Review of High School DxD
Hi! Robert's Too Late Review coming down! Check the synopsis, minor spoilers possibly, and of note, I'm reviewing the dub version. This review is only of the first season, I will update and revise as I finish the final season of the series. Until then, this is dealing only with Season 1. First of all, yes, DxD has boobs. Fine, fine, DxD has a LOT of boobs. But there's more to be had here. Read on and see if this series warrants a spot on the vaunted wall! Story: 9 This anime is quite famous for the ecchi elements, and make no doubt, this show isabsolutely saturated in fanservicey nudity and innuendo. For that matter, it often goes beyond just innuendo and has characters outright proposition each other. While we never stray below the belt (or the panty-line, most commonly in this series) there are still quite a bit of overt, and mostly over-the-top sexuality. The thing about this is, however, we are served a storyline that is absolutely sound outside of all the fanservice. In fact, I believe that if one was to completely extract every last ounce of nudity from this anime, the supernatural plot would still leave this series highly rated.
We have a story of devils and fallen angels, exorcists and errant nuns, powers and battles. There is an element of coming to terms with one's own inner weaknesses and even strengths as we watch the characters move through this supernatural tale. If you have any interest in mythological stories, tales dealing with otherworldly powers then there's a lot to like here. That is, if you can look past the silly nudity and perverted elements that pervade the anime.
On the other hand, there is a great mistreatment of the female characters, which is odd, considering they comprise the majority of the cast. Rias, while the strong female lead, still is rather helpless without Issei, the male lead. Every woman seems to only be able to exist within the confines of their relationship with either Issei or another male character. Rias is presented as Issei's master, and a *very* high ranking devil, but still is almost subservient to his wants and desires. In the end, it's still about Issei rescuing Rias, not powerful Rias saving herself. This part of the story is troubling. Seeing this kind of thing is not uncommon, but is distressing regardless. I would love to have seen all these female characters, of which regarding the main cast are all *far* more powerful than our male lead Issei, acting in an empowered manner, and standing for themselves. By bringing the story constantly back to focus on how Issei is ultimately the deciding factor and the only important player with power, the story is weakened, which is sad because as I sad, we have a great foundation for a story of powerful devils and their activities.
Regardless, the story still stands strong even in the face of this groan inducing downplay of feminine power. And yes, if you are here to see boobs, there are plenty to go around. There is also a strong comedy element attached to the ecchi material. As usual, the pervert's cliched behavior is played off as comedic relief. I will admit at times, it is actually funny. While I just made a long declaration about female positioning in this anime, the truth is that for a good part of it, Issei is a breast-obsessed idiot. Another trope in and of itself, a powerful, usually male, lead character having an inverse relationship between his power levels and his intelligence. One line from the dialog to highlight this: Issei actually says at one point: "I'm fine with being stupid!" Yeah. That's....informative. Overall, the story is about his growth, as he comes into his own powers, and in his love for Rias. He does make some movements of growth, but this is still very much a battle and boob fest.
Still, even with the dings, the story of devil fights and awesome battles still very much interests me, and I'm excited to see each new layer of power, and each tidbit of lore related revelations.
Art: 9
Absolutely mind blowing, (no pun intended) the art on DxD is just staggeringly cool. And I'm not just referring to the 'jiggly orbs' as Issei might say. The battle powers are intense and cool, character and animation flow are superb. Whereas another anime might give you a solid, yet fairly simple animation of a person executing a power in a direct manner, DxD will have the camera spinning around the character, and especially if they are female (which they almost always are) the view will zoom up and down their bodies, giving the requisite panty shot, but also adding a layer of complexity to the entire animation. For example, a normal show might have 'arm up, arm forward, blast' where this anime will have 'arm up, spinning camera down to thigh level, quick panty shot before spinning all the way back to fingertips quickly then around and dow as the arm comes forward and then blast'. This attention to detail, albeit the ecchi details, gives the art a highly polished look.
