Axl

Axl

"Just the thought of wiping the floor with thoseMavericks makes my trigger finger itch!"

―Axl,Mega Man X8

Axl (アクセル,Akuseru) is the tritagonist of theMega Man X series, making his debut inMega Man X7. He is a prototypenew generation Reploid who can mimic the appearance and powers of other Reploids, and comes to join theMaverick Hunters. Axl has important roles inMega Man X7 andX8, effectively making him the third protagonist of the series alongsideX andZero.

Appearance[]

Axl has a youthful design, wearing bluish-black armor highlighted by red lines and yellow accents. He has green eyes, a spiky auburn ponytail on the back of his head, and an "X"-shaped scar on his face; the source of this scar is left a mystery, implying a tragic past.^[1] His chest is adorned with a camera lens-like blue crystal matching the crystal on his head, his shoulderpads are pointed, and his legs feature white boosters on the sides. Jutting from his upper back are two long, white retractable "wings" that form an "A" shape behind him when extended. His helmet's red decal, when viewed from above, also resembles an upside-down "A" with his head crystal forming the gap.

Like most of the cast inMega Man X8, Axl underwent a minor redesign that removed the red lines from his forearms, added grey to his heels, and simplified his forehead lens.

Personality[]

Axl is a boyish and headstrong Reploid. He is cocky about his abilities and often brags that he is one of the best Hunters. He is prone to following emotion over logic and gets impatient when there's nothing to do, which can trouble his superiors. Despite his loud-mouthed and arrogant temperament, Axl deeply cares for his friends in the Maverick Hunters and even Red Alert. X and Zero treat him like a younger brother and admire his eagerness to take action. He may be immature, but Axl has his heart in the right place and never tolerates injustice.

Axl has a fondness for battle and can be quite ruthless, putting him in direct contrast with the pacifistic X. He is unafraid to make enemies and will carry through on threats, speaking rudely and violently with those he dislikes, such asSplash Warfly. During his days in Red Alert, he would gun down Maverick targets with no hesitation and proved a useful assassin. However, once they started targeting innocent Reploids, he recognized the immorality and abandoned his colleagues to pursue justice. This strong moral compass also showed when Axl was unaffected byLumine's remarks on the Moon, encouraging X and Zero to persevere in the face of his despairing prophecy.

History[]

Background[]

Little is known about Axl's past - not even Axl knows when or where he was created, and he is sometimes seen searching for answers to these questions.^[2] All he has learned so far is that he is a prototype of the new generation Reploids, which explains his body'sCopy Chip.^[3][4] Axl's earliest memory is when he was found byRed, leading to him joining the vigilante syndicateRed Alert. He saw great success as a vigilante, and his Copy Chip gave Red Alert a significant edge over their Maverick bounties.

One of his missions under Red Alert had him intercepting a meeting between two Mavericks,Cedar and Aluce, to assassinate them both and recover their illegal good: Virus Program Σ-02. He headed to Point RD13-29 with Red, before killing Cedar and masquerading as him to breach Aluce's defenses and shoot him in the back. After briefly taunting the Maverick's methods, he escaped the base with the briefcase.^[5]

However, this mission drew the attention of a certain Reploid. As Red began meeting with"the Professor" to create power-ups from theDNA programs Axl copied, Axl became disturbed. He noticed that Red Alert was beginning to target more and more innocent Reploids. This led to Axl feeling that Red Alert were "no better than murderers now." Ultimately, Axl felt that his colleagues were just using his ability in pursuit of their own power-ups, which was the last straw. Because of this, he started planning to leave the organization and instead join theMaverick Hunters.^[6]

Mega Man X7[]

Axl then abandons Red Alert, escaping through theCrimson Fortress' defenses. However, he is suddenly pursued by a Red Alert-deployedMega Scorpio on his way out and is forced to flee. Fortunately, Axl runs intoZero on the highway, who helps him destroy theMechaniloid. Afterwards, Zero arrests Axl and takes him back toHunter Base for questioning about the incident.^[7]

Axl meets X, who berates him for his internal politics with Red Alert causing so much public damage. Axl defends himself by explaining Red Alert's recent merciless ways. As if on cue, Red sends a transmission to the Maverick Hunters demanding Axl's return. He proposes a "duel" wherein Red Alert and the Maverick Hunters have battles all over the globe, to determine both who gets Axl and to put an end to their hunting rivalry. Axl feels himself responsible for the upcoming conflict, and in order to make up for his mistakes, he joins forces with Zero and the Hunters to stop Red Alert, despite their hesitance to allow him to do so.

