly destroys peace while the other aspires to be the sword that saves. Between them, lies a mountain of hate…

Who of the two most cunning people on earth cast the trap and just who captured the other? <<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

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

I possessed a character with an intelligence of 100 in a classic medieval fantasy land-grabbing game.... more>>

An intelligence score of 100. That meant my predictions were always accurate.

However, since I was physically weak and didn’t quite understand why that was the case, I thought it best to just live quietly.

But then… leaders who began to recognize my ability started to become obsessed with me. <<less

The Herhardt household’s masterpiece.... more>>

The young owner of a heaven-like place called Arvis.

The beautiful bird slaughterer.

Matthias von Herhardt.

His perfect life- completely swallowed, crushed, and shaken-

by his lovely bird.

Leyla Lewellin.

–

Cut, locked, and tamed her wings.

In order to keep Leyla Lewellin in custody, Matthias did not hesitate in his actions.

Because he did not hesitate, he did not regret.

Because he did not regret, he did not reflect.

Because he did not reflect, he did not apologize.

When his beautiful bird, Leyla Lewellin, opened her cage and flew away, Matthias decided.

“If I am to lose her forever and can’t get her back, I’d rather kill her.” <<less

I became the apostle of the god who presides over swords and war.

“Do you love me, Sheemon?”... more>>

“Of course, Leila,” he said, looking at her tenderly.

But this love was a farce.

Leila Hessus was betrayed by her own sister and fiancé, the two people she cared most in this world. And when she was at death’s door, soon to die by the hands of her lover, flashes of regret smeared across her face.

As she jumped to her, a black shadow appeared.

“It’s me, Miss Leila.”

He held her in her arms tight, careful to not let her go.

“I’ll protect you. I’ll be your tool for vengeance.”

Will she be able to live a life without regrets? <<less

“…Some crazy bas**** is standing in front of my house again.”... more>>

My house is a jewel shop, but someone keeps bringing injured people to my front door. They were so meddlesome that I treated them while swearing at them. Others wished that I would get along well with them.

“Didn’t you save the head of an assassination guild last time?”

“She’s a woman.”

“Oh, what about the vicious loan shark who owns that place worth a billion marks on Second Avenue?”

“She’s a woman too.”

“What about the person who dropped you off in front of your house and left in a noble’s carriage?”

“She’s a young lady as well.”

And then the sixth person came. This was the first time a man came, and a handsome one at that.

“Take it off.”

“What? What? WHAT? Oh … oh, you meant my glasses.”

This man was the final villain of the novel, who had a completely different personality during the day and the night.

During the day, he was simply an innocent and naïve young man.

But at night…

“Why? You asked me to take it off. What should I take off this time?” <<less

“You make me crazy.”... more>>

As he moved his waist, he put his teeth on her shoulder.

It was like being bitten by an animal.

As she leaned her head back, she felt her chest rise. He immediately bit into her breasts and her apex. Up and down, endlessly stimulating.

***

Selena, who grew up under her grandmother who runs an herb store, climbs the mountain to dig herbs as usual. She finds a seriously injured wolf and shows her kindness by helping it.

“Shh, you’re good.”

Laslow doubted his ears.

‘What? Did you just call me good?’

Though he is now in the form of a wolf, not a human, he was a human being, and he was the one who was elected king.

And here stood Selena, treating him like a puppy. <<less

For the first time, he knew that the feeling of being choked by smoke turned out to be the feeling of liking... more>>

Love money like it's fate x love at first sight <<less

On Sarah's first day of work, she gets a call from her boyfriend's number claiming it is his fiance and she is pregnant. To make matters worse, her boss has the same name as her ex boyfriend.
When she see's the back of her boss' head, she hits him with her purse that has two books in it, however when he turns around she realizes she has never seen his face before.... more>>

"Who are you?"
"No, who are you?" <<less

Once a thriving sovereignty, Joachim Empire was now on the path of decline.... more>>

Gin Erhart, who was once an escort boy in a ducal house during his childhood, returned there as a successful capitalist. Having become the adopted son of the Erhart family he once worked for, Gin sought to incite a revolution in the country. At the same time, he was searching for his mysterious benefactor, known as the “Little Pearl,” who supported and cared for him when he was an escort boy, but whose identity remained unknown.

