Link! Like! Love Live!

Link! Like! Love Live! is marketed as a departure from previous Love Live! series, following "virtual school idols" and being "together with school idols over 365 days." The project differs from VTubers in that it has multimedia akin to predecessors that are antithetical to VTubing—wherein those portraying the characters typically remain anonymous—such as real-life live shows and emphasis on the voice actresses.{{cite news|last=Baseel|first=Casey|url=https://soranews24.com/2022/02/28/the-new-love-live-anime-isnt-about-virtual-youtubers-probably%E3%80%90video%E3%80%91/|title=The new Love Live! anime isn't about virtual YouTubers…probably【Video】|publisher=SoraNews24|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Project producer Kazuki Satō explained in 2025 that the "original idea" behind it was to "create a comprehensive and enjoyable multimedia mix experience within a single app. With this app alone, you can read the original story, enjoy live streaming, and enjoy live music in a slightly unique structure."{{cite interview|last=Satō|first=Kazuki|title=Link! Like! Love Live! Special Staff Interview – Beyond Graduation|magazine=Love Live! Days|date=March 2025|pages=16–19|lang=ja}}

The in-universe story takes place at Hasunosora Girls' High School in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. In lieu of an anime, the story is primarily told in Link! Like! Love Live! and progresses in real time.{{cite news|last=Kawase|first=Tatsuya|url=https://realsound.jp/2025/01/post-1904920.html|title=『蓮ノ空』ラブライブ！大会、"全員で叶える夢"の終着点は？ 決勝プレーオフ前に振り返る軌跡|website=Real Sound|date=January 23, 2025|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} Students in their final year of high school graduate and depart Hasunosora at the end of the academic year as they would in real life, while new members are added when the next school year begins.

Live streams in which the characters talk with viewers, called "With×MEETS", are conducted on the app as well as "Fes×LIVE" in-character concerts.{{cite web|url=https://www.lovelive-anime.jp/hasunosora/system/|title=App System|work=Love Live!|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} Fes×LIVE shows are held every three months; they were initially monthly performances before the window was extended due to budget and time constraints. Motion capture is used for the voice actresses to appear as their characters in 3D.

Link! Like! Love Live! is a digital collectible card game. The primary game mode, School Idol Stage, requires players to accumulate as much LOVE points as possible during performances and reach a certain threshold to clear the map; LOVE is attained using a set of 18 cards and their corresponding skills.{{cite web|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/ardse5yJ3WqqbcyaF6FmQ6KJ|title=スクステ攻略 第1回 『Link！Like！ラブライブ！（リンクラ）』の『スクールアイドルステージ（スクステ）』ってどんなゲーム？ 基本要素や序盤の進め方を簡単に解説！【初心者講座】|work=G's Channel|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/arZPJ5ikXBgSXmqiyh6kC9wD|title=スクステ攻略 第6回 『スクールアイドルステージ（スクステ）』のデッキ構築で大事なことは？【初心者講座】|work=G's Channel|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} The mode can be played manually or have skills activated automatically.{{cite web|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/ar6Spn7EXKuat3C96ukx7U2i|title=スクステ攻略 第7回 『スクールアイドルステージ（スクステ）』の基本的な進め方解説。オートモードの使い方も知っておこう【初心者講座】|work=G's Channel|date=July 23, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

Songs and cards are categorized by attributes like appeal, style type, and mood, with the most effective cards in School Idol Stage being those that match the song.{{cite web|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/artN7us9kj4G8sQ7JgANfHz3|title=スクステ攻略 第3回 『スクールアイドルステージ（スクステ）』のカードの見方を解説。各種ステータスやスキル、特性など押さえておきたい情報をチェック【初心者講座】|work=G's Channel|date=July 23, 2024|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} Cards are also divided by rarity, with rarer UR cards having higher stats, and are acquired via a gacha system.{{cite magazine|url=https://app.famitsu.com/20231120_2159149/|title=『Link！Like！ラブライブ！』ハーフアニバーサリー記念6大企画が開催。ガチャ10回分の無償SIsCa配布など|magazine=Famitsu|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} Their strength can be further boosted with enough points for each attribute.{{cite web|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/ar3hwx9Vc2YEbwRbtkMwD47k|title=スクステ攻略 第8回 『スクールアイドルステージ（スクステ）』でカードを育成するのに重要なことは？ 能力育成の優先度を解説【初心者講座】|work=G's Channel|date=July 23, 2024|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

