Ai no Kusabi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ai no Kusabi | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 間の楔 (Wedge of Interval, Love's Wedge or Wedge Between) |
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| Genre | yaoi,Romance, Science fiction |
| Novel | |
| Authored by | Rieko Yoshihara |
| Artist | Katsumi Michihara |
| Publisher |  光風社出版 |
| Publish date | October 1990 |
| No. of volumes | |
| OVA | |
| Directed by | Akira Nishimori Katsuhito Akiyama |
| Studio | AIC |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Released | 1992 and 1994 (VHS Release), 2003 (DVD Release, Region 2 Only) |
Ai no Kusabi (間の楔) is an anime OVA based on the original novel by Rieko Yoshihara. The story was originally serialised in Shousetsu June from December 1986 to October 1987. It was then later edited and published as a hard back novel in 1990. An audio drama Erogenous Dark was also made in November 1993, it is not however a retelling of the original story but focuses on a time period that is not explored into depth in the novel. The story follows the fated love of two men - Iason Mink and Riki the Dark. The themes of the novel and anime range from caste systems and social elitism to the effects of technological progression on personal freedoms and mass ethics. The story falls into the yaoi genre, the relationships presented are largely homosexual although not exclusively (the ones of any substance and emotional importance are homosexual however), as well as having Sci-fi themes and influences.
No translation of Rieko Yoshihara’s novel has yet been released in English, however at Yaoi-con 2006 DMP's yaoi imprint, June Manga, announced they have licensed the novel and an English version will be released.
The OVA has never been officially released in English but is widely circulated in two episodes amongst fans in a fansub format. The script for Erogenous Dark is also widely available amongst fans.
[edit] Plot
Ai no Kusabi takes place on the world of Amoi, ruled over by a computer named Jupiter. Jupiter has installed a number of strict social rules to its society. Among other things, social status is determined by hair color. The Blondies, genetically modified by Jupiter, are the highest social class and occupy the capital city of Tanagura. Contrary to popular belief, the hair-color caste system only applies to those working in Tanagura and not in Ceres. The true separation lies in being genetically created in a lab and being formed the natural way. If the caste system were in effect in Ceres, then those with a lighter hair color would be considered a higher ranking member of the society.
Iason Mink, the head of Jupiter's Syndicate, is visiting Ceres and comes across a mongrel, gang leader Riki the Dark, being attacked as he tries to steal a car. He saves Riki, who, in return, offers to pay back the debt with his body. However, Iason decides to take in Riki as a "Pet," a sexual slave, and marks his claim on Riki by applying a ring to the base of Riki's penis.
Under Jupiter's restrictions, the Blondies are sterile and forbidden from indulging in sexual activities. The "pets" are purely for voyeuristic purposes. Further emasculation is seen in the "Furniture," eunuch slaves who serve the Blondies.
Two years later, Riki is still in the possession of Iason, causing rumors to fly. Riki is considered too old to be a pet (most pets being younger teenagers), and his mongrel status, when professionally bred and trained pets are easily available, call Iason's actions into question. Furthermore, most pets are kept for about a year before being discarded. In fact, Iason has started to fall in love with Riki, and has broken the laws of Jupiter by having intercourse with him.
Iason allows Riki to go back to Ceres for one year, taking off the ring and freeing him. He is welcomed back to his gang, Bison, and they return to normal life. After the year has passed, Iason surprises the mongrel by showing up in his apartment in the slums. He replaces the ring on his penis and tells him to return. Then the Bison are all arrested for robbing a warehouse. Iason Mink sets them all free with little punishment, to the confusion of everyone but Riki. Guy, Riki's boyfriend (pairing partner) before he was brought to Tanagura, wants to be with him again, but Riki explains that he is now a pet, and that's why they were let out of prison so easily. Guy beats Riki viciously and tells him to not come back, so now he has no choice but to return to Iason.
Riki's former lover, Guy, decides to break Riki free of Iason's clutches and kidnaps him, taking him to the ruins of Dana Burn. He attempts to remove Riki's pet ring, but can only do so by castrating Riki. When Iason arrives, Guy sets off explosives in the building, and Iason's legs are severed by the doors of an elevator. Riki decides to return for him, and the two of them light up "Dark Moons" (a brand of cigarette) and die in the collapsing building. At the moment of Iason's death, Jupiter emits a sound: "a moan that is almost human."
[edit] Trivia
- While literally meaning a "wedge between," Daijisen defines 「間の楔」 as a pin (linchpin) that secures the joint between two beams or posts (def. 1); a "stopgap measure" or something that otherwise bridges a gap (defs. 2, 3). Based on pronunciation alone, "ai no kusabi" (愛の楔) also means a "pledge of love," a double entendre the author likely intended.
