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Rias Gremory

Rias Gremory is the main female protagonist in High School DxD. She is the heiress of the Gremory Clan, following her oldest brother, Sirzechs, who holds the title of Lucifer. Rias is the only daughter and youngest child of Zeoticus and Venelana Gremory. She is the aunt of Millicas Gremory and the maternal cousin of Sairaorg and Magdaran Bael.

Known as the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess due to the color of her hair and her Power of Destruction, Rias is a first-year college student at Kuoh Academy. She was the former President of the Occult Research Club and is regarded as the school’s Number-One Beauty. Alongside Akeno Himejima, she is one of Kuoh Academy’s Two Great Ladies. Rias is also one of Issei’s fiancées.

Don’t ever betray me. Because I won’t forgive you if you do.
— Rias Gremory

Appearance

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

Rias’s full appearance.

Rias Gremory is a stunning young woman with a voluptuous body, fair skin, and striking blue eyes (blue-green in the anime during seasons 1-3), which she inherited from her father, Zeoticus. Her figure is well-proportioned, with body measurements of 99-58-90 cm (39-23-35 in) and a weight of 58 kg (128 lbs).

Her most distinctive feature is her long, beautiful crimson hair, also inherited from her father, which cascades down to her thighs. A single strand of hair, known in Japan as an ahoge, sticks up from the top of her head, and she has loose bangs that cover her forehead, along with side bangs framing her face. Rias stands at 172 cm (5 feet 8 inches), making her one of the tallest female characters in the series.

Although Rias has worn various types of clothing throughout the series, her most common outfit is the Kuoh Academy girls’ school uniform. This consists of a white long-sleeved button-down shirt (short sleeves for spring and summer), adorned with a black ribbon at the collar, worn under a black shoulder cape and a matching button-down corset. She pairs this with a magenta skirt featuring white accents and brown dress shoes over white crew-length socks. Rias also has a penchant for seductive lingerie and thongs, especially when she desires intimacy with Issei.

On rare occasions, Rias wears glasses when she is deep in thought, as she believes they enhance her focus, despite having perfect eyesight.

Personality

As a member of the prestigious House of Gremory, Rias embodies a blend of kindness and strength. She is compassionate and nurturing, especially towards her servants and those she holds dear. However, beneath her gentle exterior lies a fierce protector; she reacts with intense anger and even violence when her peerage or loved ones are insulted. This fiery disposition underscores her deep-seated aversion to cruelty, as seen in her disdain for individuals like Marius Tepes, who abused his own sister, and her decisive actions against the Fallen Angels—Mittelt, Dohnaseek, Kalawarna, and Raynare—who mistreated Issei. Rias also empathizes with Sairaorg and his mother, Misla Bael, understanding the pain inflicted upon them by the Bael clan.

Proud of her lineage, Rias prefers to be recognized simply as herself rather than as the heiress of the Gremory name. Her choice to live in the human world stems from a desire to be seen as Rias, free from the weight of her title as the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess. This yearning for normalcy led her to grow disenchanted with romance, as many suitors seemed more interested in her family’s status than in her as a person—until she encountered Issei, who changed everything.

Rias views Issei as her special person, and her jealousy flares when other girls are around him, revealing a more possessive side. Though she possesses the mature demeanor of a woman, she often exhibits the emotional intensity of her true age, growing frustrated when girls flirt with him. While she typically maintains her calm and composed nature, Rias loses her poise whenever she witnesses someone, especially Akeno, attempting to seduce Issei.

Rias enjoys playfully teasing Issei and Asia, but she firmly establishes her claim over Issei, making it clear to all that he belongs to her. The Gremory family, known for their deep emotional bonds, reflects Rias’s own capacity for affection; she is unabashedly open with Issei, comfortable enough to share intimate moments, including sleeping nude beside him. Despite their seductive allure, both Rias and Akeno retain a certain innocence regarding love, often reverting to their youthful selves in Issei’s presence.

After becoming Issei’s girlfriend, Rias blossoms with newfound confidence, gradually accepting his dream of a harem and even allowing the other girls to spend time with him. While she still occasionally feels jealous—especially when Issei doesn’t dedicate enough time to her—her love for him remains unwavering. As Issei’s official girlfriend and later fiancée, she earns the title of “Legal Wife,” a role that requires her to navigate the feelings of Issei’s other admirers and maintain balance among them. Ravel observes that the responsibilities of being the “Legal Wife” weigh heavily on Rias, often more so than on Issei himself, as she strives to manage the emotional complexities of each relationship. Rias shares a dependence on Issei similar to Akeno’s, as she can become disheartened and lose her drive when he is injured or in danger, often rushing to his side at the first hint of trouble.

