High School DxD

Devils, Dragons, Desire, and Destiny

High School DxD is one of the most iconic supernatural ecchi anime of the 2010s—a bold blend of mythology, high-stakes battles, power hierarchies, and unapologetic fan service. What begins as a seemingly outrageous harem comedy quickly evolves into a surprisingly deep fantasy saga filled with ancient devils, fallen angels, dragons, and gods from multiple mythologies.

At its core, High School DxD is a story about ambition, loyalty, and self-worth. Beneath the provocative humor and exaggerated ecchi lies a long-form narrative about a boy who starts at the absolute bottom of the supernatural food chain and rises through sheer determination, bonds, and an unbreakable will to protect those he loves.

Led by one of anime’s most infamous protagonists, Issei Hyoudou, the series balances outrageous comedy with intense battles, complex power systems, and evolving character arcs. Over multiple seasons, OVAs, and specials, High School DxD transforms from a guilty pleasure into a full-fledged supernatural war epic.

Anime Overview

Title: High School DxD
Japanese Title: ハイスクールD×D
Episodes: 48 (4 Seasons) + Specials & OVAs
Air Date: January 6, 2012 – July 3, 2018
Studio: TNK (Season 1–3), Passione (Season 4)
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Blu-ray, DVD
Opening Theme: “Trip -innocent of D-” by Larval Stage Planning, “Sympathy” by Larval Stage Planning, “BLESS YoUr NAME” by Choucho, “Switch” by Minami
Ending Theme: “STUDY × STUDY” by StylipS, “Shout!!” by StylipS, "Give Me Secret" by StylipS, “Motenai Kuse ni” by Tapimiru

Story Summary

Issei Hyoudou is a hopelessly perverted high school student whose greatest dream is to become a harem king. His life changes forever when he is murdered on his very first date by a fallen angel.

Instead of dying, Issei is resurrected as a devil by Rias Gremory, a high-ranking devil noble and the most beautiful girl at Kuoh Academy. Reborn as her servant, Issei becomes a Pawn in Rias’s devil peerage, entering a hidden world where devils, angels, fallen angels, and gods wage secret wars behind the scenes of human society.

Initially weak and cowardly, Issei discovers he possesses the Boosted Gear, one of the legendary Sacred Gears, housing the power of the Welsh Dragon Ddraig. This makes him both a valuable asset and a dangerous wildcard in the supernatural world.

As Issei trains, fights, and forms bonds with his fellow devils, the story expands from school-based conflicts into large-scale supernatural wars involving:

• Devil noble families

• Fallen Angel factions

• The Angelic Host

• Gods from Norse, Greek, and Hindu mythologies

• Dragon Kings and ancient beings

What starts as survival quickly becomes a battle for status, freedom, and the right to choose one’s own destiny.

Season Breakdown

Season 1 (2012) – High School DxD

The foundation of the series. Issei’s rebirth as a devil, introduction to Rias’s peerage, and the early conflicts with fallen angels and rogue devils.

Season 2 (2013) – High School DxD New

The story escalates with the arrival of Vali Lucifer, another Dragon Gear wielder. The power struggle between old devil factions intensifies.

Season 3 (2015) – High School DxD BorN

Political tension explodes as devil civil wars, hero factions, and mythological forces collide. Stakes rise dramatically.

Season 4 (2018) – High School DxD Hero

Animated by Studio Passione, this season realigns closer to the light novels and focuses on Issei’s growth as a leader and warrior.

OVAs (1–8) – High School DxD

Side stories focusing on comedy, fan service, and character bonding, set between seasons and separate from the main plot progression.

Main Characters

• Issei Hyoudou — A reborn devil and wielder of the Boosted Gear. Starts weak and cowardly but grows into a fearsome warrior driven by loyalty and an unshakable desire to protect his friends.

• Rias Gremory — A high-class devil and heiress of the Gremory Clan. Elegant, powerful, and compassionate, she becomes Issei’s master, mentor, and primary love interest.

• Asia Argento — A former nun with healing abilities. Kind-hearted and emotionally pure, she serves as the group’s moral anchor.

• Akeno Himejima — A sadistic yet affectionate priestess with lightning powers. Her tragic past adds emotional depth beneath her playful cruelty.

• Koneko Toujou — A stoic and powerful devil with immense physical strength. Struggles with trust and identity.

• Yuuto Kiba — A former Holy Sword wielder haunted by betrayal and loss. Loyal to Issei and Rias.

• Vali Lucifer — Issei’s rival and fellow Dragon Gear wielder. Represents natural talent and inherited power, contrasting Issei’s hard-earned growth.

Power System & Lore

High School DxD features one of the most detailed power hierarchies in ecchi anime:

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

• Sacred Gears

• Dragon Kings

• Longinus-class weapons

• Rating Games

• Mythological Pantheons coexisting in one universe

Battles rely on strategy, teamwork, and mastery of abilities—not just raw power.

Themes & Style

• Growth from Nothing — Issei’s journey is about rising from the weakest position through effort and bonds.

• Loyalty & Brotherhood — The peerage system emphasizes chosen family over bloodlines.

• Power vs Responsibility — Strength comes with consequences in a world ruled by politics and ancient grudges.

• Desire & Honesty — Unlike many protagonists, Issei openly embraces his desires—making him oddly honest and self-aware.

• Comedy with Consequences — Humor never fully erases the seriousness of war, death, and sacrifice.

Animation & Music

Earlier seasons animated by TNK leaned heavily into ecchi visuals and stylized action. Season 4, produced by Studio Passione, introduced a more faithful art style and improved consistency in animation.

The soundtrack mixes energetic battle themes with playful and seductive tones. Opening themes are iconic within the ecchi anime community and remain instantly recognizable.

Where to Watch

You can watch High School DxD on:

• Crunchyroll

• Amazon Prime Video

• Netflix

• Blu-ray

• DVD

Popularity & Reception

High School DxD became a cultural phenomenon within the anime fandom:

• One of the most successful ecchi anime franchises

• Strong light novel sales

• Highly recognizable characters and memes

• Long-lasting popularity despite hiatuses

While often dismissed for fan service, the series is frequently praised for its world-building and character development.

Similar Anime Recommendations

If you enjoyed High School DxD, you may also like:

• Testament of Sister New Devil – Devils, contracts, and intense ecchi battles.

• To Love Ru – Comedy-heavy ecchi with supernatural elements.

• Trinity Seven – Magic academy battles with harem dynamics.

• Date A Live – Supernatural girls, powers, and romantic chaos.

• Campione! – Mythological gods, powers, and harem action.

Final Thoughts

High School DxD is far more than shock value and fan service.

It is a long-running supernatural saga about ambition, loyalty, and self-made strength, wrapped in comedy and excess. Issei Hyoudou’s journey—from weakest pawn to legendary devil—is a testament to growth earned through effort rather than destiny.

Bold, ridiculous, emotional, and unexpectedly epic, High School DxD remains one of the most memorable supernatural anime franchises of its era.

Whether you came for the comedy, the battles, or the mythology—you stayed for the characters.