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

Song Qian was the famous "Sesshomaru" in the underworld, the top assassin in the Red Lotus Assassin Hiring Center.... more>>

On her eighteenth birthday, she sneaked into the presidential suite to enjoy a night! She met a hooligan with great fighting capacity...

"You know who I am? Carefully I kick your ass!"

"pu*sy cat, maybe you are the one!"

An hour later, "From now on! You are my Enemy No.1!"

...

Six years later... She pretended to be a male bodyguard to get her daughter back. Her daughter was addicted to handsome boys.

“Why you are blushing? Why you don't pee?” He approached her slowly.

"Emm... Boss Pei, you didn't wash your hands after..."

"Bodyguard Song! If I change my s*xual orientation because of you, you should be responsible for me!" <<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

Durarara!! is about a number of unusual people who gather in Ikebukuro, Tokyo--- a youth who yearns for an un-mundane life, a hoodlum, a stalker denpa-girl, a young man who deals in information ?for fun?, a black-market doctor, a high-schooler obsessed with magic, as well as a ?headless rider? riding a bike painted black.... more>>

These unusual people begin a series of abnormal stories that never fail to create headaches. But, although their personalities are all twisted? they still talk about love.

Note: A sequel novel series "Durarara!! SH" began in 2014. <<less

Set on a giant, almost finished bridge between Sadogashima and Niigata. Abandoned by the government, the bridge, and the giant man-made floating island at the center, has become a city of criminals and societal drop-outs. ... more>>

Set in the same world as Durarara, but 15-20 years later. There is almost no overlap between Etsusa Bridge and the other novels. <<less

Han Shaoling is a mogul known to all, but thanks to his grandfather’s death and his will, he has no choice but to marry a man to be his wife. Xu Moyu, in order to save the lives of his brothers in the gang, has to marry arrogant and cold-blooded Han Shaoling.... more>>

Han Shaolin sneers and forcibly presses Xu Moyu, “I didn’t marry you for nothing. Shouldn’t you carry out your duty to please me as my wife now?” What he says is utterly impersonal and aggressive. However, indifferent and supercilious Xu Moyu just narrows his slanted eyes in anger. In the next second, a cold pistol has been pointed at Han Shaolin’s forehead. “You seem to have nothing better to do so you’d like to be shot, Hierarch Han!”

The heartless younger top VS the expressionless cunning bottom. Let’s see how they break through this relationship. <<less

She, a top-level killer at the Killer Employment Center is unexpectedly sent by her aunt to the bed of the big boss of Night Empire... more>> and got pregnant! When she wants to ask about the baby's father, her aunt flees away…Six years later, when she, taking the child, turns every stone to find her aunt, she gets accidentally involved in a gangster dispute. The child is taken away by people with Night Empire. In desperation, she has to disguise as a male driver and undercover around the big boss… <<less

In the previous life, Ling Fan was a total loser and poor cannon folder who fell in love with a white lotus. After rebirth, he wanted to be a smart guy.... more>>

As for the white lotus? Sorry, I would no longer have feelings for you! As for his rival in love, the man who could crush him like crushing an ant, he remembered him! When he was strong enough, he’d get even with him!

See how a young man who got his bad side awakened after rebirth married his rival in love and climbed to the pinnacle of life!

Oh, by the way, Ling Fan was the top! <<less

Chu Qing, a Swordsman, accidentally entered the Fairy Realm 300 years ago. During those 300 years, he began his cultivation journey. Upon reaching the Realm... more>> of Eternity, he unexpectedly opened the Hall of Time and Space and returned to the time he was 17 years old and lived on the Earth. But, it turned out that it wasn’t the same Earth he once lived in. It was a reversed world where Women act like Men and vice-versa! And hence, his journey to conquer all the strong women of this ‘Reverse World’ and return to his previous world began. <<less

Volume 1: Mukuro's Illusions
Volume 2: X-Fiamma
Volume 3: Millefiore Panic
Volume 4: The Funeral Flower Withers
Volume 5: Simon Cooking!

Why did my big brother have to die?... more>>

Kyousuke loses his older brother, his only family, in a mysterious bombing incident. As he is trying to overcome the shock, a man by the name of Kanou, who claims to be the wakagashira from the Okawa, appears before him.

