Ling Xiaowen showed great courage on his way home from school and stood up for justice by giving three misbehaving children who were bullying a "dwarf" a good lesson. To repay Ling Xiaowen's kindness, the "dwarf" secretly followed him and gave him a "Universal God Ball" as a gift.... more>>

As it turned out, this "dwarf" was the grandson of the renowned inventor Tesla, who lived a hundred years ago. When Tesla passed away, extraterrestrials stole his brain cells and used advanced technology to resurrect him to serve them, strictly forbidding him from leaving. However, he still cared deeply for Earth and instructed his grandson to secretly come to the "human world" and give his treasure to a "good person" on Earth, hoping that this person would comprehend the true meaning while "playing" and contribute to the advancement of human technology.

This "God Ball," known as the Electric Light Fireball to humans, is a mysterious natural phenomenon. Apart from Tesla, no one has succeeded in creating it.

From then on, Ling Xiaowen and the God Ball were inseparable, and they "played" together, experiencing the joy of youth. Throughout his growth process, they encountered countless extraordinary and mind-boggling stories. <<less

The life story of Gun Choi going towards being the best pitcher in the baseball Major League.

There’s SAS in Great Britain, CIA in the USA. In Huaxia, there’s Dragon Division, known as the mysterious power of the East.... more>>

When a soldier that originally failed to be selected to join, appeared on the Dragon Division’s list again, no one noticed, that this inconspicuous and humble looking guy was actually the Dragon King of the division, the one that’s most difficult to deal with.

He was a man, whose appearance gave every one existential crisis, including a fly that was consecutively caught by him with a pair of chopsticks.

Of course, this story is hilarious as well.

[Shen Yao laughed. “You think I would help you? For what reason?”

Xu Cheng sighed. “Shen Yao, to be honest, you are really pretty.”

“Humph.” Shen Yao snorted coldly, “Can you elaborate on that for me?”

“I don’t know how to get into details, but I can only say that when I accidentally tore your skirt today, I got a boner.” ] <<less

Talent, appearance, power.... more>>

No matter how hard I try, I can't beat the people born with these things.

But, within this dungeon, I can overcome them. <<less

Daikichi Yoshikawa, a sophomore in high school, witnesses his childhood sweetheart, Akari Beniya, cheating on him. When he asks her about it, she simply admits it and leaves him.... more>>

Akari tells him that he is not masculine enough, so Daikichi begins a two-week survival program on his grandfather’s deserted island to learn how to be a man.

A few days before his time on the deserted island is about to end, he discovers a beautiful girl named Yukiho washed up on the beach. She is a national idol, but Daikichi, who doesn’t watch TV, thinks she is just a beautiful girl and helps her.

This triggers a confession from Yukiho to Daikichi. Soon the two start dating.

The relationship between Yukiho and Daikichi becomes known throughout Japan through national TV.

Naturally, it catches the attention of Akari.

Then, after all this time, she pressures Daikichi to get back together. <<less

Extinguishing stars with a breath, melting everything with scorching vision, capable of dragging planets barehanded, and traversing the stars with a physical body...... more>>

This is a man who possesses an iron body, is the god among men, the savior of miracles, the torch of the Dark Era, and many other titles. He is also the enigmatic founder of the Infinite Alliance, a superhuman organization shrouded in mystery.

Jiang Bei, the mastermind behind this string of titles, says something you might find hard to believe: "In the beginning, I only wanted to extend my life because I was on the verge of death." <<less

In the post-apocalyptic age, men were damned.... more>>

On a fateful day, one ordinary man found a black mystical crystal in a mine.
The crystal gave him the opportunity to change his life forever.

Could he escape from his predetermined fate and create a destiny for himself? <<less

Betrayed by his lover and abandoned by mankind, the race he saved, Rohen gave up all hopes in life.... more>>

Returning to the past, he laid down his sword and allowed the world to perish as he stood in the side. Just as man turned his back on him, he, too, will do the same.

This was his pledge.

But, his view changes little by little when he meets a girl wielding the same scars as him.

She changes him… heals his broken scar without notice.

***

Looking at Rohen, his body torn and mangled, she burst into tears and asked, “Why… why didn’t you run away?”

He heard her sweet voice. It calmed him. She protected him.

