Ranked 8th of Organization XIII, Axel is known as "the Flurry of Dancing Flames". His first appearance
in the Kingdom Hearts series is the first game's sequel; Chain of Memories. As far as storyline goes, he
returns a year later in Kingdom Hearts 2 as the only survivor of the 6 members who were introduced in
Castle Oblivion. There, Axel had acted as a double agent, keeping up with Marluxia, Sa�x, and the other
members until he eventually betrayed the Organization to help Sora, ultimately for his friendship with Roxas.
As far as looks go, Axel has medium-length, spiky red hair and bright peridot green eyes: under each eye,
a single upside-down purple teardrop marking. Axel wields red and silver wheel-like weapons called chakrams,
which utilize the element of fire. He also has control over the group of lesser Nobodies known as the
Assassins. Like the rest of the Organization's members, he wears a black trench coat with the standard black
gloves and boots. The coat is adorned with a large hood that has two beaded pull-strings, and a string of
matching silver beads that connects the two at their base.
Out of the whole Organization, Axel is probably the most difficult to read. Over the course of each game,
different sides of Axel's personality are revealed. When first introduced in Chain of Memories, he is
mysterious and calm, somewhat resembling the stoic demeanor of Marluxia. In Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days
and Kingdom Hearts II, the shift in Axel's personality and outlook is apparent... possibly due to his
friendship with Roxas and Xion. During the majority of both games, Axel is very laid-back and has a "go with
the flow" outlook on missions and battles.
It is a well-known fact in the Kingdom Hearts universe that Nobody's do not have hearts; and therefore, they
cannot feel emotion.Axel is very aware of this, and even mocks his ability to feel. He is shown to have a
very kind and heartful side towards Roxas and Xion, even stating that Roxas made him feel like he had
a heart. It has been hinted by both Axel and Xemnas that by being close in contact with Sora's heart (Roxas),
he was able to feel emotions of his own.
On the flipside, Axel also has a darkness to him; the classic Nobody attitude. While displaying this side of
him, Axel is cold and merciless.
Axel's name, like all of the Nobody's names, is an anagram of his creator's name with the addition of the
letter "x". Even though that man has turned into a Heartless, his strong heart is the reason Axel (translated
as "Akuseru" in Japanese) exists and has been able to retain a human form, despite the fact that he is a Nobody.
Until the release of Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, Axel's true name had been unknown. It is revealed in
this game that the Axel was previously a man named Lea (pronounced as "Lee"). Lea was friends with Sa�x's
original form, which might explain their comradery in the Organization, which the two of them planned to take
over. Once Lea joined, his name changed to Axel, but his personality managed to stay in-tact... for the most
part. However, as Sa�x's personality changed drastically (apparently) to emotionless and cold.
Jiminy's Journal ( KH: Chain of Memories )
• Sora's Story: "A mysterious figure who stands in Sora's path. 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.
• Reverse/Rebirth: "No. 8 in the Organization. He is a Nobody whose intentions and secrets are hidden
from all. Axel has no qualms about exploiting others to suit his needs. He used Sora and Namin� to silence
Marluxia and halt his plot against the Organization. Axel claims he and Sora have something in common, but
that connection is unclear."
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
• "No.8 An assassin who puts his own agenda first, and everything else on the back burner. Wields fire.
Weapon: Chakrams."
Jiminy's Journal ( Kingdom Hearts 2 )
• "Organization XIII's Number VIII. He commands fire and carries a uniquely-shaped weapon. 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. He claims he and Sora share some sort of bond, but Sora can't imagine what
that might be."