Ai no Kusabi

Originally serialized in the yaoi magazine Shōsetsu June between December 1986 and October 1987, the story was collected into a hardbound novel that was released in Japan in 1990. This futuristic tale is set in a world ruled by a super computer Jupiter, where its android creations, the Elites, are assigned various social classes based on their hair color. Iason Mink, a high-class "Blondie" from the capital Tanagura, runs into Riki, a black-haired "Mongrel" from the slums, and makes him his "Pet", which Riki resents being. As Riki learns of the dangers Iason faces by keeping him, he finds himself developing feelings for his master. While focusing on the relationship between Iason and Riki, Ai no Kusabi also explores issues of caste systems and social exclusion, as well as the implications of Artificial Intelligence ruling over a human society.