High School DxD: The journey of Issei and Rias – where is their relationship headed?
(Credit- Fandom)
(Credit-Fandom)
Issei and Rias's relationship in High School DxD
Light novel ending: A fulfilling future together
What makes Issei and Rias relationship special?
A love that defies expectations
High School DxD is praised not only for its high-end battles and supernatural genre, but also for its emotional relationships that base its chaotic world—especially, the special bond between Issei Hyoudou and Rias Gremory .Which started as a devil-human relationship filled with awkward and sassy moments, and the romantic tension that has evolved into something much deeper over the period of time of the anime, manga, and light novel series.But, since the story is now concluded in the light novel ( High School DxD Volume 25 ), and now fans are asking: how does this epic story between Issei and Rias actually end?From the very beginning, Rias Gremory has played a changing role in Issei's life. After Issei was killed by a fallen angel, Issei was reincarnated as a devil by Rias and was brought into her household as a mere servant. But what starts off as a master-servant relation quickly transforms into a close friendship—and of course eventually, a romantic relationship between the two.Issei's growth from being a pervy, awkward teenager into a confident and powerful devil is closely tied to his relationship with Rias. She not only supports him through his battles but also constantly pushes him to believe in his own strength and potential. Whereas Rias, for her part, finds Issei as someone who doesn't see her as a noble devil princess or political figure, but as a woman who wants love and respect.This epic emotional relation becomes clear throughout the key arcs in both the manga and the light novel, mainly during the Rating Game arcs and the Underworld Civil War. Rias finally openly admits her feelings, and Issei, despite being super dense for a long time, finally realizes that Rias is the only one he truly wants to be with. Their relationship is tested again and again—through battles, rival admirers, and the expectations of the devil society—but they come out stronger every time they face these battles.The light novel, which is the main source material and goes further than the anime or manga itself, provides a satisfying closure to Issei and Rias's journey. In Volume 22, Issei finally confesses his love to Rias and formally proposes to her. She accepts Issei's proposal, and their engagement finally becomes official.By the end of Volume 25, the final entry of the main arc, Issei becomes a high-ranking devil and is finally recognized as a powerful person in the Underworld, independent of Rias's noble house and status. This move not only symbolises his growth, but also the fact that he and Rias can now stand side by side as equals—both in power and in love.Although they are not shown getting married in the main volumes of the light novel, it's heavily implied that their future will include getting married and living a happy life together, surrounded by their friends and allies. The author of the series, Ichiei Ishibumi, has also released side stories and short volumes that explore their daily life and deepen their bond after the confession.Unlike many other anime romances that drag out confessions or leave things vague, High School DxD gives fans a clear result. Issei and Rias relationship is based on mutual respect, emotional support, and a common journey of self exploration. While the series has its own share of fanservice and harem moments, Rias just stands out as the central love interest and emotional anchor in Issei's life.Also, their romance isn't just a subplot—it directly influences the story's main events, character motivations, and even political motives within the devil world. Their relationship evolves naturally, from simple friendship to partnership and love.The epic relationship between Issei and Rias is one of the most important elements of High School DxD. It defies the usual themes by giving the two characters time to grow individually and together. High School DxD also starts with the typical anime fanservice humor, but later it blossoms into something meaningful a love that is tested by hardships but grounded in genuine care and understanding.With the light novel's end, fans can finally rest easy knowing that Issei and Rias's story doesn't end in heartbreak or ambiguity. Instead, it ends with hope, promise, and a future they will be building together. In the epic world of devils, dragons, and gods, their love story stands as one of the most human and most heartwarming stories of anime.