Rias holds her older brother, Sirzechs, in high esteem, despite his somewhat overprotective tendencies, as she deeply cares for him. In her childhood, she admired him while grappling with feelings of inferiority, relying on his support.

Passionate about participating in Rating Games, Rias dreams of becoming a champion, aiming to defeat the reigning titleholder, Diehauser Belial, with her peerage’s support. Though she is undeniably powerful—exceeding many High-class Devils and displaying potential to reach Ultimate-class status—she wrestles with an inferiority complex, particularly when comparing herself to the strategic prowess of Sona or the raw strength of Sairaorg. Nonetheless, her talent for identifying and recruiting skilled individuals for her peerage shines through; during the Azazel Cup, she garnered praise for her ability to scout and recruit exceptional allies, including Crom Cruach and Vasco Strada. Rias is also a gifted negotiator, successfully persuading Rossweisse to join her team with offers of improved working conditions, and appealing to Vasco Strada’s warrior spirit to entice him to participate in the Cup.

Rias is fiercely competitive, particularly after her defeat in her first Rating Game against Riser, driving her determination to win, whether in sports or battles. Her upbringing, spoiled by her father, Zeoticus, and her brother, Sirzechs, has cultivated a hint of impatience and a touch of selfishness within her. She indulges in shopping, a passion that often leads to reprimands from her mother, Venelana, and sister-in-law, Grayfia, due to her extravagant spending habits.

In her childhood, a peculiar incident instilled in her an instinctive fear and aversion to camels after being hit by one while teasing it. This fear is so profound that the residents of the Gremory territory ensure that camels are kept at a distance, despite their family’s historical association with the creatures.

Thanks to her education from Souji Okita, Rias has developed a deep admiration for Japanese culture and history. She revels in collecting Japanese souvenirs and was particularly ecstatic during her school trip to Kyoto, though she became pouty and frustrated when unable to explore the city to her satisfaction. After high school, she even founded a Japanology club, further cementing her passion for all things Japan.

History

Rias Gremory, the second child of the illustrious Gremory family, became the heiress of her clan when her older brother, Sirzechs, ascended to the position of Satan Lucifer, relinquishing his claim to the title. This transition marked a significant turning point in her life, as she was soon thrust into an engagement with Riser Phenex, a match that would shape much of her early experiences as a Devil.

From a young age, Rias faced unique challenges, including a traumatic encounter with a camel that left her with a lasting fear of the creatures. After teasing the animal, she was attacked, resulting in a phobia so intense that even images of camels can provoke her anxiety. This irrational fear is humorously juxtaposed with the Gremory family’s emblem, which features a camel.

Before the events of the series, Rias expanded her peerage by reincarnating several key members: Akeno Himejima, Koneko Toujou, Yuuto Kiba, and Gasper Vladi. Her journey with Akeno began when she rescued her from impending death at the hands of her own Himejima clan. Akeno had accidentally ventured into the territory of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, and Rias, acting as her savior, formed a bond that blossomed into a deep friendship.

Koneko’s introduction to Rias’s life came under dire circumstances; she was saved from execution by Rias’s brother, who then entrusted her care to Rias. The duo later welcomed Yuuto, who tragically perished during the “Holy Sword Project,” and Gasper, who was killed by vampire hunters. Each reincarnation reinforced Rias’s resolve to build a loyal and capable peerage, each member handpicked to enhance their collective strength.

Two years prior to the series, Rias enrolled at Kuoh Academy alongside Akeno, Sona, and Tsubaki. Together, they revitalized the defunct Occult Research Club, with Rias taking on the role of president. This club became a sanctuary for her peerage, a place where they could gather, strategize, and grow stronger together.

During their second year, Rias and Akeno embarked on a school trip to Kyoto, an experience Rias cherished despite its shortcomings. Unfortunately, their lack of a well-structured itinerary meant that they missed visiting key sites, like the Nijou-jou, leaving Rias feeling disappointed. Her frustration boiled over at the railway station, where she was seen stomping her feet in exasperation, a rare glimpse of her youthful temperament.

