Flare

The third generation of Alter founder Takashi Mikami's figure-making lineage

At a glance

Status
Active.
Based in
Chiyoda in Tokyo Japan.
Known for
Premium video game figures from NieR Automata; Stellar Blade; Odin Sphere; and NIKKE.
Good fit
collectors drawn to a selective catalog of polished video game display figures.
Before buying
order during the initial window if the figure matters to you; output is small and reprints are uncommon.
Research coverage
Solid

TL;DR

  • Flare shares its founder and manufacturing network with Alter, which also distributes the brand. For buyers, that lineage means Flare uses an established production and retail network.
  • The focus is premium video game figures from NieR:Automata, Stellar Blade, and Odin Sphere. Premium and deluxe editions reach roughly $255-$260 USD.
  • Output is selective, reprints are uncommon, and some prototypes never reach mass production. Figures can become harder to find after their initial ordering windows.

How Flare Grew from Alter's Founder

Alter's founder started a third company. Takashi Mikami, who previously established both Alter and the ShinHua Japan manufacturing facility, launched Flare Co., Ltd. in July 2014 in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The studio shares ShinHua's production infrastructure with Alter.

Alter handles Flare's domestic and international distribution, so Flare figures sit alongside Alter's own catalog in retailer databases. Many collectors first encounter Flare through what they assume is an Alter product, then discover it is a distinct label. Where Alter covers a broad female-character catalog, Flare focuses on video game franchises.

NieR, Stellar Blade, and Game Franchise Focus

High-profile video game franchises anchor the lineup. The NieR:Automata 2B deluxe edition, Stellar Blade EVE, and Odin Sphere figures demand a convincing translation from character art into sculpture. Premium and deluxe editions reach the 38,000 to 39,000 yen ($255-$260 USD) range. Sculptors associated with Cerberus Project contribute to the output.

Flare also works with illustrator Shunya Yamashita on collaboration pieces, and has expanded into NIKKE, Azur Lane, Evangelion, and Fate/Grand Order. Output stays selective: prototypes occasionally surface at hobby events but may never see mass production, making the figures that reach retail particularly sought-after.

Where to Buy and Why Early Orders Matter

Alter handles distribution, so purchasing works through the same retailers you already use for Alter releases. That shared shelf space is Flare's biggest practical advantage: you do not need to track a separate storefront or worry about an unfamiliar shipping pipeline.

Output is small and reprints are uncommon, so pre-ordering during the initial window is the safest approach. Flare's franchise list now includes NIKKE, Azur Lane, and Evangelion, testing how far the Alter pipeline can stretch across different audiences.

Sources