Ai Scream!
"Ai Scream!" is a song by AiScReam, a Japanese voice actress unit formed by Ai Furihata, Aguri Ōnishi, and Wakana Okuma, as part of the Love Live! media franchise.
Released as the group's debut single on January 22, 2025, by Lantis, the song gained significant popularity both in Japan and internationally, driven by its viral spread on social media platforms, particularly on TikTok.
Background and release
AiScReam is a Love Live! cross-franchise unit originating from the Nippon Broadcasting System radio program Love Live! Series no All Night Nippon Gold. The group brings together voice actresses from different sub-groups from the Love Live! franchise: Ruby Kurosawa from Aqours, Ayumu Uehara from Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, and Shiki Wakana from Liella!. This marks the first time a Love Live! unit has featured members from multiple generations of the franchise."Ai Scream!" was released as the group's first single on January 22, 2025, and was first performed live at a Love Live! series joint concert held on February 1 and 2, 2025, in Yokohama. A short video from the performance showing the song’s call-and-response segment, was posted on the official Love Live! TikTok account on March 6, 2025. Shortly after, it sparked widespread attention, leading to a surge in user-generated content such as lip-sync videos, dance covers, fan animations, and tribute videos across social media platforms.
Music video
The live-action music video for “Ai Scream!” was published on YouTube on August 31, 2025, about six months after the single's original release date. The video was directed by, with choreography in charge of Chami.Chart performance
"Ai Scream!" debuted at number seven on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for the week of February 3, 2025. Additionally, it entered the Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales chart at number eight for the week of January 29, 2025.On the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs Chart, "Ai Scream!" peaked at number one for the week of May 14, 2025. For the week of May 28, 2025, it reclaimed the number one spot, climbing from number two the previous week. This was believed to be influenced by the group's first TV appearance on NHK's program Venue101, which aired on May 24, 2025.
Internationally, the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Japan Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart.
Global impact
The song’s popularity extended far beyond Japan, driven by its viral spread on short-form video platforms. On the Billboard Japan Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart, "Ai Scream!" peaked at number 3 by May 2025. According to Luminate’s music analysis tool Connect, the song saw significant streaming growth in Asia, particularly in South Korea and Thailand, where the Love Live! franchise already had a strong fanbase prior to the song’s viral success.By week 10, streaming numbers increased in countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Brazil. The song’s "memeification" accelerated in Week 12, with notable streaming growth in North America and Europe. A key driver of its global success was its adoption by K-pop artists, starting with Ive on March 29, 2025, followed by groups such as Kep1er, BoyNextDoor, Tomorrow X Together, Twice, and Aespa. These artists posted videos featuring the song or performed parts of it live, significantly boosting its visibility. South Korea emerged as the top country for streaming outside Japan by week 14, maintaining high streaming numbers for approximately a month.