Shiranui Flare

Shiranui Flare (不知火フレア) is a female Japanese Virtual YouTuber associated with hololive, debuting as part of its third generation of VTubers under the name of "hololive Fantasy" (ホロライブファンタジー) alongside Usada Pekora, Uruha Rushia, Shirogane Noel and Houshou Marine.

Profile
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Personality
Flare is a kind and extremely humble individual, almost to a fault. Her kindness is vouched for most often by the other hololive Fantasy members, which has resulted in her so-called 'harem,' with Pekora being an exception. However, out of the four members in hololive Fantasy, it remains to be Noel who is the most blatant in her affection.

Other hololive members, like Sora, have expressed their admiration for Flare because of her versatile voice and mature aura. However, although Flare is known to be cool and aloof at first glance, she is actually quite childish and girly, which comes out the most in her horror streams and when she is drunk.

She has also expressed her want to be more confident in herself in the hololive Fantasy 1st Anniversary stream.

Background
Flare was first introduced in a tweet on 13 June 2019, alongside the other members of the third generation. Of the five members only Marine, Noel and Flare were open for audition.

On 1 August, through a press release, her name and social media accounts, were officially announced alongside Shirogane Noel and Houshou Marine, also making her first tweet on the same day. Her Twitter account was opened on 25 July 2019 while her YouTube channel was created on 26 July. She debuted with her introduction stream on 7 August.

2020
On 1 January she published on her Twitter account, that she would get her second 2D costume, a kimono in celebration of the new year, this costume was later revealed that day during a stream.

On 19 January hololive's Twitter account published a tweet mentioning that Houshou Marine, Hoshimachi Suisei and Shiranui Flare would participate in a stream previous to hololive's 1st fest Nonstop Story. The next day, in the same stream, it was revealed that the three of them would get their 3D model debut in said event, but that they would have a YouTube debut later. In Flare's case, her stream was scheduled for March.

On 24 January, she appeared in her 3D model for the first time at hololive's 1st fes. Nonstop Story with both her standard and idol outfits.

On 25 March, during a karaoke stream, she announced that her 3D model would debut on YouTube on 29 March. This was later reconfirmed in her Twitter account.

On 28 March, hololive's Twitter account informed that Flare's 3D debut on YouTube would be postponed until further notice due to goverment recommendations. (This was due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases in Japan urging people to stay in doors). Flare later stated that she was fine.

On 10 June, she teased an important announcement for her next stream, later that day she revealed the new date for her 3D model debut on YouTube, being programed for 13 June.

On 13 June, she debuted her 3D model during a stream.

On 10 November, hololive's official Twitter account announced that she and Hoshimachi Suisei would get new 2D costumes.

On 14 November, she debuted her third 2D costume during a stream and elegant gray and black dress with a black sweater, she also wears a choker with a golden ornament, Flare also has the option to wear glasses, her mascot Kintsuba also received a matching outfit now wearing a suit with a hat and a golden mask and a cane.

2021
On 7 February, Flare reached 500,000 YouTube subscribers during a singing endurance stream, making her the 31st hololive member to reach this milestone and the last of her generation.

On 3 April, she debuted a new hairstyle and accessories for her third 2D costume. She can now use her hair as low twintails. Flare can also use headphones and cat ears, these are also compatible with her long haircut.

On 25 April, Flare reached 600,000 YouTube subscribers during a singing endurance stream.

On 6 June, Flare revealed during a superchat reading stream that she would be taking time off to have a surgery on 27 June.

On 11 July, Flare reached 700,000 YouTube subsribers during a singing endurance stream.

On 11 November, Flare reached 800,000 YouTube subscribers during a singing endurance stream.

On 10 December, hololive's Twitter account announced that Flare would receive a new main costume.

On 12 December, Flare debuted her new main 2D costume. In this costume Flare has a darker yellow hair that contrast more with twin light locks on her bangs. Her locks are longer and have more volume. She retains the bow from her original outfit, but it is of a lighter shade of blue and has crossed white lines on the right side instead of parallel lines on both sides. Flare now wears a dress that keeps her original main outfit colors, white, blue and orange, but much brighter with white becoming the dominant color. The dress' collar remains blue and is decorated with an orange ribbon. Her cleavage was greatly reduced. The sleeves are blue at the top decorated with small white ribbons and lines, the rest of the sleeves are white with a golden edge. She wears white short gloves. Flare no longer uses the brown corset, instead the dress has a single blue button. She uses a layered white, blue and orange skirt with a multiple diamond shaped window decorated with a ribbon on the left side. The back is decorated with a big blue ribbon. Flare uses long white socks with a golden edge, instead of the single one that she used in her original costume. Her shoes are now both blue decorated with small white ribbons.

2022
On 17 February, Flare announced that she would get a brand new 3D model to match her current main 2D model.

On 20 February, she debuted her new main 3D model.

