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Ai no Kusabi #2
Ai no Kusabi Vol. 2: Destiny
One night five years ago, Riki was wandering through the pleasure district of Midas, when he found himself in a rather dangerous situation. As a consequence, Iason, the genetically engineered elite "Blondie," has given him such levels of humiliation and unwanted pleasure that Riki's mind is still haunted by it
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Taken from back cover:
Riki found himself in an unusually talkative mood. In response to the frigid gaze falling on him as if from a great height, he gestured defiantly, not intimidated even by the ever-present air of omnipotence in Iason's cool voice.
While cruising for cash cards from unwary tourists in the city of Midas, the slum mongrel Riki never imagined that he'd meet an elite Blondy like Iason Mink. Was it chance or the workings of fate that brought this unlikely pair together?
Nine years ago, a stroke of luck landed the King of Bison a job as a courier--a veritable ticket out of the slums. He found himself under the employ of Katze, a man whose origins were not so different from his own. Inspired by this man's success, Riki learned the ropes and became known as "Riki the Black" for his exploits within the black market. But even as he moved up in the world, a shadow threatened to pull him down--a memory of the meeting he has with a certain Tanagura Blondy-- and leave him a thrall to its presence. Little did Riki know, it was more than just Iason's memory that enslaved him...
---
Taken from back cover:
Riki found himself in an unusually talkative mood. In response to the frigid gaze falling on him as if from a great height, he gestured defiantly, not intimidated even by the ever-present air of omnipotence in Iason's cool voice.
While cruising for cash cards from unwary tourists in the city of Midas, the slum mongrel Riki never imagined that he'd meet an elite Blondy like Iason Mink. Was it chance or the workings of fate that brought this unlikely pair together?
Nine years ago, a stroke of luck landed the King of Bison a job as a courier--a veritable ticket out of the slums. He found himself under the employ of Katze, a man whose origins were not so different from his own. Inspired by this man's success, Riki learned the ropes and became known as "Riki the Black" for his exploits within the black market. But even as he moved up in the world, a shadow threatened to pull him down--a memory of the meeting he has with a certain Tanagura Blondy-- and leave him a thrall to its presence. Little did Riki know, it was more than just Iason's memory that enslaved him...
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
26 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Rieko Yoshihara
22 books110 followersJapanese author and a key creator of the homoerotic subgenre known in Japan as shōnen ai ["boys' love"]. Yoshihara spent the first three years of her career writing straightforward homoerotic romance, before stumbling into sf, seemingly by accident, with the success of her signature work Ai no Kusabi (December 1986-October 1987 Shōsetsu June; 1990; trans as The Space Between 2007-2008 [see Checklist for details]). Originally published in book form as a single hardback novel, it was later reissued as a six-part series, from which the English translation was made.
Yoshihara's work is strongly redolent of the sexually-charged mysteries of Ranpo Edogawa, and shares many overt themes with the controversial sf of Shōzō Numa. However, it reached an entirely different audience, one largely unaware of these precursors. The world of Ai no Kusabi is divided by decree into classes defined by Genetic Engineering as signalled by the hair colour of the blond rulers and their black-haired subjects. The Blondies are forbidden from sexual intercourse, but often keep members of the dark-haired underclass for use as "pets" and "furniture". In an attempt to curtail Overpopulation, no more than 10% of births may be female, effectively rendering the milieu as an all-male environment, as opposed to the female Keep of Yoshihara's contemporary Yumi Matsuo.
