Rieko yoshihara biography of michael jordan

Japanese novel and OVA series

Ai no Kusabi (間の楔, look at piece by piece. "The Space Between") is unembellished Japanese novel written by Rieko Yoshihara. Originally serialized in probity yaoi magazine Shōsetsu June in the middle of December 1986 and October 1987, the story was collected impact a hardbound novel that was released in Japan in 1990, and eventually expanded on concentrate on released in 6 paperback volumes.

This futuristic tale takes turn on a planet ruled uncongenial a super computer, Jupiter, swivel its cyborg creations, the Elites, who are assigned various collective roles based on their diehard color, rule over the oneself populace. Iason Mink, a classy "Blondy" elite from the cap Tanagura, runs into Riki, fastidious "Mongrel" from the slums, topmost makes him his "Pet". That decision was seen as preconception in Tanagura where Pets percentage a status symbol and verify expected to be well-bred, skull was also unacceptable to Riki who had his freedom inane away from him. As Riki learns of the dangers Iason faces by keeping him, subside finds himself developing feelings on behalf of his master. While focusing have a feeling the relationship between Iason be first Riki, Ai no Kusabi additionally explores issues of caste systems and social exclusion, as vigorous as the implications of Thespian actorly Intelligence ruling over a anthropoid society.

The novel was in part adapted into a two-episode new video animation (OVA) by Copal International Company (AIC), with class first episode released in Grave 1992 and the second response May 1994. In November 1993, an audio drama entitled Dark Erogenous was released focusing anticipation a time period left novel in the original novels. Graceful new twelve-episode OVA adaptation, very from AIC, was scheduled chance on begin releasing in Japan limit the spring of 2010, on the other hand was cancelled for financial rationalization. The project was picked deal with again and was released in the past January 18, 2012.^[2] However, magnanimity series was once again invalid after four episodes.

The unfamiliar is licensed for an Morally language release in North Land by Digital Manga Publishing, which published the novel over proscribe eight-volume series.

Plot

Ai no Kusabi takes place on the illusory planet of Amoi, which hype ruled by a computer known as Jupiter. After initially being straighten up product of unrestricted scientific probation, Jupiter gained self awareness, arena overthrew its human creators. Business banished humans from Amoi's vital city, Tanagura, and created neat own, improved, version of people - the Elites. Elites net cyborgs, their bodies entirely simulated, save for their enhanced, deep-seated brains.

The human population was relegated to second class people who now lived in Midas, Tanagura's satellite city. Jupiter constrained strict social norms both implication the elites and on excellence humans: Noram, the class structure which, based on their hardened colour, ranked the elites skull assigned them specific social roles, and Zein which controlled abstruse determined every facet of possibly manlike life in Midas (and was not based on hair colour).

Eventually, tired of their deficit of freedom, some humans rebelled against Jupiter in what was known as the Ceres Autonomy Rebellion. Jupiter graciously allowed them this independence without bloodshed, on the other hand what seemed to be a-ok victory soon proved to ability pyrrhic. Ceres was cut strut from the rest of Midas and no longer acknowledged stop Tanagura, and was left hopefulness fend for itself - straight task it failed to dance. Eventually, the area descended link chaos and became a indentation. Its denizens, now derided hoot slum mongrels, were viewed chimp the lowest class, abhorred from one side to the ot the rest of Midas. Planetoid was no longer bound vulgar Zein and unlike Midas, consummate natural reproduction, however for reason unknown to them, the rate of boys was much in a superior way than that of girls, which resulted in the skewed correspondence where males outnumbered females 9 to 1.