On 10 July, she reached 900,000 YouTube subsribers during a singing endurance stream.

On 14 August, as part of the "hololive Summer 2022" event, Flare debuted her 3D swimsuit (although it was barely visible). Unlike the original swimsuits from 2019 that had individual designs, these swimsuits are meant to be matching outfits similar to the 3D idol costumes. The swimsuits come in two types one with thin straps for the top and a diagonal cut mini skirt and the other one has ruffled straps in the top and an even mini skirt. Both version are white with various patterns including hololive's and Holoearth's logos, hearts and sparks. The swimsuits are personalized by including different colors to match each talent. Additionally they have the option to wear a hoodie.

On 20 August, continuing the "hololive Summer 2022" event, Flare debuted her 3D yukata and also properly showed her 3D swimsuit. Like other 3D costumes the yukatas have a variety of styles that hololive members can choose from. The yukatas come in various colors and patterns including fireworks, flowers and goldfish.

On 11 November, she alongside the other Shiranui Kensetsu members debuted new accessories. Flare debuted these accessories on her third 2D costume using a brown flat cap decorated with a badge of her blue ribbon and a Shiranui Kensetsu nametag decorated with a sticker of an Elfriend among others.

2023
On 1 January, Flare's new year costume was updated to the 2.0 version.

On 14 February, to celebrate Valentine's Day alongside the other third gen members, Flare debuted a new hairstyle for her third 2D costume using high twintails with long black ribbons.

On 18 March, Flare debuted her new 3D idol costume during hololive 4th fes. "Our Bright Parade" DAY 1.

On 28 April, Flare received new updates and new accessories for her third 2D costume. She can make sparkly eyes. Flare has a new hairstyle using loose hair and her bangs are styled to the right and her side locks are wavy at the tips, the hairstyle can be combined with her black beret. Flare received a new long green jacket with a fluffy collar and decorated with ribbons.

On 15 June, Flare reached 1,000,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel during a singing endurance stream, making her the 35th hololive member to reach this milestone, and the last member of hololive Fantasy to do so. This makes hololive Fantasy the fourth generation in hololive where every member has reached 1 million subscribers.

On 12 July, she debuted a new 3D costume as a member of the "Blue Journey" musical project. She uses a blue beret with a plaid pattern. The costume has a white blouse with detached sleeves, a blue ribbon in the chest decorated with light blue jewel and a blue belt below the chest. The blouse lower edge is asymmetrical and divided in three, the front has planks and it is the longest, then the right side is longer that the left side. She uses a long blue skirt with a plaid pattern and the inner section is light blue. On the back the costume is decorated with a see through ribbon.

On 30 July, as part of the "hololive Summer 2023" event, during a karaoke relay, Flare debuted her second 3D swimsuit. The 2023 swimsuits are inspired in a sailor uniform. Members wear a two layered swimsuit, the first layer is blue from the straps going down diagonally to the center where each member has a mostly blue bow but one of the sides and the brooch are in one color representative of each member. The rest of the top is white. The edge has a semi circular cut. The lower piece of the first layer has two variants, one is a two layered blue skirt decorated with a white belt, a golden chain with some decorations hanging from it and a bow to the left and planks to the right. The second version is mostly the same but they wear blue shorts instead of a mini skirt. Flare uses the mini skit. The second layer of the outfit is a matching striped bikini in white and another color depending on the member.

Discography

 * ''Main page: Shiranui Flare/Discography

Events

 * On 25 Febuary 2021, Flare was made playable in Disgaea 6 in Japan as a Pyromancer named Torte along with Rushia, Fubuki, Watame and Polka.
 * On 26 January 2022, hololive's Japanese Twitter account announced that the members of hololive Fantasy would appear in a collaboration with Raku Spa featuring artworks of them in yukatas and towels. These illustrations would be included in different merchandize including tapestries, acrylic stands, Mochi Kororin plushies, bath salts, towels, badges among others. The service also included food and drinks inspired by them. The merchandize would be available from 27 January to 28 February 2022.
 * On 10 November 2022, it was announced that a collaboration between hololive and Post Office Product Sales Service Co., Ltd. featured Usada Pekora, Shiranui Flare, Shirogane Noel, Houshou Marine, Tokoyami Towa, Takanashi Kiara, Moona Hoshinova, and Shishiro Botan in new year's postcards and some merchandise including: clear files, tapestries, standees, face towels, jigsaw puzzle, T-shirts, and happi. The merchandise would be available to order starting from 14 November 2022.
 * On 11 November 2022, Anime Game Festival Korea (AGF Korea)'s Twitter account accounced that Flare and Noel would be appearing at "AGF Korea 2022," which would be held from 3-4 December 2022.
 * On 21 November 2022, ANIPLUS shop announced on Twitter that they would be collaborating with hololive Fantasy in a cafe at "AGF Korea 2022," which would be held from 3-4 December 2022.