In a sense, Yoshihara's work is an extreme comment on Women in SF, by excluding them almost entirely from a narrative of intense homoerotic relationships and macho vendettas. In depicting abusive relationships between men, in a world from which women are removed or somehow distanced, she tapped into an unexpectedly large subsection of female fandom. Ai no Kusabi found a passionate readership in Japan, sufficient to secure a Seiun Award for its illustrator Katsumi Michihara, although not for its author. The series has twice been adapted into anime, as a two-part video in 1992 and on DVD in 2012; there have also been CD dramas in the style of Radio plays, as well as a Manga edition. Long before its licensed translation in the twenty-first century, it gained a similarly passionate fan following at the periphery of US anime fandom, often among viewers who were forced to guess at the Japanese plot. In its romanticizing of both abstinence and abuse, it can be seen as a forerunner of certain subsets of twenty-first century fantasy, particularly the depiction of Vampires typified by Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.
Ai no Kusabi was the subject of a prolonged fan translation project, the results of which are often at odds with the output of the legal English-language publication. This is a feature of the sheer fanaticism of Fandom, but also of the many difficulties facing a translator of its complex, multi-layered situations. Even the title encompasses a multiplicity of meanings, with "The Space Between" in Japanese also a pun on "Bonds of Love", "Wedge of Interval" and numerous other possible readings. Moreover, some of Yoshihara's editions offer a decorative English-language subtitle on the Japanese cover, even though her English-language title is often an inexact or counter-intuitive rendering of the actual Japanese. Such fogging of meaning is commonplace in modern Japanese sf, but plays havoc with encyclopedia listings (> Hisashi Kuroma).
Although hardly one of the Mainstream Writers of SF, Yoshihara shares many of their concerns, being primarily an author in one genre (her mundane homosexual romances are largely unlisted here), who only occasionally dabbles in Fantastika. Several of her other books touch on otherworldly themes. Kage no Kan ["House of Shadows"] (1994) eroticizes the relationship between Lucifer and his sworn enemy, the archangel Michael. Although not listed as a sequel per se, the following year's Satan no Fūin ["Seal of Satan"] (1995), shares an illustrator, as well as an apparent continuation of the story as Lucifer lives out his exile on Earth (> Gods and Demons). [JonC]
Yoshihara's work is strongly redolent of the sexually-charged mysteries of Ranpo Edogawa, and shares many overt themes with the controversial sf of Shōzō Numa. However, it reached an entirely different audience, one largely unaware of these precursors. The world of Ai no Kusabi is divided by decree into classes defined by Genetic Engineering as signalled by the hair colour of the blond rulers and their black-haired subjects. The Blondies are forbidden from sexual intercourse, but often keep members of the dark-haired underclass for use as "pets" and "furniture". In an attempt to curtail Overpopulation, no more than 10% of births may be female, effectively rendering the milieu as an all-male environment, as opposed to the female Keep of Yoshihara's contemporary Yumi Matsuo.
In a sense, Yoshihara's work is an extreme comment on Women in SF, by excluding them almost entirely from a narrative of intense homoerotic relationships and macho vendettas. In depicting abusive relationships between men, in a world from which women are removed or somehow distanced, she tapped into an unexpectedly large subsection of female fandom. Ai no Kusabi found a passionate readership in Japan, sufficient to secure a Seiun Award for its illustrator Katsumi Michihara, although not for its author. The series has twice been adapted into anime, as a two-part video in 1992 and on DVD in 2012; there have also been CD dramas in the style of Radio plays, as well as a Manga edition. Long before its licensed translation in the twenty-first century, it gained a similarly passionate fan following at the periphery of US anime fandom, often among viewers who were forced to guess at the Japanese plot. In its romanticizing of both abstinence and abuse, it can be seen as a forerunner of certain subsets of twenty-first century fantasy, particularly the depiction of Vampires typified by Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.
Ai no Kusabi was the subject of a prolonged fan translation project, the results of which are often at odds with the output of the legal English-language publication. This is a feature of the sheer fanaticism of Fandom, but also of the many difficulties facing a translator of its complex, multi-layered situations. Even the title encompasses a multiplicity of meanings, with "The Space Between" in Japanese also a pun on "Bonds of Love", "Wedge of Interval" and numerous other possible readings. Moreover, some of Yoshihara's editions offer a decorative English-language subtitle on the Japanese cover, even though her English-language title is often an inexact or counter-intuitive rendering of the actual Japanese. Such fogging of meaning is commonplace in modern Japanese sf, but plays havoc with encyclopedia listings (> Hisashi Kuroma).