As Axl and Zero continue to defeat the members of Red Alert, Axl explains his Copy Chip to Zero. He also explains how Red Alert's members have slowly changed over time, becoming more unruly and violent, and how he felt used by Red Alert for his Copy Chip. Additionally, it is through Axl and Zero's combined efforts against Red Alert that X is inspired to come out of retirement and fight alongside them again.

After Axl, Zero, and X defeat Red Alert's eight members, Red suddenly sends the Hunters the location of Red Alert's secret base, theCrimson Palace. Together, the three infiltrate the Crimson Palace and confrontRed himself. While Axl is willing to talk it out, Red cuts to the chase and starts fighting them. After defeating Red, Axl pleads with him to join them, but Red resigns to his mistakes and chooses to stay in a collapsing room that crushes him.^[8]

The three Hunters then learn thatSigma is at it again, and that he was the one responsible for manipulating Red Alert into exploiting Axl's abilities. Even after the trio fights him twice, Sigma manages to rise again and punches Axl through a wall, seemingly defeating him. Surprisingly, Red reappears and attacks X and Zero. When Sigma is presumably about to possess him, Red uses an Axl Bullet to blast Sigma out of the palace through a window, revealing Red to be Axl in disguise. Axl, Zero, and X then flee the dilapidated palace.^[9]

In the ending, Axl is shocked to learn that despite helping defeat Sigma, X refuses to make him an official Maverick Hunter due to his immature and destructive ways. Axl tries to defend himself by saying he'd only done the same kind of damage X had done in past conflicts, only for X to rebut that he was wrong to do so. Suddenly, Alia reports another Maverick attack, and Axl heads out, determined to prove his worth to X.^[10]

Mega Man X8[]

Axl is shown to have been accepted as an official Maverick Hunter after all, routinely joining X and Zero on missions. Axl has also learned by now that he was made as a prototype for the New Generation Reploids, but the rest of his history is still a mystery.

Axl appears with X and Zero in the outskirts of theJakob Orbital Elevator, investigating an out of controlcrab-likeMechaniloid inNoah's Park. After subduing the Mechaniloid, the three encounter (Axl for the first time)Vile, who kidnaps the director of the Jakob project,Lumine. After this incident, a series of Maverick attacks begin around the globe, all revolving around the involvement of New Generation Reploids with the Jakob Project. While X is frustrated by the conflict restarting so soon, Axl is excited by the prospect and helps X accept the reality of the situation.^[11]

As Axl helps fight the rioting New Generation Reploids, he learns that many of them consider him a traitor for siding with the Hunters, as they refer to X and Zero as the "old" Reploids. He also gets to know Vile, who dislikes him for being a new face. Eventually the "mastermind" of the incident is revealed to be Sigma again, once Alia compares the data of the New Generation Reploids with Axl's similar data. The three Hunters use the Jakob Elevator to pursue Sigma to hispalace on the Moon, where Sigma reveals to Axl that he wouldn't have wanted his help anyways due to being a "flimsy prototype."

After Sigma is defeated, Lumine enters the scene, much to the delight of Axl and his friends; however, this delight is quickly dispelled by Lumine's revelation that he, not Sigma, was the true mastermind. He then ridicules X and Zero for trying to stop the future from marching on, discouraging them greatly, but Axl shoots Lumine to shut him up and tells his friends to ignore him. Axl and his friends then defeat Lumine, but the latter has one last trick up his sleeve: something lashes out of Lumine's lifeless shell as Axl approaches, striking and breaking the gem on his forehead. He is knocked unconscious by the attack, but X and Zero quickly destroy Lumine's body.^[12]

When the group begins their descent back to Earth, a comatose Axl is carried in X's arms. In his broken forehead lens shines a mysterious fragment left by Lumine's attack.^[13]

Other appearances[]

• Axl appeared as a card inSNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS.
• Axl has a cameo in Zero's ending ofTatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, where he,Alia, and X discover Zero injured on Earth's moon.
• Axl appears as an advanced-type SupportSpirit inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. When equipped, it allows for the user to start off with theRay Gun equipped.
• Axl appears in several unit cards inTEPPEN.
• Axl appeared as an event character inZombie Cafe.
• Axl appeared as an event character inDragon Poker.
• Axl appeared as an event character inElemental Story.
• Axl appeared as an event character inTower of Saviors.

