The 20th Seiyu Awards, which honors the most active voice actors of the year, held its awards ceremony on March 15th at the Bunka Broadcasting Media Plus Hall (Minato-ku, Tokyo). The limited-time unit "AiScReam" from the "Love Live!" series was selected for the Singing Award. The unit's debut single, "Ai Scream!", became a global hit, mainly through social media, and garnered significant attention.
Representing the unit, Ai Furihata, who plays Ruby Kurosawa, took the stage. It had been announced that Furihata would be graduating from AiScReam's activities on March 27th, and she commented, "Ruby will be graduating in March, so I am humbled to be standing here, but I would like to dedicate this award to Aguri Onishi, who plays Ayumu Uehara, Wakana Okuma, who plays Shiki Wakana, and all the staff." She continued, "I myself feel that our songs have spread all over the world. I am happy to have been involved with the ' Love Live!' series. I am graduating, but I believe that the new lineup will continue to deliver wonderful songs." Finally, in reference to the popular phrase "AiScReam!", she said, "The Seiyuu Awards are better than chocolate mint!" and smiled.
The Seiyu Awards, established in 2006, are co-sponsored by KADOKAWA, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting, and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions. Aside from the MVS (Most Valuable Seiyu, the most outstanding voice actor as chosen by fans), the awards are judged by the Executive Committee and the Selection Committee. The 20th awards will cover works and voice actors that aired, streamed, or were announced between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, Romi Park, who won the Best Leading Actress Award at the inaugural awards, and Aya Hirano, who won the Best New Actress Award, will serve as ambassadors.
