25th the Best – Alive is the fifth greatest hits album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. Originally released digitally on February 19, 2025, via EMI Records, the album was later released physically on February 26, 2025. It contains material from Ai's second to thirteenth studio albums alongside three non-album singles.
Background
Ai released her thirteenth studio album Respect All on August 23, 2023. After completing her tour of the same name, she released the promotional single "Whatever".[1] In 2024, Ai was featured on a series of albums, including Ringo Sheena's Carnival and Mori Calliope's Phantomime. In July, she released "Untitled" featuring Pushim and Dabo, a mashup of Ai's song "Whatever" and the remix version of Pushim's "I Wanna Know You" featuring Dabo.[2] In November, Ai made a series of posts regarding her 25th anniversary of her debut on social media.[3]
Release and promotion
On November 2, 2024, Universal Music Japan launched a website for Ai's 25th anniversary with the message "We are Alive!!!". On November 29, the website was updated, unveiling the Alive Tour, which will begin in May 2025.[4] Alongside the tour announcement, Ai shared on social media she would be releasing a greatest hits album, 25th the Best – Alive.[5][6] Universal Japan announced limited copies of "Story" and "Happiness" on 7-inch single vinyls, which will be released the same day as 25th the Best – Alive.[7][8]
Various editions of the album were announced with limited first press goods.[9] The standard edition features 18 tracks while the deluxe version includes 34 tracks split on two discs. A limited three disc version of the album includes live footage from Ai's Respect All Tour alongside tracks from the deluxe version.[10]
On January 31, "Nakama", the ending theme song for Dragon Ball Daima, was added as a bonus track on the album.[11] On February 19, 25th the Best – Alive was surprise released digitally.[12] The digital release features the deluxe edition track listing as well as the cover art used on the physical limited edition version.
Commercial performance
Upon its digital release, 25th the Best – Alive debuted at number 17 on the Oricon Digital Albums chart.[13] The album also debuted at number 15 on the Billboard Japan Download Albums chart.[14]
Since its physical release, 25th the Best – Alive debuted at number nine on the Oricon Daily Albums chart.[15] It later fell the next day to number 11.[16] The album later debuted at number 13 on the weekly Oricon Albums Chart as well as debuting at number 15 on the Combines Albums Chart.[17] On the Billboard Japan charts, 25th the Best – Alive failed to enter the Hot Albums chart, however it peaked at number seven on the Download Albums chart, becoming Ai's first top-ten album on the chart.[18]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Story" | Ai Carina Uemura | Mic-a-holic Ai | |
| 2. | "Aldebaran" | Naotarō Moriyama | Dream | |
| 3. | "Happiness" | Uemura | Independent | |
| 4. | "Minna ga Minna Eiyū" | Makoto Shinohara | ||
| 5. | "Dear Mama" | Uemura | Moriagaro | |
| 6. | "Kira Kira" (featuring Naomi Watanabe) | Uemura | Wa to Yo | |
| 7. | "My Friend" |
| Original Ai | |
| 8. | "The Moment" (featuring Yellow Bucks) |
| Dream | |
| 9. | "Life" |
| Original Ai | |
| 10. | "Last Words" | Uemura | Original Ai | |
| 11. | "I Wanna Know" | Uemura | What's Goin' On Ai | |
| 12. | "Voice" | Uemura | Moriagaro | |
| 13. | "Not So Different" (remix) (featuring Awich) |
| It's All Me, Vol. 2 | |
| 14. | "You Are My Star" |
| Viva Ai | |
| 15. | "Nemurenai Machi" | Uemura | The Last Ai | |
| 16. | "Believe" | Uemura | What's Goin' On Ai | |
| 17. | "Music Is My Life" | Uemura | Wa to Yo | |
| 18. | "Nakama" (Zedd featuring Ai) |
|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Album | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Story" | Uemura | Mic-a-holic Ai | |
| 2. | "Aldebaran" | Moriyama | Dream | |
| 3. | "Happiness" | Uemura | Independent | |
| 4. | "Minna ga Minna Eiyū" | Shinohara | ||
| 5. | "Dear Mama" | Uemura | Moriagaro | |
| 6. | "Kira Kira" (featuring Naomi Watanabe) | Uemura | Wa to Yo | |
