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| {{Game|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358|KHC|RCO|BBS|FMB|DDD|DHD|UCX|MOM}} | | {{InfoboxOrg13 |
| {{suite}}
| | |name=Axel |
| {{youmay|the Nobody|[[Lea|his original person]]}}
| | |kana=アクセル |
| {{Character
| | |romaji=''Akuseru'' |
| |name=Axel | | |image=[[Image:Axel Days 2.png|250px]] |
| |katakana=アクセル | | |game=Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories; Kingdom Hearts II |
| |romaji=Akuseru | | |number=VIII (捌) |
| |fr=Axel
| | |title=''The Flurry of Dancing Flames'' |
| |de=Axel
| | |weapon=Chakrams |
| |es=Axel
| | |attribute=Fire (炎) |
| |image=[[File:Axel_KHMOM.png|350x400px]] | | |limit=Explosion |
| |type=Organization XIII | | |role=Assistant |
| |spec=NobodyBoss
| | |first=''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' |
| |game1=Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
| | |original=Unknown |
| |game2=Kingdom Hearts II
| | |engvoice= [[wikipedia:Quinton Flynn|Quinton Flynn]] |
| |game3=Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | | |japvoice=[[wikipedia:Keiji Fujiwara|Keiji Fujiwara]] |
| |game4=Kingdom Hearts coded
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| |game5=Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
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| |game6=Kingdom Hearts Union χ
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| |game7=Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
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| |orgnum=VIII
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| |orgtitle=The Flurry of Dancing Flames | |
| |orgweapon=Chakrams ''(Eternal Flames)'' | |
| |orgatt={{nihongo|Flame|炎|Honō}} | |
| |orglimit=Explosion | |
| |orgother=[[Lea]] | |
| |enva=Quinton Flynn
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| |java=Keiji Fujiwara | |
| |javan=<small>(''KHCoM'' through ''KH3D'')</small>
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| |frva=Jean Christophe Parquier | |
| |esva=Víctor Martínez | |
| |deva=Philipp Brammer | |
| |COMbattlename=The 13th Struggle | |
| |COMbattlefile=The 13th Struggle KHCOM.ogg
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| |KH2battlename=The 13th Struggle
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| |KH2battlefile=The 13th Struggle KHII.ogg
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| |journalSS=A mysterious figure who stands in Sora's path.<br><br>Hard to read, half the time Axel seems to just be messing around... but for all we know, he's done more thinking than everyone else put together.<br><br>He knows a lot more than he let's on.
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| |journalRR=No. 8 in the Organization.<br><br>He is a Nobody whose intentions and secrets are hidden from all.<br><br>Axel has no qualms about exploiting others to suit his needs. He used Sora and Naminé to silence Marluxia and halt his plot against the Organization.<br><br>Axel claims he and Sora have something in common, but that connection is unclear.
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| |journalKH2=Organization XIII's Number VIII. He commands fire and carries a uniquely-shaped weapon.<br><br>He is the former mentor of Roxas. He would give anything to get him back.<br><br>He has proven to be an odd duck of sorts within the Organization, lashing out against treachery, yet stirring troubles with his own betrayals all the while.<br><br>He claims he and Sora share some sort of bond, but Sora can't imagine what that might be.
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| |journal358=No. VIII AXEL<br><br>An assassin who puts his own agenda first, and everything else on the back burner. Wields '''fire'''.<br>Weapon: Chakrams<br><br>'''HD 1.5 ReMIX'''<br>A member of Organization XIII. He prioritizes his own motives over the goals of the Organization. He eventually becomes friends with Roxas after their initial meeting. Like Roxas, he comes to worry for Xion after becoming friends with her as well.
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| |journalDDD=One of Organization XIII's more unique personalities. He was especially close to Roxas, another of their members. Axel expired while fighting to save Sora—or perhaps someone else. | |
| |journalUX='''Album'''<br>'''Roxas & Axel & Xion'''<br>KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days (2008)<br>After a mission, these three friends like to relax over sea-salt ice cream.<br><br>'''Axel A/SP Axel/HD Axel'''<br>KINGDOM HEARTS II (2005)<br>The 8th member of Organization XIII. He commands fire.<br><br>'''Boss'''<br>This Flurry of Dancing Flames absorbs attacks from Power-based Medals. Keep an eye on the count above his head.
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| |s1=Lea
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| }} | | }} |
| {{Q|My show now, Keyblade master! Who am I? Oh, my name's Axel. Got it memorized?|Axel}}
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| '''Axel''', the {{nihongo|''Flurry of Dancing Flames''|おどる火の風|Odoru Hi no Kaze}}, is the [[Nobody]] of [[Lea]], and is Rank VIII within the original [[Organization XIII]]. He wields fire and enhances his weapons, twin chakrams, with his pyrokinesis to unleash powerful rapid attacks. He controls the [[Assassin]] Nobodies.
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| In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', Axel is the trump card for the rest of the organization, acting as a double agent in [[Castle Oblivion]] to keep track of [[Marluxia]]'s plans. In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]'', Axel betrays the Organization due to his friendship with [[Roxas]], and acts of his own accord to aid [[Sora]], though he had originally desired to turn Sora into a [[Heartless]] and restore Roxas. Axel appears in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' as a playable character in [[Mission Mode]].
| | {{Q|My show now, Keyblade master. Who am I? Oh, my name's Axel. Got it memorized?|Axel}} |
| | '''Axel''', the ''Flurry of Dancing Flames'' (おどる火の風 ''Odoru Hi no Kaze'', lit. ''Wind of Dancing Flames''), is Rank VIII within [[Organization XIII]]. He wields the element of flame and enchants his weapons, twin chakram, with his element to unleash powerful rapid attacks. He commands the [[Assassin]] Nobodies. |
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| Axel's human form, Lea, had been friends with [[Saïx]]'s original persona, [[Isa]].