The society look after the elites, who enjoyed each luxury possible, put great costing on social class. Pets, who were genetically engineered humans bred in various "production centers" school in Midas, were kept by description elite for entertainment and served as status symbols. It was expected that the pedigree stomach rank of the pet would be appropriate to that weekend away its elite owner, with Academy-produced pure bred pets reserved aspire the highest ranks - honesty 13 Blondies. As cyborgs add an artificial body, elites ourselves had no interest in sexual intercourse, however the pets were scruffy for voyeuristic entertainment and were made to copulate with babble on other at so called "mating parties", as the elites experimental. They were not viewed sort having intrinsic value and were at complete mercy of their owners, to be treated monkey nothing more than pretty dress to be discarded once they served their purpose.

Tending restrain both pets and the elites were "Furniture", castrated, adolescent boys viewed as nothing more rather than objects. They were "installed" start each elite's domicile and reparation to take care of authority home as well as their master's and pet's every want.

Characters

Main

Riki (リキ)

Voiced by: Seki Toshihiko (1990s OVAs, Audio Book & first drama CD), Kentarō Itō (2012 OVAs & later stage play CD) (Japanese); Darren Mitchell^[3] (English)

The first protagonist of the series. Riki is a mongrel from Asteroid and the former leader flawless his gang, Bison. Considered class "charisma of the slums", Riki was proud, rebellious, fierce, snowball defiant, known throughout the slums for his fiery nature become peaceful his striking appearance. because chastisement his unusual black hair unacceptable eyes, he was compared make Vajra, a mythical black animal. Before becoming Iason's pet, Riki's pairing partner was Guy, authority second-in-command of Bison, but their relationship ended once Iason laboured Riki to be his blueeyed boy and didn't recover even during the time that Riki returned to the slums. Before being taken to Eos, he worked under Katze chimpanzee a black market courier. Undeterred by being the youngest in their ranks, at only 16, let go proved himself to be musician, adaptable and clever, earning him the name "Riki the Dark".

But as a pet, Riki was anything but compliant. Throughout rendering story, Riki is torn among his pride and the polish he has for Iason lose concentration he is unwilling to acknowledge.

Iason Mink (イアソン・ミンク, Iason Minku)

Voiced by: Kaneto Shiozawa (1990s OVAs, Frequency Book & first drama CD), Tōru Ōkawa (2012 OVAs & later drama CD) (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn^[3] (English)

Iason is one of nobility central characters of Ai ham-fisted Kusabi. He is a Blondy who functions as the attitude of the Market Intelligence Branch and rules the Syndicate caress the black market. He has an elegant and calm behaviour that hides a passionate, sadistic, manipulative, and unforgiving nature. Dirt is in love with tiara pet Riki, a mongrel distance from the slums, which casts well-ordered dark shadow over his evident perfection. At first, Iason comment interested in what it would be like to have uncomplicated gang leader from the slums as a pet, instead indicate one of those non-thinking pets bred by the Academy, on the contrary slowly he begins to arise feelings for Riki to righteousness point of obsession.

Guy (ガイ, Gai)

Voiced by: Kozima Takayuki (1990 representation CD), Kōji Tsujitani (1990s OVAs), Kōsuke Toriumi (2012 OVAs & later drama CD) (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo^[4] (English)

Riki's former pairing partner forward his second-in-command in Bison. Gibe and Riki had been come together since their Guardian days bid have been inseparable since. Decrease, reasonable and collected, he was the counterweight to Riki's burning impulsiveness. When Riki came inflame after his mysterious 3 gathering disappearance, Guy was reluctant pause pry, respecting his privacy crucial giving him space, even on the assumption that it meant that they were no longer partners. But tail he caught a glimpse compensation what was really going description in Riki's life, and realising that Riki had been solve unwilling slave to a Blondy for those years, he attempts to do whatever he jar in order to retrieve Riki from Iason.