Although hardly one of the Mainstream Writers of SF, Yoshihara shares many of their concerns, being primarily an author in one genre (her mundane homosexual romances are largely unlisted here), who only occasionally dabbles in Fantastika. Several of her other books touch on otherworldly themes. Kage no Kan ["House of Shadows"] (1994) eroticizes the relationship between Lucifer and his sworn enemy, the archangel Michael. Although not listed as a sequel per se, the following year's Satan no Fūin ["Seal of Satan"] (1995), shares an illustrator, as well as an apparent continuation of the story as Lucifer lives out his exile on Earth (> Gods and Demons). [JonC]
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 19, 2015
The pace has picked up during last half of the book. I am hoping to see lots more interactions between Riki and Iason from here on.
* 18th September 2015
* 18th September 2015
December 28, 2012
There continue to be spelling errors as well as stylistic ones. You have to wonder at editors that can’t catch a word being repeated twice in the same sentence.
Matters get considerably more convoluted in this sequel. Riki is given a job and proves that he’s as smart, quick, knowing and cunning as the former members of his Bison gang knew him to be. But his moving up in the world is given a considerably darker turn when he runs up against the conniving and coolly dangerous Iason Mink.
While their mutual fascination is interesting to read, the dark heart that promotes it is not really touched upon in this novel. While the plight of pets (glorified sex slaves) and slum mongrels is mentioned, no one seems to see how pitiful is the fate of the Blondys, the supposed alphas of Tanagura society. They are all artificially created by a computer known as Jupiter. They are all male and all sterile. Thus, while they are allowed to have sexual desires, they can’t breed their own kind.
If pets are slaves to Blondys, then it seems that Blondys are a kind of pet to Jupiter. If anything were to happen to the computer that rules this world with an electronic fist, the latest batch of Blondys would be the last.
None of this is stated in the novel, of course; it’s merely a notion that I infer on my own. One wonders if it will be brought up in the sequels.
Matters get considerably more convoluted in this sequel. Riki is given a job and proves that he’s as smart, quick, knowing and cunning as the former members of his Bison gang knew him to be. But his moving up in the world is given a considerably darker turn when he runs up against the conniving and coolly dangerous Iason Mink.
While their mutual fascination is interesting to read, the dark heart that promotes it is not really touched upon in this novel. While the plight of pets (glorified sex slaves) and slum mongrels is mentioned, no one seems to see how pitiful is the fate of the Blondys, the supposed alphas of Tanagura society. They are all artificially created by a computer known as Jupiter. They are all male and all sterile. Thus, while they are allowed to have sexual desires, they can’t breed their own kind.
If pets are slaves to Blondys, then it seems that Blondys are a kind of pet to Jupiter. If anything were to happen to the computer that rules this world with an electronic fist, the latest batch of Blondys would be the last.
None of this is stated in the novel, of course; it’s merely a notion that I infer on my own. One wonders if it will be brought up in the sequels.
January 29, 2024
"un sacrificio è privo di significato se non viene offerto volontariamente."
October 10, 2016
An overly verbose writing style makes things way more complicated than they should be.
The world the characters inhabit is complex enough without having to wade through page after page of exploration on minor details.
The world the characters inhabit is complex enough without having to wade through page after page of exploration on minor details.
July 3, 2025
An improvement on the first volume, this one was actually about the main characters and had plenty of dialogue lol. Iason is definitely the most interesting part of this story, he didn’t get much page time in this volume but he’s clearly about to get more in the next volume so I’m excited
CWs: eugenics, classism, sexual assault, violence, slavery (including sexual), drug use, graphic sexual content involving a minor, pedophilia, intentional disabling
CWs: eugenics, classism, sexual assault, violence, slavery (including sexual), drug use, graphic sexual content involving a minor, pedophilia, intentional disabling
December 11, 2010
It's getting better and better!