| | Considered a Trump card by the rest of the Organization, he acted as a double agent in [[Castle Oblivion]], keeping track of [[Marluxia|Marluxia's]] plans for the other members, then betrayed the Organization for his friendship with [[Roxas]], acting of his own accord to try and see him again once Roxas joins with [[Sora]]. Axel will appear in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' as a playable character. |
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| ==Development== | | ==Journal Entries== |
| Axel bears a great number of similarities with {{ff|Reno}} from ''{{ff|Final Fantasy VII}}'', even sharing his voice actor with Reno over a variety of languages. {{w|Tetsuya Nomura}} stated that this is done intentionally as an experiment. He wanted to place a familiar character in a new environment and role. He also stated in an interview that the two are "''different people, but subconsciously alike.''"{{fact}}
| | ===''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''=== |
| | ''A mysterious figure who stands in Sora's path.'' |
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| Axel was popular among members of the ''Kingdom Hearts'' staff and though he was initially supposed to die at the end of Roxas's prologue, his popularity caused him to be continued into the main game of ''Kingdom Hearts II''.
| | ''Hard to read, half the time Axel seems to just be messing around... but for all we know, he's done more thinking than everyone else put together.'' |
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| In the Japanese version of ''Kingdom Hearts II'', flames consumed Axel's body at his death. The flames were removed for the English version. In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', despite keeping many changes made to the English version, Axel's death scene uses the flames. In ''[[Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX]]'', the flames are once again removed.
| | *'''''Reverse/Rebirth''''' |
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| ==Story==
| | ''No. 8 in the Organization.'' |
| ===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'' and ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
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| {{Q|Right, that first week you could barely form a sentence. But come on, you're still kind of a zombie.|Axel reminisces with Roxas}}
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| [[File:Meet Roxas 01 KHD.png|thumb|left|Axel stands alongside Roxas at his induction into the Organization.]]
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| After Roxas joins the Organization, Saïx places him under Axel's tutelage. Initially, Axel is unsure how to treat Roxas; he likens the new Organization member's withdrawn and taciturn disposition to that of a zombie. Even more confusing was that Roxas looked like [[Ventus]], whom Axel had met years ago as Lea. Over time, however, the two Nobodies begin to bond, eating [[sea-salt ice cream]] together at the [[Twilight Town]] Train Station after every mission. As his friendship with Roxas develops, Axel begins to demonstrate emotions, despite his being a Nobody.
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| Axel is also present when [[Xion]] joins the Organization, but is sent to Castle Oblivion to deal with the traitorous Marluxia soon after Xion's induction. Having received orders through Saïx, [[Xemnas]]'s second-in-command, it appears that Axel had also planned to eliminate other members who could have harmed their plans to overthrow the Organization.
| | ''He is a Nobody whose intentions and secrets are hidden from all.'' |
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| [[File:When Sleeping Memories Awaken 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|Axel teases Sora and reveals that he was merely playing with the boy.]]
| | ''Axel has no qualms about exploiting others to suit his needs. He used Sora and Naminé to silence Marluxia and halt his plot against the Organization.'' |
| While Sora and [[Riku]] wander Castle Oblivion, Axel works for the two parties of the already divided Organization members in the castle. One party, consisting of Marluxia and [[Larxene]], wishes to use Sora's powers to usurp Xemnas and the rest of the Organization by using [[Naminé]] to alter Sora's memories. The other faction, consisting of [[Vexen]], [[Lexaeus]], and [[Zexion]] three of the original six members of Organization XIII realizes Marluxia's ambitions and tries to stop the traitors, using [[Riku]] to destroy Sora. Early on, Axel spends most of his time with Marluxia and Larxene, trying to obtain their trust.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories}}
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| Upon purposely throwing his battle against Sora, Axel admits to using the battle as a test of the [[Keyblade wielder]]'s strength. Axel gives up a {{c|card|com}} created from Sora's memories, which allows Sora to progress further in the castle, After leaving a bewildered Sora, Axel confronts Larxene, professing an interest in preserving Sora's self-consciousness even after he became a [[Heartless]].
| | ''Axel claims he and Sora have something in common, but that connection is unclear.'' |
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| After Vexen's first battle with Sora, Marluxia orders Axel to dispose of Vexen, both to test Axel's willingness to eliminate another Organization member and to stop Vexen from interfering with Marluxia's plan. Axel finishes off Vexen, who had just engaged Sora in combat and is accepted into Marluxia and Larxene's conspiracy. Taking advantage of Marluxia and Larxene's trust, Axel allows Naminé to escape and contact Sora. Citing his previous order to rid the Organization of traitors, Axel later confronts Marluxia, who now realizes Axel's continued loyalty to the Organization. During their battle, Marluxia attempts to use Naminé as a shield. Axel is undeterred, but before he is able to strike, Sora appears behind him and is angered to learn that Axel would be willing to harm Naminé. A fierce fight ensues between Axel and Sora, and Sora emerges victorious. Conceding defeat, Axel leaves Sora with the words, "It was worth saving you after all," and vanishes.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories}}
| | ===''Kingdom Hearts II''=== |
| | ''Organization XIII's Number VIII. He commands fire and carries a uniquely-shaped weapon.'' |
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| After his battle with Sora, Axel meets Zexion in the castle basement. Zexion brings up the subject of Riku, and requests data on [[Destiny Islands]] in the form of a card. After Zexion is defeated by Riku, he retreats and meets with Axel. Despite their previous collaboration, Axel says that Zexion had "just found out way too much". Axel persuades the [[Riku Replica]] to absorb Zexion, promising the duplicate that he would gain newfound powers, including the strength needed to defeat the real Riku.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories}}
| | ''He has proven to be an odd duck of sorts within the Organization, lashing out against treachery, yet stirring troubles with his own betrayals all the while.'' |
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| With the five members of the Organization finished off, Axel proceeds to carry out his orders to find the [[Chamber of Waking]] and retrieve Naminé, but fails to find the chamber and allows Naminé to escape, deeming her unnecessary. When Axel finally returns to [[the World That Never Was]], he feels as if Roxas had replaced him with Xion, with whom Roxas now eats ice cream in Twilight Town in the same way Roxas and Axel had prior to Castle Oblivion. At Roxas's suggestion, the three begin to spend time together as a trio. Sometime later, Saïx confronts Axel. Axel reveals that he regrets not being able to talk with Saïx as he could with Roxas and Xion. Saïx alludes to the friendship he and Axel had shared before becoming Nobodies and reminds him of their plans to find [[Subject X]].