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Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
'Not just for kids': Top 5 Ecchi and dark fantasy Anime series for grown-ups
Credits: Crunchyroll Anime isn't just for kids – many modern titles target mature fans with explicit content and complex stories. Since 2010, several ecchi , harem , and dark-fantasy isekai series have pushed boundaries to earn an 18+ rating. The following five stand out for blending engaging plots and world-building with risqué fanservice (revealing costumes, suggestive humor, etc.). Each entry below is officially rated for mature audiences and popular among adult anime fans. 1. High School DxD (2012–2018) Credits: Crunchyroll This blockbuster harem/comedy series follows lecherous teen Issei Hyōdō, who is killed on a first date by a fallen angel and then reborn as a devil by the alluring Rias Gremory . Suddenly Issei is caught up in a supernatural war among angels, fallen angels and devils at Kuoh Academy. The show is famous for its brazen fanservice – curvy demon girls, succubus imagery and lingerie-clad fight scenes – but it also has genuinely thrilling action and story arcs. Critics praised DxD for its high-quality animation and depth of plot along with the 'crazy sexy' comedy. As Anime News Network noted, 'evaluated as a fan-service-focused series… it is one of the top recent titles of its type'. High School DxD's combination of demon-battles and playful harem antics made it a smash hit (selling millions of light novels) and a perennial favorite for mature viewers. 2. Prison School (2015) Credits: Crunchyroll A notoriously outrageous ecchi comedy, Prison School is set at Hachimitsu Academy, a once all-girls school that has just admitted five male students. The infamously strict Underground Student Council runs a literal prison on campus, and the five boys are immediately jailed for peeping in the girls' bath. The series thrives on outlandish humor and over-the-top sexual antics as the boys desperately try to escape their humiliating detention. Fans love it for pushing comedic and erotic limits. One reviewer even calls it a 'diamond among the rough' of ecchi anime, noting that it subverts typical harem clichés by putting girls in charge of the situation. (For example, the student council's sadistic president humiliates the boys with outrageous punishments.) Despite – or because of – its relentless bawdiness, Prison School earned strong fan praise (and a cult following), with reviewers calling it the 'best show in the genre'for its bold, boundary-pushing comedy. 3. The Testament of Sister New Devil (2015) Credits: Crunchyroll This action-harem series features high-schooler Basara Tōjō, whose father suddenly remarries, leaving Basara with two beautiful stepsisters: Mio and Maria Naruse. Basara soon learns Mio is a demon princess and he belongs to a rival hero clan. In a twist, the younger Maria forces a magical 'master–slave' contract on Basara – but it backfires, making Basara the master instead. Now Basara must navigate politics between demon clans while protecting his sisters from enemies. The show mixes supernatural battles (demons vs. heroes) with constant harem-tinged mishaps and suggestive situations. Its appeal lies in the contrast: we have epic magical fights and monster armies on one hand, and an excuse for lots of fanservice (curvy demon girls in perilous outfits) on the other. Though critics are mixed, many adult fans enjoy its blend of action and risqué moments. (The second season Burst continued the story due to its popularity, and Crunchyroll even licensed the series – a sign of its fan appeal.) 4. Overlord (2015–2022) Credits: Crunchyroll A top-tier dark isekai fantasy, Overlord puts a twist on the genre. When the massive online RPG Yggdrasil shuts down, only the skeletal 'guild leader' player Momonga remains logged in. To his surprise, the game world has become real: Momonga is now Ainz Ooal Gown, overlord of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and all the NPCs have come to life. With no way home, Ainz adopts his former guild's name and explores this new world. Overlord stands out for its deep world-building and antihero focus: Ainz and his loyal yet seductive guardians (like Albedo and Shalltear) seek power and survival in a dark, war-torn setting. The battles are gory and strategic, but the series also serves fanservice – for example, characters like Albedo wear revealing armor and act as lovestruck followers of Ainz. It proved immensely popular: by 2015, Overlord was the top-selling light novel series in Japan, and it has sold millions of copies. Reviewers praised it as a 'magnificent power fantasy' for gamers, noting how relatable it is to those who've played MMORPGs. In short, Overlord delivers mature thrills with an oppressive atmosphere, political intrigue, and occasional risqué humor, making it a hit with adult fans who want a darker isekai. 