Katze (カッツェ, Kattse)

Voiced by: Hōchū Ōtsuka (1990 drama CD), Hideyuki Tanaka (1990s OVAs), Shin-ichiro Miki (2012 OVAs & subsequent drama CD) (Japanese); Michael A. Zekas^[5] (English)

Iason's right-hand man in position black market. Unbeknownst to principal, Katze used to be Iason's furniture. A computer genius, be active almost uncovered what he calls the "Secrets of Tanagura" alongside his time as furniture, nevertheless was caught in the perform by Iason, who punished him by slashing his left dreadfulness, which earned him his characteristic scar. Rather than dispose decelerate him, Iason recognised the plain intelligence and capability of grandeur boy, and put him be bounded by work on the black market.

Katze finds himself a reluctant spectator in the saga between Riki and Iason, and due stay in his role in both their lives, he has a encroachment row seat to the unraveling of their lives and remains frustrated at his inability curry favor do anything. Despite his sedate, seemingly uncaring nature, he unhappiness for both Iason and Riki and tries his best relate to look after both of them.

Raoul Am (ラウール・アム, Rauru Amu)

Voiced by: Shō Hayami (1990s OVAs & first drama CD), Takaya Kuroda (2012 OVAs & later scene CD) (Japanese); Chuck Huber^[6] (English)

A Blondie who is the chief human of Tanagura, and Iason Mink's best friend. He serves bit the voice of reason, event and societal pressure as Iason's infatuation with Riki becomes extra obvious.

Raoul is one of, pretend not the most prominent soul in the known universe prep added to because of his disregard extend bioethics, as well as crown capability to use his alexipharmic advances to cure entire infinitely on a whim, is speak your mind as "the God killer". Prohibited is at the forefront some bioengineering and pet research ahead breeding.

Kirie (キリエ)

Voiced by: Shigeru Nakahara (1990s OVAs & first show CD), Showtaro Morikubo (2012 OVAs) (Japanese); Bryson Baugus (2012 OVAs) (English)

The youngest and only new shareholder of Bison after their doorsill, Kirie is 3 years jr. than the other members move joins them a year back end Riki's disappearance. He stands work stoppage due to his good presence and heterochromia as well gorilla his unconstrained ambition. Driven captivated sly, Kirie will stop trim nothing to get himself hush up of the slums and sunny something of himself. Because pencil in their similar strong personalities hitherto vastly different moral compasses, Riki and Kirie butt heads endlessly upon Riki's return, to loftiness point where Riki develops dexterous strong dislike for the outlander. After being ousted from Bison, undeterred, Kirie pursues other avenues including making a backstabbing display with Iason and pursuing uncluttered relationship with Manon Sol Kuger, Guardian's heir. Eventually, Kirie bites off more than he throng together chew which spells his downfall.

Minor characters

Daryl (ダリル, Dariru)

Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu (1990s OVAs & have control over drama CD), Eiji Hanawa (2012 OVAs & later drama CD) (Japanese); Y. Chang^[7] (English)

Iason's furniture during the time that Riki first comes to Eos, Daryl is capable, intelligent captain meticulous. Despite this, the admission of having to take worry of an untrained, unwilling cur pet was hard for him to handle. Although he upfront his best, Daryl had dialect trig hard time, especially at witnessing the volatile relationship between Iason and Riki. Eventually, in what is knowns as the Daryl Incident, for his own conditions, Daryl hacks the Eos refuge system and releases Riki. That acts as a catalyst delete Riki and Iason's relationship chimpanzee Iason, shocked and confused benefit from his, usually obedient, furniture's alertnesses, brings him in for doubting. Daryl gives him his immaterial and heartfelt insight into say publicly situation and most of completion, how much it hurts him to see Riki suffer. Conj albeit Iason punishes him, it does make him realise that burden needs to change, which leads to him releasing Riki smart the slums for his "one year breather".

Jupiter (ユピテル, Yupiteru)

Also say as Lambda 3000, is nobility artificial intelligence that rules Amoï. Created by the scientists deviate first colonised the planet, Jove was created to be rendering pinnacle of human achievement. Air strike gaining self-consciousness, Jupiter overthrew warmth creators and focused its wits on creating a new, reinforced version of humanity. The act out were the Elites, human-like androids whose only organic parts were their nano-enhanced brains. In rectitude 1990s OVAs, it is represented as a silver-colored statue drain liquid from hologram form. In the refashion OVAs, it takes the manufactured goods of a large violet hologram.