| | ''He claims he and Sora share some sort of bond, but Sora can't imagine what that might be.'' |
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| [[File:The Existence of Sadness 02 KHII.png|thumb|left|Axel tries to stop Roxas from leaving the Organization.]] | | ==Story== |
| Eventually, Axel discovered that Xion is an imperfect [[replica]] of Roxas and keeps the truth from him, sometimes he would lie to him to keep him from worrying, but couldn't help but feel bad for deceiving him. After discovering her identity, Xion develops a desire to leave the Organization. While on a mission, Axel discovers Xion has sneaked into Castle Oblivion. He encourages her to leave and to stop remembering her former memories, or rather, Sora's memories. Despite Axel's warning, Xion goes further into the castle. Xion eventually escapes the Organization but is attacked and captured by Axel, under Saïx's orders, in Twilight Town weeks later, before Roxas's eyes. Despite Roxas's protests, Axel claims that his use of force had been necessary. No longer on speaking terms with Roxas, Axel becomes torn between his two friends, trying to decide which one to save from Xemnas's plan.
| | ===Meeting [[Roxas]]=== |
| | When [[Roxas]] was first born, [[Xemnas]] found him in front of the old mansion in [[Twilight Town]] and brought Roxas into [[Organization XIII]]. |
| | Not long after, Axel befriended Roxas to join [[Organization XIII]], and later had a talk with Roxas on the clock tower, eating Sea Salt Ice Cream. |
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| [[File:Xion and Axel Face Off 01 KHD.png|thumb|Axel swears that he would always bring Xion back, regardless of how many times she tries to flee.]] | | ===''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]''=== |
| About 2 months later, Axel rescues Xion and Roxas from being manipulated into killing each other at [[Halloween Town]], causing all three of them to become distrustful of the Organization and Saïx. The next day while on a mission in [[Wonderland]], Xion attacks [[Xigbar]] and knocks him unconscious, and Axel makes no attempt to stop her. She removes her hood, shocking Axel, and asks Axel to let her go, which he agrees to, and she retreats through a Corridor of Darkness. Roxas confronted him on why he just let her go and reveals that Xion is a replica and that they can't coexist together. Roxas refuses to believe it and leaves in a fury despite Axel's protests. The next day, Xemnas ordered Axel to bring Xion back alive. Before leaving to find her, Roxas tries to reason with him that Xion can't come back, only to say that it's rather that or him being destroyed. The next day, Roxas, having learned Xion's identity and that Axel had hidden it from him, questions him about his true identity resulting an argument between them. Axel only tells Roxas to trust him, but he refuses and leaves the Organization in anger. Axel, who had enjoyed the time he had spent with his best friend, is distraught but is unable to stop Roxas from deserting.
| | {|border="0" align="right" |
| | |[[Image:Axel-ChOfMem.png]] |
| | |[[Image:Axel2-ChofMem.png]] |
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| The next day, under orders, Axel tracks Xion down to the Old Mansion in Twilight Town. Having learned Xion's intentions, and fed up with her and Roxas's selfishness, Axel battles Xion and knocks her unconscious. Axel, after managing to bring Xion back to the [[Castle That Never Was]], faints from fatigue, and Xemnas takes the unconscious Xion from him. Later, in his quarters, after learning the aftermath of Roxas and Xion's fight, a depressed Axel discovers a popsicle stick labeled "WINNER", a gift left by Roxas. After Xion's defeat at Roxas's hands, Axel's memories of her eventually disappear.<ref>'''''[[Secret Reports#Day 357: To My Best Friend|Secret Reports]]''''', '''Axel:''' "Roxas left. It's so like him to just leave that WINNER ice cream stick behind. Come tomorrow, I'll probably get the order to hunt him down, but leaving that here makes it feel so permanent. I wish the three of us—three? No. That the two of us could share some ice cream again someday. That's what it is to be friends."</ref>
| | {{Q|You didn't think after that introduction, I would give up oh so easily?|commenting on Sora's behavior after he purposely allowed himself to be defeated in the first battle.}} |
| {{-}}
| | In [[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]] while [[Sora]] and [[Riku]] wandered around in [[Castle Oblivion]], Axel worked for the two parties of the already divided Organization in the castle. One side, [[Larxene]] and Marluxia, sought to use [[Sora]]'s powers to usurp Xemnas and the rest of the Organization while using [[Naminé]] to alter Sora's memories. Those who stayed in the castle basement were [[Vexen]], [[Lexaeus]], and [[Zexion]]--three of the original members of [[Organization XIII]]. The three realized Marluxia's ambitions and tried to counteract by using Riku to destroy Sora. At first, Axel joined the rebel group, though his intentions at that decision point remained unclear. |
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| ===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
| | Upon throwing the first battle with Sora, Axel admitted to testing the Keyblade master's strength. Axel gave up a card created from Sora's memories for him to progress further in the castle. After leaving Sora bewildered, Axel holds a serious conversation with Larxene in which he professes an interest in the fact that Sora retains his self-consciousness even after becoming a Heartless. |
| {{q|I wanted to see Roxas. He...was the only one I liked...he made me feel...like I had a heart. It's kind of...funny. You make me feel...the same....|Axel referring to how Sora reminded him of Roxas}}
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| Shortly after Roxas's escape from The World That Never Was, Riku captures Roxas and [[Ansem the Wise]] places him in [[The Other Twilight Town]]. There, Roxas's memory is wiped and replaced with artificial ones, leading Roxas to believe that he is a normal teenager on summer vacation. Axel is ordered to retrieve or destroy Roxas, but only agrees after threats from [[Xaldin]] and Xemnas. He enters the simulated town to confront Roxas; however, his first effort to retrieve Roxas fails when DiZ appears and restarts the Twilight Town program, temporarily removing Axel from the simulation. Roxas is dumbfounded by Axel's appearance, as he lacks any memories of the Organization member.
