He, Ye Han, was destined to be alone for the rest of his life. However, his destiny had no effect on animals, and he ended up being conquered by a spiritual snake. He took all the sufferings of life in his stride—he was a hypocritical medicinal immortal, a real poison physician, an irresponsible martial arts leader, and also the greatest living bodhisattva in people's hearts. At their first meeting, he snatched its food while it almost strangled him to death.... more>>

At their second meeting, he saved its life despite laughing at its plight, but it returned kindness with ingratitude, biting him and leaving a mark behind. At their third meeting, it saved him from falling off the cliff, and it didn't understand why the man was in such a bad state when he was actually born to enjoy good fortune. In order to find the answer, it stayed by him and never left his side. He later became blind, but couldn’t clear the poison as the antidote had a missing ingredient—its gall. Having fallen for him, it offered him its gall, and he had to return the favour with the rest of his life. <<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

Jiang Mo, the big shot of Xuanqing world, failed to pass the tribulation and was forcibly bound by the unscrupulous system. After crossing ninety nine worlds become cannon fodder in different worlds, Jiang Mo, who finally killed the system, became the master of his fate again.... more>>

Therefore, all kinds of cannon fodder that sent experience and wealth to the protagonist in the small world changed into a person who can control the life and death of the protagonist.

Jiang Mo: I’m delicate and pure, gentle and really gullible. I’m just a fated cannon fodder. I was bullied by the protagonists in all kinds of ways

Protagonists:… I’m not, I don’t have it. Don’t put this pot on my shoulder.

Love acting will make you feel white and black shou x Always spoiled shou, love at first sight gong. <<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

During a War called the Hong Kong Crusade, an Old Blood vampire, Jirou Mochizuki, aka the Silver Blade (Gintou), fought and defeated most of the Kowloon Children. ... more>>

Ten years later, Jirou heads to Japan with his little brother, Kotarou, in hopes of reaching The Special Zone, a thriving secret city where vampires live. They soon realize that a plan to infiltrate The Special Zone is being hatched by the Kowloon Children survivors.

As they travel to The Special Zone, Jirou encounters enemies from the past and new threats that may endanger the safety of the Special Zone. The abduction of Kotarou, by one of the Kowloon Children, thrusts him even further into the battle. <<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

At a unspecified point in the future, the Earth dies. Then, a genius engineer only known as “Y” manages to revive the Earth using only... more>> gears and clockwork. Thus the world is renamed “Clockwork Planet”, with cities being build inside the planet’s gears. A thousand years later Naoto Miura, a student and lover of machines living in the Kyoto gear, finds a crate has crashed through the roof of his apartment. Inside the crate is a coffin containing the broken body of an automaton. Using his superior sense of hearing, Naoto fixes the automaton, who is named RyuZU Yours*ave, who reveals she has been broken for over 200 years. RyuZU promises complete loyalty to Naoto and the two become close. Later they meet two people trying to find RyuZU: Dr. Marie Bell Breguet, the youngest person to become a “meister”, a group of master engineers; and her bodyguard Vainney Halter. A month after their encounter, all four appear in Akihabara, Tokyo, having now become the world’s most infamous terrorists <<less

The person who was locked away inside the thorn-covered tower was not a princess, but a witch who employed the powers of darkness.... more>>

A brave young hero came searching for the tower in order to kill the witch.

– Light would force the darkness to recede, and grant it eternal rest

The witch wished.

That things would end with, ‘and the hero lived happily ever after killing the witch,’ like in the fairy tales.

And so, she had devised everything to happen in accordance to her wishes.

But the boy, who had grown up in but no time at all, would make the unfamiliar face of man’s from time to time.

“You want me to kill you? ……Do you really think I’ll let you go?”

Reality was very different from the fairy tales.

“The people don’t know of the precious treasure locked away in the tower.

I won’t let anyone else have this god given treasure, this crown of god surrounded by thorns that no one else could recognize.”

The hero gave the witch a slow and deep kiss.