School Idol Show, a rhythm game mode, was implemented in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://lovelive-petitsoku.com/chat-category/425575/|title=【朗報】リンクラ、リズムゲームモード「スクールアイドルショウ」が追加決定！！！！！【Link！Like！ラブライブ！】|work=Love Live! Petitsoku|date=January 11, 2025|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

Where appropriate, plot descriptions mentioned below refer to the in-game story. Other parts of the franchise, such as the manga, feature some variations in the storyline.

File:Hasunosora Girls' High School Idol Club Japanese logo.svg

Unlike other Love Live! series where they are formed mid-story, Hasunosora's School Idol Club was divided into three units since the start of the project.{{cite interview|last1=Nirei|first1=Nozomi|last2=Nonaka|first2=Kokona|last3=Hanamiya|first3=Nina|last4=Sasaki|first4=Kotoko|last5=Kan|first5=Kanna|last6=Tsukine|first6=Kona|interviewer-last=Shouki|interviewer-first=Ohta|url=https://kai-you.net/article/86253|title="ラブライブ！"としての覚悟──『蓮ノ空女学院スクールアイドルクラブ』キャスト座談会|website=Kai-You.net|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

{{nihongo foot|Cerise Bouquet|スリーズブーケ|Surīzu Būke|group=lower-alpha}} is the oldest unit in the club. The unit is described as a "cute and traditional" group similar to those in other projects.{{cite interview|last1=Nirei|first1=Nozomi|last2=Nonaka|first2=Kokona|last3=Hanamiya|first3=Nina|last4=Sasaki|first4=Kotoko|last5=Kan|first5=Kanna|last6=Tsukine|first6=Kona|interviewer-last=Arata|interviewer-first=Akiko|url=https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00581/00041/|title=蓮ノ空女学院スクールアイドルクラブ ラブライブ！に新シリーズ|website=Nikkei xTREND|publisher=Nikkei, Inc.|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

;{{nihongo|Kaho Hinoshita|日野下 花帆|Hinoshita Kaho}}

:{{voiced by|Nozomi Nirei}}

:A third-year student, Kaho is an upbeat and innocent girl who radiates energy. She has a close friendship with Kozue. Kaho becomes joint president of the School Idol Club during her senior year alongside Sayaka.

;{{nihongo|Ginko Momose|百生 吟子|Momose Ginko}}

:{{voiced by|Hina Sakurai}}

:Ginko is a second-year student. Her family does Japanese traditional dance and embroidery, while her grandmother was a member of Hasunosora's Performing Arts Club before it became the School Idol Club. Sakurai recalled in 2024 that she studied the basics of Japanese dance to prepare for her role as Ginko.

Styled in all caps as "DOLLCHESTRA" (a portmanteau of "doll" and "orchestra"), the unit focuses on more serious and emotional songs than its counterparts.

;{{nihongo|Sayaka Murano|村野 さやか|Murano Sayaka}}

:{{voiced by|Kokona Nonaka}}

:Sayaka is a third-year student and co-president of the club. A figure skater who feels her career has stagnated, she was invited by Kaho to join the School Idol Club with the hope of bettering herself. Due to Tsuzuri's airheaded nature, Sayaka is often tasked with taking care of her such as attending to her basic needs.

;{{nihongo|Kosuzu Kachimachi|徒町 小鈴|Kachimachi Kosuzu}}

:{{voiced by|Fūka Hayama}}

:Kosuzu is a second-year student and the youngest daughter of a fishing family in Tsuruga, Fukui. She idolized Sayaka prior to joining the School Idol Club. Kosuzu can be hesitant and nervous at first, but is eager to try new things.