This volume deals with the story of Riki and Iason's first encounter, their first feelings towards each other, their thoughts..
Then it tells about Riki's childhood. I didn't expect that, but it really makes the whole story more complete.
Introducing new characters and new events, this volume makes you forget about the anime (at least it happened to me) and you begin to take this whole story as something new, something that has a unique life of its own.
This volume deals with the story of Riki and Iason's first encounter, their first feelings towards each other, their thoughts..
Then it tells about Riki's childhood. I didn't expect that, but it really makes the whole story more complete.
Introducing new characters and new events, this volume makes you forget about the anime (at least it happened to me) and you begin to take this whole story as something new, something that has a unique life of its own.
January 27, 2022
4,7 estrellas
La historia como va es más interesante cada vez más, con esta parte nos adentramos en los sentimientos y la razón de la obsesión/atracción de Iason por Riki. Además, vemos el conflicto interno de Riki aunque no se sepa exactamente lo que siente a parte de cómo le afectó la situación que vivió durante los tres años que fue un Pet. No se descuidan las tramas ni la constancia de los personajes y sus conflictos. Excelente hasta el momento.
La historia como va es más interesante cada vez más, con esta parte nos adentramos en los sentimientos y la razón de la obsesión/atracción de Iason por Riki. Además, vemos el conflicto interno de Riki aunque no se sepa exactamente lo que siente a parte de cómo le afectó la situación que vivió durante los tres años que fue un Pet. No se descuidan las tramas ni la constancia de los personajes y sus conflictos. Excelente hasta el momento.
May 2, 2020
Oooh, volume 2 is much better than the previous one. For one thing, the protagonist gets extracted from his useless gang of slum dogs and placed into the black market, thus giving him better company and ways to improve himself. Not that Riki manages to grow up much anyway, refinement and personal improvement seem to glide off this mongrel like water off a duck's back.
The real treat for me was the appearance of Katze and Raoul, though we are yet to see all that much about them so far. Together with Iason, they form my sacred and most beloved trio and every time they are on the page I am happy. Speaking of sacred and most beloved... Holy Gods Iason Mink! He was so alluring and captivating in the animated version, but frak me, he is a million times better in the novel. This version of Iason is tremendous, he is like the center of the earth, like the gravity pulling everyone and everything to him. He's a fucking god, in all his cruel, cold, manipulative, disdainful, perfection personified glory. Because I know where he is going, seeing him like this in the early stages is an absolute treat and it just heightens the drama.
The real treat for me was the appearance of Katze and Raoul, though we are yet to see all that much about them so far. Together with Iason, they form my sacred and most beloved trio and every time they are on the page I am happy. Speaking of sacred and most beloved... Holy Gods Iason Mink! He was so alluring and captivating in the animated version, but frak me, he is a million times better in the novel. This version of Iason is tremendous, he is like the center of the earth, like the gravity pulling everyone and everything to him. He's a fucking god, in all his cruel, cold, manipulative, disdainful, perfection personified glory. Because I know where he is going, seeing him like this in the early stages is an absolute treat and it just heightens the drama.
January 16, 2021
An interesting if a bit odd book giving more information about the crazy, racist, iron-clad caste system on the world Riki - the lowest of the low- and Iason an adonis-like Elite- live on and the dynamics between classes. Reader's get more of an understanding of why Riki and Guy are Pairing Partners and their bond formed from mutual pain and abuse at an orphanage . Iason however is still an enigma who for some reason - boredom? just plain sadistic - has taken a unhealthy interest in Riki and is secretly playing his puppet master. This book is not a stand-alone and more a set up for how things are going to play out in the future between Riki and his capturer/tormentor Iason who is determined to turn the feral mongrel into a leashed "pet" even if he has to smash him into pieces to do it.