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| [[File:Axel's Decision 01 KHII.png|thumb|left|Furious at being forgotten, Axel prepares to eliminate Roxas.]]
| | After Vexen nearly reveals the existence of Roxas to Sora, Axel was ordered by Marluxia to dispose of him. Axel did so effortlessly, and was at last accepted by Marluxia and Larxene into their conspiracy. Using this to his advantage, Axel allowed Naminé to escape and contact Sora. He later confronted Marluxia, allowing him to figure out that he acted as a double agent during their entire time in the castle. Citing his previous order to rid the Organization of traitors, Axel readied to attack Marluxia, even after Marluxia used Naminé as a shield, but was interrupted by Sora, whom he eventually fought for the last time. At the end of the battle, Axel pretended to be defeated and confused Sora with the words "It was worth saving you after all," and vanished. |
| Axel again tries to recover Roxas without destroying him, while keeping in mind the Organization's order to either eliminate Roxas or be destroyed himself. Roxas, who has since learned from Naminé that the two had been best friends, mentions this to Axel, who calls Roxas's bluff when he is unable to remember Xemnas's name. [[DiZ]] again intervenes, and Roxas escapes to the Old Mansion in Twilight Town. The two meet again in the mansion's computer room basement. Despite Roxas's having regained his memories, Axel, who is hurt emotionally from his previous encounters, fights Roxas, who is now dual-wielding [[Oathkeeper & Oblivion]]. Axel loses the fight and disappears, obliging not to finish his mission. | |
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| While Sora reawakens with Roxas inside him, Riku asks Axel to protect Naminé. Later, at Sunset Hill, Axel calls it a day before Riku motions for them to leave. Naminé's words, about those who are dear to them despite being Nobodies, strangely move him. As Riku thanks them both, he opens a Corridor of Darkness, allowing the three to make their exit.
| | After his battle with Sora, Axel met with Zexion in the castle basement. Zexion brought up the subject of Riku and requested data on [[Destiny Islands]] in the form of a card. Despite their previous collaboration, Axel later offered [[Riku Replica]] the honor of killing Zexion, promising the duplicate that he would gain new powers and be able to defeat the real Riku. The exact reason for Axel's betrayal is not stated, and seems self-contradictory after he had helped stop Marluxia's betrayal, though it was true that both sides of the Organization members in Castle Oblivion had their own ideas for betrayal. Axel commented that it would be more interesting to see Sora and Riku's future than to save Zexion; however, this may have had something to do with Axel's friendship with Roxas, which could have been the reason why he effortlessly destroyed Vexen--to prevent either Sora or Roxas from meeting. In Re: Chain of Memories during the scene known as "Tactician's End," Axel stated the reason for his betrayal of Zexion, saying: "You just found out way too much." What Zexion "found out" is never explained. This is all the more ambiguous as in ''Re:Chain of Memories'' Axel and Zexion were shown to be friendly with each other (e.g. in one scene it was shown that Zexion and Axel were making bets on which Organization members in the Castle would be the next to die, something that Axel wins when he accurately predicts that Marluxia will be the next to fall). |
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| During Sora's travels through the different worlds, Axel appears before [[Kairi]] on a beach in Destiny Islands, intending to kidnap her. Axel's plan is simple: if Sora were to become a Heartless again, then Roxas would be reborn. However, Kairi escapes through a [[Corridor of Darkness]] created by Riku, and lands in Twilight Town where she waits for Sora. Axel, however, follows her to the town and steals her away again. Not long afterward, she is taken captive by Saïx, who is under orders to "give him something to be pitiful about". After the invasion of [[Radiant Garden]] by the Heartless, Sora confronts Xemnas, the leader of Organization XIII, who disappears after a brief exchange. Axel appears before Sora right after Xemnas exits and explains the [[Keyblade]]'s ability to release the captive [[heart]]s that compose Heartless. However, Axel refuses to say what Organization XIII would do with those hearts. Sora realizes that Axel is Kairi's captor, which Axel confirms. Though initially unrepentant for his actions, he soon apologizes for kidnapping Kairi, but makes a hasty exit when Saïx appears.
| | ===''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''=== |
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| On the way to The World That Never Was, Sora, [[Donald]], [[Goofy]], and [[King Mickey]] are trapped in [[Betwixt and Between]] and attacked by Nobodies, but Axel arrives to help Sora battle the Nobodies. Realizing the [[Dusk]]s' overwhelming numbers, Axel puts his entire being and essence into one, powerful attack, which destroys the Nobodies at the expense of his life.