{{nihongo foot|Mira-Cra Park!|みらくらぱーく！|Mirakura Pāku!|group=lower-alpha}} specializes in lively and chaotic music. For example, the 104th class version of "Identity" is faster than the original rendition and incorporates ska punk themes like brass instruments.{{cite web|author=Meganeko Mink|url=https://meganeko-mink.hatenablog.com/entry/2024/10/31/215055|title=最近聴いている曲2024年10月の部 その3|publisher=Hatena Blog|date=October 31, 2024|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

The unit's name is a portmanteau of the words "Miracle", "Kurakura" (クラクラ), and "Park". It can also be shortened to "Mirapa!" (みらぱ!).{{cite interview|last1=Sakurai|first1=Hina|last2=Hayama|first2=Fūka|last3=Kurusu|first3=Rin|title=104期生座談会|magazine=Love Live! Days|date=October 2024|pages=63–66|lang=ja}}

;{{nihongo|Rurino Ōsawa|大沢 瑠璃乃|Ōsawa Rurino}}

:{{voiced by|Kanna Kan}}

:Rurino is a third-year student who briefly studied abroad in California before returning to Japan. She is a cheerful and energetic girl, but becomes weary and lethargic should she have fun for too long. She and Megumi are childhood friends.

;{{nihongo|Hime Anyōji|安養寺 姫芽|Anyōji Hime}}

:{{voiced by|Rin Kurusu}}

:A second-year student, Hime was a fan of Mirapa! before joining the group upon entering high school. She is an esports player who likes first-person shooters.

A unit from Mizukawa Girls' School that competed against Hasunosora to qualify for Love Live!'s national tournament during the 2024–25 school year. After Mizukawa shut down at the end of the year, Edel Note's members transferred to Hasunosora.

;{{nihongo|Ceras Yanagida Lilienfeld|セラス・柳田・リリエンフェルト|Serasu・Yanagida・Ririenferuto}}

:{{voiced by|Miu Miyake{{cite tweet|last=Miyake|first=Miu|user=_mmiya_mm|number=1850885678873424351|title=【お知らせ】 アプリ『Link！Like！ラブラ ブ！』 活動記録（ストーリー） 104期 第7『Link to the FRIENDS！』にて セラス・柳田・リリエンフェルト 役を演じさせていただきました。|date=October 28, 2024|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}}}

:A first-year student at Hasunosora, Ceras is Kaho's childhood friend who befriended her when they were in the hospital together. She was an aspiring violinist but was unable to pursue it due to her medical problems. After attending multiple schools, Ceras hoped to use Mizukawa's School Idol Club to save it from closing. She is half-German, though she grew up in Japan.

;{{nihongo|Izumi Katsuragi|桂城泉|Katsuragi Izumi}}

:{{voiced by|Amane Shindō{{cite news|last=Kawase|first=Tatsuya|url=https://realsound.jp/2025/01/post-1904920_2.html|title=『蓮ノ空』ラブライブ！大会、"全員で叶える夢"の終着点は？ 決勝プレーオフ前に振り返る軌跡|website=Real Sound|date=January 23, 2025|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}}}

:Izumi is a second-year student and the leader of Edel Note. She initially competed against Hasunosora as a solo singer before Ceras joined. Izumi is a mature girl and a talented performer, and serves as Ceras' confidant.

;{{nihongo|Kozue Otomune|乙宗 梢|Otomune Kozue}}

:{{voiced by|Nina Hanamiya}}

:Kozue was the president of the School Idol Club during the 103rd and 104th class years, and a member of Cerise Bouquet. The daughter of a musical family, she was popular on campus for her elegant nature. She is a member of the 102nd graduating class.

;{{nihongo|Tsuzuri Yūgiri|夕霧 綴理|Yūgiri Tsuzuri}}

:{{voiced by|Kotoko Sasaki{{cite news|url=https://realsound.jp/2023/02/post-1257778.html|title=佐々木琴子、『ラブライブ！』新シリーズで夕霧綴理役に抜擢 若月佑美も祝福のコメント|website=Real Sound|date=February 13, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}}}

:An aloof girl who was part of Dollchestra, Tsuzuri tends to wander off in favor of other interests. Sasaki described Tsuzuri as having a "cat-like side" and analogized her to a penguin, which is also Tsuzuri's character icon, since penguins have a tendency to follow other bipedal animals. She graduated with the 102nd class.

;{{nihongo|Megumi Fujishima|藤島 慈|Fujishima Megumi}}

:{{voiced by|Kona Tsukine}}

:Megumi was a member of Mira-Cra Park!. She is an online streamer who likes to express her cuteness but can be cunning as well. She was part of the 102nd class.