“I am the true victor, and no one else.” <<less

[Knights-only membership gay club. The muscular, macho Demon King, available all day]
After the holy war, the demon world fell into ruin when the economy collapsed. The soldiers left the Demon King, who was unable to pay their monthly salaries. And Hel, the King of the demon world, didn’t want to live relying on his two servants, and also wanted take back his soldiers with his own hands once more.... more>>

But in the 300 or so years he had lived, he never attended kindergarten, let alone received formal education. Of course, there was little he could do about it.

Only one place contacted him to come for an interview. There, he received a business card, but the Demon King Hel couldn’t read human language.

He didn’t know what was written on it, but tightly held the business card in his hand, and began his part-time job from henceforth.

“These are the kind of jobs we do here.”

“I see.”

The interviewer gave his card. Hel took and held it, but he couldn’t read human language. He couldn’t read it, but casually nodded his head as if he could.

“Are you still going to do it?”

“Yes. The money will be given as promised, right?”

“If you don’t run away for a month, I’ll give you as much money as advertised.”

“Good.”

The interviewer’s eyebrow suddenly rose as if surprised at Hel’s answer, but immediately went blank once more.

“You may go now. You can go to work by this time tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Hel got up from his seat without any hesitation, and there where he sat was a single, imposing business card:

[Knights-only membership gay club. From muscular macho to pretty boys, available all day] <<less

Ye Shigui had never seen a monk like this before. His greenish-gold eyes were like a demon’s. His silver hair hung like a waterfall. He... more>> was as handsome as the strongest sunlight in July. He was so dazzling that people couldn’t look away. <<less

In a world dominated by swords and magic, Cleo lives his lonely life where he believes painting is his sole purpose to life. Since Cleo... more>> was born in a noble family, he must prove himself worthy to become the family’s successor by participating in a certain trial. As he enters the forbidden forest, Cleo encounters a beast that is half human and half plant. After being easily captured by the beast that resembles a human girl, Cleo plans his escape by attracting the beast’s interest and keeping Cleo alive. Out of his expectations, the time they spent living with each other made him feel unbelievably relieved. However their calming daily life did not last very long… <<less

Su Yuan dressed as a woman, he was forced by the tribe to disguise himself as a woman, instead of his genius sister as a... more>> gift for the devil. Rumor has it that the demon is ugly, cruel, raw man-eating, and is a cold snake demon. Su Yuan trembling in the sedan chair. Pei Ying, he is most afraid of snakes. No, he can’t sit still, he must find a way to escape. Three years later… Looking at the little cubs holding his legs on the ground and the snake eggs in his hands, Su Yuan wanted to cry without tears. These two were born to him and were born with the devil. In short, this is a story of a small cannon fodder trying to escape, and finally being favored by the big snake king.. <<less

After being soundly thrashed by the hero Emilia, the Devil King and his general beat a hasty retreat to a parallel universe…only to land plop... more>> in the middle of bustling, modern-day Tokyo! Lacking the magic necessary to return home, the two are forced to assume human identities and live average human lives until they can find a better solution. And to make ends meet, Satan finds gainful employment at a nearby fast food joint! With his devilish mind set on working his way up the management food chain, what will become of his thirst for conquest?! <<less

Ten years have passed since Michika transmigrated to another world at the age of eighteen. Now almost thirty years old and working as a traveling merchant she has managed to accumulate a lot of wealth from selling rare ingredients and due to her special skill. ... more>>

However, Michika was tired of living alone and wished for a family.

So one day, when she encountered a woman whipping a young lizard boy who was wearing a s*ave collar, she impulsively ended up spending all of that day's earned money to buy him from his master.

“Well, lizard boy, won’t you become my child?” She offered, planning to adopt him and have him become her son.

(But, I’m a dragon…)

And four years later, Michika, who by then was a thirty-two-year-old lady, was suddenly pinned down by her eighteen-year-old child who then confessed his love for her.

Being told of his love… she ran away. <<less

Youngul recklessly came down from Seoul to Halla City, believing in the ‘first-come, first-served recruitment’ ad.... more>>

When she arrived, there were strange people with animal ears and wings.

