Clear Usui

In this Japanese name, the surname is Usui.
Clear Usui
OccupationVirtual YouTuber
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2020–present
Genresscience communication, singing
Websiteclearusui.com

Clear Usui (宇推くりあ, Usui Kuria) is a Japanese virtual YouTuber who commentates on rocket launches and promotes space programs.

Activity

Usui debuted as a "rocketry idol VTuber" on 10 October 2020. She said in interviews that she had been interested in space from a young age, admired the characters of Love Live!, and became a VTuber to pursue both interests. She mainly livestreams rocket launch watchalongs, as well as singing.[1][2]

In 2021, Usui won the Best Fashion Award on Nippon Television's Project V VTuber Awards 2021 for her self-designed outfit, which incorporates rocket motifs.[3]

Usui gained attention in February 2023 for her detailed explanation of the aborted first launch attempt of the first H3 test rocket, and in March 2023 for her call to support JAXA after the failed second launch attempt.[4][5] In July 2023, she was briefly interviewed by and provided footage to local media after livestreaming the explosion of an Epsilon S rocket engine during test firing.[5][6]

In 2025, Usui won a popularity contest on Sanrio's content creation platform Charaforio, and received a 3D character model and performance at Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026.[7][8] Her previous 3D model had become unusable in 2022 when the associated avatar software V-Katsu ended service.[1][9]

Collaborations

In October 2023, Usui became the public relations ambassador for the Cabinet Office's 6th Space Development and Utilization Awards, appearing on promotional posters.[10][11] She also collaborated with satellite program EarthCARE in 2024 and became the ambassador for satellite navigation system Michibiki in 2025.[12][13] She appeared in space outreach events and projects, including a JAXA open campus, ISS/KIBO Utilization Symposium 2024 and 2025, and Oshisora Project.[13][14][15][16]

Usui has written articles for astronomical magazine Hoshinavi on lunar program HAKUTO-R and space telescope XRISM.[10][17][18] She has also interviewed people in the space industry such as Takafumi Horie.[19]

She was a sponsor of the first and second H3 test rockets, and of miniature Lunar rover SORA-Q.[19][20][21]

References

  1. ^ a b 浅田, カズラ (28 March 2023). "H3ロケット打ち上げ解説で一躍話題に。ロケット工学アイドルVTuber・宇推くりあインタビュー" [She came under the spotlight with her explanation of the H3 rocket launch. Interview with rocketry idol VTuber Clear Usui]. MoguLive (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  2. ^ たまごまご. "専門家も驚き!? ロケット工学アイドルVTuber・宇推くりあ「世界に日本の宇宙開発の魅力を発信できたら」" [Surprising even experts!? Rocketry idol VTuber Clear Usui "I want to show the world the appeal of Japanese space development"]. ananweb (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  3. ^ 日テレ×VTuber【公式】 (18 January 2022). 【プロジェクトV】ベストファッション大賞 in VTuberアワード2021【ハニスト/ホロライブ/にじさんじ】地上波/切り抜き [[Project V] Best Fashion Award at VTuber Awards 2021 [Honey Strap/Hololive/Nijisanji] terrestrial broadcast/clip]. Retrieved 24 February 2026 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ 松浦, 立樹. "内閣府、広報に"VTuber"起用 宇宙開発利用大賞のPRキャラに「宇推くりあ」が就任" [Cabinet Office appoints "Vtuber" for promotion - Clear Usui installed as Space Development and Utilization Prizes PR character]. ITmedia NEWS (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b 村山, 知博 (13 October 2023). "VTuber宇推くりあさん、宇宙開発利用大賞の募集ポスターに登場：朝日新聞" [VTuber Clear Usui appears on Space Development and Utilization Awards promotional posters]. 朝日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  6. ^ TBS NEWS DIG Powered by JNN (14 July 2023). カメラの前で…JAXAのロケット「イプシロンS」試験中に爆発　専門家「ビジネス上のハンディキャップ」【news23】｜TBS NEWS DIG [On camera, JAXA rocket Epsilon S explodes during experiment, expert: "Handicap on business front"]. Retrieved 24 February 2026 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "VTuber宇推くりあ、サンリオ主催「次に来るVTuber大投票」最優秀賞を受賞" [Vtuber Clear Usui wins highest prize at Sanrio-held "Next VTuber Grand Poll"]. KAI-YOU | POP is Here . (in Japanese). 20 November 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026". v-fes.sanrio.ticket.gugenka.inc (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  9. ^ Kurosawa, Yuki (13 January 2022). "VTuber avatar creation tool V-Katsu to end service in June". AUTOMATON WEST. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  10. ^ a b Cambosa, Teddy (15 October 2023). "Clear Usui Appointed by CAO as PR Ambassador for 6th Space Development and Utilization Awards". VTuber NewsDrop. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  11. ^ "高市内閣府特命担当大臣記者会見要旨 令和5年10月13日 - 内閣府" [Summary of press conference by Minister of State for Special Missions Takaichi, Reiwa 5 October 13]. 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  12. ^ "宇推くりあ×EarthCARE 特別コラボレーション開催決定！" [Clear Usui×EarthCARE special collaboration confirmed!]. JAXA 第一宇宙技術部門 サテライトナビゲーター (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b "ロケット工学VTuber 宇推くりあ、内閣府衛星システムのアンバサダーに就任" [Rocketry Vtuber Clear Usui appointed ambassador of Cabinet Office satellite system]. KAI-YOU | POP is Here . (in Japanese). 28 January 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  14. ^ "JAXA相模原キャンパス 特別公開 2023 | 宇宙科学研究所" [JAXA Sagamihara Campus special opening 2023]. www.isas.jaxa.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  15. ^ "アンバサダー紹介｜国際宇宙ステーション（ISS）・「きぼう」利用シンポジウム2024" [Ambassador introduction｜ISS/KIBO Utilization Symposium 2024]. 国際宇宙ステーション（ISS）・「きぼう」利用シンポジウム2024 (in Japanese). Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  16. ^ "宇推くりあ、VTuber初の宇宙ミッションに参加 国際宇宙ステーションでグッズ撮影" [Clear Usui joins first VTuber space mission, photography of goods at ISS]. KAI-YOU | POP is Here . (in Japanese). 29 March 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  17. ^ "星ナビ 2023年6月号 - アストロアーツ" [Hoshinavi 2023 June Issue]. www.astroarts.co.jp. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  18. ^ "星ナビ 2023年11月号 - アストロアーツ" [Hoshinavi 2023 November Issue]. www.astroarts.co.jp. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  19. ^ a b "ロケット工学系VTuber宇推くりあと堀江貴文が対談！ロケットについて語り合う" [Rocketry Vtuber Clear Usui and Takafumi Horie interview! Discussing rockets]. VTuberインフォ（VTuber SNS人気ランキング） (in Japanese). 19 May 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  20. ^ "H3ロケット試験機1号機　応援サポーター｜H3ロケット｜JAXA 宇宙輸送技術部門" [H3 test rocket 1 supporters]. www.rocket.jaxa.jp. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  21. ^ "H3試験機2号機特設サイト" [H3 test rocket 2 special site]. www.rocket.jaxa.jp. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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