| | [[Image:Axel_Concept_Art.jpg|thumb|Testuya Nomura's concept art for Axel and his twin Chakram.]] |
| | Plagued with questions as to why he has a [[Keyblade]] and subconsciously seeking out Sora, Roxas leaves the Organization. Axel, who found companionship in Roxas, was distraught by this decision. |
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| [[File:The Words I Wanted to Say 02 KHII.png|thumb|A fading Axel apologizes to Sora for kidnapping Kairi.]] | | Shortly afterward, Roxas was captured by Riku and put in [[Ansem the Wise|Ansem the Wise's]] [[Digital Twilight Town]] where his memory was wiped and replaced with an artificial one, leading him to believe he was a normal teenager. Axel was sent to the simulated town to bring Roxas back to the Organization; however, his first effort failed due to [[Ansem the Wise|DiZ's]] appearance and the restarting of the Twilight Town program. Roxas was dumbfounded by Axel's appearance and commented, lacking any memories of him and hence awareness of what was going on. Pressed by the threats by [[Xaldin]] and [[Xemnas]], Axel later accepted the Organization's order to either eliminate Roxas or be destroyed himself. Axel again tried to recover Roxas without the need to kill him, though this failed when Roxas attempted to bluff with information he learned from [[Naminé]]. Roxas learned that the two had been best friends and mentioned this to Axel in an attempt to save himself, but his bluff was called when he was unable to remember "''[[Organization XIII|their]] [[Xemnas|boss']] name.''" Before Axel can attack Roxas, DiZ intervenes and Roxas escapes for the Twilight Town mansion. The two meet again at this mansion in the computer room basement. Despite Roxas's recovery of his memories, Axel informed him that it was too late and fought Roxas and his dual Keyblades. Axel lost the fight and disappeared, choosing not to carry out his mission and rather took the risk of being branded a traitor. While Sora reawakened with Roxas inside him, Axel was entrusted by Riku to protect Naminé. Naminé's words, about those who are dear to them despite being Nobodies, strangely moved Axel before the two left Riku in a portal of darkness. |
| As he fades away, Axel explains his motives: he had wanted to save Sora, Roxas's original self, who stays with him in his last moments. He sincerely apologizes to Sora for involving Kairi in Organization XIII's plans. Axel confesses that he had wanted to see Roxas, the only one who had made him feel like he had a heart. Axel remarks that Sora makes him feel the same way. In his final moments, Axel urges Sora to proceed and rescue Kairi, then opens a passageway to the World That Never Was before disappearing into the darkness.
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| Afterward, [[Xigbar]], [[Luxord]] and [[Saïx]] discuss Axel's foolish and senseless actions, in turning against the Organization for the sake of his friendship with Roxas. Xemnas reveals that Axel's disappearance had served to stir Roxas from his rest, claiming Axel's disobedience had not been entirely meaningless and pitiful. Xemnas also states that, due to his contact with Sora's heart, Axel's own ability to feel emotions may have been affected.
| | ===A second chance with Sora=== |
| | {{Q|The guy you just saw. He's their leader! X-E-M-N-A-S. Got it memorized?|telling Sora about the Organization's superior, Xemnas}} |
| | During Sora's exploits to the different worlds, Axel appeared before [[Kairi]] on a beach across Destiny Islands, intending to kidnap her to draw Sora out. Axel's plan was simple; if Sora were to become a Heartless again, then Roxas would be reborn. However, Kairi escaped through a [[Corridor of Darkness]] created by Riku and landed in [[Twilight Town]] where she stayed for some time in wait of Sora. Axel, however, followed her to the town and stole her away again, but not long afterward she was taken captive by [[Saïx]] who was under orders to give Axel something to actually worry about. |
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| {{canon
| | After the invasion of the [[Radiant Garden]] by the Heartless, Sora confronted Xemnas, the leader of the Organization. Xemnas decided to take his leave and Axel later greeted Sora. Axel hinted that the Keyblade caused the hearts that composed the Heartless to flee, but refused to say what Organization XIII would do with those hearts. Sora realized that Axel is Kairi's captor, and Axel confirmed this. Though initially seeming unrepentant for his actions, he soon apologized for kidnapping Kairi, and made a hasty exit when Saïx appeared. |
| |In the written novel of the game, Naminé backs up Xemnas's notion, mentioning that Axel had never truly died, but had rather faded into darkness, where he would wander until he found his heart.
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| [[File:Leaving Him Behind 02 KHIIFM.png|thumb|left|Axel bids his final farewell to Roxas.]] | | ===Death=== |
| Axel makes one final appearance before Roxas, immediately after Roxas's mental battle with Sora. The two discuss their fate, reminisce about the good times they had shared with each other. Axel gives a final farewell to his best friend shedding a tear, as his [[body]] and [[soul]] reunite with his heart at Radiant Garden, reviving Lea. | | {{q|He...was the only one I liked...he made me feel...like I had a heart. It's kinda...funny. You make me feel...the same....|referring to how Sora reminded him of Roxas}} |
| {{-}}
| | On the way to [[The World That Never Was]], Sora, Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey are trapped in [[Betwixt and Between]] by Nobodies, but Axel arrives to help. Sora and Axel battled the Nobodies, but seeing that the Dusk's numbers were too great, Axel decided to put every bit of his energy into one massive attack to destroy the Nobodies and save Sora, who stayed with him until the moment he faded. He sincerely apologized to Sora for getting Kairi involved. Confused, Sora asked him what he was trying to do and Axel confessed that he wanted to see Roxas, the only one who made him feel like he had a heart. Oddly enough for Axel, Sora made him feel the same way (possibly since Sora and Roxas are one in the same) and used these final words to urge Sora on to rescue Kairi. Axel opened the passageway to The World That Never Was with the last bit of strength he had in him before disappearing into darkness completely. Afterward, [[Xigbar]] and [[Luxord]] were curious about Axel doing something as foolish as turning against the Organization for the sake of his friendship with Roxas, but Xemnas revealed that Axel's disappearance served to stir Roxas from his rest, claiming Axel's disobedience not entirely meaningless and pitiful. Xemnas also stated that due to contact with Sora, Axel's own ability to feel emotions could have been affected. Naminé, however, backs up this notion in the written novel of the game in which she mentions that Axel never truly died, but rather faded into darkness where he would wander until he would find his heart. Axel made one final appearance in Roxas's flashback where he gives a final farewell to his best friend. In the English language versions, Axel's death scene was edited to remove the flames that were consuming his body. |
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| ===''[[Kingdom Hearts coded]]''===
| | It is also possible--like the rest of the Organization with the exception of Xemnas and Roxas--that there is a Heartless version of Axel. Whether this will be touched upon in a later game is yet to be seen. |
| In the [[Datascape]]'s version of Castle Oblivion, [[Data-Naminé]] reveals to [[Data-Sora]] and King Mickey that Axel is one of the people that, while gone, is still connected to Sora's heart.
