New christmas character

Are the new christmas character pateron only? Only asking because I can see them in the news section, completed Itachi's mission, but can't add him to my team because he doesn't appear in the character screen.

The Patreon is available for all characters, excluding hidden and event characters.

The Christmas characters are event characters, so no.
But for you to view their skills, you have to complete their missions first unlike the other unlockable characters.