Sound: 8
in the dub version, the voices are amazing. I am a big Jamie Marchi fan, and this was my real first exposure to her talents working a lead role. She voices Rias with perfect weight and smoothness. I absolutely, totally LOVE Akeno's original voice actress, and because of her superior work Akeno is one of my favorite all time characters. Asia's voice is borderline annoying at times, but she sounds appropriately innocent which fits her character well. Koneko's voice is really cool and gives her the ability to play off her insults at Issei in a very comedic way, as one of the only girls not down for the whole 'let's be Issei's harem' idea. Even Kiba's voice is fitting for his form and style, so why only and 8 when I give all this praise? Well, I said I would limit this review to Season 1, but I think it's relevant to say, don't get too attached to Issei or Akeno's voices, as they do not make it to the end of the series. That alone is what troubles me about the sound in this anime. Otherwise I'm good, the battles are nice, the background music is well played, and the theme songs are fun. The only other ding really is the Sacred Gear itself and the need to say 'boost!' over and over, anime calling out powers before use is almost a requirement.
Character: 8
Ah, the place this series shines the brightest, and fails the hardest. Interesting dichotomy, huh? I've gotten into this a bit in the story section, but I will reiterate that the females all seem to be about falling over themselves for Issei's attention, and not standing upright on their own. Yet, they are in fact powerful characters, and this isn't completely hidden behind the 'does he love me?' wall. Rias throws down when needed, and early on before the romance subplot weakens her, she's fairly firm at times with Issei. Akeno is ass-kicking wrapped in traditional miko garb, and is very sexually excited by inflicting pain on others. Asia however immediately falls into the rut of needing Issei's approval for everything. This is tempered by the fact he is responsible for bringing her into the devil family to begin with, so it's not completely unwarranted.
The support cast of Koneko and Kiba are interesting characters as they are not involved in crushing on Issei. Koneko considered Issei a pervert of the highest order (he is) and Kiba is male, and either straight, or Issei is not his type whatsoever. This does lend a little balance, but they do kind of take a back seat to the Issei love fest. Issei is, of course, a bit of an idiot as I've said, but as he gains power, he loses some of his foolish ways. But make no mistake, even by the end of the season he's still flipping out over naked breasts and the idea of sex with any number of the female cast.
Basically we have a male that starts out stereotypical that slowly gains a tiny bit of brainpower coupled with strong females that quickly lose their self reliance as they become attracted to Issei. Therein we have great characters at the same time as ones that fail. While it's fine to have Rias impressed with Issei when he fights for her sake, with honest feeling in his heart for her, its still overdone that she's basically putty in his hands when she's supposed to be the next ruler of the Underworld and he's just a reincarnated human that she herself brought back. I love the characters (especially Akeno) but yet at the same time despair over how they all lose their minds as Issei grows in power.
Enjoyment: 9
Despite the glaring flaws, this anime is still an utter blast to watch. The pacing is well done, and the overall plot is interesting. I love the whole devil angle that's played. I wish they did a little less on the fanservice, and have hopes that we see that element downplayed as the series pushes on in seasons. I would love to show the overall story to people like my niece who is coming to age, but the saturation of breasts and clothes being ripped off makes what otherwise might be something she really enjoyed inappropriate for her. Its hard to discuss this anime with some people because they hear DxD and instantly think 'pervert alert'. No one wants to credit the story, the animation, the awesome battles with the praise they deserve because the main character had to go and make one of his powers the ability to remove all a girls' clothes with a thought. If they swung around less boobs in the show, I think it would likely be even more popular because there are many that don't appreciate the juvenile nature of the ecchi content. I say the other elements far outweigh the embarrassment and droll ecchi elements and deserve a serious watch, serious consideration.
Just know you're going to have to slog through a good deal of drooling, nude girls, and enough adjectives for breasts to fill a dictionary before you go in. Final verdict? Great, if you can get past the breasts (or enjoy them if you wish, who am I to mind?) and finally Akeno herself ranked two pictures on the wall. (because she's super awesome, clearly) Until next time, my friends!