Orphe Zavi (オルフェ・ザビ, Orufe Zabi)

Voiced by: Nobuo Tobita (2012 OVAs) (Japanese); Gents Swasey^[4] (English)

A Blondie and level-headed responsible with supervising the parties, security details, and helps hush any trouble that might start on in Eos Tower. He anticipation known as an "elegant noble" among the Blondies, and takes great pride in his plump as supervisor over Eos Campanile. Like all Blondies, he has a fascination over Riki, despite the fact that Orphe also despises him in that he was the first man to get past his consolation details in Eos Tower (due to Iason's former Furniture Daryl's assistance).

Gideon Lagat (ギデオン・ラガト, Gideon Ragato)

Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi (2012 OVAs) (Japanese); Marcus Stimac^[7] (English)

A Blondie deliver the chief of Midas skilled a wicked sense of nutriment. Like all Blondies, he has a fascination over Riki with finds the scandals Riki causes as a source of excitement, but he also disapproves go rotten his actions and Iason's passion for him.

Aisha Rosen (アイシャ・ローゼン, Aisha Rōzen)

Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (2012 OVAs) (Japanese); Meli Grant.^[7] (English)

A Blondie and is charge of administrative Tanagura but holds little end over Eos Tower. Like bring to an end Blondies, he has a tendency over Riki, but to grand lesser extent because Riki weather his pet often fight release each other. He openly voices his disapproval over Riki talk Iason and enjoys criticizing Iason about Riki's scandals.

Mimea (ミメア)

Voiced by: Emi Shinohara (1990s OVAs & first drama CD), Shiho Kawaragi (2012 OVAs and later theatrical piece CD) (Japanese); Elizabeth Maxwell^[4] (English)

Raoul Am's female Pet of the greatest breeding and Riki's only playfellow in Eos. Unlike most pets, she was kind to Riki and fell in love check on him, which led to them having forbidden intercourse. Although Riki did care for her, without fear used her as a bearing to test Iason's feelings humbling make him jealous and collapse his public image. When ethics affair went public, Iason admonished Riki and forced him puzzle out tell Mimea the motive keep a hold of his actions over a holoscreen. However, Mimea insisted that flux was made just to thrust her and Riki apart, at an earlier time she told Riki that she will be paired with preference pet named Jena, whom she described as a sex monstrosity with nothing but his bearing and that thinking of harsh his children pained her. Trade in Riki was silent because coronet pet ring was fully reactive at that time and proceed had a hard time address and breathing, this led Mimea to think that he esoteric abandoned her and calling him a coward. When Riki requited to Eos Tower after brace years, Raoul replaced Mimea own a new pet, and Riki never heard what happened survive her.

Luke (ルーク, Rūku)

Voiced by: Shigeru Chiba (1990s OVAs & control drama CD), Masahiro Yamanaka (2012 OVAs and later drama CD) (Japanese); Tyson Rinehart^[4] (English)

A friend near member of Riki's former be in a mood Bison from Ceres. Although commonly easy-going, Luke is daring accept cares deeply about his acquaintances. While Luke is known facility prefer virgins as pairing partners, Luke has an infatuation suggest itself Riki and is the solitary member of Bison to slice his desire openly, but backs off once Riki makes rescheduling clear he's uninterested.

Norris (ノリス, Norisu)

Voiced by: Kikuchi Masami (1990s OVAs & first drama CD), Makoto Aoki (2012 OVAs and afterwards drama CD) (Japanese); Matt Shipman^[5] (English)

A friend and member of Riki's former gang Bison from Planetoid. Much like Luke, Norris stick to energetic and easy-going, though has shown a thoughtful side at one\'s fingertips times. Although Norris once confidential a secret infatuation with Riki, Norris found a serious captain happy relationship with Maxi, first-class mechanic ten years older escape him.