;{{nihongo|Sachi Ōgami|大賀美沙知|Ōgami Sachi}}

:{{voiced by|Konomi Kohara}}

:Sachi was Hasunosora's student council president during the 102nd and 103rd years. She also worked as the School Idol Club's president and was a member of all three units before stepping down due to conflicts with her student council work. She was part of the school's 101st graduating class.

;{{nihongo|Tsukasa Murano|村野つかさ|Murano Tsukasa}}

:{{voiced by|Moe Toyota{{cite tweet|last=Toyota|first=Moe|user=toyotamoe|number=1653017893741932544|title=【出演情報】 アプリゲーム「Link！Like！ラブライブ」にて村野つかさ役で出演していま 💫 村野さやかのお姉ちゃんです👩🏻🫶🏻 姉妹の大 なストーリー是非楽しんでくださいね☺️🌟|date=May 1, 2023|access-date=January 12, 2025|lang=ja}}}}

:Sayaka's older sister and a figure skater.

On February 27, 2022, the Love Live! franchise announced a new project focusing on "virtual school idols."{{cite news|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-02-27/love-live-franchise-launches-virtual-school-idol-project-this-fall/.183077|title=Love Live! Franchise Launches 'Virtual School Idol' Project This Fall|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 27, 2022|access-date=February 2, 2025}} Possible names for the series were submitted by fans from October to November before the final name of Link! Like! Love Live! was unveiled in January 2023.{{cite news|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/1/30/love-live-virtual-school-idol-project-to-reveal-its-members-and-vas-on-february-10|title=Love Live! Virtual School Idol Project to Reveal Its Members and VAs on February 10|publisher=Crunchyroll|date=January 30, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025}}

ODD No. became the game's publisher in December as part of a partnership with Bandai Namco Filmworks and Bandai Namco Music.{{cite press release|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000112245.html|title=株式会社オッドナンバーがラブライブ！シリーズ新プロジェクト・バーチャルスクールアイドル完全新作アプリのパブリッシャーとなることを発表|work=ODD No.|publisher=PR Times|date=December 14, 2022|access-date=February 12, 2025}} According to Satō, the app was originally planned to be a rhythm game similar to its predecessor Love Live! School Idol Festival before switching to a card game. He noted this pivot prompted criticism upon release from those who thought it was a generic idol raising game; the Love Live! Days magazine jokingly described it as a "school idol cheering app."

The initial six-member cast, all of whom were Love Live! fans prior to joining the franchise, was assembled in February 2022 before being revealed on February 10, 2023.{{cite interview|last1=Nirei|first1=Nozomi|last2=Nonaka|first2=Kokona|last3=Hanamiya|first3=Nina|last4=Sasaki|first4=Kotoko|last5=Kan|first5=Kanna|last6=Tsukine|first6=Kona|interviewer-last=Arata|interviewer-first=Akiko|url=https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00581/00042/|title=蓮ノ空女学院スクールアイドルクラブ 新シリーズはバーチャルで|website=Nikkei xTREND|publisher=Nikkei, Inc.|date=March 30, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}{{cite news|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/2/10/love-live-hasunosora-jyogakuin-school-idol-club-finally-unveils-six-members-their-vas|title=Love Live! Hasunosora Jyogakuin School Idol Club Finally Unveils Six Members &Their VAs|publisher=Crunchyroll|date=February 10, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Haruko Iizuka, who worked on series like Little Busters! and Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, designed the characters.{{cite news|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-25/link-like-love-live-game-unveils-story-teaser-video-opening-video/.196437|title=Link! Like! Love Live! Game Unveils Story Teaser Video, Opening Video|publisher=Anime News Network|date=March 25, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Their first live stream took place on April 2 while the game released in early access two weeks later on April 13.{{cite news|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/latest/2023/3/28/meet-love-live-hasunosora-jyogakuin-school-idol-club-members-in-new-pv|title=Meet Love Live! Hasunosora Jyogakuin School Idol Club Members in New PV|publisher=Crunchyroll|date=March 28, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/682/G068214/20230410011/|title=「Link！Like！ラブライブ！」のアーリーアクセス版が4月15日に配信。初のバーチャル音楽ライブは4月16日開催|website=4Gamer.net|date=April 10, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} The app's full launch came on May 20.{{cite interview|last1=Satō|first1=Kazuki|last2=Fujimoto|first2=Yoshihiro|url=https://gs-ch.com/articles/article/arTe475p4y8wBMNiUBbqimcf|title=【12月27日発売「Link！Like！ラブライブ！FIRST FAN BOOK」より】「蓮ノ空」ファン必見！ スペシャルスタッフインタビューを全文掲載！|magazine=Link! Like! Love Live! First Fan Book|date=December 27, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

