High School DxD

The light novel just got a english release, so I just picked it up. So far I have to say this is much better than the anime, I think I got more engaged with reading the book. The fan service is definitely there, but its not as in your face as in the anime. Only volume one and two are in english, and I'm liking both so far. Each character is really unique in there own right, and Issei is actually likable unlike others in the harem genre. You cant help but to feel sorry for him for feeling powerless, and also how he feels for his friend Asia. Him and his friends are perverted, but I think it comes of as more funny than weird, and I like that.

First of all, this is my first review, so take that in mind.

Highschool DxD is a series many will know as one of the biggest ecchi franchise out there. Its popularity however is not only due to how ecchi it is, but also because of how good the story is. This is often an area in which the large majority of ecchi manga/anime/light novels are lacking, but DxD, despite being cliché and using VERY heavily Deus ex machinas, it's story is great.

However, if you are someone that tend to be very picky about details, but also regarding if the story makes sense or not, maybe this is not for you. However, if you don't care much about those things, you will enjoy the story immensely, as I did. That said, even though it is an ecchi story, it becomes very emotional, at least for me, you get attached to the characters, and the story makes it even more emotional. When I read certain volumes, I would be going from either tearing up a bit to straight up bawling my soul out, and that was for the entire volume. It is emotional, without being melodramatic, it is great.

Story: 9/10

What makes DxD is not only the story, but also the characters

DxD has an enormous cast of characters, which may start small, but as the volumes go on, become larger and larger, which some may describe it as character bloat, so if this bothers you it may be a problem. However, in my opinion, most characters have very distinct personalities, and it is very difficult to dislike any of them (well, besides one... *Cough* Xenovia *Cough*), all the different girls follow different types, so everyone will have a girl that fits what they prefer.

Regarding Issei, you may at first think he will be like most other Harem MC, bland, a coward, uninteresting. But actually, Issei is probably in my opinion the single best protagonist in any harem ever. He is incredibly perverted yes, but this is what allows him to go even further beyond, he has an enormous will to protect those he cares for, and despite him being weak (at first), he will go to any lengths to protect them. He is reliable, kind, funny, perverted, and just simply badass. It is in my opinion very difficult to dislike Hyoudo Issei.

Characters: 10/10

Overall, I would say Highschool DxD is greater than the sums of its parts, it is by far the piece of Japanese media, hell, it is probably my favourite piece of media ever. I've enjoyed every single second I've read the Light Novels, listened to the anime soundtrack, watched and rewatched the different anime seasons (especially Hero), I truly love this series from the bottom of my heart, and I say this with no shame, because despite it being an ecchi story, it is heart wrenching, badass, funny, simply incredible.

Enjoyment: 10/10

I would say however that if you are a person that is nitpicky, your enjoyment of DxD will be very different from mine, especially because of the many many many Deus ex machinas. And even though I am easy to please in general, DxD is still my favourite of them all, I would recommend to absolutely everyone to read it, as long as you at least don't hate ecchi.

I love Highschool DxD. How can you not. It's a harem classic. The characters are solid and the story is fun. The light novel series of Highschool DxD is the first Japanese literature I have ever read. I chose DxD because it seemed like a light read and the anime is one of my all-time favorites. I have to say I was a bit disappointed by this series of light novels, especially after the hype some other reviewers had given it.
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My first problem arises with the power-scaling. In my opinion, the best light novels are 2-7/8. The reason being the series feels realistic and grounded making the sexy moments sexier. The further I get into the novels the less the scaling makes sense. It feels like a guessing game whether Issei will be able to easily handle this opponent or face near-death (or real death lol) against them.
I haven't finished the final 'arc' of the main series but I found myself so bored with the shounen aspect of the series that I was skipping around certain sections to find ecchi. The villains feel more and more bland and uncreative as the story progresses. Like I said, the best novels are the earlier ones, but then it is to be noted that I believe the anime adaption for those chapters is already released. That brings me to my next point.
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DxD is a series more cut out for visual media rather than literature. I say this because the sexy moments that made me love DxD are so few and far between, not to mention there is no official translation of later chapters, only fan translation, which at times contains very broken English that makes dialogue feel stupid. The anime adaptation is one of the best in the harem subgenre, and so, if you were to ask me if you should read this series, I'd tell you, "Just watch the anime instead." And that about sums it up. I don't think this light novel series is bad by any means, I rated a 7 because I love this series. I just think it's not the best option for enjoying DxD.
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That summarizes my main issues in the series, but there are plenty more gripes I have about it like how slowly Issei's relationship with Rias progresses or how stupid the reasons for certain characters falling in love with Issei are (I'm looking at you, Rossweisse and Ravel) but whatever. This review is long enough. I don't know if I will return to this series but I already put in so much time that I probably will finish it at some point. In summary, disappointing for someone with high expectations, but a staple in the genre.