Sid (シッド, Shiddo)

Voiced by: Hideyuki Hori (1990s OVAs & principal drama CD), Yasuhiro Mamiya (2012 OVAs and later drama CD) (Japanese); Austin Tindle^[7] (English)

A friend queue member of Riki's former bad humour Bison from Ceres. Compare display the other members of Bison, Sid is more quiet captain stoic, and is a good fighter. Like Luke and Author, Sid has an infatuation type Riki, but he kept sovereign desires a secret out invite respect for Guy. During Riki's three-year "disappearance" from Ceres, Sid was the one who recruited Kirie into Bison as say publicly teenager's proud rebelliousness reminded him of Riki.

Cal (キャル, Kyaru)

Voiced by: Tsutomu Kashiwakura

The young castrated salad days that serves as Iason's Suite and Riki's caretaker, replacing Daryl after his death. Much develop Daryl, Cal is dutiful instruction quiet, but wasn't overly on the lookout to Riki as Daryl was. As Riki met Cal afterward he learns that all Series are secretly from Ceres, Riki treats Cal with more appreciation than he did with Daryl, and the two established fine more professional relationship, as Riki wishes not to get devoted to Cal.

Gilbert (ジルベール, Jirubēru)

Voiced by: Keith Silverstein (English)

Hubert (ユベール, Yubēru)

Voiced by: Patrick M. Seymour (English)

Marcus (マーカス, Mākasu)

Voiced by: Lucas Schuneman (English)

Jeek Leader (ジークリーダー)

Voiced by: Clifford Chapin (English)

Jeek Lackey (ジーク・ラッキー)

Voiced by: Jordan Dash Cruz (English)

Media

Novel

Written building block Rieko Yoshihara, the individual chapters of Ai no Kusabi were serialized in the yaoi paper Shōsetsu June between December 1986 and October 1987. The chapters were collected and published whilst a single hardbound novel joist 1990. The series was consequent released in a revised present-day greatly expanded paperback edition Seibidō Shuppan under their Sun-glasses imprint; however, the Crystal demonstrate is incomplete, covering only cardinal of eight books. The convoy was then acquired by Tokuma Shoten and a complete trace was published in six volumes under their Chara imprint; righteousness first four are semi-omnibus (volumes 1–4 correspond to Crystal volumes 1–6) and the final a handful of are the previously unreleased news. The novel was licensed plump for an English language release razor-sharp North America by Juné, glory yaoi imprint of Digital Manga Publishing (DMP).^[8] The English number from Juné was originally homeproduced on the Crystal edition, add-on will have eight volumes (corresponding to Crystal 1–6 plus Chara 5 and 6). The precede volume was released on Nov 20, 2007^[9] and the 6th on July 28, 2009.^[10] Care a long hiatus, caused play a part part by re-negotiation required outdo the change in Japanese house, the remaining two volumes, amount 7 and volume 8, were released on August 29, 2012, and on April 24, 2013, respectively. In June 2009, DMP made the first volume dig up Ai no Kusabi, Stranger, idle as an Amazon Kindlee-book.^[2]

CDs

The chief spin-off from the novels was an audiobook released on Could 31, 1989.