| 7. | "Hanabi" | Uemura | Moriagaro | |
| 8. | "My Friend" |
| Original Ai | |
| 9. | "The Moment" (featuring Yellow Bucks) |
| Dream | |
| 10. | "Fake" (featuring Namie Amuro) | Uemura | The Last Ai | |
| 11. | "Life" |
| Original Ai | |
| 12. | "Independent Woman" | Uemura | Independent | |
| 13. | "World Dance" (featuring Chanmina) |
| Respect All | |
| 14. | "In the Middle" (featuring Daichi Miura) |
| Dream | |
| 15. | "Last Words" | Uemura | Original Ai | |
| 16. | "I Wanna Know" | Uemura | What's Goin' On Ai | |
| 17. | "E.O" |
| 2004 Ai | |
| 18. | "Voice" | Uemura | Moriagaro | |
| 19. | "Not So Different" (remix) (featuring Awich) |
| It's All Me, Vol. 2 | |
| 20. | "Respect All" |
| Respect All | |
| 21. | "Thank U" |
| Original Ai | |
| 22. | "Music" |
| What's Goin' On Ai | |
| 23. | "Sunshine" |
| Mic-a-holic Ai | |
| 24. | "Be with You" |
| Dream | |
| 25. | "Whatever" |
| ||
| 26. | "You Are My Star" |
| Viva Ai | |
| 27. | "Nemurenai Machi" | Uemura | The Last Ai | |
| 28. | "Family" |
| The Last Ai | |
| 29. | "So Special" (Version Ai) (with Atsushi) |
| Viva Ai | |
| 30. | "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Celebration Mix)" (Version Ai) |
| The Last Ai | |
| 31. | "I'll Remember You" |
| Don't Stop Ai | |
| 32. | "Believe" | Uemura | What's Goin' On Ai | |
| 33. | "Music Is My Life" | Uemura | Wa to Yo | |
| 34. | "Nakama" (Zedd featuring Ai) |
|
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Opening" | |
| 2. | "Respect All" | |
| 3. | "Moriagaro" | |
| 4. | "Hanabi" | |
| 5. | "The Moment" (featuring Yellow Bucks) | |
| 6. | "Start Again" | |
| 7. | "Wavin' Flag" | |
| 8. | "Be with You" | |
| 9. | "Dear Mama" | |
| 10. | "Beautiful Things" | |
| 11. | "Life Goes On" | |
| 12. | "Little Hands" | |
| 13. | "Nemurenai Machi" | |
| 14. | "Be Brave" | |
| 15. | "Story" | |
| 16. | "Aldebaran" | |
| 17. | "I Wanna Know" | |
| 18. | "Voice" | |
| 19. | "Not So Different" (remix) | |
| 20. | "World Dance" | |
| 21. | "Lasting Peace Song" (encore) | |
| 22. | "Whatever" (encore) | |
| 23. | "Minna ga Minna Eiyū" (encore) | |
| 24. | "Happiness" (encore) |
Notes
- The album's limited edition CD+DVD release consists of three discs.
- "Respect All" interpolates Bob James' 1982 instrumental song "Shamboozie" written by James.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Monthly charts
|
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | February 19, 2025 | Standard | [12] | ||
| Japan | February 26, 2025 | CD |
|
[22] | |
| Deluxe | |||||
|
Limited | ||||
| |||||
| CD (Amazon exclusive) | Standard | [23] | |||
| Deluxe | |||||
|
Limited | ||||
| |||||
| CD (Universal Japan exclusive) | Standard | Universal Japan | [24] | ||
| Deluxe | |||||
|
Limited | ||||
|
Best of digital compilations
On March 12, 2025, Universal Music Enterprises released a digital compilation album, Best of Collabo Vol. 1.[note 1] On social media, Ai shared four additional digital compilations would be released. Describing the releases as "playlists", Ai revealed majority of the tracks featured are "songs that didn't make the cut for the 25th best album".[25]
Best of Collabo Vol. 1
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Not So Different" (remix) (featuring Awich) |
| 3:41 |
| 2. | "World Dance" (featuring Chanmina) |
| 3:41 |
| 3. | "The Moment" (featuring Yellow Bucks) |
| 3:22 |
| 4. | "Rise Together" (Yaffle and Ai featuring OZworld) |
| 3:03 |
| 5. | "Stronger" (featuring Miliyah Kato) |
| 5:01 |
| 6. | "Still..." (featuring AK-69) |
| 4:10 |
| 7. | "Scream" (featuring Jesse) |
| 3:21 |
| 8. | "In the Middle" (featuring Daichi Miura) |
| 4:25 |
| 9. | "Fake" (featuring Namie Amuro) |
| 4:14 |
| 10. | "First Time" (featuring Riehata) |
| 3:01 |
| 11. | "So Special" (with Atsushi) |
| 4:13 |
| 12. | "Playboy" (featuring Dabo) |
| 4:00 |
| 13. | "2Hot" (featuring Sphere of Influence) |
| 4:16 |
| 14. | "Butterfly" (featuring Anty the Kunoichi, Anna Tsuchiya and Pushim) |
| 4:23 |
| 15. | "Wonderful World" (featuring Himekami) |
| 3:55 |
Notes
- ^ The title of the album series is noted as "Expanded Edition".
