In the anime Yuri!!! on Ice, Axel is one of the three triplet daughters of Yuuko and Takeshi Nishigori. Her full name is Axel Nishigori, and she is named after the Axel jump, a move in figure skating. She is easily distinguished from her sisters, Lutz and Loop, by her hairstyle, which is a pair of pigtails, and her personal color scheme of purple, which is reflected in the accents of her clothing and accessories.

Axel, along with her sisters, is a young girl with brown eyes and brown hair, usually dressed in matching outfits that include a hooded vest, black long-sleeved shirt, gloves, skirt, and sneakers. She has a round, youthful face with a constant, prominent blush on her cheeks and slanted eyebrows that resemble her father's.

As a character, Axel is passionate, intelligent, and mischievous. Despite her young age, she is extremely knowledgeable about figure skating, a trait that has earned her and her sisters the nickname Skate Otaku Sisters. She is shown to be tech-savvy and often stays up late to follow competitions or post on social media, much to her mother's dismay. Her mischievous nature is a key part of her personality, as she and her sisters are frequently seen secretly recording skaters, including Yuuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov.

Axel's most significant role in the story occurs before the main plot even begins. She and her sisters are responsible for recording and uploading the viral video of Yuuri Katsuki perfectly replicating Victor Nikiforov's free skate program. This video is the catalyst for the entire series, as it directly leads to Victor abandoning his own career in Russia to travel to Japan and become Yuuri's coach.

Throughout the series, the triplets function as a supportive and enthusiastic presence in Yuuri's life. They are devoted fans of his skating and are always eager to help. For instance, they are the ones who propose and organize the Hot Springs on Ice competition, a crucial event that determines which Yuri Victor will coach. They also serve as a source of exposition for other characters, using their vast knowledge to explain the complexities of the Grand Prix series to Yuuri's parents and, by extension, the audience.

Axel's key relationships are primarily with her immediate family: her parents, Yuuko and Takeshi, and her sisters, Lutz and Loop. The three sisters are nearly inseparable, functioning as a single, energetic unit throughout the show. They also share a close, though often teasing, relationship with Yuuri, whom they have known since he was a child skating at their family's rink, Ice Castle. Their admiration for Victor is also immense, as they are starstruck by his presence and eagerly document his time in Hasetsu.

While the triplets do not undergo a significant character arc themselves, their development is more about their consistent and active role in the story. They transition from simply being fans to being key instigators and organizers, demonstrating a level of maturity and initiative that surprises the adult characters. Their ability to use modern technology and social media effectively makes them a powerful, if unofficial, force in the world of the anime.

Regarding abilities, Axel is not shown to be a competitive figure skater, but she is certainly capable on the ice. She is seen wearing skates and can perform spins, reflecting the fact that she has grown up in a skating rink environment with parents who are both former skaters and current rink managers. Her true skills lie in her sharp intelligence, her proficiency with the internet, and her ability to leverage social media to create significant events, as demonstrated by both the viral video and the Hot Springs on Ice competition.