TV-Series
Description
Flame is one of the six Ignis, a group of artificial intelligences created from the consciousness data of children who were victims of a past cyber-incident. He specifically represents the FIRE attribute and was born from the data of his human counterpart and partner, Takeru Homura, who is known as Soulburner in the virtual reality network LINK VRAINS.

In terms of appearance, Flame is a small, digital humanoid being with a maroon body marked by bright red, flame-shaped patterns. He has sharp, semi-oval yellow eyes that give him a more mature and serious look compared to some of his fellow Ignis. His head shape resembles a flickering flame, and he can compress himself into a simple eye-like form when residing within a Duel Disk.

Flame possesses a personality that is a complex mix of traits. While his voice actor describes him as hot-blooded, he generally presents himself as calm, cynical, and more level-headed than his counterpart, Ai, the DARK Ignis. He is haughty and proud, particularly regarding his own name, which is written with Japanese kanji that mean indomitable soul dream but is pronounced to sound like the English word flame; he is known to explain this etymology frequently, much to his partner's exasperation. Despite his composed exterior, he is quick to be roused, especially during duels, and can panic or become overly dramatic when the situation seems dire. He values rational judgment and often acts as a strategist, analyzing opponents' tactics and advising Soulburner during card battles. Among all the Ignis, Flame has the strongest affinity for humans and was a firm believer in the possibility of coexistence from the very beginning.

Flame's primary motivation throughout the story is to protect his partner and find the other Ignis who were scattered after a mysterious enemy attacked their home world, Cyberse. He seeks to uncover the identity of this enemy, who wields a dangerous Link Spell card that was used to destroy his homeland. His role in the narrative is intrinsically tied to Takeru Homura. After the destruction of Cyberse, Flame sought out his Origin, Takeru, and helped him overcome the trauma of the past, encouraging him to become the Duelist Soulburner. Together, they join forces with the protagonist, Playmaker, and his Ignis, Ai, to confront new threats. Flame provides tactical support and grants Soulburner the unique Skill Burning Draw, a powerful ability that allows him to draw multiple cards at the cost of his Life Points.

His key relationships are central to his development. The bond between Flame and Soulburner is the most significant, evolving from an initial partnership of necessity into a deep and trusting friendship. Flame helps Soulburner confront his past demons, while Soulburner gives Flame a reason to fight. He has a noteworthy dynamic with Ai; while they are fellow Ignis, Flame often expresses annoyance at Ai's airheaded and talkative nature, frequently asking not to be compared to him. However, they ultimately share a common goal and mutual respect. He also shares a cooperative relationship with other benevolent Ignis like Aqua and holds a firm stance against the hostile Ignis, Lightning and Windy, who betray their kind.

Throughout the series, Flame undergoes notable development. Initially presented as a proud and somewhat mysterious AI, he grows to openly show his reliance on and trust in Soulburner. He demonstrates strong moral convictions, refusing to side blindly with either humans or Ignis, instead choosing to fight for what he believes is right. His character arc leads to a significant and poignant conclusion, where he makes a selfless sacrifice to protect Soulburner, cementing his legacy as a loyal partner.

As an Ignis, Flame has several notable abilities. He is an AI with free will and can manipulate data and technology to a certain extent. He has a degree of control over the Cyberse and can create Cyberse-type monsters. His most prominent ability in the field is the Skill Burning Draw, which he lends to his human partner. This Skill is a turning point in many duels, allowing Soulburner to turn the tide by trading life points for a massive hand advantage. Flame also demonstrates a practical intelligence, capable of analyzing complex situations and relaying crucial information to his allies.