References
- ^ "ネスレ日本「キットカット」受験生応援CMで流れる曲は？" [What song plays in Nestlé Japan's "Kit Kat" exam support commercial?]. CDJournal (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AIがPUSHIMとDABO迎え新曲リリース、"とにかく大好き"な「I Wanna Know You」サンプリング（コメントあり）" [Ai releases new song with Pushim and Dabo, sampling "I Wanna Know You" which she "just loves"]. Natalie (in Japanese). July 16, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI、デビュー25周年イヤーの新ビジュアルとロゴ公開（コメントあり）". Natalie (in Japanese). November 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI デビュー25周年イヤー＜25の『アイ』を届けます＞企画スタート！,2025年2/26(水)に25周年記念ベストアルバム発売＆ベストツアーが決定！" [Ai's 25th anniversary year "25 of Ai" project has started! 25th anniversary best album release on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 & best tour decided!]. Encore (in Japanese). December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI、＜25の『アイ』を届けます＞企画スタート。25周年記念ベストアルバム発売＋全国ツアーなど数々の企画発表も" [Ai launches "25 of Ai" project. 25th anniversary best album release + national tour and other project announcements]. Barks (in Japanese). November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (December 16, 2024). "AI Talks Collaborating With Zedd for 'Dragonball DAIMA' Ending Theme & Plans for 25th Anniversary". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "AI、デビュー25周年イヤー企画「25の『アイ』を届けます」スタート" [Ai launches 25th anniversary project "Delivering 25 'Ai' "]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI『Story』と『ハピネス』7inchアナログレコードが2025年2月26日同時発売" [Ai's "Story" and "Happiness" 7-inch analog records will be released simultaneously on February 26, 2025]. Tower Records.
- ^ "AI 25周年記念ベストアルバム『25th THE BEST - ALIVE』2025年2月26日発売！タワレコ先着特典「ステッカーシート」" [Ai's 25th Anniversary Best Album "25th The Best - Alive" to be released on February 26, 2025! Tower Records first-come-first-served bonus "Sticker Sheet"]. Tower Records. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI、デビュー25周年イヤー記念し"25の『アイ』を届けます"企画始動 ベスト盤＆全国ツアー開催も" [Ai to celebrate 25 years since debut with project "Delivering 25 versions of 'Ai'" and holding best album and nationwide tour]. Real Sound (in Japanese). November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI 25周年記念ベストアルバム 『25th THE BEST - ALIVE』に収録されるボーナストラック解禁！さらに、UM STORE限定商品として発表されていたTシャツデザイン公開！！" [The bonus tracks included in AI's 25th anniversary best album 25th THE BEST - ALIVE have been revealed! In addition, the T-shirt design announced as a UM STORE exclusive item has been revealed!]. Encore (in Japanese). Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b "AI、25周年記念ベストアルバムのデジタル配信スタート。3日間にわたるオンラインリリースイベントの開催発表も" [AI starts digital distribution of 25th anniversary best album. 3-day online release event also announced]. Barks (in Japanese). February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: March 3, 2025" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Top Download Albums – Week of February 26, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "Oricon Top 30 Daily Albums: February 25, 2025". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "Oricon Top 30 Daily Albums: February 26, 2025". Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Oricon Top 50 Combined Albums: 2025-03-10" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "Billboard Japan Download Albums – March 5, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-03-10/p/2" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales – March 5, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2025-02" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^
- "25th The Best - Alive [Regular Edition] AI CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th The Best - Alive [Deluxe Edition] AI CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th The Best - Alive [2CD + DVD / Limited Edition] AI CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th The Best - Alive [2CD + Blu-ray / Limited Edition] AI CD Album". CDJapan. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^
- "Amazon.co.jp限定】25th THE BEST - ALIVE (通常盤)(特典:メガジャケ付)". Amazon. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "【Amazon.co.jp限定】25th THE BEST - ALIVE (DELUXE EDITION)(2枚組)(特典:メガジャケ付)". Amazon. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "【Amazon.co.jp限定】25th THE BEST - ALIVE (初回限定盤)(2枚組)(DVD付)(特典:メガジャケ付)". Amazon. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "【Amazon.co.jp限定】25th THE BEST - ALIVE (初回限定盤)(2枚組)(Blu-Ray付)(特典:メガジャケ付)". Amazon. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^
- "25th THE BEST - ALIVE【CD】【+GOODS】 | AI". Universal Music Store (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th THE BEST - ALIVE【CD】【+GOODS】 | AI". Universal Music Store (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th THE BEST - ALIVE【CD】【+DVD】【+GOODS】 | AI". Universal Music Store (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- "25th THE BEST - ALIVE【CD】【+Blu-ray】【+GOODS】 | AI". Universal Music Store (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "AI、テーマ別BEST PLAYLIST「BEST OF COLLABO Vol.1 -EXPANDED EDITION-」配信スタート" [Ai's thematic best playlist Best of Collabo Vol.1 -Expanded Edition now available]. Barks (in Japanese). March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
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