One day, Gin encountered Maximilian Joachim, the Crown Prince of Joachim, at a banquet. For some reason, this indolent and promiscuous Crown Prince knew that Gin was once an escort boy…… <<less

For ten years, he had loved her, but with just one word of "brother," she rejected him completely.... more>>

His dignity was trampled upon, yet she remained indifferent to his feelings. It was only when He Ju finally woke up to the truth that he realized his love was not even worth mentioning in her eyes.

With a plane ticket and a long-planned confession, He Ju finally understood that there were people in this world who loved him foolishly.

He Ju no longer obsessed over the past, and instead focused on the person in front of him.

However, when he achieved success and had a loving wife, his former lover came crying to him: "Brother He..." <<less

In the ignorant Middle Ages, where labor laws do not exist, a guard is hustling again today.

Ezen, daughter of the Crawford family, and Cliff, heir to the Moore family.... more>>

Her mean father destroyed the Moore’s family and captured Cliff to ens*ave and abuse him.

Ezen, who cares for him, helps Cliff to escape from her family.

“Never, never come back. Cliff Moore.”

“You will regret saving me.”

Twelve years later, Cliff returns with immense power and brutally slaughters Ezen’s family, who had trampled on his.

Ezen also tries to accept her death, but Cliff does not kill her, but instead makes her as his wife.

Sleeping with an unknown enemy, a life in which too much has been lost. After suffering, Ezen dies after giving birth to a child.

But…

Even after death, her soul, trapped in Cliff’s mansion, returns to the moment of her death, realizing the unexpected truth.

The man and woman who couldn’t be together in a fierce destiny, a spring breeze permeates their dry hearts. <<less

An intense opera romance created by musical geniuses of enchanting light, brilliant music, and the reverberation of true aspirations.... more>>

The prima donna is the ruler of the magnificent stage. Born in the muddy slums, a woman longs for its glory.

“The stage is a battlefield where you have to struggle. It is only right to survive in this battlefield.”

When the opportunity comes, Rosabella does not dare miss it. She takes the hand of Heinkel, the Emperor of the Opera World who brings her to the stage.

“You are real. A real gem I found.”

Attracted to her intoxicating voice, love in a musical drama blooms between the queen and emperor of the opera, followed by the melody of singing. <<less

Because of some coincidence, the leader of the imperial bodyguards who was supposed to be executed by “the death of a thousand cuts” —— the Yingnu, Xu Lingyun, became the Son of Heaven, Li Xiao’s storyteller, telling him the narrative inside “The Historical Records of Yu.” Alongside Xu Lingyun’s narratives, Emperor Chengzu, Li Qingcheng’s life story gradually appeared inside Li Xiao’s mind: his misfortune on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival that made him have to leave the capital, the war against Xiongnus outside the Feng Pass, how he conquered the entire Western Plains without costing him a single soldier, the imposing army loyal to the rightful monarch's decisive battle on the capital…... more>>

The written and oral history gradually come to an end, while those secrets buried inside the history reappear one after another. Xu Lingyun’s unexpected real identity, Li Xiao’s confusing experience, Emperor Chengzu’s Yingnu, Zhang Mu and Li Xiao’s hidden connection… everything is quietly unveiled!

————

The history and narrative intertwine. Xu Lingyun and Li Xiao pursue one another, looking for themselves. In the end, during this turbulent era, amidst the golden spears, armored horses, and numerous fire beacons, who can stay loyal to themselves? Who can stay true to the truth? Who will get to obtain the rivers and mountains? And who will get to open up a new era? <<less