More precisely, there were beasts of different races.

“Han Young-ul, you have passed. Start working right away.”

“Can’t you just let me go? I am just a normal human being.”

“No. You’re not an ordinary human being. Seeing how you could come here.”

“Han Young-ul is a Clear.”

Young-ul, who has lived as an ordinary human until now, is confused by all of this.

But the unbelievable things didn’t end here…

————————

“Han Young-wool needs to learn to stop us from running out of control through physical contact, with actions such as holding his hand.”

“How can you stop a runaway just by holding hands? It may suffice for him, but that is not enough to satisfy me.”

Dokgo snorted and threw up.

“… … yes?”

Young-ul’s adaptation period for the Udang-tang hetero-tribal company where she was caught by a job posting and was forcibly hired by a hetero-tribe management agency.

Will Youngul be able to live with the beasts? <<less

Son Moa, an ordinary citizen who got swept up in a dungeon in the middle of the night.... more>>

Hungry, she tried to eat grass inside a cave but awoken as a collecting hunter.

Somehow, she managed to escape from the dungeon.

She came to work determined to never enter one ever again, but got caught up in another dungeon.

‘No, why?! Twice in this s*upid dungeon!’

Fortunately though, the world’s number one ranking hunter came to help this time.

But turns out that number one ranking guy came here to solo raid the boss?

It doesn’t seem like he cares about rescuing citizens, so I’ll take care of my own life.

This time, I successfully survived!

But… I became inseparable from the number one ranker.

This number one ranker, he’s trying to make me stronger. Is this the power of personal connections?!

However, a sweet reward requires a price.

[As far as you can go, promise me you’ll kill the boss of every dungeon in the world.]

What? <<less

When he woke up, the world has changed.... more>>

Through astral projection of his soul, Wei Feng found himself in a world of beasts.

Everyone here has the ability to tame beasts – that means everyone here is a beastmaster!

But beastmasters have clear strengths and weaknesses. Some people can control wild beasts and stand at the peak of this world, while some can only control cattle, sheep, and livestock, and they are at the bottom of this beast-taming food chain.

To begin a new life in this strange world, Wei Feng summoned a stone man, but he had unexpectedly awakened the ability to extract the core abilities of beasts he encounters.

Moreover, the more the growth of the beasts, the stronger these abilities get.

Ding!

【NOTICE: You have unlocked the [Armored Skin] ability of the beast-guarding [Stone Man]!】

……

Ding!

【NOTICE: You have unlocked the [Strength Enhancement] ability of the Royal Beast [Dragon Ape]!】

……

Ding!

【NOTICE: You have unlocked the [Speed Enhancement] ability of the beast [Blue-scaled Eagle]!】

……

Hence, with all the core abilities that he has extracted from these beasts, Wei Feng has transformed into a living human beast!

Whenever the enemy thinks they have successfully defeated all of Wei Feng’s beasts, the corner of Wei Feng’s mouth would raise, revealing an innocent smile, “No, no, no! The battle has just begun – I am the biggest boss here!” <<less

In the town of Lindworm where monsters and humans coexist, Dr. Glenn runs an exemplary medical clinic for monster girls with his lamia assistant, Sapphee.... more>> Whether receiving a marriage proposal by a centaur injured in battle, palpating the injury of a mermaid, or suturing the delicate wounds of a flesh golem, Dr. Glenn performs his job with grace and confidence. But when an unsavory character seeks to steal a harpy egg, how will the unflappable Dr. Glenn respond…? <<less

The story is about Mu Sha, who jumped off the cliff and wanted to end her life.
But somehow, when she woke up again, she... more>> ended up somewhere otherworldly. It took her a week to realize that she was in a different world.
A beast world in which neither male nor female was present.
The ones who could transform into beasts were males and those who could not were females. The females in that place had male organs. It could be said that the beast world was a male world. Yet, she was the only one who appeared to be a different kind of female from the rest. <<less

