Axl (Mega Man X)

“	Just the thought of wiping the floor with those Mavericks makes my trigger finger itch!	„
	~ Axl, Mega Man X8.

Axl (アクセル Akuseru) is a playable character and the tritagonist from the Mega Man X series, making his debut in the seventh game. He is a prototype for a next-generation reploid which enables him to mimic the external and internal characteristics of anyone he encounters.

Axl has held important roles in two of the games he has appeared in so far, effectively making him the third playable protagonist of the Mega Man X series alongside X and Zero, as well as the tritagonist.

He is voiced in Japanese by Minami Takayama in all of his appearances and in English by Lenne Hardt in Mega Man X7 and Jeffery Watson in Mega Man X8 and Mega Man X: Command Mission.

Overview[]

Axl is the new Maverick Hunter, who used to be a former member of Red Alert. However, this hasn't really changed his outlook on life. As the prototype of the next-generation of Reploid evolution, Axl's copy ability allows him to effectively become anyone.

Axl was introduced in Mega Man X7, having just left the mercenary Red Alert Syndicate and seeking asylum and membership in the Maverick Hunters. The Red Alert Syndicate, which hunts Mavericks and also takes on less savory assassination jobs, has been infiltrated by Sigma, and confronts the Maverick Hunters. X, Zero, and Axl work together to defeat Red Alert, but in so doing, destroy both Red, the leader of Red Alert, and Sigma, the only ones Axl knows of who know about his origins.

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. 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.

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 as Splash Warfly. During his days in Red Alert, he would gun down 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 by Lumine's remarks on the Moon, encouraging X and Zero to persevere in the face of his despairing prophecy.

Other Media[]

Super Smash Bros.[]

Axl appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a advanced support spirit that equips the fighter with a ray gun at the start of a battle. Its spirit battle is a stamina battle on the omega form of the Midgar stage against two Mega Man who starts with ray guns and increased the shooting item powers.