Ai no Kusabi
Reviewer: Jia Zhang [email] [website]Overall Rating: A+
Media Reviewed: Digital Fansub
Creator: Yoshihara Rieko
U.S. Licensed: No
Released by: JUNE
Run time: 120 minutes, 2 episodes
BL Content: Hard (sexual situations, domination)
Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi/Romance
Other media: English-licensed novel (unreleased by Juné)
Out of all the yaoi Anime or Manga that I have seen or read, Ai no Kusabi remains to be one of my personal favourites. Although some may be expecting some PWP, they will get so much more from ANK. Unlike the usual yaoi Anime, Ai no Kusabi actually has a plausible plot and story.
Ai no Kusabi is a two part OVA, both lasting about one hour long. The story takes place in the futuristic city of Tanagura, that is controlled by a supercomputer named Jupiter. In Tanagura, there is a great class division, and the social elite of Tanagura are called "Blondie". Those elites spend millions of credits on "Pets", sexual toys for those of the higher order.
Riki, a mere mongrel from the slums, catches the eye of Iason Mink, an elite Blondie with connections to Jupiter. Dispite social opposition, and the direct command of Jupiter, Iason does everything he can to capture the rebellious Riki as his "Pet", and to keep him. Meanwhile, Riki struggles with his emotions: towards Iason, and also his former friend/lover Guy.
Although the Anime is not as detailed as the orginal BL novel, it is still incredibly intricate in the storytelling. At first glance, Ai no Kusabi doesn't seem like much, but as you delve futher into the complex and paradoxial love triangle between Ianson, Riki and Guy, you see a really beautiful, yet tragic love story unfold before you. The way the tale is told is in a both harsh yet tender manner, with very real characters in a believable, yet cruel society, with many parallels to our own.
Personally, I have highly enjoyed ANK. It has all the makings of a great yaoi Anime: BxB action, a complex love triangle, major angst, a very glompable seme, an original uke, and a very tragic, yet beautiful ending. Ai no Kusabi should be on every yaoi fangirl's favourites list.
Ai no Kusabi features the voices of Toshihiko Seki (Riki) and Kaneto Shiozakwa (Iason).