On May 25, 2022, the Azur Lane English Twitter account teased the long-awaited retrofit for HMS Unicorn, the iconic Royal Navy Super Rare light aircraft carrier beloved for her "I must protect that smile" innocence and early-game healing prowess.
The vibrant artwork showcases Unicorn in an ethereal upgrade, her signature purple hair flowing with added elegance, draped in a flowing white gown adorned with purple ribbons, floral motifs, and angelic wing-like extensions from her rigging. She wields a massive, glowing shield reminiscent of advanced defensive tech, surrounded by sparkling effects and chibi panels capturing her shy yet determined expressions against a cosmic, starry backdrop. This "Unicorn+" transformation signals a class evolution to "Unicore-class," promising boosted stats in Firepower, Torpedo, Aviation, and HP for superior fleet support. Fans had speculated for years, especially after CN/JP teases, making this reveal a milestone during the Pledge of the Radiant Court event buildup.
The post skyrocketed to over 5,600 likes and 189 replies within days, with commanders flooding the thread with unbridled excitement for their favorite imouto. "She's Cute" became a rallying cry, paired with adorable fan edits and affirmations of her enduring charm. Playful GIFs and videos screamed "UNICOOOORN!" capturing the collective squeals, while one fan lamented a missed "destroy mode" design but still hyped the reveal. Gundam enthusiasts lit up over her shield's striking resemblance to Unicorn Gundam, dubbing it "NT-D mode" potential and sparking crossover memes galore. Even humorous "power creep Perseus?" jabs hinted at meta expectations, blending affection with strategic buzz. The vibe was pure celebration for a shipgirl who's been a dock staple since launch.
Reactions deepened with Unicorn's retrofit evoking Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn's iconic aesthetic, from psychic shields to ethereal glows, prompting "Destroy mode when?" pleas and fanart explosions. Memes contrasted expected "mature" redesigns with her retained loli charm, like one user joking about a bulkier alternate that thankfully didn't happen. While some wished for Queen Elizabeth or Hood retrofits instead—"Q.E retrofit when?"—most agreed Unicorn's popularity and utility justified the pick. Chibi animations post-launch drew extra praise for cuteness overload, with players noting her upgraded healing rivaling elites like Perseus. Reddit threads like "Unicorn Retrofit revealed!" racked up thousands of upvotes, solidifying community consensus on her glow-up.
Unicorn's retrofit launched days later on May 26, transforming her from starter healer to meta powerhouse with enhanced aviation strikes, defensive buffs, and synergy in Royal Navy fleets. Obtainable via retrofit blueprints from events and medals, she quickly became a PvE/PvP staple, outshining expectations and fueling "protect that smile" memes into 2025. Fan cosplays, alternative designs, and crossovers proliferated, cementing her as Azur Lane's ultimate little sister icon. The announcement exemplified Yostar's fan-service timing, rewarding veterans while onboarding newbies with accessible power. Today, Unicorn+ sails on as a testament to timeless appeal, proving retrofits can reignite passion for even the earliest shipgirls.
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