High School DxD – Season 1 (2012)

The Birth of a Devil and the Beginning of Desire

Season 1 of High School DxD introduces one of anime’s most infamous supernatural worlds—where devils rule in secrecy, fallen angels manipulate from the shadows, and a single ordinary boy’s death ignites a journey that reshapes the balance of power across mythological factions.

While widely known for its bold ecchi elements, the first season lays far more groundwork than it initially appears. Beneath the provocative humor lies a carefully constructed introduction to devil society, sacred gear mythology, and a protagonist whose growth begins at absolute zero. This is not the story of a chosen hero—it is the story of someone reborn weak, forced to earn every step forward.

Season 1 is where High School DxD establishes its identity: outrageous on the surface, surprisingly methodical underneath, and unapologetically committed to both comedy and consequence.

Season Overview

Title: High School DxD – Season 1
Japanese Title: ハイスクールD×D
Episodes: 12
Air Date: January 6, 2012 – March 23, 2012
Studio: TNK
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Blu-ray, DVD

Opening Theme: “Trip -innocent of D-” by Larval Stage Planning
Ending Theme: “STUDY × STUDY” by StylipS

Story Summary

Issei Hyoudou is a typical high school student with one defining trait: an overwhelming obsession with girls. His life goals are simple, shallow, and painfully ordinary—until they are violently cut short.

On his very first date, Issei is brutally murdered.

His killer is revealed to be Raynare, a fallen angel hunting for Sacred Gear wielders. Instead of passing on, Issei awakens in the bedroom of Rias Gremory, a crimson-haired devil of noble lineage. She resurrects him as her servant, binding him as a Pawn within her devil peerage.

In a single night, Issei’s world expands beyond comprehension.

He learns that Kuoh Academy sits atop a battleground of hidden factions—devils, angels, fallen angels, and rogue exorcists—all vying for power while keeping humanity oblivious. Devils operate under a strict hierarchy, and Rias herself is a high-class devil burdened by political expectations and family obligations.

Issei, meanwhile, is the weakest piece on the board.

Though clumsy and inexperienced, Issei discovers he wields the Boosted Gear, a legendary Sacred Gear housing the soul of the Welsh Dragon Ddraig. This revelation turns him into both a valuable asset and a target, placing him at the center of conflicts far beyond his understanding.

Season 1 chronicles Issei’s early struggles as he learns what it means to be a devil—not just in power, but in loyalty, responsibility, and choice.

Major Arcs Covered

• Rebirth & Devil Society Arc — Issei’s resurrection and initiation into Rias’s peerage introduce the fundamentals of devil hierarchy, reincarnation chess pieces, and supernatural secrecy.

• Fallen Angel Conflict Arc — Raynare and her allies seek Sacred Gears, pushing Issei into his first life-or-death battles and revealing the dangers of the hidden world.

• Peerage Bonding Arc — Each member of Rias’s peerage is explored through training, missions, and personal struggles, forming the emotional backbone of the season.

• Sacred Gear Awakening Arc — Issei begins to understand the true nature of the Boosted Gear and the responsibility tied to dragon power.

• Final Confrontation Arc — The season culminates in a decisive battle against Raynare, forcing Issei to confront fear, rage, and the meaning of strength.

Main Characters Introduced

• Issei Hyoudou — Reborn as a devil pawn, Issei starts as the weakest member of the peerage. His defining trait is not power, but unshakable loyalty and emotional honesty. Season 1 establishes him as a long-term growth protagonist.

• Rias Gremory — A high-class devil noble and leader of the peerage. Calm, compassionate, and powerful, Rias balances her role as Issei’s master with genuine care for her servants.

• Asia Argento — A former nun cast out for her healing Sacred Gear. Her innocence and kindness contrast sharply with the cruelty of the supernatural world.

• Akeno Himejima — Rias’s Queen. Playful, sadistic, and devastatingly powerful, Akeno hides deep trauma beneath her flirtatious exterior.

• Yuuto Kiba — A former Holy Sword wielder betrayed by the Church. His arc introduces moral gray areas and the corruption within “holy” institutions.

• Koneko Toujou — A quiet, blunt devil with immense physical strength. Her guarded nature hints at deeper insecurities and hidden lineage.

World-Building & Lore Foundations

Season 1 establishes many of the franchise’s core systems:

• Devil Peerage System (King, Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop, Pawn)

• Sacred Gears and their human hosts

• Fallen Angels as manipulators rather than pure villains

• Reincarnation through Evil Pieces

• Supernatural secrecy within modern society

Rather than overwhelming viewers, the season introduces these concepts gradually, grounding them in personal stakes rather than exposition.

Themes & Tone

• From Weakness to Potential — Issei’s lack of power is intentional. Season 1 emphasizes vulnerability over dominance.

• Loyalty Over Ambition — Devil society values hierarchy, but the peerage functions as chosen family.

• Desire Without Shame — Unlike many protagonists, Issei is honest about his desires—played for comedy but also tied to emotional sincerity.

• Power Comes with Targets — Sacred Gears delivers power, but also danger and responsibility.

• Comedy in Contrast with Violence — Lighthearted ecchi moments coexist with brutal deaths and moral consequences.

Animation & Music

Animated by Studio TNK, Season 1 focuses heavily on character expression and stylized ecchi presentation. While action animation is relatively modest compared to later seasons, emotional beats and comedic timing are handled effectively.

The opening theme “Trip -innocent of D-” sets the tone perfectly—energetic, provocative, and unapologetically bold. The ending theme “STUDY × STUDY” reinforces the playful side of the series while contrasting the darker events onscreen.

Where to Watch

You can watch High School DxD – Season 1 on:

• Crunchyroll

• Amazon Prime Video

• Netflix

• Blu-ray

• DVD

Availability may vary by region.

Popularity & Reception

Season 1 was a breakout success and quickly gained notoriety for:

• Its fearless ecchi presentation

• Strong character chemistry

• Surprisingly structured lore

• Memorable protagonist introduction

While some critics dismissed it as fan-service-heavy, fans recognized the potential for long-term storytelling—something later seasons fully embraced. The season’s success established the franchise’s popularity and directly led to multiple sequels, OVAs, and long-term recognition as one of the most influential ecchi anime series of the 2010s.

This season laid the foundation for one of the most recognizable supernatural ecchi franchises in anime history.

Final Thoughts

Season 1 of High School DxD is the spark—not the explosion.

It introduces a flawed, honest protagonist, a richly layered supernatural world, and a tone that blends absurd comedy with real danger. While the battles are small-scale and the power levels modest, the emotional groundwork is carefully placed.

This is where Issei Hyoudou dies as a nobody…
and is reborn as a devil whose journey has only just begun.