10 Second Anime - High School DxD Hero - Episode 1

Before going on the school trip to Kyoto with the second-years, Issei spars with Sairaorg at the Gremory estate.

life.01 - "Yeah, let's go to Kyoto!"

First Thoughts.

I guess I need first thoughts, even though we already had a prologue and this is an established title on this blog. The art style and character design is really different.  I get that Passione, the studio handling the animation production, is getting back to the light novel roots, but wow. I'm just so used to the manga interpretation which has been used for the anime for three iterations so far. This fluffy "fua fua" style from the light novel covers was very different from the aggressive harem sexuality of the previous anime, mobile games, and manga. But then I saw lips.

Done. I'm fine. It's all good. Even the action scenes, as opposed to the "action" scenes are good. There's a lot more depth and heft to this kind of coloring and palette, which helps with the boob-slapping sound effects. Oops. Did I type that out loud? I can only hope this level of detail is the minimum mode, so that the characters never go off spec in the lean times. It helps that the cast is the same, the use of background music is the same, and that they still give plenty of time for Issei to shout during battles and "battles" is the same. The Harem King is back!

Hmm.

So where are we with the story? We're pretty much right at the midpoint of episode 10 from the previous season. Issei still needs a lot of healing and magic sucking to get him back to normal. Apparently, all the girls are helping him in this regard, not just Akeno. There was still the mention of Issei not calling Rias by her name, but does it really have to be such a big deal? I hope that issue gets resolved at least by the end of this season so we can worry about all the other dragon, devil, and battle tournament issues. At the very least, Issei is used to calling her "Rias" in his mind.

Oh, it's been three years since the last time I saw any of this stuff, so I forgot how brotastically manly this Harem King is. We don't get a lot of unapologetic masculine dudes who appreciate their bros and love their women and their body parts these days. It's bracing!

Heh.

The sexy music lets us know Akeno is feeling frisky!

An "action" scene right off the bat! The Harem King is back!

Aw. Akeno is going to miss Issei while he's away on his school trip, so she needs to stock up on Issei juice. That's a metaphor... right?

Ah. Rias doesn't look happy. These two are so competitive.

Gah! Koneko got there first. And now Asia! I don't remember Asia wearing pajamas like that...

Everybody pile on! Rias' boob slapping sounds are the best!

Let me tell you that there's so much overhead in a season premiere because of the added opening credits and end credits images. It's like two episodes worth of work in one.

Issei's buddies don't look that great with the new art style. Who needs loser scum to look extra fluffy anyway?

Ha! Koneko has a shorty robe like Akeno because it "helps" Issei with magic sucking.

Rias is a big old cockblocker this episode. That will get annoying fast. Just take your turn and overwhelm the poor lad already!

So, Rossweisse is still finding her place in the harem. She wants to found a Norse Magic Academy and make some Valkyries. Issei will help in the training, yes?

Ho. Rias Mama boin shows Issei's future with Rias.

Ah. Now a regular action scene. Manly sparring with Sairaorg, a self-made devil.

Issei is still one of those Shouty McShouterson fighters. That hasn't changed.

Bro-fisting. It's beautiful.

Har. Here we go. The Harem wants to help Issei power up becoming his Switch Hime. Only Rias is the tried and true switch princess, though. Issei will need to practice pushing buttons with the other girls.

Sparring done. Finishing moves should be done when they count, according to Sairaorg. Such a manly man! Be like him, Issei. He's a good role model.

Sirzechs' son gets right to the issue again for Issei. Call Rias by her name! Sheesh. He already had a crush on her before he knew she was a "club" president. Anyway, it's a big deal, apparently.

Oh stop. As if Rias is going to miss Issei in the same way she would miss Koneko or Gaspar. Well, Issei still has his own self-confidence issues to work through. It's not like Rias is going to kiss them goodbye the same way as Issei. Get a clue already, dude.

I have a concern about these episode counter names, "life." Issei is going to die and get brought back again. Again, right?

Please make some creditless posters out of the end sequence. The still images look great for this sudsy bikini car wash.

Next time, off to Kyoto and some kind of ambush attack for some reason.

Geh.

Akeno takes her turn for the eye catches in a very NSFW pool episode.

What you missed in the "action" scene was a little bit of areola from Akeno. Kind of tame for a first episode, if you ask me, but at least Rias did some nude canoodling with Issei.

There better be some open air bath scenes from the inn the kids are staying at in Kyoto. Just sayin'.