Axel Gilberto is a central figure in the anime Lazarus, serving as the primary field operative for the titular special task force. He is a young Brazilian man in his early twenties who enters the story as a prisoner with an extraordinary sentence of 888 years. This sentence, remarkably, originated from a minor initial charge that carried a term of only three years. The sentence ballooned to its absurd length because Axel repeatedly escaped from custody, treating prison breaks almost as a personal hobby, and was sentenced anew each time he was recaptured.

Axel possesses a naturally straightforward and friendly disposition, but there is a clear solitary streak to his personality that suggests a preference for independence over close bonds. This self-reliance is complemented by a fearless and charismatic demeanor, though this can sometimes tip into recklessness, particularly due to his belief that a certain necklace he wears makes him invincible. His motivations are initially pragmatic and self-serving. Recruited against his will using a coercive wristband that can punish disobedience, his primary drive is to win back his personal freedom. However, this personal goal is layered with a deeper, more critical stake in the mission: like many others, Axel has taken the drug Hapna. Because the drug becomes lethal after a set period, finding its creator, Dr. Skinner, is a matter of his own survival as well.

Within the narrative, Axel functions as the physical powerhouse and de facto field leader of the Lazarus team, especially when the official leader, Hersch, is not directly in the field. His role becomes even more crucial due to his unique physiology. He is the sole survivor of a secret clinical trial conducted in a prison, where a prototype of the Hapna drug was tested as a potential chemical weapon by a branch of the United States Army. This horrific experiment granted him a vital and rare immunity to the lethal effects of Hapna, allowing him to operate in environments and engage with threats that would be fatal for others.

The relationships within the team are forged from mutual necessity rather than choice, a dynamic typical for a group of criminals. Axel interacts with the other members of Lazarus, including the calm Nigerian operative Douglas, the skilled hacker Eleina, the wealthy drone pilot Leland, and the former Russian secret agent Christine, who is notably the one who finally subdued and captured him. Their cooperation is enforced by the tracking and punishment devices they all wear, creating a tense but functional partnership. Over the course of the mission, Axel's character develops from a thrill-seeking escape artist solely focused on his own freedom into a more reliable leader who takes his role in the team seriously, demonstrating an ability to think several steps ahead and even lay traps for his quarry.

Axel's most notable abilities revolve around extraordinary physicality and improvisational intelligence. He is an expert in parkour, using his environment to achieve feats of acrobatics and escape that seem almost superhuman. His fighting style is an unorthodox blend of acrobatic maneuvers and movements derived from breakdancing, allowing him to dodge attacks and deliver powerful counter-strikes. Beyond his raw athleticism, he is a quick thinker, capable of mastering new skills like basketball almost instantly, and possesses a sharp tactical mind, as demonstrated when he correctly deduced a spy in their midst and anticipated being betrayed by their handlers.