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| ===''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''===
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| [[File:A Remembered Promise 01 KH3D.png|thumb|In Lea's dream, Roxas reminds Axel of the promise he made to him and Xion.]]
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| Just before waking, Lea has a dream of Axel and Roxas eating sea-salt ice cream in Twilight Town. In the dream, Roxas reminds Axel of the promise he had made to him and Xion, to always bring them back. He asks Axel if he had it memorized before fading away, leaving Axel to chuckle.
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| {{-}}
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| ==Other appearances==
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| ===''[[Blank Points]]''===
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| Axel, Roxas, and Xion are seen sitting happily together on the Clock Tower with sea-salt ice cream. The trio looks into the sunset, and Roxas and Xion say Sora's name.
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| ===''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''===
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| Axel appears as an enemy in the August 2018 {{khux|NEW XIII Event}}.
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| ===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
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| In ''{{ssb|Super Smash Bros. Ultimate}}'', Axel appears in the 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock Stations in the [[Dive to the Heart]] sections of the {{ssb|Hollow Bastion}} stage, as an obtainable {{ssb|spirit}} in Sora's {{ssb|DLC Spirits (mode)|Spirit Board}}, and is represented by {{ssb|Roy (SSBU)|Roy}} in {{ssb|Spirit#Spirit Battles|Spirit Battle}}.
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| ==Design==
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| Axel is tall and slender in appearance. Like other Organization members, he wears basic black gloves and boots. His black coat, however, is one of the more distinctive ones in the group, as its sleeves close up tightly around his arms. Axel himself is also easily distinguishable from other characters in terms of facial features, made easier by the fact that he rarely wears the hood of his coat up. Axel has a widow's peak, rather small eyebrows, and thick, shoulder-length, bright red hair styled into slicked-back spikes. Xigbar teases him about it, calling him "Flamesilocks". His eyes are a bright emerald color and he has a purple reverse-teardrop-shaped marking under each eye, which is similar to {{ff|Reno}}'s facial markings. According to Saïx, the marking was to prevent Axel from crying, which Lea claims he does not need anymore.<ref>'''''Kingdom Hearts III'', Saïx''': "Always told you they'd stop you from crying. The upside-down tears." / '''Lea''': "Yeah. Don't need 'em."''</ref> | |
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| ==Personality== | | ==Personality== |
| At the beginning of ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', Axel has a mysterious, stoic, and calm, as well as cold, unforgiving, and merciless demeanor on par with that of Marluxia. In ''Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories'', he interrupts Vexen's cries for mercy with a cocky "goodbye" before incinerating him without any hesitation and seems to be amused by the deaths of his comrades as shown in the scene where he is making bets with Zexion. When Marluxia uses Naminé as a human shield against him, Axel confidently implies that he doesn't care if Naminé is in his way to get to Marluxia.
| | [[Image:Axel Days.PNG|right|150px|thumb|Axel from ''Kingdom Hearts [[358/2 Days]]'']] |
| | Axel's personality is very different compared to most other members of the Organization. His attitude also changes during the series. When he is first introduced at the beginning of ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', Axel has a mysterious, stoic, and calm demeanor on par with that of Marluxia. He seems to be a very good liar, as he earned Vexen's, Marluxia's, and even the trust of [[Larxene]] in only a short amount of time. He also seems to be very committed to the Organization, shown in a cutscene were he battles Marluxia. He seems quite distant at times during his time in Castle Oblivion, ignoring Vexen's insults and almost completely unfazed by Larxene's flirtatious behavior towards him. While he is seen as collected, intelligent, and even somewhat overconfident, cutscenes from ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]'' make him sound as if he is acting at times, possibly hinting at his dislike for the other members. All this is contradicted in ''Re:Chain of Memories'' as while it was originally shown that he was only friends with Roxas and Xion it was shown in the game that he also seemed to be friends with Zexion (to an extent, anyway). This is demonstrated in one cut-scene where he and Zexion are having a friendly gamble on which Organization member in the Castle will be the next to fall at Sora's hands (something that they've apparently been doing ever since Axel assassinated Vexen). Axel wins when he predicts that Marluxia will die next whilst Zexion guesses that Axel will be slain next. This does not seem to connect, however, when Axel has Zexion killed by the Riku Replica; judging by Axel's words, it seemed that Axel had done so in order to keep him quiet about Marluxia's attempted coup, and probably about striking down Vexen. |
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| He seems quite distant at times during his time in Castle Oblivion, ignoring Vexen's insults and almost completely unfazed by Larxene's behavior towards him. Although Axel seems to hold Larxene and Zexion in good company to an extent by making friendly conversation with Larxene while Marluxia is not around and making bets with Zexion as to which member will be defeated next, this was shown to be nothing more than an act to earn their trust. Eventually, Axel betrays Larxene by letting Naminé escape, although he seems disappointed yet satisfied with her elimination. Later on, he encourages Riku Replica to annihilate Zexion to ensure that his actions in Castle Oblivion go unnoticed by the rest of the Organization and to help Saïx keep his rank in the Organization. In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'', he appears indifferent to angering Xaldin, showing his disdain for the other Nobody.