Later that same year, the Occult Research Club organized a haunted house for the school festival, showcasing their creativity and adventurous spirit. Rias took the bold step of employing real ghosts to enhance the experience, enlisting the help of a friendly youkai to assist with decorations. However, this decision backfired spectacularly, resulting in significant trouble with Sona, who reprimanded them for their reckless choice to involve actual supernatural beings in their festivities. This incident highlighted Rias’s adventurous nature and her willingness to push boundaries, even at the risk of drawing ire from her peers.

Through these formative experiences, Rias emerged not only as the heiress of the Gremory family but also as a leader who valued her friends and allies, determined to forge her own path while navigating the complexities of her dual identity as a Devil and a young woman.

Powers & Abilities

Great Demonic Power: Rias Gremory possesses immense demonic power inherited from her parents, placing her among the elite ranks of High-Class Devils. Following her bond with Issei, her power surged to a level comparable to that of an Ultimate-Class Devil, capable of shaking the very ground beneath her and even inflicting mild injury on formidable foes like Kokabiel. Azazel noted her natural talent, indicating that Rias has the potential to ascend to the highest tiers of demonic power with dedicated training. Her relentless commitment to honing her abilities has allowed her to overpower Ultimate-Class Devils who were already wounded, and in her Balor Princess form, she can contend with the mighty Fenrir at 80% of its power.

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

Rias unleashing her Power of Destruction.

Power of Destruction (滅びの力, Horobi no Chikara): This unique ability allows Rias to erase virtually anything from existence, including matter, energy, and even souls. Initially, she unleashed massive blasts that obliterated her targets, but through meticulous training, she has refined her control over this power, enabling her to compress it into small, softball-sized projectiles. In a rapid-fire style reminiscent of a machine gun, she can unleash these deadly bullets, which are capable of erasing anything unfortunate enough to be in their path.

Extinguished Star (消滅の魔星イクスティングイッシュ・スター, Ikusutinguisshu Sutā): Rias’ ultimate one-hit kill technique, this devastating attack focuses her Power of Destruction into a swirling sphere of crimson and black energy. Despite its slow movement, the Extinguished Star relentlessly pursues its target, exhibiting a gravitational pull strong enough to ensnare even the monstrous Grendel. Its destructive capacity surpasses the standard Rating Game retirement system, though it requires time to manifest and can be countered by sufficiently powerful adversaries.

Castling: As the King of her peerage, Rias can utilize the unique ability of Castling, which allows her to swap places with one of her Rooks. She first demonstrated this skill during Nilrem’s assault on Kuoh Academy, using it strategically to enhance her team’s positioning in battle.

Healing: Rias possesses the ability to heal others using her demonic power, showcasing a level of skill that allows her to continue the healing process even while asleep. This technique necessitates close physical contact with the injured party, requiring both individuals to be completely nude for optimal effectiveness, and it can take the better part of a night to fully heal severe injuries, as demonstrated when she saved Issei from a lethal Light Weapon strike.

Oppai Beam (おっぱいビーム, Oppai Bīmu): A quirky yet powerful ability, Rias can project a red light from her breasts that rejuvenates Issei’s energy. Each use temporarily reduces her breast size, but rest assured, they return to normal after a few days of rest.

Transformation: In a surprising display of her powers, Rias can transform her crimson hair to a striking blonde using her demonic abilities, showcasing her versatility.

Expert Magician: Rias is an accomplished practitioner of Devil Magic, employing her extensive knowledge to perform a variety of magical feats. As one of the magic specialists in her peerage, she frequently collaborates with Akeno to enhance their capabilities.

Defensive Magic: Rias can conjure multiple barriers to safeguard herself and her allies, having effectively protected them from powerful spells, such as Katerea’s self-destruction magic during the Three Factions Conference.

Memory Manipulation: Demonstrating her formidable intellect, Rias possesses the ability to alter memories, as evidenced by her manipulation of Issei’s parents’ memories.

Summoning Magic: Rias can summon her bat-like familiar, showcasing her connection to the supernatural.

Enhanced Durability: Rias exhibits remarkable resilience to damage and pain, continuing to fight through blood loss and sustaining severe injuries during intense battles, such as her encounter with Regulus in the Rating Game.

Keen Intellect: With an aristocratic education as the heiress of the Gremory Clan, Rias is exceptionally intelligent and knowledgeable, especially regarding the occult. She effortlessly navigates topics concerning supernatural beings like Youkai, Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels, showcasing her extensive understanding of her world.

