Axl

Encyclopedia : A : AX : AXL : Axl

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For the Guns N' Roses lead singer, see Axl Rose.

See also: Axel or Axle for similar spellings.

is a video game character from the Mega Man X series also known as the Rockman X series in Japan. A relatively new character, he used to be a member of the Red Alert Syndicate; a group of unofficial Maverick hunters consisting mostly of bounty hunters and criminals. He leaves the group for several reasons wishing to become a true Maverick Hunter. Axl has the ability to absorb the DNA data of other Reploids. This allows him to copy an enemy's power and form. Because of this, he is a target for Sigma, whom wishes to use Axl's stored DNA data to increase his own power.

History

Axl's true origins are unknown. Sigma knew the true potential of Axl's copy ability and used this to power up Red, the leader of Red Alert, to prove to him that Axl's copy ability could be used to his advantage. Sigma's true goal was to use Axl to copy the DNA of X and Zero, then pass on that data to him, making Sigma a god among Reploids. Unfortunately, Axl had escaped from Red Alert at this point, knowing that things weren't right.

In order to blackmail Red into getting Axl back, Sigma infected the other members of Red Alert with the Maverick Virus, causing them to become violent war machines. Red had no choice but to contact Maverick Hunter HQ, and get back the Reploid that had run away. Unfortunately, this plan also failed. Mega Man X, Zero and Axl infiltrated Sigma's fortress, the Crimson Palace, destroyed Red and succeeded in taking out Sigma once again, leaving Axl's true origins still a mystery.

All that has been gathered from the creators is that his X shaped scar, and the reason why he chooses not to get it removed, should eventually hold some significance later in the series.

Later, Axl traveled to Giga City in the game "Mega Man X: Command Mission," in hopes that he would find the truth about his creation, but found nothing, except for the fact that X and Zero's stand-in Colonel, named Redips (Which is "Spider" spelled backwards) could also Copy DNA, much like himself.

In truth, the name of the ability is called the "Chameleon Chip". Axl's Chameleon Chip allows him to copy his foes. In "Mega Man X8", an entire generation of reploids is installed with the New generation chip. However, it seems this met with disaster, as it appears in the Mega Man Zero series that Reploids with the New generation chip no longer exist.

Abilities

Axl is a prototype of the new generation Reploids that has the ability to copy Reploid and Mechaniloid DNA programs and adapt them to his own use in copying their appearances as well as their weaponry. This can only be done to Reploids and Mechaniloids with humanoid shapes and he can only maintain the form for so long.

Axl also has an ability similar to X's Ultimate Armor. This is when Axl's thrusters (located on his heels) activate allowing him to hover in the air for a short while before overheating. His main weapon, the Axl Bullets, allow him to shoot a steady stream of fire at enemies while at the same time being able to aim in every direction. This makes him similar to a character from the Classic Mega Man series named Bass.

Finally, Axl has a gimmick move he can perform in place of a dash allowing him to roll. In Mega Man X7, this rendered him completely invincible and could even slightly damage enemies with the right upgrade chip. In Mega Man X8, this move was slightly watered down to only blocking energy shots. While still useful, it was not quite as versatile as it was in the previous installment. This roll is quite similar to the roll Megaman Trigger executes in the Mega Man Legends series.

Personality

Axl has a youthful idealism and brashness that is matched only by his equally strong desire to rid the world of Mavericks. Despite his "trigger-happy" attitude that surfaces from time to time, he has an exceptionally strong sense of right and wrong that makes him a valuable Hunter. He seems to be a combination of sorts of X and Zero - like X, his strong sense of justice outweighs everything else, and like Zero, he's able to remain cool and collected under pressure.

Trivia

• Despite his help in X7, X denied Axl from joining the Maverick Hunters. However, in later games, he fights as an official Hunter. It's possible that X eventually relented and allowed Axl to join.
• Although often depicted in artwork using 2 pistols, Axl commonly uses only one pistol in gameplay. In X7, he had to defeat the Maverick "Flame Hyenard" to gain the dual wielding capacity.
• In X7 and X8, Axl's "wings" fold into his back when not in use. However, in Command Mission, his wings permanently stick out from his back.
• Axl did not appear in any of the manga created by Iwamoto, although he has been featured in several X7 adaptions by other artists. He is usually depicted as a spoiled brat, and considers the Maverick Hunters to be too stuck-up for his liking, although he does plead to become one of them simply for the resources.
• Axl seems to have a very different view about Mavericks than X has. In X8, after defeating the first Maverick, X wonders how long the war has to go on, while Axl says, "Just the thought of wiping the floor with those Mavericks makes my trigger finger itch!" Axl is then humorously scolded by Alia.
• Axl has evidently grown physically since his introduction in X7. His height has noticeably increased, and there is speculation to his voice considering that unlike X and Zero, who were given voice actors similar to their X7 voices, Axl's new English voice is that of an older male.
• Axl is never mentioned in the Mega Man Zero series which brings speculation to what happened to him.

References

• Mega Man X7 and Mega Man X8; games' respective Instruction manuals
• [gamefaqs.com] -comprehensive videogame website
• [Megaman-Network.com] -Comprehensive fan-site

 

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