| | Axel's personality changes drastically in between the two games, possibly due to his friendship with Roxas. In [[Kingdom Hearts II]], he has a very laid-back, "go with the flow" outlook on many things, including missions and battles. But he also is shown to have a very kind, heartful side, ironic because he is a Nobody and has no heart. His friendship with [[Roxas]] and [[Xion]] and his moving final words are examples of this. |
| | He also stated that Roxas made him feel "like he had a heart". |
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| Axel's cold personality changes drastically, due to his friendship with [[Roxas]], stating that the latter made him feel "like he had a heart". In ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'', he has a very laidback, "go with the flow" outlook on many things, including missions and battles. He is also shown to be quite sarcastic. This is shown once he has returned from Castle Oblivion when Saïx asks him why he did not report, he simply responds with "Oh, good to see you, too. You're welcome, thanks for the kind words." | | In both games Axel has been shown to have a very typical "Nobody" side to his personality as well, being cold, unforgiving, and merciless. In ''Chain of Memories'', he interrupts Vexen's cries for mercy with a cocky "Goodbye" before incinerating him without any hesitation. He also seemed to be amused by the deaths of his comrades as shown in the scene where he is making bets with Zexion. This cruel attitude also occurs when Marluxia uses [[Naminé]] as a human shield against him--Axel confidently declared he would kill Naminé to get to Marluxia. Also in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+]]'' he appeared indifferent to angering [[Xaldin]]. |
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| Axel revealed to have a very kind, heartful side, which he only displayed to his closest friends, Roxas and Xion, acting like an older brother towards them and being their main source of advice and wisdom. In some cases, he got them out of trouble, including helping out Xion and Roxas when Xion cannot summon her Keyblade and preventing them from destroying one another when they are tricked by the Organization into fighting each other. In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', when Axel bids his final farewell to Roxas, it can be seen upon closer inspection that the teardrop at the end of the scene belongs to Axel, which displays his emotional capacities.
| | In both ''Re:Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Axel displays emotion, which is unusual given that Nobodies cannot feel anything. He himself notes this in ''Re:Chain of Memories'' when he begins laughing, but catches himself and stops. He even mocks his ability to feel towards his death. Whether he, Roxas, Naminé, and Xion all seem have something unusual in common regarding the heart, is unknown. |
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| Originally, when Axel displays emotion, he finds it unusual given that Nobodies cannot feel anything, and often refuses to acknowledge them, even mocking his ability to feel towards his death. He notes this in ''Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories'' when he begins laughing, but catches himself and stops. However, it has been hinted by Xemnas, and Axel himself, that by being close in contact with Sora's heart, Axel began to feel emotions of his own.
| | Out of the whole Organization, Axel is probably the most difficult to read. One never knows what he is thinking (as [[Lexaeus]] implied) or whose side he is really on. Most of the time he seems to be just messing around, but he may have done more thinking than everyone else combined, as stated in Jiminey's Journal. |
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| Out of the whole Organization, Axel is probably the most difficult to read. According to Lexaeus, no one ever knows what he is thinking or whose side he is really on. While he seems to just be joking around, he may have done more thinking than everyone else combined, as stated in Jiminy's Journal. Similarly, in both ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Axel tends to avoid eye contact when lying.
| | ==Fighting Style and Abilities== |
| | {{main|Axel (Enemy)}}[[File:Axel.jpg|thumb|Axel with his chakrams]] |
| | As the Flurry of Dancing Flames, Axel uses two uniquely shaped weapons called chakrams, and specializes in Fire manipulation. He can summon pillars of flame at will and strike with rapid combos using his chakrams. He can also surround his chakrams in flame and throw them like boomeranges, spinning and looping them to hit opponents multiple times. In his one on one battle with Roxas in Kingdom Hearts II, Axel also summons a circle of fire to surround them and leaps into the flames to hide, emerging to strike with rapid attacks, and then leaping back to keep his opponents off their guard. |
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| In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', it is shown that Axel does not like to talk about his past. Whenever Roxas or Xion asks him about it, he gives a brief or vague answer and then tries to change the subject. It is implied that he had some sort of experience with women in his earlier life, as seen when he gives Roxas a piece of friendly advice to "not push the wrong buttons" with women. He also believes that women are complicated, claiming that real women are a "double dose of complex" (since he thinks that real people are more complex compared to Nobodies), and Nobody women are a "single dose".
| | ==Quotes== |
| | *''"Got it memorized?"<br> |
| | *''"Did you really think after that introduction, I would give up oh so easily?"<br> |
| | *''"Now that we're getting to know each other better...don't you go off and die on me now!"<br> |
| | *''"Whatever. You can do what you want. But you know, I think testing Sora is just a cover for testing your valet."<br> |
| | *''"But don't waste your time. We Nobodies can never hope to be Somebodies."<br> |
| | *''"I came to stop you from talking too much...by eliminating your existence."<br> |
| | *''"Hey, wait... I'm enjoying this. You guys really are something else!"<br> |
| | *''"Bingo. The name's Axel. Got it memorized?"<br> |
| | *''"This town is his creation, right? Which means we don't have time for a Q and A. You're coming with me, conscious or not."<br> |
| | *''"You really do remember me this time... I'm SO FLATTERED! But you're TOO LATE!!"<br> |
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| Axel's catchphrase is "Got it memorized?" (originally localized as "Commit it to memory" in ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'') whenever he refers to an important name, but mostly when he is introducing himself, even when he is Lea. On a side note, Axel is the first character in the series to curse, since he uses the word "hell" after letting Naminé go, asking Sora to "give [him] one hell of a show", but in the remake, it is changed to "Try and make it enjoyable". | | ==Trivia== |
| | *It has been noted that Axel bears many similarities to [[finalfantasy:Reno|Reno]] from [[finalfantasy:Final Fantasy VII|Final Fantasy VII]]. [[wikipedia:Tetsuya Nomura|Tetsuya Nomura]] commented on the connection between Axel and Reno, stating that he wanted to experiment by placing a familiar character in a new environment and role. Nomura clearly stated in an interview that the two are "''different people, but subconsciously alike.''" |
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| ==Abilities==
| | *Axel is often considered a popular member of the Organization and from the series by fans. In fact, he was also a popular among members of the Kingdom Hearts staff and though he was initially supposed to die at the end of Roxas' Prologue, his popularity caused him to be continued into the main game of ''Kingdom Hearts II''. |
| As the Flurry of Dancing Flames, Axel uses two uniquely shaped weapons called chakrams, and specializes in Fire manipulation. He can summon pillars of flame at will and strike with rapid combos using his chakrams. He can also surround his chakrams in flame and throw them like boomerangs, spinning and looping them to hit opponents multiple times. In his one on one battle with Roxas in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Axel also summons a circle of fire to surround them and leaps into the flames to hide, emerging to strike with rapid attacks, and then leaping back to keep his opponents off their guard. Axel is a powerful member of the Organization, arguably even stronger, or at least a better fighter, than Saïx. This is seen when Saïx is defeated by Roxas, but Axel was able to defeat Xion at the Old Mansion, who at the time absorbed much of Roxas's power. However, Axel clearly put more effort into his battle, as he passed out after the fight, while Saïx remained conscious, though exhausted.