Expert Tactician: Rias has proven herself as a strategic mastermind, often saving her team from dire situations through her calm demeanor and quick thinking. While she may have been outsmarted at times, Indra has recognized her capability as a leader and strategist, even in Issei’s absence.

Master Negotiator: Her negotiating skills are unparalleled. Rias successfully convinced Rossweisse to join her peerage by offering her superior working conditions and pay compared to her previous job in Valhalla. During the Azazel Cup, she skillfully persuaded Vasco Strada to join her team by appealing to his warrior spirit and promising to restore his youth without utilizing demonic powers, demonstrating her tactical acumen.

Other Skills: As a High-Class Devil and Gremory heiress, Rias possesses a wide array of skills. In the human world, she has cultivated unique hobbies such as:

    • Huntress: Capable of hunting and preparing wild animals, including boar, for consumption.
    • Fisherwoman: Demonstrating skill in fishing, she can catch and prepare fish for dinner.
    • Master Chef: A culinary virtuoso, Rias excels in preparing exquisite dishes across various cuisines. Issei considers her one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of the Kitchen,” alongside Akeno, Asia, and Miki.
    • Master Dancer: As a noble Devil, she is highly skilled in social dancing, able to lead Issei gracefully through their dance trials.
    • Master Designer: Rias showcases her artistic flair through her interior design skills, having crafted the chic atmosphere of Cafe CxC along with elegant furniture.
    • Stealth Expert: Rias has learned the art of concealment, allowing her to approach Issei unnoticed, adding an element of surprise to their interactions.

Flight: As a Devil, Rias possesses the ability to fly using her elegant wings, allowing her to traverse the skies with grace and agility.

With an impressive repertoire of powers and abilities, Rias Gremory stands as a formidable force in the world of Devils, seamlessly blending strength, intellect, and charisma.

Equipment

Crimson Extinct Dragonar (深紅の滅殺龍姫クリムゾン・エクスティンクト・ドラグナー, Kurimuzon Ekusutinkuto Doragunā):
Also known as the Crimson Dragon Princess of Annihilation, this formidable armor is a powerful combination technique created through the synergy of Rias and Issei. By harnessing Issei’s Red Wyverns, Rias synchronizes their auras, allowing the Wyverns to envelop her in an elegant, female counterpart to Issei’s Scale Mail. This armor not only amplifies Rias’ natural abilities but also grants her access to key powers likeBoost,Transfer, andPenetrate, enabling her to escalate her combat prowess until she reaches her limits. The Crimson Extinct Dragonar embodies the bond between Rias and Issei, showcasing their teamwork in battle.

Forbidden Invade Balor the Princess (禁夜と真闇の滅殺獣姫フォービトゥン・インヴェイド・バロール・ザ・プリンセス, Fōbidun Invueido Barōru za Purinsesu):
Known as the Beast Ruin Princess of the Forbidden Night and True Darkness, this awe-inspiring technique is a collaboration between Rias and Gasper. In this form, Gasper melds into his own shadow, merging it with Rias’ to envelop her in an aura of profound darkness. The result is a striking transformation where Rias appears as a dark beast resembling a human, cloaked in a deep red aura of destruction, complete with a third eye featuring a crimson pupil and ten majestic wings. Drawing inspiration from Sairaorg’s Balance Breaker and enhanced by her Crimson Extinct Dragonar, this form allows Rias to freeze opponents in time using her third eye and navigate through shadows at will. Her Power of Destruction is significantly amplified by the dark energy, granting her control over her own attacks, including altering their trajectories. While still in its unfinished state, this transformation exceeds even Satan-class power, allowing Rias to devastate vast urban areas with ease.

Galatine II (ガラチン II, Garachin II):
A magnificent crimson sword bestowed upon Rias as a divine blessing from Heaven following her engagement to Issei, Galatine II serves as both a powerful weapon and a symbol of their bond. Designed specifically for a Devil, this sword is capable of delivering devastating strikes, harmonizing with Rias’ demonic powers to enhance her combat effectiveness. Rias has expressed her intention to pass down this cherished weapon to their future children, signifying the deep legacy of strength and love within the Gremory family.

Rias Gremory’s equipment not only amplifies her already formidable abilities but also reflects her relationships and personal growth throughout her journey. Each piece serves as a ament to her strength as a warrior and her unwavering spirit as a leader.