5. Goblin Slayer (2018–present) Credits: Crunchyroll This grimdark adventure is explicitly billed as dark fantasy , and it wastes no time establishing its adult tone. The story begins when a shy new priestess's first quest goes horribly wrong – her entire party is slaughtered by goblins. She is rescued by Goblin Slayer, a hardened, helmet-clad mercenary who vows to wipe out every goblin. The series is famous (and infamous) for its graphic violence and bleak themes: gore and implied sexual violence against goblins set a very mature, brutal tone. (Indeed, it earned an 18+ rating for this content.) Unlike other isekai, Goblin Slayer does not pull punches: even children are shown as targets of the goblins. Fans of dark fantasy appreciate how unflinching it is; viewers know going in that this is a world of blood and horror. The storytelling rewards strategic combat and grim realism more than fanservice – Goblin Slayer himself is taciturn and fully armored – but adult viewers are drawn by the intense, survivalist world. (The anime was controversial upon release but remains widely discussed among mature audiences.) Each of these series is rated strictly 18+ because they contain nudity, heavy sexual themes or graphic violence. Despite that, they are all well-crafted: they balance their steamy or shocking elements with solid plots or imaginative settings. In other words, they offer substantive fantasy storytelling alongside the risqué fanservice that grown-up anime fans seek. Critics and fans alike often note that these shows know their audience – they deliver the fanservice (bunny-suit heroines, seductive demonesses, etc.) while still advancing a compelling narrative. For mature viewers looking for anime that doesn't hold back, these five titles have become go-to recommendations, as evidenced by high sales figures and positive reviews from anime news sites and forums. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
High School DxD: The journey of Issei and Rias – where is their relationship headed?
(Credit- Fandom) (Credit-Fandom) Issei and Rias's relationship in High School DxD Light novel ending: A fulfilling future together What makes Issei and Rias relationship special? A love that defies expectations High School DxD is praised not only for its high-end battles and supernatural genre, but also for its emotional relationships that base its chaotic world—especially, the special bond between Issei Hyoudou and Rias Gremory .Which started as a devil-human relationship filled with awkward and sassy moments, and the romantic tension that has evolved into something much deeper over the period of time of the anime, manga, and light novel since the story is now concluded in the light novel ( High School DxD Volume 25 ), and now fans are asking: how does this epic story between Issei and Rias actually end?From the very beginning, Rias Gremory has played a changing role in Issei's life. After Issei was killed by a fallen angel, Issei was reincarnated as a devil by Rias and was brought into her household as a mere servant. But what starts off as a master-servant relation quickly transforms into a close friendship—and of course eventually, a romantic relationship between the growth from being a pervy, awkward teenager into a confident and powerful devil is closely tied to his relationship with Rias. She not only supports him through his battles but also constantly pushes him to believe in his own strength and potential. Whereas Rias, for her part, finds Issei as someone who doesn't see her as a noble devil princess or political figure, but as a woman who wants love and epic emotional relation becomes clear throughout the key arcs in both the manga and the light novel, mainly during the Rating Game arcs and the Underworld Civil War. Rias finally openly admits her feelings, and Issei, despite being super dense for a long time, finally realizes that Rias is the only one he truly wants to be with. Their relationship is tested again and again—through battles, rival admirers, and the expectations of the devil society—but they come out stronger every time they face these light novel, which is the main source material and goes further than the anime or manga itself, provides a satisfying closure to Issei and Rias's journey. In Volume 22, Issei finally confesses his love to Rias and formally proposes to her. She accepts Issei's proposal, and their engagement finally becomes the end of Volume 25, the final entry of the main arc, Issei becomes a high-ranking devil and is finally recognized as a powerful person in the Underworld, independent of Rias's noble house and status. This move not only symbolises his growth, but also the fact that he and Rias can now stand side by side as equals—both in power and in they are not shown getting married in the main volumes of the light novel, it's heavily implied that their future will include getting married and living a happy life together, surrounded by