Mascot and Fans

 * She has a mascot, a fairy-like creature named "Kintsuba"「きんつば」contrary to the believe of some, Kintsuba is not a fairy panda, as demostrated by her concept illustration Kintsuba just wear the ears as an accessory. Flare claims that Kintsuba has retired.
 * Her fanbase is officially called "Elfriend" 「エルフレンド」.
 * On 12 December 2021, Flare introduced a mascot to represent Elfriends, small mostly white birds with black eyes and peak and light orange wings with a black section that cross their back. They use a blue bow. The Elfriend representing Japanese fans also use a blue beret while ones representing English fans wear a pocket watch below their bow.

Relationships

 * Notable units and groups Flare is part of:
 * "hololive Fantasy," alongside Usada Pekora, Shirogane Noel, Houshou Marine and Uruha Rushia.
 * "Shiranui Kensetsu"「不知火建設」"Shiraken" for short and "Shiranui Contructions" in English, alongside Omaru Polka (vicepresident), Sakura Miko (education director), Hoshimachi Suisei (PR/sales director), and Shirogane Noel (intern). Flare is the president. This unit is named after their Minecraft company founded by Flare. Shiraken has its own Twitter account opened on 7 September 2022, this seems to mark Shiraken as an official unit within hololive as their Twitter account promoted a collaboration with Kyoto International Anime Fair shortly after release on 12 September 2022. By the time of "hololive Summer 2023" Shikaken was one of the featured units in the event's website, and even received an original song on 27 August 2023 called "NAKAMAKA."
 * "Onee-san Gumi" 「お姉さん組」, alongside Houshou Marine and Shirogane Noel.
 * "NoeFure," alongside Shirogane Noel.
 * "Bakatare domo" 「バカタレ共」, alongside Shirakami Fubuki and Tsunomaki Watame. Their unit name is official localized as "Three Stooges."
 * Karashi-gumi" 「からし組」 or "karASHi" (as Shiranui), alongside Akai Haato(Akai) and Hoshimachi Suisei (Hoshimachi).
 * "FurePol," alongside Omaru Polka.

Trivia

 * Flare is a half-elf. She has also mentioned that she is specifically not a dark elf.
 * She shares the same character designer with Arurandeisu from Holostars, Makaino Ririmu and Lain Paterson from Nijisanji, and Ushio Tia from Re:AcT.
 * Flare also has a good architectural sense, as shown in her numerous builds in the hololive Minecraft Server and in her ARK house.
 * Flare bows down in gratitude every time she reads a superchat. She also mentions its color if it is purple or red superchat.
 * Her 3D Debut stream hashtag (#不知火フレア3D) trended Worldwide on Twitter during the stream.
 * She is the eighteenth hololive member to join the official Hololive Subreddit as a moderator.
 * On February 2021, she and Noel got custom made platinum rings.
 * Just like Usada Pekora, Minato Aqua and Oozora Subaru, Flare established her own construction company in the Minecraft hololive JP server named Shiranui Kensetsu.
 * Current Shiranui Kensetsu member consist of Omaru Polka, Hoshimachi Suisei, Sakura Miko, and Shirogane Noel.
 * Flare and her fellow VTuber siblings compiled congratulation messages for their illustrator's marriage.
 * Noel and Flare appeared once in chapter 69 of the manga series Goblin Slayer as two adventurers walking around a village before it was attacked by goblins a few seconds later. Some fans are worried because Goblin Slayer is a dark fantasy manga where women easily victimized, while others are not because their two are too strong and they can protect themselves. It's not uncommon for some members of hololive to appear in some anime or manga, such as hololive ID in manga Ane Naru Mono, Kiryu Coco in Love is War or Usada Pekora in anime Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu Ω, etc.

Media

 * Flare Ch. 不知火フレア - YouTube channel
 * Shiranui Flare's corporate profile on hololive.hololivepro.com
 * @shiranuiflare - Twitter account
 * 不知火芙蕾雅Official - bilibili channel
 * @shiranuiflare - Marshmallow account
 * /u/shiranuiflare - Reddit account

Twitter hashtags

 * #不知火フレア - General
 * #フレアストリーム - Stream talk
 * #エルフレンド - Fans
 * #しらぬえ - Fan art
 * #きいたよフレア - Commentary on released voice dramas
 * #聞いてよフレア - Flare's recommendations
 * #切りぬい - Video clips

Further readings

 * 不知火フレア - Nicovideo Encyclopedia
 * 不知火フレア - Pixiv Encyclopedia
 * 不知火フレア - Japanese Wikipedia
 * 不知火フレア - unofficial hololive Seesaawiki
 * 不知火芙蕾雅 - Moegirl Encyclopedia
 * 시라누이 후레아 - Namu Wiki
 * Shiranui Flare - Hololive Fan Wiki