“I was the one who killed your brother.”

His older brother was involved with the yakuza and was killed by this man!? This cold, expressionless man, all clad in black and looking as if he could just disappear into the darkness of the night? In order to find out the truth about why his brother was killed, Kyousuke joins the Okawa. However, Kanou becomes interested in him and says, “I’m going to make you my woman.” <<less

Zombies suddenly appeared all over the world, quickly spreading through densely populated cities. It only took two years for every government around the world to collapse, leaving behind chaos and anarchy on a global scale. Without the law and order that once kept them safe, people turned fearful of both the zombie threat and of each other. Even in the face of the countless waves of undead, groups formed and fought over the limited resources that remained.... more>>

This culminated in a battle between two of the strongest remaining groups—the last beacons of humanity. What resulted was a devastating loss of life on both sides. Yohan’s group was completely annihilated and their surviving enemies were swarmed by zombies. Though he managed to suffer through this apocalyptic world for three years, his time was up. Unexpectedly, death had come not from an enemy, but from a friend. He had been bitten by his oldest and most trusted companion, who had been infected during the battle and turned into a zombie.

Accepting his fate, Yohan closes his eyes, only to discover that he has returned to the past, six months prior to the zombie outbreak. With his memories of the last three years, only he knows of the approaching apocalypse.

Given a second chance, he plans to do everything to survive! <<less

They first met at Yueya Correctional Facility. He was a criminal who was imprisoned on behalf of someone else. He behaved frivolously, an unbridled look in his eyes. At first glance, he didn’t seem to be a good person.... more>>

She and he belonged in two different worlds. One light, one dark. Destined to collide.

The next time they met, the sky was overcast. It was raining and foggy. At the intersection, the world outside the car windows was chaotic and blurry.

She appeared suddenly, a ray of poignant purity.

It was then he knew, he had long been waiting for this uncertain reunion.

After words, without batting an eyelid, he quietly advanced. Using the crudest, most overbearing and straightforward maneuver, he entered her life.

She approached him little by little, and stepped closer and closer to the truth.

He said, “One day when you find out the things I did, give me a chance. Don’t leave, ever.”

He said, “If you can survive, I’ll put up offerings to the gods and prostrate before Buddha, I’ll abstain from meat and alcohol, recite scriptures and kowtow my gratitude in front of that Old Man. If you die, I won’t continue living alone either, I’ll follow you to the afterlife.”

His embrace was a warm enclosure, sheltering her from the wind and rain lest she be cold and helpless.

To call this love would barely scratch the surface.

— As luck would have it, during times when you were cold, I was able to give you warmth. — <<less

What is a villain? Is it Li Chenzhou's fists that can topple the world, or is it Shangguan Jinhong who stirs up the winds and... more>> clouds? Is it Ye Gucheng's Outer Heaven Flying Immortal, or is it the Primordial Thirteen Limit Little Arrow that grieves the heart? Now that he has been reborn, with the Great Villain System, Su Xin can obtain all the techniques and martial arts of the villains in his previous life's Wuxia world. In his previous life, he died a violent death. In this life, he wants to be the most ruthless, the most powerful villain! If people say I'm evil, then I'll be cruel to the end! If people say I'm evil, then I'll be filled with demonic flames! "A man must keep his word. If I say I'll kill your entire family, I'll kill your entire family. My name is Su Xin, and I keep my word." <<less

I am a swindler. ... more>>

On the gambling table, I am a master of deception.

However, I want to use my experience to tell you a simple truth - stay away from gambling.