The life of a traveling merchant is a lonely one, a fact with which Kraft Lawrence is well acquainted. Wandering from town to town with... more>> just his horse, cart, and whatever wares have come his way, the peddler has pretty well settled into his routine—that is, until the night Lawrence finds a wolf goddess asleep in his cart. Taking the form of a fetching girl with wolf ears and a tail, Holo has wearied of tending to harvests in the countryside and strikes up a bargain with the merchant to lend him the cunning of “Holo the Wisewolf” to increase his profits in exchange for taking her along on his travels. What kind of businessman could turn down such an offer? Lawrence soon learns, though, that having an ancient goddess as a traveling companion can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Will this wolf girl turn out to be too wild to tame? <<less

Mu Zhiyan, after being transmigrated a millennium (1000 yrs) into the future, discovered that he was raised by his adoptive parents as a tool for them to access the heritage his (dead) biological parents left behind. When he was at a loss for what to do next, he discovered that his body hosted an additional
pharmaceutical system.... more>>

For a chance to return to his era of Earth, Mu Zhiyan decided to practice and practice; he must train the system to full level as soon as possible.

However, reality gave him a slap in the face. The world is dangerous and dreadful, making Mu Zhiyan recall his mother's words of holding a thick thigh, resulting in him locking his eyes on a cool general...

So the rumored mysterious Mu Master faced General Han with a serious face: "I allow you to follow me, General Han."

General Han: "..." <<less

Chi Xiaoduo is a single man who seeks after a high intrinsic quality of a person in love. At the age of twenty-six, his love history was still blank. In his endeavor to increase his experience, he met Xiang Cheng, who had come from the countryside and entered the big city in an awkward situation.... more>>

Chi Xiaoduo, a mola fish, was instantly subjugated by his lofty and handsome image and worshiped this man as a male god. After several encounters, he surprisingly discovered that this male god was not only extremely handsome but also had an unknown profession – an exorcist.

Right now, Chi Xiaoduo felt somewhat ruffled by the spring breeze of love. <<less

Tong Lexian lost his son Xiao’an. In order to fill the void in his heart, he bought a high-intelligence AI to replace Xiao’an.... more>>

But something is wrong with this AI. He could not use the AI as a replacement for his son and the AI did not want to have a father-son relationship with him.

These are sweet and bloody short story with tens of thousands of words. <<less

Lyle Walt is a young noble boy and heir looking forward to the day he can inherit his family’s territory. Except around when he was 10 year old, his parents started neglecting him more and more in favour of his little sister, Celes.... more>>

On his fifteenth birthday, he is challenged to a duel by his sister to see who will inherit the household and horribly loses, being cast out of his family. Afterwards, he gets treated by the family groundskeepers and receives the family heirloom Gem from him that Lyle’s grandfather had entrusted to him. From there, he begins an aimless journey with his childhood friend and former fiancée, Novem, and the Gem-turned-Jewel that houses the memories, personalities, and Skills of seven of his ancestors. <<less

When the egg was rolled in her arms, the dragon was born.... more>>

A full-fledged baby-sitter.

One well-bred dragon prince of one of the ten emperors.

Adele is a girl who grew up in an orphanage and came to her uncle’s house.

While being in charge of her aunt’s farm for nine years and taking care of all the insane things on a cow ranch, she accidentally finds a large egg in a tree hole. A child who wakes up from the egg follows Adele like a parent, and Adele gives the child a name, Sigmund.

In fact, Sigmund, who must be the Emperor of the Empire, stays with Adele in the form of a child, sealed with his powerful mana sealed.

Grand Duke Ernest and Archmage Jensen try to find the egg of the lost dragon.

Lushen, head of the Imperial knighthood, assisted by Zion, daughter of Grand Duke Ernest, who has grown up as a man since childhood helps Adele.

Adele and Sigmund finally enter the imperial palace where they were awaited.

A magical healing love story unfolded by two people.

“You are the beginning and the end of my world, Adele.”

The all-fearing ruler of this world, the violent dragon prince Sigmund and his bride Adele. <<less