their friends and allies. The author of the series, Ichiei Ishibumi, has also released side stories and short volumes that explore their daily life and deepen their bond after the many other anime romances that drag out confessions or leave things vague, High School DxD gives fans a clear result. Issei and Rias relationship is based on mutual respect, emotional support, and a common journey of self exploration. While the series has its own share of fanservice and harem moments, Rias just stands out as the central love interest and emotional anchor in Issei's their romance isn't just a subplot—it directly influences the story's main events, character motivations, and even political motives within the devil world. Their relationship evolves naturally, from simple friendship to partnership and epic relationship between Issei and Rias is one of the most important elements of High School DxD. It defies the usual themes by giving the two characters time to grow individually and together. High School DxD also starts with the typical anime fanservice humor, but later it blossoms into something meaningful a love that is tested by hardships but grounded in genuine care and the light novel's end, fans can finally rest easy knowing that Issei and Rias's story doesn't end in heartbreak or ambiguity. Instead, it ends with hope, promise, and a future they will be building together. In the epic world of devils, dragons, and gods, their love story stands as one of the most human and most heartwarming stories of anime.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
High School DxD: The Ecchi Fantasy That Still Holds Untapped Potential
High School DxD blends ecchi comedy with supernatural action, following Issei Hyoudou , a pervy high schooler reborn as a devil after a deadly encounter. Thrust into a world of devils, angels, and dragons, Issei trains under the powerful Rias Gremory while forming his own chaotic harem. Despite its fanservice-heavy style, the series delivers surprising character depth, thrilling battles, and rich lore. With four anime seasons and a dedicated fanbase, the wait for Season 5 continues, while the story marches on through ongoing light novels and manga adaptations. A Cult Favorite That Never Really Left High School DxD isn't just another ecchi anime . For many fans, it was their first introduction to a series that blended over-the-top fanservice with surprisingly deep lore, character development, and a whole lot of chaotic fun. The story of Issei Hyoudou—a pervy but good-hearted high schooler who's turned into a devil and thrown into a world of angels, demons, dragons, and gods—quickly became something special. The anime ran strong for four seasons between 2012 and 2018, with High School DxD Hero being the latest installment. But since then, there's been silence. No Season 5 announcement. No teaser. Just an ever-growing fanbase asking, 'When is it coming back?' So… What's the Hold-Up With Season 5? Let's be real—High School DxD is popular. It's got strong source material, loyal fans, and enough plot left in the light novels to make several more seasons. But behind the scenes, it's been a bit messy. The change in studios (from TNK to Passione) after Season 3 shook things up. While Season 4 did a much better job of staying faithful to the novels, production has remained quiet since then. The author, Ichiei Ishibumi, has assured fans in past updates that he wants the anime to continue and has even asked fans to support the light novels to help boost its chances. Add to that the pandemic delays and shifting priorities in the anime industry , and you've got a recipe for a frustrating wait. Still, fans haven't given up. Every year, speculation resurfaces—and with the continued interest in older series getting new seasons (hello, Bleach), the hope for High School DxD's return still burns strong. The Manga and Light Novels Keep the Story Going If you're missing DxD, don't worry—the story hasn't stopped. The manga continues with a more faithful retelling of earlier arcs, and the light novel series has gone even further, wrapping up the original and continuing with Shin High School DxD . These chapters follow Issei as he grows even stronger, faces new enemies, and deepens his relationships. For those who loved the anime, diving into the manga or novels is a great way to stay connected to the world—and see what might come in a future season. Why a Comeback Could Be Huge High School DxD has everything going for it: a fun cast, exciting fights, laugh-out-loud comedy, and heartfelt moments. Issei's journey from an awkward teen to a powerful devil with real responsibility (and still plenty of awkward moments) is oddly inspiring. If Season 5 ever gets the green light, it could easily bring in a new wave of fans while giving long-time viewers the payoff they've been waiting for. Until then, the story lives on in print—and the hope for Season 5 is still very much alive.