Because in gambling, nine out of ten times it's a scam, and ten out of ten times you will lose! <<less

A very villainous drug dealer top VS a pretty cute bottom... more>>

1. Rap and rend, but no abusing, after a beauty is used to dote on~

2. The top is very bad, a real big villain.

3. The top is ugly at first, how? Too slim.

4. This novel is only for fun, so don’t relate it to reality.

Family goes bankrupt, the debtors come to collect the money, parents jump off the building… He sells everything to pay the money back. Xiao Yubai goes desperate and goes to be a monk. But when he passes through the wild, he got kidnapped??? It seems he is not the only one. But he is the only one kept…others all get shot…while he is locked in a room… <<less

Dreaming of a great gay life, Minjoon came to study in Japan. After being swindled by his ex-lover of six months, Minjoon was ready to end his life but was suddenly surrounded by a group of black Benz cars. Toma, a small boy comes out of a car, running into Minjoon’s embrace whilst calling him “Mama!” ... more>>

Due to Toma’s reluctance, Minjoon is dragged to the yakuza’s den where he meets the heartless and fatal Daiki, and thinks it’s better to just be killed after seeing Daiki’s gaze but……

This is a thrilling love story of the cold-blooded, and sexy yakuza boss, Daiki Jo, and Minjoon who was chosen to be “Mama” by Daiki’s son, Toma! <<less

- 「スウィート・バレンタイ」 (Sweet Valentine) by Furuhashi Hideyuki
- 「おひなさまの着物」 (A Doll’s Kimono) by Raikaku Rei
- 「お花見」 (Flower Gazing) by Suzuki Suzu
- 「砂のお城」 (Sand... more>> Castle) by Kabei Yukako
- 「もしかしたらあったかもしれないハロウインナイト」 (A Halloween That Might Have Happened) by Miyazawa Tatsuki
- 「クリスマス１９４４」 (Christmas 1944) by Takahashi Yashichirou
- 「初詣」 (The First Shrine Visit of New Year) by Azano Kouhei <<less

A collection of seven stories about various K characters.... more>>

- No.1 Yatogami Kuroh by Miyazawa Tatsuki
- No.2 Kusanagi Izumo by Azano Kouhei
- No.3 Yata Misaki by Takahashi Yashichirou
- No.4 Kushina Anna by Raikaku Rei
- No.5 Kamamoto Rikio by Suzuki Suzu
- No.6 Awashima Seri by Furuhashi Hideyuki
- No.7 Fushimi Saruhiko by Kabei Yukako <<less

A novel adaptation of K, focused on the history of the blue clan and the events which led to Munakata Reisi's appointment as the current... more>> blue king. <<less

A collection of 4 chapters set before the K - Return of Kings anime.... more>>

– Blue chapter 「眼鏡屋別サイド」 (Optician’s, Another Side) by Miyazawa Tatsuki

– Silver chapter 「お風呂ネコトラブル」 (Neko Bathtime Trouble) by Raikaku Rei

– Green chapter 「”JUNGLE”」 (“Jungle”) by Takahashi Yashichirou

– Red chapter 「呼び名のその後」 (Aftermath of the Nickname) by Suzuki Suzu <<less

A novelization of K, K SIDE:Black & White takes place in a love hotel that Yashiro, Neko, and Kuroh hide in after the events of... more>> the K anime episode 8. The novel features them talking to one another and remembering their pasts. <<less

A collection of side stories included with the blu-ray limited editions of the K - Return of Kings anime.... more>>

- BD1 「潜伏と再開」 (On Lying in Hiding and Reunions) by Miyazawa Tatsuki
- BD2 「剣、二振り」 (Swords in a Pair) by Suzuki Suzu
- BD3 「テンペルホーフ１９４５」 (Tempelhof 1945) by Takahashi Yashichirou
- BD4 「クリスマス・キャロル」 (Christmas Carol) by Furuhashi Hideyuki
- BD5 「昴／長男と、その親友」 (The Pleiades & The Eldest Son and His Best Friend) by Kabei Yukako
- BD6 「デスパレート・ゲーム」 (A Desperate Game) by Raikaku Rei
- BD7 「ある少年の進路探し」 (A Certain Boy’s Search for his Future Path) by Azano Kouhei <<less

Suoh Mikoto, leader of “Homra”, was strengthening his clan in Shizume Town. Munakata Reisi, the Blue King just enthroned, immediately reorganized “Scepter 4” and recovered... more>> order. When two opposite men meet, the conflict was inevitable! <<less

A novelization of K which tells the story of how Misaki Yata and Saruhiko Fushimi met and parted ways. There are three parts: "Meeting," "Getting... more>> Along," and "Betraying." <<less