Mega Man X: Command Mission[]

In this alternate continuity, Axl is promoted to a class S Hunter. He heads toGiga City shortly after X and Zero, believing that his copy abilities may have originated there. He joins X's party midway through the mission to infiltrateUlfat Factory, agreeing to fight theRebellion Army alongside theResistance.

Like the rest of the cast, Axl is able to wield a wide variety of weapons, specifically handguns, and can access aHyper Mode called Stealth Mode. Presumably, Axl's copying abilities have grown stronger in this continuity, as he is now able to copy the DNA of eight bosses via A-Trans, whereas it was mentioned inX7 that he can't copy bosses, just their abilities.^[14]

Axl plays a supportive role in the story, appearing in cutscenes and available to speak to atCentral Tower between chapters. His Copy Chip is what getsMarino interested in researching the technology, leading to her discovery thatSpider was recorded at a Copy Chip facility. When the party infiltratesFar East HQ, Axl informs X that theWild Jango they defeated a second time was actually another Reploid mimicking him with a copy ability like his own (the culprit is later revealed to beColonel Redips). Axl is also shown emerging from the elevator in the ocean with the other Hunters after they defeatGreat Redips.

Mega Man X DiVE[]

Axl appears as a B RankHunter Program. He is one of the first few Hunter Programs the player receives, debuting at the end of the third stage of Chapter 2 in Story Mode. His Active Skills includeTactical Roll (戰術翻滾,Tactical Roll) andStrafing Barrage (五月雨ショット,Samidare Shotto, lit. Early Summer Rain Shot or Intermittent Style Shot), which has Axl shoot a barrage of bullets around himself.

Axl also has several Hunter Programs of his different forms.White Day Axl, which is Axl garbed in a white coat, has two new Active Skills: Marked Shot and Petal Twister.DiVE Armor Axl is equipped with the Level 110 Glitch armor parts, and his Active Skills are Burst Laser and A-Shape Strafing.

Other media[]

Axl appeared inRockman X7 4Koma Manga Kingdom.

Mega Man (Archie Comics)[]

Main article:Axl/Archie Comics

Axl was present in theWorlds Unite crossover and in the55th issue of the comic series.

Arsenal[]

Main articles:Axl's weaponry and White Axl

Axl wields theAxl Bullets, two pistols capable of rapid-fire shots. He is normally seen using only one at a time, such as inMega Man X7 andX8. He is also capable of dual-wielding both pistols at once, such as during Double Attacks inMega Man X8 and all throughoutMega Man X: Command Mission.

The Axl Bullets are also capable of theCopy Shot, which can reduce an enemy to a crystallized DNA core for Axl to collect. Upon doing so, he can mimic the enemy's shape or abilities using his Copy Chip'sA-Trans. Axl can only transform into Reploids of a similar shape and size to his own, and he can only gain stat boosts from small Mechaniloids, thoughMega Man X: Command Mission is an exception to this rule.

Axl also has a variety of mobility options. He can Hover horizontally through the air with the jets on his ankles by holding the jump button. Unlike theFourth Armor's Hover, this hover lasts longer and lets him descend slowly upon running out rather than dropping immediately. Axl can alsoRoll, which is useful for avoiding attacks and gives him brief invincibility. InMega Man X8, he has the longest dash of the three Hunters.

Similar to X'sSpecial Weapons and Zero'sTechniques, Axl gains newSpecial Arms from the DNA he copies by defeating Maverick bosses. These can range from laser guns to flamethrowers to grenade launchers. Axl also possesses different forms, such as the mysteriousWhite Axl inX8 which strengthens his Hover, dash, and A-Trans. InCommand Mission, Axl has access to a temporary Hyper Mode calledStealth Mode that renders him invisible and invulnerable to damage.