April 1, 2023
So, I'm hooked now, really loved to get some background and how the boys met the first time.
The writing style is still jarring, but either I'm getting used to it, or it doesn't bother me too much anymore.
Off to read Vol.3....
The writing style is still jarring, but either I'm getting used to it, or it doesn't bother me too much anymore.
Off to read Vol.3....
January 25, 2026
Воу, послідовність (ну майже)! Все ще надто пафосна нісенітниця, де я не можу зрозуміти, що гірше: стиль автора чи якість перекладу, але в поєднанні це знущання над моїми очима та мізками. Ще один том і кидаю, бо це копирсання в старому медіа не виправдовує ніц втраченого часу.
August 1, 2019
TW: Some trans-phobia and mentions of pedophilia.
December 20, 2022
Good job I think that went well I had fun Thank you you are amazing and great nice to have you and great for you and have fun and have the time of your life and thank you for the happiness.
July 14, 2023
I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore
September 20, 2023
The dramatic irony is gut wrenching in this volume
December 20, 2023
Iason, the bastard that you are.
November 13, 2024
"Ieri, oggi e naturalmente anche domani, tu sei e sarai il mio animale domestico"
January 29, 2025
¡Y con este volumen empieza lo bueno!
Que cosa más interesante y emocionante me ha parecido esta parte. Iason, qué ganas de dedicarte una tesis analizando y apreciando todo tu hermoso ser.
Que cosa más interesante y emocionante me ha parecido esta parte. Iason, qué ganas de dedicarte una tesis analizando y apreciando todo tu hermoso ser.
2025
June 20, 2025Ay amigos que nostalgia de yaoi vibes adolescentes JAJAJAJAJ
June 6, 2019
A chance encounter between a proud mongrel from the slums and an elite Blondy from Tanagura have consequences which shock both of them, rocking their sinister, corrupt world of carefully regulated class discrimination to the core. That world got was fleshed out further in this volume through the perspective of Katze and the Black Market, along with the spotlight on Midas. Iason Mink is everything Riki isn’t, yet both Riki and Iason are drawn to risk, craving opportunities to take chances, to push limits, boundaries, and the restrictions of the world. As a Blondy, Iason appears to have all the power and control over his relationship with Riki or does he? Riki recognizes that he’s out of control, being driven into a cage and cornered, yet he’s not entirely unwilling. He’s as fascinated with Iason as Iason is with him as the two struggle for domination, often allowing anger to dominate his feelings. Iason is luring Riki into a trap, into becoming his plaything, orchestrating an elaborate game, yet he’s walking into the trap, too. Katze is quite the intriguing, yet enigmatic player in this game while Alex is someone who offers an off-world point of view to contrast with everyone else in a striking fashion. All of these elements of character, setting, and plot were brought to life in rich, descriptive prose, punctuated by beautiful illustrations, concocting a genre cocktail of science fiction, mystery, and forbidden passion from which some of the elements of the original yaoi genre was forged. For all of these qualities, I give this four stars.
April 17, 2021
First meetings with Katze nd Iason. Lots of plot, " only" one long sex scene
October 19, 2014
A plot that says a lot of things and doesn't do a lot of things. Sometimes it's even confusing to read and figure out what's going on.
November 30, 2013
It's strange. I loved the ova's but the novels? So far not so much.
March 2, 2014
The relationship became more complicated. Iason became more and more wanted Riki to be with him.
It's getting more interesting.
May 19, 2015
I am not the biggest fan of these illustrations, because the series ruined it for me i guess. Riki doesn't look right. Still by far one of my favorite series.
June 14, 2015
Minus one star for bad editing but nonetheless really gripping and hot. I seriously wish I had the whole series XD
April 28, 2016
Ahhhh now we're getting into the groove, but now... I must also find the next volume. Immediately.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews