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Issei Hyoudou

Issei Hyoudou (兵藤 一誠, Hyōdō Issei) is the main male protagonist in High School DxD, known for his role as a third-year student at Kuoh Academy in Class 3-B. He’s infamous as part of the “Perverted Trio,” a notorious group recognized as the most shamelessly lecherous students in the academy. Despite this reputation, Issei’s journey is anything but ordinary.

In the supernatural world, Issei is the Pawn of Rias Gremory’s peerage and an active member of the Occult Research Club. After the intense battles of the Evil Dragon War, Issei was promoted to the rank of High-Class Devil. This new rank allowed him to establish his own independent peerage, bringing him one step closer to his dream of becoming the “Harem King.”

Issei’s power lies in his possession of a legendary Longinus, the Boosted Gear, which hosts the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig. This formidable artifact makes him a natural rival to Vali Lucifer, the wielder of the Vanishing Dragon, Albion—Ddraig’s eternal adversary. Together, these dynamics shape Issei’s evolution from an everyday high schooler to a powerful figure in the underworld.

I’ll never give up! No matter how many times I get beaten down, I’ll keep getting back up!
— Issei Hyoudou

Appearance

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Issei’s full appearance.

Issei Hyoudou is an average-height high school student with a distinctive look: he sports short, spiky brown hair with two short locks at the back, paired with light brown eyes. Over time, particularly after his intense training with Tannin, Issei’s build has become notably more muscular and toned.

Though he has worn various outfits throughout High School DxD, Issei is most frequently seen in the Kuoh Academy boys’ uniform. His version of the uniform consists of a black blazer (sometimes depicted with hints of purple or gray) with white accents, layered over a white dress shirt accented in black with a black ribbon collar. While most students stick to the traditional uniform, Issei adds his own flair: he wears a red T-shirt under his dress shirt and swaps out the standard brown dress shoes for a pair of blue-and-white sneakers.

In his battle history, Issei underwent significant transformations. Before a rematch against Riser, his left arm morphed into a dragon’s arm, requiring frequent rituals from Rias and Akeno to maintain its human appearance. Following a near-death encounter, Issei gained a completely new body, courtesy of Great Red and Ophis, granting him the ability to partially transform into a dragon.

Despite his unconventional style and supernatural traits, his paternal grandmother has commented on his “manly expressions.” Physically, Issei stands at 170 cm (5’7″) and weighs between 62–65 kg (137–140 lbs), reflecting his evolution from a typical student to a more formidable figure in the series.

Personality

Issei Hyoudou is known for his unapologetically straightforward and unabashedly perverted nature, traits he openly acknowledges and even takes pride in. Obsessed with female beauty and driven by a longstanding dream of creating a harem, Issei is infamous at Kuoh Academy as a member of the “Perverted Trio.” Yet beneath this provocative exterior lies a courageous, selfless, and unwaveringly loyal individual who will do anything to protect those he cares about—even at the risk of his own life.

Despite being labeled the “weakest Red Dragon Emperor,” Issei is unique among his predecessors for his kindness. Unlike former Red Dragon Emperors consumed by Boosted Gear’s curse of power and vengeance, Issei’s natural empathy allows him to avoid this fate. Instead, he uses his strength to help others, supporting his friends like Yuuto Kiba, Koneko Toujou, and Akeno Himejima in overcoming past traumas. His compassionate nature has earned him deep friendships, as well as the affection and trust of the girls in the Occult Research Club and even the approval of high-ranking Devils in Rias’ family. Issei’s kindness has influenced others profoundly, including former enemies like Cao Cao, who admitted that his life might have taken a different path had he met Issei earlier.

Issei struggles with insecurities rooted in past betrayals, particularly his traumatic experience with Raynare. This incident left him wary of expressing his feelings, as he fears rejection or deception. As a result, he often misinterprets the affection of the girls around him, believing they are merely teasing. His fear gradually eases after heartfelt reassurances from Akeno, Asia, and Koneko, leading to a breakthrough when he finally confesses his love to Rias. Though he understands their romantic intentions, he still occasionally feels bewildered by their rivalry for his attention.

In truth, Issei desires genuine love beyond his playful persona, showing his softer, more innocent side to those who understand him. His early ambition of forming a harem evolves into a vision of creating an unbeatable peerage with whom he can compete in Rating Games. Alongside this goal, he nurtures a strong rivalry with Vali Lucifer, the Vanishing Dragon Emperor, aspiring to one day defeat him in battle.

Issei’s dedication to peace stems from witnessing countless battles and near-death experiences. Though naturally a pacifist, he has developed a respect for powerful opponents with strong convictions, finding joy in challenging and defeating them—much like his admiration for Sairaorg Bael, a fellow talentless fighter who rose to greatness. Issei’s diligence and work ethic are unmatched, as he tirelessly trains and studies to fulfill his ambitions despite his initial lack of talent.

His ability to earn trust and form alliances is extraordinary, with figures like Azazel noting his talent for winning people over and attracting powerful allies. This gift is so profound that the memories of past Red Dragon Emperors even shielded him from Samael’s curse, reflecting their respect for him. Issei’s charisma and kindness have drawn many to his side, from his friends in the Occult Research Club to supernatural allies, making him a unifying figure even among former foes.

As a hero to the children of the Underworld, known affectionately as the “Oppai Dragon,” Issei embraces his role as their protector, determined to safeguard their dreams. In battle, Issei’s fierce loyalty drives him forward, though he sometimes acts recklessly when his friends are in danger. However, he has grown more tactical over time, learning to use strategy as well as strength.

Issei’s values shine in his refusal to kill unnecessarily, preferring to give his enemies a second chance or leave them to face justice. Nonetheless, he can be merciless when those he loves are threatened, revealing a fierce, vengeful side against adversaries who cause harm to his friends. Despite this, Issei remains fundamentally kind-hearted, maintaining his vision of a peaceful future where he can live happily alongside those he loves, always pushing forward in his quest to achieve his dreams.

History

Before Issei was born, his parents endured the heartbreak of two miscarriages, making his third conception a time of deep hope and cautious optimism. During this pregnancy, Issei’s father spent hours pacing in front of a nearby Shinto shrine, praying sincerely for his child’s safe arrival. When their son was finally born, they named him Issei, meaning “honesty,” as a tribute to his father’s earnest wishes.

As a child, Issei was close friends with Irina Shidou, who lived in the same neighborhood. Though he remembers her only vaguely, Issei always thought of Irina as “one of the guys” when they played together—an impression that lingered until she moved to England for her father’s work. During their friendship, Issei and Irina shared many childhood memories, including attending church with her family on occasion and even staying over at each other’s houses. On one memorable sleepover, Irina gave him a kiss while he slept, a sweet yet subtle foreshadowing of their future connection.

Issei’s fascination with women began unexpectedly in his early years. He once encountered an eccentric old man who entertained Issei and his friends with elaborate tales about women, sparking what would eventually grow into his well-known fascination and slightly exaggerated admiration for female beauty.

In middle school, Issei met Matsuda and Motohama, two like-minded friends with whom he would eventually form the infamous “Perverted Trio” at Kuoh Academy. Starting their high school journey together a year before the main events of the story, the trio quickly became notorious across campus for their antics, forever cementing their shared reputation as the school’s most unashamedly curious—and perennially unlucky—group of admirers.

Powers & Abilities

  1. Demonic Power: Initially weaker than most Devils, Issei gradually developed his demonic abilities through training with the Dragon King Tannin. This training empowered him to unleash “Dragon Shots” with mountain-erasing force, growing his power to High-Class Devil levels. In his Crimson Armor, Issei reaches Satan-Class power, while his Diabolos Dragon God form achieves Transcendental-Class, surpassing even Heavenly Dragon-class beings.

  2. Signature Moves:

      • Dragon Shot: A concentrated beam of Demonic Power, amplified by his Boosted Gear. In Scale Mail, it can destroy entire mountains, and he later learned to control its direction, inspired by Sirzechs’ Power of Destruction.
      • Dress Break: A technique primarily aimed at disarming female opponents, either by destroying clothing or by nullifying spells and protective armor.
      • Pailingual & Pai-Phone: Abilities allowing him to communicate through or “read” information from women’s breasts, though limited in competitive settings.
      • Flame Blaze: Taught by Tannin, this ability lets him breathe dragon fire that can cover the sky when fully boosted.
      • Nyuutron Beam Cannon: A move that channels demonic power through a woman’s bust power to create an explosive pink beam, even rivaling top-tier attacks like the Infinity Blaster.
  3. Dragon Aura: Possessing a natural Dragon aura, Issei’s presence grew more dominant over time. His aura causes residual damage in combat, a trait that became more pronounced with his body transformation.

  4. Physical Attributes:

    • Immense Strength: Initially average, Issei’s strength grew exponentially through training. His Dragonified body further enhanced his base strength, allowing him to overcome powerful enemies like Vidar and Thanatos.
    • Durability: His training has also toughened him to withstand powerful attacks, especially when using his armors or a Rook promotion.
    • Speed & Reflexes: Rigorous training granted Issei significant speed and agility, especially in his Balance Breaker and Pseudo-Diabolos Dragon forms.
    • Stamina: Issei’s endurance grew through training, enabling him to sustain Balance Breaker and high-intensity fights for extended periods, especially in Rating Games.
  5. Dragonization: After losing his original body, Issei gained the ability to transform parts of his body into dragon form, enhancing his strength and allowing him to heal from blessed items more rapidly. He can also summon dragon wings to fly.

  6. Combat Skills:

    • Hand-to-Hand Combat: Developed through sparring with Kiba and Koneko, and honed under Tannin and Sun Wukong, making him formidable in close-range fights.
    • Swordsmanship: Although not as skilled as other swordsmen, he learned the basics from Kiba and can wield the holy sword Ascalon as part of his Boosted Gear. He has used sword techniques to counter some of his strongest opponents.
    • Tactics: Despite being known for his impulsive nature, Issei has demonstrated tactical skill, planning ahead with holy artifacts, and leveraging his Boost and Transfer abilities to surprise stronger foes.
  7. Other Skills:

    • Demonology: His studies have deepened his understanding of Devil lore and language, allowing him to excel in Gremory Clan knowledge.
    • Survival Skills: Developed during his rigorous training with Tannin.
    • Stealth: Capable of masking his presence from foes.
    • Master Artisan & Dancer: Issei’s artistic skills let him create lifelike sculptures, and his dancing abilities, taught by Venelana Gremory, make him skilled in social settings.
    • Flight: Unable to use his Devil wings, he instead flies with his Dragon wings, honed through training.

Issei’s powers and skills reflect both his intense training and unique combination of Dragon and Devil abilities, allowing him to stand toe-to-toe with powerful beings and excel in various battle and non-combat scenarios.

Equipment

  • Boosted Gear

    • Description: A left-handed red gauntlet, the Boosted Gear is Issei’s main weapon and one of the 13 Longinus. It contains the soul of the Welsh Dragon, Ddraig.
    • Abilities:
      • Power Doubling: Doubles Issei’s power every 10 seconds until reaching his limit.
      • Transfer: Allows him to transfer multiplied power to other individuals or items.
      • Penetrate: Bypasses all defenses, including Sacred Gear abilities and barriers.
      • Dress Break: A technique that lets Issei see through women’s clothing.

    Boosted Gear: Scale Mail

    • Description: This is the Balance Breaker form of the Boosted Gear, manifesting as a red dragon armor.
    • Capabilities:
      • Combat Enhancement: Significantly increases Issei’s strength and destructive capability, enabling him to erase a mountain with a basic blast.
      • Temporary Flight: Initially allows enhanced speed and temporary flight, later adding retractable wings.
      • Activation: Achieved through various means, including emotional triggers and training.

    Dividing Gear

    • Description: A white gauntlet that allows access to the powers of Albion (the Divine Dividing).
    • Abilities:
      • Division and Absorption: Grants the ability to divide and absorb power from opponents.
      • Drawbacks: Reduces Issei’s lifespan and was initially banned by Azazel.
      • Dividing Wyvern Fairy: After Ddraig and Albion reconcile, this form allows him to summon small White Wyverns with unique abilities.

    Juggernaut Drive

    • Description: A powerful form that temporarily releases the seals on the Heavenly Dragons, granting immense power.
    • Drawbacks: Causes severe damage to Issei’s sanity and lifespan.
    • Abilities: Transforms Scale Mail into a more organic state, enhancing speed and combat capabilities dramatically.

    Longinus Smasher

    • Description: A powerful finishing move activated through the Boosted Gear.
    • Effect: Releases an enormous amount of destructive power, capable of altering environments.

    Illegal Move Triaina

    • Description: A technique that allows Scale Mail to transform into three different forms (Knight, Rook, and Bishop).
    • Forms:
      • Welsh Sonic Boost Knight: High speed but low defense.
      • Welsh Dragonic Rook: High power and defense but low mobility.
      • Welsh Blaster Bishop: High demonic power, with powerful cannons for attack.

    Cardinal Crimson Promotion

    • Description: The ultimate form of Scale Mail, incorporating the traits of all three Evil Pieces.
    • Abilities: Balanced and powerful, allowing enhanced use of the Illegal Move Triaina abilities.

    Ascalon

    • Description: Issei’s second weapon, a holy sword with dragon-slaying properties.
    • Use: Channels its power through punches and can be infused into other attacks.

    Ascalon II

    • Description: A long sword with a holy aura, specifically designed as a dragon sword.
    • Abilities: Stores within the Boosted Gear for easy access.

    Mjolnir Replica

    • Description: A temporary replica of Thor’s hammer, allowing for powerful attacks.
    • Usage: Initially could not be wielded due to Issei’s perverted thoughts but was used successfully after a blessing.

    Diabolos Dragon God

    • Description: An upgraded form that releases Ophis’ power, transforming Issei’s Scale Mail into crimson and black armor.
    • Abilities: Grants access to extraordinary power but is challenging to maintain, requiring careful management of stamina.

    Infinity Blaster

    • Description: An enhanced version of the Crimson Blaster that delivers devastating energy blasts.
    • Effects: Can severely injure powerful foes, but drastically shortens the duration Issei can maintain his armor.

    Blazing Inferno of Scorching Flames

    • Description: An ability sealed by the God of the Bible, capable of incinerating anything in its path.
    • Effects: The flames persist even after reducing targets to ashes.

    Apocalypse AnswerArms

    • Description: A fusion form with Issei’s familiar, Ryuuteimaru, using Great Red’s power.
    • Abilities: Capable of overwhelming even powerful entities like Tartarus, but with high stamina costs.

    Promotion and Castling

    • Promotion: Issei can temporarily gain the traits of other pieces (Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop).
    • Castling: A strategic move allowing Issei to swap places with a Rook during battle.

Trivia

      • Issei’s birthday is on April 16.
      • Issei’s name means “Sincere/Honest.” His father gave him the name with the hope that he would be able to lead an honest life.
      • His surname means “Soldier Wisteria,” referencing him being a Pawn, as pawns are considered to be foot soldiers in chess. His full name means “Sincere/Honest Soldier Wisteria.”
      • Issei has two unborn older siblings, making him technically the third child of his parents.
      • Due to his Special Class Rank, Issei technically outranks his Master, Rias Gremory, who is only an Ultimate Class Devil.
      • Although not officially a member of the Gremory clan yet, he is already considered one by the members (minus Rias) and their servants. After proposing to Rias, she considers him a member as her future husband and fiancé.
      • After visiting the Underworld and meeting the Gremory family, Issei acquired gentlemanly behavior and knowledge about the Gremory clan’s history and general knowledge about the Underworld, as Rias chose him as her lover and future husband.
      • Issei became skilled at dancing, table manners, and knowledge about the Gremory clan’s history and the Underworld due to training from a hired Gremory instructor and Venelana Gremory.
      • Issei is engaged to Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Xenovia Quarta, Irina Shidou, Asia Argento, Koneko Toujou, Kuroka, and Rossweisse.
      • His first kiss was with his childhood friend Irina Shidou, although he was asleep.
      • In Rating Game fighting types, Issei is considered a Power-type while also being a good Support-type due to his Boosted Gear Gift ability.
      • Issei started with eight pawn pieces, but four turned into Mutation Pieces. After attaining Diabolos Dragon, the remaining pieces also became Mutation Pieces.
      • According to the Nilrem Magicians, Issei’s strength is ranked in SS-Class.
      • Issei shares the meaning of the series’ title referring to Great Red: “Dragon of Dragons,” as he can be considered a mini Great Red. Along with Vali, he has made another meaning for the title that refers to themselves: “Diabolos (Devil) Dragon.”
      • Issei’s life force is unreadable due to his body being made from Great Red’s flesh and Ophis’ powers. At its lowest, it represents “dream” (Great Red), and at its highest, it represents “infinity” (Ophis).
      • Issei’s blood tastes sweet, mellow, and rich, and is considered addictive.
      • Drinking simplified Amrita has given Issei’s “oppai power” traces of divine nature, allowing him to communicate with Chimune Chipaoti.
      • Issei is very popular in Norse mythology, with many people in Valhalla cheering for him.
      • He is noted to be particularly good with children.
      • Issei has a tendency to attract non-human girls and those with strange personalities, and Rias notes that he is liked by older women.
      • Ddraig, his dragon partner, enjoys conversing with Issei and considers him a favorite host in history.
      • Issei’s contract requests as a Devil tend to be with eccentric clients, and he has received favorable feedback from clients despite not fulfilling contracts.
      • He has a strong sense of responsibility, taking on blame for unfavorable situations regardless of fault.
      • Issei’s key words are guts, effort, and peace, and his favorite type of cake is cheesecake.
      • He is the only person outside the Slash/Dog Team allowed to read Vali Lucifer’s Black History Diaries.
      • Issei has a tokusatsu show in the Underworld called “Breast Dragon Emperor Oppai Dragon,” starring him and popular among children.
      • His perverted nature seems to be a family trait, with humorous implications regarding his future children.
      • Issei enjoys Dragon Ball and Gundam and sometimes creates Gundam models in his free time.
      • He has a secret stash of adult material, which some female characters discover.
      • Issei is considered well endowed, as noted by Kiryuu.
      • He has surprising skills, including sculpting, sewing, computer work, and giving massages.
      • Issei reacts to alcohol by becoming more serious and shy.
      • He is the only man to have seen Gabriel in various revealing outfits, including a bikini.
      • Issei’s first meeting with Asia may parallel the relationship between Cleria Belial and Masaomi Yaegaki, reflecting forbidden love.
      • Supported by the New Satan Lucifer faction due to his future familial ties, Issei is seen as a candidate for the new Satans.
      • Sirzechs wants to create a new seat for Issei under the title Satan, as dragons are synonymous with the title in the Apocalypse.
      • Issei appears in an erotic doujinshi called “Prince x Beast,” based on misunderstandings about his relationship with Yuuto Kiba, popular among female students.
      • Issei’s appearance is inspired by Kazuma Torisuna froms-CRY-edand transforming heroes fromKamen Rider.
      • In the anime and light novel, Issei’s Dragon arm is depicted variably as a scaly Dragon arm or Boosted Gear, while the manga combines both.
      • He shows PTSD symptoms and trust issues in earlier volumes due to trauma from Raynare.
      • Issei’s hair color has varied descriptions, being stated as black in a short story but depicted as brown in illustrations.
      • He was originally conceived with Kiba’s traits before becoming more of a pervert to fit the role of the main character.
      • Issei is the third main protagonist conceived by the author, opposite the first protagonist Mitsuya Kanzaki.
      • In the English dub, Issei’s nickname Oppai Dragon is translated to Grabbin Dragon.
      • His voice actor, Yūki Kaji, married Ayana Taketatsu, who voices Koneko.
      • In the “DxD” popularity election, Issei ranked highly in various categories, including second in the all-character category, first in the male character category, and first in the coupling category with Rias.