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

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

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

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

A man who was once called the world strongest agent ended up becoming a teacher after his retirement to train the new generation of agents. After many years of training his disciples, he is killed at the age of 60 by the ploy of a secret organization and was reincarnated in another world with all his past memories.... more>>

Though he was surprised by the magic and the strange species of that world, he adapted very fast to his condition as a newborn and took advantage of it. He acquired special magic and gained a massive amount of strength thanks to his tight discipline in order to reach his goal: resume his career as a teacher which he left halfway through in his previous life.

This is the story of a man who based on the memories and the experiences of his previous life, became a teacher who travels through the world with his new students. <<less

Fourteen-year-old Niko is treated as a ‘disease’ for being gay in his countryside town, and decides to commit su*cide. But that summer night, he is... more>> saved by the carefree attitude of Sakae, a young boy visiting from a faraway city, and starts acting as the trans character ‘Nicole’ to protect himself from bullying. A few years later, Sakae reappears before Niko as a transfer student. He treats Niko, who had reduced himself to playing the eccentric gay, with honesty and kindness, but doesn’t take Niko’s confession crammed with feelings for his fleeting first love seriously, instead making a request for romantic advice himself… <<less

After being summoned in this other dimension world, all of the people that were summoned had their classes awakened. As someone that doesn’t even know English, Kim Sunhyuk had awakened as the lone Dragon Rider. But wait, there are no dragons?!?! They looked down on him, shunned him for being worse than a regular soldier, and called him a dragon-less rider. But little did they know that he would soar the skies on one above them.... more>>

Come forth! <<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

His name is Chen Yuan.
My name is Xu Ji.... more>>

We are not destined.
There is no sequel to our story. <<less

Born as the Princess of War, touted as the Greatest Mage, her name was Leticiel.... more>>

She lost her family and partner to the neighboring kingdom’s invasion. In order to prevent her power from falling into enemy hands, Leticiel took her own life… or that was what was supposed to happen. Instead, she woke up to see an unfamiliar ceiling.

After gathering information, Leticiel realized she had somehow transmigrated into another person living a thousand years after.

To make things worse, she was a talentless lady who was shunned by her acquaintances, family, and even her fiancee.

There were many issues she wanted to complain about, but when she witnessed the magecraft of the world from a thousand years after… “Magecraft Maniac” Leticiel was livid at its lameness.

“The magecraft level in this world is too looooow!!!”

The tale of an eccentric Royal Highness blasting open her path in life using the strongest magecraft, begins! <<less

Flum Apricot never even wanted to leave her village. She would've been content to live out her entire life there in peace. But unfortunately, after... more>> being prophesied by the God of Creation Origin to join the Hero's party and defeat the Demon Lord, she's known nothing but misery. How is someone with stats of zero like her supposed to be of any use? Her only ability is 'Reversal', and not even she knows what that's supposed to mean. The party's sage, Jean Inteige, is also convinced that she has no right to be there, and he knows just how to get rid of her. Through the depths of despair, when the curse finally 'reverses' itself, what will be left of Flum? And what kind of life will she make for herself? <<less

I love you, but I can't be with you. If i can split myself in two, I will be with you.

Hyperthymesia. Those with this condition can remember every detail of their lives from something as significant as the world’s turning point to something as small and as insignificant as a minor fleeting thought. They cannot forget and their thirst for knowledge allows them to be considered genius in some senses.... more>>

Legend has it that Ji Yushi was this kind of genius.

In addition, it was said that he was gay and very beautiful.

As soon as the news that he was going to support Tianqiong’s seventh squad broke out, it sent everyone buzzing.

Everyone knew that the captain of the seventh squad, Song Qinglan, was a hoodlum and deeply homophobic.

He not only relied on his super-powerful abilities to become the dark horse on the battlefield in less than two years, but he also hates it when those at the top forced a flower vase* into his squad.

Sure enough, Song Qinglan announced in front of everyone, “Useful? Us brothers are going out there working ourselves to the bone, we don’t need a little genius who can only speedread quantum waves!”

Later.

The squad was forced into a dire situation during their mission.