Rohen laughed. “Because you’re here.” <<less

What was originally an ordinary day, suddenly became a historical turning point. Enormous, mysterious Cubes appeared all over the world without warning and as if Judgement Day’s spears, inserted themselves into the blue planet.... more>>

From inside the enormous Cubes, endless streams of monsters gushed out alike raging tides, utterly defeating the unguarded armies of each state in the blink of an eye.

In order for humanity to preserve its final embers, the heads of states issued orders of retreat, to no longer attack the Cubes but rather to cling to remote cities, which they turned into self-sufficient survivor bases and around which they built 100-meter-tall Walls of Life!

Many years later, while bearing the heavy weight of history, the first expeditionary force brought back a world changing piece of information. The Cubes possessed exceedingly high intelligence and they regularly transmitted mission instructions to humans nearby. The mission rewards were incredible.

Since then, humans rushed out of the confines of the walls and once more set foot on the wasteland! <<less

High school student, Ryoi Takashi, plays a VRMMO, Al Gate Online as a samurai, he was then blown into a world that is similar to... more>> Al Gate Online. An elf hero has decided to become his family, with a pet wolf, he can have adventures with the woman swordsman, while holding modern knowledge, it’s his story of wandering in a different 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

A story about another parallel universe located in Akihabara, Tokyo as well, where it is not that developed at fields of ACG (animation, comic and... more>> game), Maid Cafe, Music, Literary, Entertainment, etc. One day the man of this story, named “Tatsuya Hayashi”, found himself caught by a Smartphone App, which is called “Pioneer System”, and he became the ”Feudal Lord” of Akiharaba both in the App world and real life. Here comes our man and his friends, who became pioneer heros by continues efforts… <<less

Akikan (”Empty Can”) is the unlikely story of high school boy Kazuichi Souda, whose can of melon soda magically transforms into a human girl. More... more>> "akikan" girls begin appearing, each of them needing to be infused with carbon dioxide from their respective drink types to survive. The akikans were created as part of the 'Akikan Elect' to determine whether steel cans or aluminium cans are superior. The akikans must battle each other until only the strongest type is left standing. <<less

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent... more>> out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally--the female soldier known as the Full Metal b*tch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death? <<less

Satou Ryouta who died from overworking at a black company was reincarnated to another world. Although Ryouta was alive, he is now burdened with the inconvenience that his level is fixed to 1 in this new world.... more>>

Although he wasn’t able to raise his level, he had a unique skill that can create a cheat-like item that shouldn’t exist in the world from a monster.

He got to know about his status and MAX them with the help of ability-up items. He gathered a number of weapons and items that can only be used by himself, allowing him to be level 1 but yet, having the strongest equipment. <<less

Seiya Kanie is a good looking, perfectionist boy who is forced by the mysterious Isuzu Sento to visit an amus**ent park named Amagi Brilliant Park, which is in serious financial trouble and about to be closed forever.... more>>

The park is actually staffed by refugees from a magical realm called Maple Land, and the park is a facility for harvesting magical energy from visitors while they’re having fun. As such, the park is the only way the refugees can maintain their existence in the human realm.

To save the park from closing, Seiya is hired by the owner, Latifa Fleuranza, to use his skills in entertainment to become its new manager. However, to not lose the land to a real estate agency, they have only three months left to attract 250,000 visitors, a feat that seems impossible given the park’s current situation. <<less

The end of mankind and its doom was right around the corner. Narvas, a giant asteroid, was on the path to colliding with earth. To avoid mankind impending doom, Kiwoo broke through the miraculous odds and  journeyed through the ages of time.... more>>

"...Native Americans?"

However, much to his expectations, Kiwoo arrived in the native lands before the discovery of the New World! For man to survive, civilization needed to develop faster and quicker before the collision of Narvas occurs. Under his guidance, the native land was reborn as an empire of the natives and not as colonial land ruled under eurocentrism. <<less

An unknown reporter, Se Cai receives a gaming system called, Eye for News through an accident. The system allows him to trade skills and items... more>> that furbish his reporting skills. Follow on his assignments as he exposes nationwide conspiracies, records heroic profiles, expatiates public dissent, and uncovers administrative corruption. However, his most difficult assignment of all remains the navigation between the women that occupy his life… <<less

tr*sh mocked by all? A pathetic despised by all?... more>>

He, Lu Yun, a humble soul transmigrated to the land of the Sacred Wilderness, is now a different man! This accident he endures brings him a new opportunity, a new life, and a chance to rise to be an unparalleled master of martial arts.

