Classic rapey abusive shit

you don't need me to say again how it's a classic. let's just say that ai no kusabi is REALLY good. There are a lot of plot twists and as others have said, the characters are all lovable (at least, acceptable) in their own way. You get to understand every single one of their perspectives and empathize with them.

The only complaint I have is that (I read the 6 volumes out - the 7th one is coming out in September!) it can be really repetitive sometimes. In a way, it's good for someone who randomly picked up the 3rd or so book or someone who didn't read them all at once. I read them all at once (ai no kusabi is a page turner i'm telling you!!!) so...yeah.

Overall -- I highly recommend it. It's a very dark, sci-fi type of book which makes the romance only more exciting to read.

This and I think everyone agrees with me is a yaoi classic. Not because of of its published date... This i believe is the most insightful novels into character development with a yaoi genre i have ever came across. Not only does it give you a smexy story but a look at society.
I mean look at today, what is happening in the novel can be applied to this world. I mean concerning the sex trade and how we treat those that are "different". We look to the rich with respect and awe, and look down on the poor and homeless in our own backyard. We may agrue we help those in need. But if we did truly help there wouldn't be such a thing as proverty.
After reading I came to realize that society can be truly cruel...
I recommend those to read this... It is sad but heart warming at times... but this impressed me the most on the content, it is the content and how the story progresses that i find this novel excellent.
So for those looking for some smex and story plot, and character development...i recommend this..And the new 2012 ovas..I suggest in watching...so far they amazing. .. a lot more development the original 2 ovas

I've read all kinds of genres before and I can say that most of the time, yaoi does not leave much of a lasting impression on me -- except this one.

I'm tired of the "ukes" being the typical boy who acts like a girl. For once, I would of actually liked to see two actual guys with personalities that did not make you doubt they were actually girls on the inside.
Ai no Kusabi answered my prayers.
And what? An actual plot to boot?
Ai no Kusabi is astounding because its able to mix a great (hot) chemistry between Riki and Iason as well as provide us with a detailed, complex setting and storyline.

Actually, I ran across this title after reading about the two part OVA in the Buried Treasure section of Anime News Network and decided to give it a try. Although it was a little slow an confusing in the first part, the second part blew me away and left me heartbroken for a few days; yes it's a heart-wreching tragedy but do not let that dissuade you from giving it a try. I'm not really the type to get emotional during movies so I was taken aback -- Ai no Kusabi is powerful stuff! However, I realized that the OVA was a little too rushed and cramped plot-wise so after some research, I discovered that it was indeed adapted from a novel. The movie was like an introduction for me to the series but it was still a great movie nonetheless so check that out too.

In it's time, Ai no Kusabi was very original and after reading it (6 volumes from June not complete yet), I can definitely see why. Besides the intense plot, the characters are well-developed and easily favorites. Riki, a rare charismatic slum mongrel whose pride and ambitions lead him to climb out of the slums and Iason, the cold elite Tanagura Blondie who has direct communication with the supercomputer Jupiter, are polar opposites with very strong personalities and no clue that their fates would cross and become permanently entangled.

I it, the first volume put me off a little because it was a little too detailed in describing the setting. Just skim it or quickly read about it online and jump straight to volume 2.
DMP has not completed this yet because there was an issue with the licenser (another Japanese publisher took over and DMP had acquired the previous publisher's license) but with enough , [cough people actually buying the books cough] DMP would have had no doubts licensing it once more.

So Ai no Kusabi and see for yourself what a real yaoi masterpiece looks like =)

to tell you the truth, i was kinda gave up after read the first volume. maybe because my english is not very good, it was quite hard of me to understand the story. many words i dont understand plus the story itself, is moving from past to present and move to explain the past again. it was quite made me gave up to read it.
but then i've already have it to the third volume, so i take a quick look to the art and got curious. and i ended read it to vol 6!!
it's really, really, veryyy good ^^
i'm sure it's even better if only my lacking understanding english didn't in my way.sigh (cause i have to look in dictionary to search the words i dont understand, and reread the previous volume to -oh,-so-that's-why)
overall.. it's a really good story with plot like everyone said
i really like Riki kyaaaa-nosebleed
oh and by the way, does anyone feel like Riki characteristic is similar to Ash Lynx from Banana Fish?

This is what one calls 'yaoi with plot'. A whole lot of it. This is a story you can get very immersed in, and the concept is remarkable. Really angsty, but the good kind of angst. BTW, reading this one is a far superior choice to watching the miserable old anime version.

A Yaoi classic with a rich plot line, intensely detailed setting and unforgettable characters...Ill never grow tired of re-reading it...It is that good...But than, I think everyone already knows this. But still; for the uninitiated a wonderful must read.