That beautiful little genius calmly continued, every gunfire hitting the mark, his fighting power peaking.

Song Qinglan begged in front of everyone, “Adviser Ji, stay.”

In the end, he added, “I’ll work myself to the bone for you.”

*****

Ji Yushi had a secret.

He would often be awake at night, suffering from memory overload and recurring nightmares.

There was only one thing that could let him fall asleep peacefully.

And that was Song Qinglan.

*Flower vase: Someone who only looks pretty but can’t amount to much <<less

“You haven’t done anything lately. I don’t need you anymore,”... more>>

One day, Zenos was told by Party Leader, Aston.

Zenos is a favela-born healer and does not have an official license. Still, he was desperately honing his skills to get back for the party that had picked him up

In fact, if a friend was injured even slightly, he would be treated immediately. And he can also use protective magic, auto-recovery magic, and ability-strengthening magic that were hard to do, and Zenos' Party would be named as if they were invulnerable.

However, the party members misunderstood that those who weren’t hurt as they got stronger and started to think of Zenos as baggage.

And they started to think that the presence of Zenos, who did not have an official license and came from the favela, was just suck on party fame.

After being kicked out of the party, Zenos saves the life of elf-s*ave girl who is badly injured.

“I’m still alive…? I thought I was dead. ”

“Haha, this much is just a scratch.”

“… Amazing.”

After helping a elf girl, Zenos decided to open a clinic as a dark healer on a street corner.

Even though he did not have a license, his treatment was not trivial, even rumors about the dark healer helping the weak and earn a lot money from strong people spread by word of mouth, finally reaching the royal palace.

Meanwhile, Zenos’s party suffered defeat and was seriously injured due to the absence of a good healer.

However, even if he was told to come back now, he had made it so that they would charge high maintenance fees for people they didn’t like… Can you guys pay your bills? <<less

One night a mysterious and unexplained phenomenon occurs in the nine provinces. Five years later Chu Feng, a regular outer disciple of the Azure Dragon school, awakens one of the mysterious nine lightning beasts. And discovers an egg sealed inside him. ... more>>

From there we follow Chu Feng on his path of cultivation. <<less

Makoto Takatsuki is a normal high school student and a hardcore RPG player. However, “normal” goes out the window when his whole class is involved... more>> in a bus crash and whisked away to another world! Powerful gods rule this strange new land of magic and monsters, and every newcomer is blessed with strong stats and unique skills. Well, not quite. Makoto’s stats turn out to be pathetic, and his skills are super weak compared to his classmates’...he’s even stuck as an apprentice mage. Worse still, he’s given only ten years to live! Luckily, Makoto soon meets a minor goddess named Noah, who appears in Makoto’s dreams and asks him to become her first believer. With the help of Noah's blessings and a divine weapon, Makoto seeks to become strong enough to rescue his goddess from the dungeon where she’s been trapped. By training hard and using his weak skills in unorthodox ways, Makoto proves that, even when playing on hardcore difficulty, an RPG player always makes it to the end! <<less

My younger sister who used to harass me has changed! ... more>>

“Me? Tied you up? My sister?”

Why, why are you suddenly speaking formally? She can't even remember what she did!

“It would be good for my older sister to participate in the debutante ball this year too.”

You told me not to go even last year…

“How about a cool-looking guy with black hair who doesn’t seem to get a drop of blood even if he gets stabbed? What about a pretty and delicate young man like a puppy in the rain? There are people who are a little inferior to the two in front of them, but there is one person who is really good!”

She even recited the men’s personal information saying she should know my taste.
No, rather, do I look like I'm going to play with a guy now?

“Will you marry me? Annette of Valois.”

“Annette, Annette, I wish you were a parrot. So that I can watch and raise you in a cage.”

Let's play... It looks like we're going to play...

"Ah, but older sister! That guy can't!!!"

It's all good, but sister, can't you at least tell me why you don’t want anyone?

I wondered why she suddenly became kind, but this little sister seemed to have just come out of the boat! There’s a flower boy approaching my younger sister!

Her Majesty the Empress, who is stuck in a strange place and only favors me!

Oh, I don't know. I'd rather go back to the way it was before... <<less

The demon who looked like an angel, Duke Valafar, was discriminated by other demons due to his appearance, causing him to become a shut-in in... more>> his castle. The only one by his side was an incubus subordinate. One day, when a blood-stained angel fell in his territory, he met Archangel Uriel. Kidnapped by Uriel, the fate of Valafar who was added to the harem is…!? <<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

Magic.... more>>

It is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since a time unknown to people.

Supernatural power became a technology systematized through magic, while magic became a technical skill. A “Supernatural Power User” became a “Magic Technician”.

Magic Technicians (in short, Magicians) are nurtured through Magic High Schools and Universities.

This is a story about:

A defective elder brother and low achiever.

A perfect, flawless younger sister and high achiever.

After both siblings entered a Magic High School,

The stage of daily turbulence was unveiled —. <<less

Zhang Ye was originally a mundane college graduate with aspiring dreams to become a star, but unfortunately has below average looks and height. However one day, he woke up and suddenly found himself in a parallel world!... more>>

It’s like the same world, but wait a minute…many brands, celebrities and even famous works from his world changed and are gone in this new world!

Armed with the profound literary knowledge of his previous world and a heaven-defying Game Ring that gives him magical items, stats and skills, Zhang Ye embarks on a journey to pursue his life-long dream of becoming famous!

Follow Zhang Ye as he takes the new world by storm, one plagiarized piece at a time, to hilarious reactions! <<less

Femrude was born as one of the two twin children of one of the possible heirs to the throne of the kingdom of Ellansrild, a country with a strong discrimination against beastmen, and with a belief that twins bring misfortune and are cursed. Therefore his father throws him in the forest to die before the other royals know about his existence.... more>>

Femrude is picked up by the legendary Fenrir as a baby. He was originally a Japanese but can't remember his previous life, except for random knowledge. The now 12-year-old Femrude spends his days being spoiled by his beloved new mother, while being brought up with lots of love.

To give back to his precious family, he reproduces Japanese cuisine in this new world, one dish after another. To his surprise, not only his mother (Fenrir), but also the beastmen living in this world love his food.

Solving problems one after another with his honest, gentle character, and the skills to attract both races, he aims to become a bridge between the humans and the beastmen! <<less

Chen Yan travels between worlds, ending up becoming an honorable prince in a medieval fantasy world. Yet this world was not quite as simple as he thought. Witches with magical powers abound, and fearsome wars between churches and kingdoms rage throughout the land.... more>>

Roland, a prince regarded as hopeless by his own father and assigned to the worst fief, spends his time developing a poor and backward town into a strong and modern city, while fighting against his siblings for the throne and absolute control over the kingdom. Join Roland as he befriends and allies with witches and, through fighting and even farming, pushes back invaders coming from the realm of evil. <<less

High school student Mikoshiba Ryouma was summoned to a different world in the middle of a war. Sensing the malice from the one who summoned... more>> him (a summoner of the O’ltormea empire), he uses his martial arts to run away, killing important people of the empire during his escape. After the escape, he rescues two twin sisters from the hands of thieves. 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

Ibuki Hiiragi (Masaki Suda) is an art teacher at Kaio High School for two years, who then became Class 3-A's substitute homeroom teacher 6 months prior to the plot. ... more>>

Ten days before the students' graduation, on March 1, Ibuki gathers all his students to attend the homeroom for an important announcement: from that day onwards, everyone in his class is his hostages.

After convincing his students that his threat is real by bombing the hallway, thus closing them off from the rest of the school, he then assigns them a series of tasks to uncover the real culprit behind the su*cide of their classmate Reina Kageyama.
Each day begins with him announcing the tasks, and for each time they fail to do so, someone in their class will die.

With the threat of death hanging above them (literally as he set up bombs everywhere in the school, including the ceiling of their classroom), Class 3-A is now forced to contemplate their interactions with Reina and how it would shed more light on her death, with Ibuki watching everything unfold as he completes his ultimate goal.

Actually Hiragi teacher has pancreatic cancer and less than 1 year lifespan. <<less