During the Clan invasion, Theodore Kurita issued a general call to manufacturers to produce more cost-effective BattleMechs, both in initial investment and upkeep costs. Independence Weaponry, well known for their heavy and assault 'Mechs, responded with a low-cost alternative to their own Atlas-K: the AKU-1X Akuma. With a price tag comparable to the original Atlas-D, the Akuma shared many components with the older design. By creating a broader demand for the same set of parts, Independence Weaponry reduced the overall cost for both units.
         During the Jihad, the Coordinator ordered Independence Weaponry to upgrade the by-then successful design with modern weapons to fight the Word. It became one of the more dangerous designs employed by the Combine, and they took many Word 'Mechs down with them as the Combine began to collapse. With the fall of Quentin, spare parts to the remaining Akumas began to dwindle and the BattleMech ceased to exist by the end of the Jihad except in small numbers scattered throughout the shattered Combine.
         Tikonov's capture of Quentin gave the Akuma a new lease on life though. The Ridzik brothers had no intention of using or building the design, but when the Azami Caliphate approached them with the funds necessary to purchase a large number of the Akumas if the Republic could build them, the brothers took a second look at the design. They approved the reconstruction of that complex, on the stipulation that it be used to build the Atlas for them when Independence Weaponry is not building Akumas for the Caliphate. There are currently no Akumas in production, but Independence Weaponry projects that the Caliphate will send them another order in the next few months, allowing them to restart production.

         The Akuma moves slower than the Atlas and has similar armor protection. In addition, the 'Mech's head is adorned with a massive mask, giving it the frightening appearance of the mythical demon for which it is named. The Akuma's fearsome appearance is intended to distract or startle the enemy long enough for its MechWarrior to get in the first shot.
         That first shot can often be devastating. Though 'Mech's armaments are moderately less dangerous than the Atlas, they can still reduce an enemy 'Mech to impotence in short order. Central to the Akuma's arsenal is a Dragon's Wrath heavy particle beam weapon that can penetrate most BattleMechs' armor in a single strike. A Scarborough Original hyper-velocity autocannon backs up the particle cannon with impressive range and firepower at minimal heat. Finally, a Shigunga Multi-Missile launcher supports those two weapons at long range.
         It is at short range that the Akuma's armament becomes most deadly. The Shigunga launcher can switch over to short range missiles, while two more Shigunga Streak racks are dedicated to shreading opponents at such ranges. Finally, a left arm-mounted medium pulse laser generates further punishment on the Akuma's target. The Matabushi Citizen C3 Slave Unit buried in its torso gives it the ability of targeted fire from afar, or of helping its lance-mates to generate more accurate fire if it closes. In either situation, it is deadly..

         Once used by the Draconis Combine against the Word, only a handful of those Jihad-era Akumas still exist, scattered throughout the worlds they once controlled. Most of the existing Akumas have been built in the last ten years and belong to the Azami Caliphate, the only authorized buyer of the design.