Trivia

      • Rias’ birthday is April 9th, according to official material.
      • Rias’ name is derived from the Pokémon Garchomp (Japanese: ガブリアス Gaburias).
      • Rias’ nickname Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess was taken from her mother’s nickname Flaxen-Haired Ruin Princess.
      • The reason why Rias has large breasts even at a young age is because it is a hereditary trait as her mother, Venelana, grandmother, Chysis, and her ancestor, Runeas, also have large breasts.
      • Rias was initially intended to have smaller breasts, but after seeing Miyama-Zero’s illustration of her with big breasts, Ishibumi decided to give her a larger size.
      • According to a questionnaire, her favorite type of man is one who would follow her to the bottom of hell.
      • Her erogenous zone is located on her neck.
      • Her favorite body part of hers is her crimson hair, as it is the pride of her family.
      • Her lucky panty color is red, but she’ll wear any color if it makes Issei happy.
      • When bathing, she starts washing from her left arm, and when bathing with Issei, she always washes his back.
      • She thinks of herself as someone who tries to be strict but has a soft spot.
      • One reason she’s kind to her servants is because she finds them all cute.
      • Her specialty is Japanese cuisine due to studying it ever since she came to Japan.
      • She has trouble dealing with Grayfia because she’s very strict with her monitoring.
      • Her favorite music is folk and classical.
      • She hates humidity because it makes it hard to take care of her hair.
      • She invites Akeno and Sona to go shopping to alleviate her depression.
      • Her first kiss was with Issei.
      • She has a habit of suddenly caressing the cheeks of cute people.
      • Her first love is Issei.
      • She’s proud of Sirzechs and Grayfia but feels inferior to them.
      • She spends her holidays relaxing at home while drinking tea and reading.
      • Her ambition for the future is to win every title in the Rating Game.
      • If she were to become a Satan, she would liberalize love, believing that people need to marry the one they love.
      • Her favorite things include the old school building and being in the clubroom with Issei.
      • Rias stated that she intends to model the son-in-law of her house herself and rear him according to her ideals.
      • In Rating Game fighting types, Rias is considered a Wizard-type closer to a Power-type.
      • Rias was one of the young Devil heirs and Kings chosen to compete in the Youth Devil Rating Game Tournament and came in first place after defeating Sairaorg Bael in the finals.
      • Rias could play the piano when she was a child, but it is unknown if she still can.
      • Rias’ job requests as a Devil usually involve defeating monsters targeting her clients or de-cursing items.
      • Rias makes review videos of her “Switch Princess goods” and uploads them to DeviTube, with her accessories becoming popular fashion items.
      • Rias is the first female character to be placed into an engagement, followed by Kiyome and Rossweisse.
      • Rias has hobbies that include reading, shopping, gardening, cooking, making handcrafts and maquettes, and playing video games.
      • She enjoys tea parties.
      • Rias is said to be exceptional at interior design.
      • Rias has a driving license and owns multiple cars, including a red saloon and a red convertible.
      • In one of the short stories, Rias is revealed to be a big “Japanophile,” having a huge collection of Japanese objects and artifacts in her Underworld room.
      • This interest in Japanese culture is why she came to visit Japan in the first place.
      • Rias mentioned that she wants a Japanese-style wedding when she gets married, preferably in the Human world.
      • She is the first to become Issei’s girlfriend and engaged to him.
      • Rias has stated that she wants to have one daughter with Issei but strongly predicts that their first child will be a boy.
      • Rias has killed the most named characters in the series, totaling five: Raynare, Dohnaseek, Kalawarna, Mittelt, and Viser.
      • Rias has a fear of camels due to being hurt by wild camels after sneaking out to a farm in her youth.
      • In one of her original early concepts, Rias’ design resembled Tamaki Kousaka from To Heart 2.
      • The Crimson Extinct Dragonar was inspired by the Extremis Iron Man Armor.
      • In the finale of High School DxD BorN, Rias used an armor variant similar to Crimson Extinct Dragonar after being manipulated by Issei’s evil double.
      • Originally, Rias was not planned to be in the series.
      • Ishibumi describes Rias as being the King, the mother, and the big sister of her peerage all at once.
      • In the “DxD” popularity election, she consistently ranked first in the all-character category, first in the heroine category, first in the coupling category with Issei, and fifth with Akeno.