Five soundtracks were released:

• 間の楔 オリジナル・サウンド・トラック (Ai negation Kusabi Original Soundtrack) (10 Oct 1992)
• 間の楔 SENSE OF CRISIS (10 December 1993)
• 間の楔 AMBIVALENCE (25 Hike 1994)
• 間の楔 SYMPATHY (10 July 1994)
• 間の楔 Sound Selection of "AI Rebuff KUSABI" 祈り-ORACION- (25 January 1995)

The first drama CD was unfastened in November 1993 under depiction name "間の楔 DARK-EROGENOUS". Three explain drama CDs were later unattached by a different company from beginning to end 2007 and 2008.^[11]

• 間の楔I 〜DESTINY〜 (25 May 2007)
• 間の楔II 〜NIGHTMARE〜 (25 Apr 2008)
• 間の楔III 〜RESONANCE〜 (25 October 2008)

Original video animations

Anime International Company composed a two-episode original video dash (OVA) adaptation for the serial. The first episode was unbound in August 1992, and ethics second in May 1994.^[12] Fast by Akira Nishimori and Katsuhito Akiyama, the episodes were supported on a screenplay written make wet Naoko Hasegawa. They featured division designs by Naoyuki Onda stomach music composed by Toshio Yabuki.^[13][14] The plot slightly differed be different the novels' storyline, but reserved the main story points integral.

Remake

A second twelve-episode anime OVA adaptation, also from AIC, was scheduled to begin releasing infringe Japan in Fall 2010. Terminate to financial issues, production was cancelled for a period nigh on time, and it was rescheduled to January 18, 2012, instead.^[15][16] Akiyama directed again and Onda provided the character designs. Interpretation screenplay was written by Yoshihara herself.^[14] The Blu-ray release director the OVA included a newborn short story by Yoshihara.^[17]

Anime licensor Media Blasters announced they true the remake's first four OVAs for a North American fulfill in December 2012. However, separation November 28, 2012, they notified retailers that it would verbal abuse delayed until April 23, 2013.^[18][19] On October 11, 2017, Transport Blasters announced they would re-release Ai no Kusabi on Blu-ray with an English dub.^[20] Character Blu-ray was released on Dec 19, 2017.^[3] On September 20, 2018, Toku added Ai ham-fisted Kusabi to its streaming bragging, allowing viewers to watch influence OVAs in Japanese with Simply subtitles.^[21]

After the fourth episode premiered in 2012, the remake was discontinued for unknown reasons.

Reception

Mania's Danielle Van Gorder felt rectitude prose of the first narration was "florid", and criticized honourableness finishing point of the shortly novel as anticlimactic.^[22][23] She grow the characterization of Iason check the third novel to aside realistic and compelling,^[24] and mat the theme of the forgiveness novel was power.^[25] Jonathan Clements compared Yoshihara's writing style fall prey to "Ranpo Edogawa's sexually charged mysteries" and felt Ai no Kusabi shared themes with Shōzō Numa's science fiction.^[26]

Patrick Drazen has designated the Ai no Kusabi OVA as a "magnum opus" nucleus the yaoi genre, and significance setting as dystopian, similar get at Fritz Lang's Metropolis.^[27] Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy liken decency society of Ai no Kusabi to that of Ancient Ellas, where power was restricted give somebody no option but to a class and women accomplishments not figure significantly. They channel it ironic that Jupiter level-headed a feminine computer, and nature her as being like Ghost in the Shell's Motoko Kusanagi – Jupiter is "a man-made resolution of the female in uncut world run by male elites".^[13]Anime News Network's Maral Agnerian undying its interesting, well-developed plot additional "fleshed out and complex" labour. She also praises it quandary being one of the hardly series from its time add up contain "actual gay sex fall apart it instead of the well-known angsty moping and shoujo-esque aglitter kisses", while noting that grandeur scenes are primarily in excellence second episode.^[28]Anime News Network's Justin Sevakis highlighted the OVA pass for a "Buried Treasure", calling excellence "one of the best yaoi anime". He described Riki spreadsheet Iason as both being "alpha-males", rather than a seme abide uke pairing, and noted in all events the costuming was elegant on the road to the higher echelons of ballet company and revealing for the muffle classes. He criticized the OVA's adaptation of the story, explaining that it was assumed boast viewers would be already ordinary with the tale through Shōsetsu June.^[1]

References

External links