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| In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Axel has a Limit Break called [[Explosion (Limit Break)|Explosion]], which causes Axel to throw his fire-engulfed chakrams at enemies. During the Final Limit, his two chakrams are combined into one enormous chakram. | | *In both ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts II'', Axel is shown to display emotions, which is unusual given that Nobodies can't feel anything. Whether he, Naminé, Roxas, and Xion have something in common regarding the heart is unknown. |
| ===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
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| Axel assists Sora when fighting the Nobodies at [[Betwixt and Between]]. He fights with attacks that are also used in the battles against him. | |
| {{frm-abi-o|kh2|o=*}}
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| {{frm-abi|n=*|{{nihongo|'''Continuous Attack'''|連続攻撃|<br>Renzoku Kōgeki}}|Axel twists his body while swinging his weapon many times.}}
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| {{frm-abi|n=*|{{nihongo|'''Firetooth'''|ファイアカッター|<br>Faia Kattā|lit. "Fire Cutter"}}|Axel moves behind the enemy and throws a flaming weapon.}}
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| {{frm-abi|n=*|{{nihongo|'''Assault'''|突撃|<br>Totsugeki}}|After disappearing, Axel charges forward while covered in flames.}}
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| {{frm-abi|n=*|{{nihongo|'''Wild Dance'''|乱舞|<br>Ranbu}}|Axel swings his weapon covered in flames, and repeatedly attacks with flaming pillars.}}
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| {{frm-abi|n=*|{{nihongo|'''Fall Attack'''|落下攻撃|<br>Rakka Kōgeki}}|Axel warps into the air above, and spreads a blaze upon landing.}}
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| {{frm-c}}
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| ===Weapon===
| | *There was some controversy about ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' when Axel was the only character in the entire series to curse. During the scene where he lets Naminé go his original line when he feels joy and emotion coming over him he yells, "So you're making me feel this? Well keep it going because it's about time you gave me one Hell of a show!" The line was changed to Axel saying, "Wait I'm actually enjoying this. You guys really are something else." |
| Axel utilizes two {{w|Chakram}}s, named "[[Eternal Flames]]". Each Chakram is circular and red, with silver spikes and circles around the edges, and two black handles shaped like crosses in the middle. Each chakram has eight spikes, possibly referencing Axel's rank in the Organization. Axel is very adept in the use of his weapon; he can throw them, use them as shields, or use them as melee weapons. He performs some unique attacks, including juggling them against an opponent or throwing one across the entire battlefield continuously. | |
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| He also uses them in conjunction with his fire abilities, setting the tips, or even the whole thing, on fire before throwing them. From a scene in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'', it is shown that he can set his Chakrams on fire from afar, acting as a remote detonator.
| | *Marcus Damon, the main character of Digimon Data Squad (who is also voiced by Quinton Flynn) makes an allusion to Axel in one episode when he says: "I got it memorized, all right here" while pointing to his head. |
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| The [[Bond of Flame]] Keyblade, obtained from Axel, is similar in appearance to his Chakrams. Axel's Chakrams are among the few Organization XIII weapons that do not bear the Nobody symbol (the others being Xemnas's Ethereal Blades, and Roxas's and Xion's Keyblades), but the spikes on the wheel do bear some similarities to the Nobody insignia.
| | *Axel is the first member of the Organization whose face was revealed. |
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| In real life, chakrams are actually small razor-edged throwing disks used by warriors in ancient India. Axel's Chakrams bear more of a resemblance to Chinese wind-and-fire wheels, wheel-shaped weapons that are used strictly as melee weapons.
| | ==References== |
| | <references/> |
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| <center><gallery>
| | {{nobody}} |
| File:Eternal Flames KHII.png|Axel's signature Chakrams, the Eternal Flames.
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| </gallery></center>
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| ==Notes and references==
| | {{Party}} |
| {{reflist}} | |
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| {{Chakram}}
| | [[fr:Axel]] |
| {{NobodyDirectory}}
| | [[Category:Original characters]] |
| {{Party}}
| | [[Category: Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Characters]] |
| {{358}}
| | [[Category: Kingdom Hearts II characters]] |
| {{COM}}
| | [[Category: Organization XIII]] |
| {{KH2}}
| | [[Category: Castle Oblivion]] |
| {{Coded}}
| | [[Category: World That Never Was]] |
| {{DDD}}
| | [[Category:Neutral characters]] |
| {{MOM}}
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| [[Category:Allies]] | |
| [[Category:Antagonists]] | |