Lu Yun: “I am unparalleled because of my invincible power!”

Join Lu Yun in his journey to the pinnacle of martial arts, and explore all the legendary weapons and ferocious monsters as well as the power struggles among sects. <<less

In the spring of 1998, Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School. In class, he develops a sense of unease as he notices that... more>> the people around him act like they’re walking on eggshells, and students and teachers alike seem frightened. As a chain of horrific deaths begin to unfold around him, he comes to discover that he has been placed in the cursed Class 3 in which the student body head count is always one more than expected. Class 3 is haunted by a vengeful spirit responsible for gruesome deaths in an effort to satisfy its spite. To stop the vicious cycle gripping his new school, Kouichi decides to get to the bottom of the curse, but is he prepared for the horror that lies ahead…? <<less

Another Frontier Online is a full immersion VRMMORPG focused on swords and magic.
A system in which teams of players fight each other called "Clan Warfare" was implemented in a major update half a year ago.... more>>

Hayato, who only has production skills, was expelled from his clan for not being able to fight.
Hayato decided to create his own clan, and not being able to capture the attention of any player, he realizes that he can use NPCs (non-player characters) with high performance AI as members of his clan.

Will he be able to win the 100 million yen grand prize? <<less

In the near future when VRMMO games become commonplace, the main character is suddenly transferred to a world similar to the game he was playing.... more>>

The game was of the genre “Nation Strategy Simulation Game”, and it was based on the concept of a human king leading a demon nation.

NPC demons who had suddenly gained an ego.

They had tremendous strength and paid no heed to the grave threat a whole different world posed.

However, on the other hand, the main character they followed was the “weakest king” who had no fighting power.

This is a story about the weakest hero who can’t even beat goblins, leading the demons as the dictator of military power in another world… <<less

He shall call forth the bone dragon! Summon the lich and the grim reaper! Li Jiayu, the dark summoner, has been reborn and everything returned to the moment before the outbreak of the devastating apocalypse.... more>>

Spaces tremble violently and dimensional cracks connected to various worlds appear! In an instant, never-seen-before civilizations invade our homeland. Insects the size of humans and walking corpses sweep through Earth in legions. An imminent crisis is approaching humanity and billions of human lives are at risk!

In regards to Li Jiayu's uncorrupted soul, his summons shall no longer be limited to creatures which lurk in the darkness. They will also include the entities that bask in the light.

Under the lingering shadow of death, he vows to prevent a repeat of past tragedies!

Struggling within the exhausting apocalyptic world, he chooses to trudge on the bloody path of slaughter.

Walking hand in hand with death, he no longer lives under the cold embrace of the darkness. He shall embark on the bright path towards glory.

'This is an opportunity to make a comeback... I will put everything on the line to right the wrongs and to protect the loved ones that were once lost.’ <<less

Seventeen year old Hajime Nagumo is your average, everyday otaku. However, his simple life of pulling all-nighters and sleeping in school is suddenly turned upside... more>> down when he, along with the rest of his class, is summoned to a fantasy world! They're treated like heroes and tasked with the duty of saving the human race from utter extinction. But what should have been any otaku's wet dream quickly turns into Hajime's nightmare. While the rest of his class are blessed with godlike powers, Hajime's job, Synergist, only has a single transmutation skill. Ridiculed and bullied by his classmates for being weak, he soon finds himself in despair. Will he be able to survive in this dangerous world of monsters and demons with only a glorified blacksmith's level of strength? <<less

“I have decided not to expect anything from you anymore.”... more>>

One day, Norman is told this by his father and was kicked out of the house.

There was no way around it. Because Norman could not use magic at all.

However, Norman’s fate changes drastically when he encounters the Grimoire “Goetia”.

The Grimoire called “Goetia” was used to summon 72 demons.

The demons summoned by it, however, bring about a shocking revelation to Norman. Yes, there was a reason why Norman could not use magic.

And so, Norman becomes the strongest sorcerer in the world by subduing numerous demons. <<less