Gallery[]

Axl fromMega Man X7.

Axl fromMega Man X7.

X and Axl fromMega Man X7.

Axl's mugshot.

Axl's mugshot, alternate version.

Early concepts of Axl.

Axl's concept art forMega Man X7.

Axl inMega Man X8.

Axl fromMega Man X8.

Axl fromMega Man X8.

Axl fromMega Man X8.

Axl as he appears inMega Man X8.

Axl's character model fromX8.

Axl's white armor inMega Man X8.

Mega Man X8 3D model for white Axl.

Axl inMega Man X Command Mission.

Axl close-up fromMega Man X: Command Mission.

Axl's in-game model inCommand Mission.

Axl's facial expression concepts fromCommand Mission.

Axl in the second teaser ofRockman Online.

Axl fromMega Man X DiVE.

Axl's 3D model inMega Man X DiVE.

White Day Axl artwork inMega Man X DiVE.

DiVE Armor Axl inMega Man X DiVE.

Axl in Rockman X 25th Anniversary Artwork byKeisuke Mizuno.

Axl card inTEPPEN.

Axl in theTEPPEN cardUnbreakable Bond.

Axl in theTEPPEN cardA-Trans.

Torchbearer Axl card inTEPPEN.

Red with Axl in theTEPPEN cardFaithful Brother.

Axl card (Island of Fear set) inTEPPEN.

Axl card (Island of Fear set, secret version) inTEPPEN.

In theTEPPEN cardSavage Bite.

In theTEPPEN cardI Will Not Miss.

Axl inDragon Poker.

Axl inElemental Story.

Axl inTower of Saviors.

Axl's as drawn by Yoshihiro Iwamoto in hisX8 design from theRockman X4 manga re-release bonus chapter.

Another image of Axl from theRockman X manga.

Axl inRockman X7 4Koma Manga Kingdom.

Illustration of Axl byIwamoto Yoshihiro.

Axl artwork inKotobukiya

Production Notes[]

Designer Comments
"The only design work I did forX7 was to give advice on Axl. I said, 'If we're bringing in a new character, just make sure you give him a distinct silhouette.' Over the years, I came to realize that when you draw robot characters, it's mighty easy for them to fall into similar shapes. That's why I was very careful about X and Zero's silhouettes when I was designing them. Axl ended up with protrusions on his head and a gun in his hand to make him unique." -Keiji Inafune^[15]

"Since Axl wasn't supposed to have come from the typical 'good guy' mold, I gave him a nice big scar on his face and went with a lot of black in his coloring to give him an overall dark feel. I wanted his hair and the details of his face to exude youth to emphasize the fact that he was born after X and Zero." -Tatsuya Yoshikawa^[15]

Trivia[]

• Model A fromMega Man ZX Advent is designed in homage to Axl, despite being canonically based onAlbert. This is due to Axl's ambiguous fate afterMega Man X8, where he was seriously injured by Lumine, leaving his fate in the timeline unclear. Model A borrows Axl’s color scheme, dual-wielding handguns, and even the A-Trans, but the crystal on its forehead is covered by a plate to symbolize Axl’s injury.^[16]
• Axl's gameplay inMega Man X8 was likely inspired byBass, as both characters wield rapid-fire weapons that can be aimed in seven directions. Additionally, both Axl and Bass were introduced in the seventh games in their series, both have predominantly black armor, and both share a passion for battle. A notable difference is that Axl is a definite ally of X, while Bass generally acts as a rival to Mega Man.
• Axl's game model inMega Man X: Command Mission reuses the same facial texture used inX7. This results in Axl having much larger eyes than the rest of the cast, who all have unique facial textures for the game.
  • Additionally, Axl's white "wings" remain extended for the entirety ofMega Man X: Command Mission.
• One ofZero's alternate colors inMarvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is inspired by Axl, featuring black and red armor with brown hair.

See also[]

• Axl's weaponry
• In-battle lines for Axl inMega Man X: Command Mission

References[]