"Dream Believers", the first song recorded by the six, was released as their debut single on March 29, 2023. It peaked at fifth on the Oricon Singles Chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/904869/products/1469630/1/|title=蓮ノ空女学院スクールアイドルクラブ デビューミニアルバム「Dream Believers」|work=Oricon|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} Their first live was held at Pacifico Yokohama on June 4.

In February 2024, the game surpassed 500 thousand downloads.{{cite press release|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000025.000112245.html|title=【スマートフォンアプリ「Link！Like！(リンクライク)ラブライブ！」新情報】「Link！Like！ラブライブ！」50万ダウンロードを突破！|work=ODD No.|publisher=PR Times|date=February 19, 2024|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} The 104th graduating class—Ginko, Kosuzu, and Hime—was added in April with the start of the new school year. Satō called their arrivals "big risks both inside and outside the app" since there were no advance warning or hints, but it was realistic for actual school clubs. Likewise, the 102nd class' voice actresses—Hanamiya, Sasaki, and Tsukine—departed the franchise following their characters' graduations and a final live tour between April and June 2025.{{cite magazine|last1=Nirei|first1=Nozomi|last2=Nonaka|first2=Kokona|last3=Hanamiya|first3=Nina|last4=Sasaki|first4=Kotoko|last5=Kan|first5=Kanna|last6=Tsukine|first6=Kona|last7=Sakurai|first7=Hina|last8=Hayama|first8=Fūka|last9=Kurusu|first9=Rin|title=卒業ライブ決定! – Special Cast Comment|magazine=Love Live! Days|date=May 2025|lang=ja}}

{{see also|Love Live! discography#Link! Like! Love Live!}}

Singles and albums have been produced for each of the three units as well as the School Idol Club as a whole. Cerise Bouquet ("Reflection in the mirror") and Dollchestra's ("Sparkly Spot") debut singles were jointly released on April 26, 2023, while Mira-Cra Park's first ("Identity") came on November 29.{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/906553/products/1472353/1/|title=Reflection in the mirror|work=Oricon|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/906557/products/1472356/1/|title=Sparkly Spot|work=Oricon|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/906899/products/1487966/1/|title=アイデンティティ|work=Oricon|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}} The project's music is published by Lantis.{{cite web|url=https://www.lantis.jp/title/1c58e0b80a7e14ed8fbfabe8fc8b12b3/all.html|title=Link! Like! Love Live! (Smartphone app)|work=Lantis|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

{{nihongo foot|Love Live! Flowers: Hasunosora Girls' School Idol Club,|ラブライブ! flowers＊ー蓮ノ空女学院スクールアイドルクラブー|Rabu Raibu! Furawāzu*-Hasunosora Jogakuin Sukūru Aidoru Kurabu-|group=lower-alpha}} a manga by Tsumumi, began serialization in Ultra Jump on November 17, 2023. Ten Tanaka, who is involved with writing the story for the game, also wrote the plot for the manga.{{cite news|last=Pineda|first=Rafael Antonio|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-24/love-live-s-hasu-no-sora-jogakuin-school-idol-club-group-gets-manga/.203732|title=Love Live!'s 'Hasu no Sora Jōgakuin School Idol Club' Group Gets Manga|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=February 12, 2025}} Yonkoma comics in the game were compiled into a physical manga titled Link! Life! Love Live! and released August 1, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.lovelive-anime.jp/book/01_3677.html|title=りんく！らいふ！ラブライブ！|work=Love Live!|access-date=February 12, 2025|lang=ja}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official|1=https://www.lovelive-anime.jp/hasunosora/|2=Official project website}}

{{Love Live}}

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