Welcome to yaoi territory, where the boys are pretty and the action is too hot for broadcast TV.
Earlier today, Media Blasters started streaming a new English dub teaser for the 2012 Ai no Kusabi OVA. The clip features Katze (voiced by Michael A. Zekas) and Riki (voiced by Darren Mitchell).
As the fans requested, here is a new preview clip of the #AiNoKusabi dub featuring Katze, voiced by @MichaelAZekas as well as some more of Riki! Recorded at @KochaSound – Please enjoy :) #anime #boyslove #dub #yaoi #voiceover pic.twitter.com/ZTL78SRVyh
— Media Blasters (@Media_Blasters) November 22, 2017
In a follow-up tweet, Media Blasters noted that they bumped Riki’s age up to eighteen to “avoid concerns with the sexual content of the series.”
For fans concerned about Riki’s age, we had to make Riki 18 to avoid concerns with the sexual content of the series. TY for understanding!
— Media Blasters (@Media_Blasters) November 22, 2017
Ai no Kusabi hits North American retailers on HD Blu-Ray on December 19. The confirmed voice cast includes:
- Iason Mink: Todd Haberkorn
- Riki: Darren Mitchell
- Guy: Ricco Fajardo
- Orphe Xavi: John Swasey
- Luke: Tyson Rinehart
- Mimea: Elizabeth Maxwell
- Norris: Matt Shipman
- Kirie: Bryson Baugus
- Katze: Michael A. Zekas
- Daryl: Y. Chang
- Sid: Austin Tindle
- Aisha: Meli Grant
- Gideon: Marcus Stimac
- Gilbert: Keith Silverstein
- Hubert: P.M. Seymour
- Marcus: Lucas Schuneman
- Jeek Leader: Clifford Chapin
- Jeek Lackey: Jordan Dash Cruz
- Raoul: Chuck Huber
- Maxi: Ray Hurd
Brittany Lauda is directing the adaptation at Kocha Sound. Matt Shipman will fill the dual role of Assistant ADR Director and Lead Writer for the project.
Ai no Kusabi is a four-episode OVA, which hit retailers in 2012. The series is based on Rieko Yoshihara and illustrator Katsumi Michihara’s manga of the same name.
Katsuhito Akiyama (Gall Force – Eternal Story, Thundercats) directed Ai no Kusabi at AIC, with Naoyuki Onda (Ergo Proxy, Inuyashiki) providing character designs. Series author Rieko Yoshihara was in charge of series composition and wrote the screenplay.
Media Blasters released the series on subtitled DVD in 2013. They describe Ai no Kusabi as:
In a future where social class is determined by the color of one’s hair, Iason sits at the top of the pecking order as a “blondie,” favored by everyone. He is given latitude in his daily life, but draws unwanted attention when he chooses to take a “mongrel” named Riki as his pet. Society has no taboos against staking claim to other humans, but the length and nature of this relationship brings unexpected consequences.
The publisher showed off a publisher for the dub last week. You can check it out below.
As promised, here is a preview clip & cast announcement for your RTs & shares! @ToddHaberkorn will be playing Iason Mink, and Darren Mitchell is the voice of Riki! Street Date is 12/19/2018 #ainokusabi #dub #anime #VO pic.twitter.com/QyUaLJ1U8W
— Media Blasters (@Media_Blasters) November 8, 2017
Source: Twitter (Media Blasters)