High School DxD remains one of the most commercially successful and influential supernatural battle harem light novel series created by Ichiei Ishibumi. While public discourse often focuses heavily on its fan service reputation, the underlying narrative relies on an intricate factional war between Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, and mythological pantheons. At the core of this sprawling urban fantasy are its main characters, whose personal growth, unique sacred gears, and psychological depth drive the plot forward across its extensive volumes and anime adaptations.
If you want to understand why this franchise maintains a massive global following, you have to look past the superficial tropes and examine the core cast. From Issei Hyoudou's evolution from an ordinary high school student to a peerless Dragon Emperor, to Rias Gremory's leadership of the Occult Research Club, every major player carries distinct ideological motivations and emotional burdens that shape the supernatural politics of Kuoh Town.
Issei Hyoudou: The Red Dragon Emperor
Issei Hyoudou starts his journey as a notorious pervert attending Kuoh Academy, but his trajectory shifts permanently on his first date when he's murdered by a fallen angel named Raynare. Resurrected as a low-class devil by the heiress Rias Gremory, Issei discovers he houses one of the legendary Longinus sacred gears: Boosted Gear, which contains the soul of Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor.
His character development doesn't follow the standard shonen blueprint of raw, innate talent. Instead, Issei grows through sheer tenacity, loyalty, and bizarre combat innovations. He funnels his perverted desires into magical power through his signature "Dress Break" and "Breast-Drive" techniques, proving that unorthodox strategies work when facing celestial powerhouses.
Key attributes defining Issei's role include:
- The Crimson Oppai Dragon: He embraces his absurd moniker publicly, turning mockery into a badge of honor that rallies his peers and intimidates foes.
- Juggernaut Drive and Beyond: He regularly pushes past mortal limits, risking his sanity and lifespan to unlock higher draconic transformations like Cardinal Crimson Promotion.
- Protective Instinct: His primary motivation isn't cosmic glory; it's keeping Rias and his peerage safe from enemy factions like Khaos Brigade.
Rias Gremory: The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess
As the primary female protagonist and head of the Gremory peerage, Rias serves as the emotional and strategic anchor of the series. Coming from one of the highest-ranking Devil noble families, she possesses immense powers of destruction and exceptional political acumen.
Despite her aristocratic upbringing and intimidating status as the "Ruins Princess," Rias struggles with an arranged marriage forced upon her by the House of Baal. Her relationship with Issei evolves organically from a master-servant dynamic into a profound romantic partnership. She values loyalty above all else, gathering outcasts and individuals with cursed sacred gears into her household to give them a second chance at life.
Akeno Himejima: The Lightning Priestess
Akeno is Rias's queen, best friend, and the second-in-command of the Kuoh Academy Occult Research Club. On the surface, she projects the persona of a calm, nurturing older sister figure, often teasing Issei relentlessly. Beneath this warm exterior lies a dark and violent combat style inherited from her fallen angel heritage.
Her internal conflict stems from her complicated lineage as the daughter of Shuri Himejima (a shrine maiden) and Baraqiel (a fallen angel executive). After witnessing her mother's tragic death, Akeno harbored a deep hatred for her fallen angel blood and refused to use her light-based powers for years. Her character arc centers on accepting her complete identity and finding emotional sanctuary within Rias's household.
Asia Argento: The Healing Nun
Introduced as a tragic orphan raised by the church, Asia possesses the sacred gear Twilight Healing, an artifact capable of healing humans, angels, and devils alike. Because of this rare power, she was exploited by corrupt clergy and eventually exiled, leading to her encounter with Issei.
Asia represents the moral compass and purest heart within the series. Her gentle demeanor provides a stark contrast to the brutal supernatural conflicts surrounding her. Although physically vulnerable in early battles, her growth manifests through her bravery and the development of her dragon-blessed capabilities under Issei's protection.
Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shido: The Church Defectors
Xenovia and Irina enter the narrative as wielder-agents of the Holy Sword Excalibur. Initially sent as enemies or neutral parties, their worldview shatters when they discover God has died in the biblical war, forcing them to reevaluate their faith.
- Xenovia Quarta: A pragmatic, fiercely dedicated swordswielder who ultimately renounces the Church to become a devil in Rias's peerage. Her analytical mindset brings tactical clarity to the group.
- Irina Shido: Issei's childhood friend who chooses to remain with Heaven, eventually becoming an angel and an exorcist. Her dynamic with Issei creates a humorous yet touching bridge between opposing factions.
Koneko Tojo and Kiba Yuuto
Rounding out the core initial peerage are two powerhouse fighters with distinct psychological scars.
Koneko Tojo (Shirone) is a Nekomata—a rare cat-youkai species possessing immense physical strength and defensive capabilities. Her storyline tackles survivor's guilt and the fear of losing control over her inherited predatory instincts after her older sister's rampage.
Kiba Yuuto serves as the knight of the peerage, specializing in holy-demonic sword creation. As the sole survivor of the infamous Holy Sword Project, Kiba initially seeks vengeance against the church and Kokabiel. His reconciliation with his past allows him to forge his own path, upgrading his sword techniques into the ultimate Balance Breaker form: Blade Blacksmith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High School DxD getting a new anime season?
Fans frequently look for updates regarding a continuation of the anime adaptation. While studio shifts occurred between seasons, the light novel concluded its main run under author Ichiei Ishibumi, leaving ample source material for future production announcements by official animation studios. You can check updates via Kadokawa.
Who is the strongest character in High School DxD?
The narrative establishes entities like the Great Red, Ophis (the Infinite Dragon God), and Trihexa as the pinnacle of power, dwarfing standard Devil Maou and angels. Among the mortal and peerage cast, Issei Hyoudou reaches unprecedented heights by the end of the light novel series.
What is a Sacred Gear?
Sacred Gears are artificial mystical items bestowed upon humans by the biblical God. They range from utility tools to overpowered weapons like the Longinus artifacts, which possess enough conceptual firepower to slay gods and dragons.
How many volumes are in the High School DxD light novel?
The original light novel series spans 25 main volumes, published between 2008 and 2018, followed by sequel series such as Shin High School DxD which continue the characters' adventures in the underworld.
