High School DxD BorN

The Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou, and the Occult Research Club are back in action as summer break comes for the students of Kuoh Academy. After their fight with Issei’s sworn enemy, Vali and the Chaos Brigade, it is clear just how inexperienced Rias Gremory's team is. As a result, she and Azazel lead the club on an intense training regime in the Underworld to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead.

While they slowly mature as a team, Issei will once again find himself in intimate situations with the girls of the Occult Research Club. Meanwhile, their adversaries grow stronger and more numerous as they rally their forces. And with the sudden appearance of Loki, the Evil God of Norse Mythology, the stage is set for epic fights and wickedly powerful devils in High School DxD BorN!

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Gremory, Rias Main

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Himejima, Akeno Main

Itou, Shizuka Japanese

Hyoudou, Issei Main

Kaji, Yuuki Japanese

Toujou, Koneko Main

Taketatsu, Ayana Japanese

Quarta, Xenovia Main

Taneda, Risa Japanese

Argento, Asia Main

Asakura, Azumi Japanese

Shidou, Irina Main

Uchida, Maaya Japanese

Kiba, Yuuto Main

Nojima, Kenji Japanese

Vladi, Gasper Main

Sakura, Ayane Japanese

Rossweisse Supporting

Kakuma, Ai Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Tsuchihashi, Tetsuya Producer

Murata, Yoshikuni Producer

Hatakeyama, Takurou Producer

Reviews

Jul 16, 2015

ThunderClap448

Recommended

I've got an idea why the hell this is getting flamed. It's because some people can't see past the ecchi. They think it's all DxD's got, but it's not.
This season has got much less ecchi than before.
Characters are advancing, and so is the plot.
Sure it has some generic anime cliches, but hell, Nisekoi is based around cliches, and it's still rated fairly well.
It's a very enjoyable anime that anyone with a bit of a tolerance for ecchi can watch. If you are weak to that kind of thing, give it a shot, if you don't like it, skip it. That's my rule when watching anime. ... Enjoy it, so you don't have to bloody flame the show.

I enjoyed it for it's light-heartedness and actually pretty decent relationships between characters. It's a funny show as well, so it has it's pluses.
I don't like a few things to be honest.
First off, I don't like that it's a bit too fast moving for my tastes, but that might be due to me watching Monogatari series.
2nd, some characters that are gonna have a role of one of the main heroines (yes, I'm talking about Rossweisse) doesn't get nearly enough screentime.
And last, but not least, I'm gonna have to wait till I'm like 30 till I can watch next season :l

So yeah, a really enjoyable show, could be better, but I've had my fun. Anime is made to be enjoyed, not ranted about.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Jun 20, 2015

Stark700

Mixed Feelings

I’m sure by now, High School DxD is a franchise that needs little introduction. There’s little reason that anyone should begin watching the third season without watching the previous series. That’s like reading a book backwards from the last chapter. The thing about the High School DxD franchise is that we have a perverted main character named Issei. Then, there’s a whole horde of harem characters ranging from lovely ouju-samas, a pure innocent blonde, a loli cat with the strength of Hercules, and even an Angel. The math is pretty simple to do. Issei wants to add all of them to his harem formula. However, ... unlike most harem series that ventures down a road of non-sense, High School DxD actually has a plot. As shocking as it may be, this harem show does actually have plot as the previous seasons proved itself to be actually effective. But unfortunately for High School DxD Born, effective has become a word of the past.

Directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa, the third season wastes little time to get straight to the point. In fact, the title itself suggest the tone with the word ‘Born’. For those who can guess it, it’s basically an indirect reference at the way boobs sounds like when they bounce around. I guess by anime logic that means we’ll see a lot of that both to satisfy fans’ needs and plot purposes. With all the buildup and events that leads from one point to another, the third season tries to seize the moment to capitalize on the story. The key word here is “try”.

Starting from the first few episodes, there’s already a lot going on. Discreetly, we can see that there’s something going on with Koneko that’s bothering her. Similarly enough, the show also reveals more events relating to Chaos Brigade as well as new antagonists. For Koneko, we also see a new girl that wants to take her back by any means until Issei and his group intervenes. Then, there’s other ominous foreshadowing with characters such as Akeno. To say the least, the show can actually be thrilling when it develops these little bits and bits of scenarios like pieces to a puzzle. And any fan of High School DxD can expect, fan service returns as well with boobs, ass, and seductiveness.

While the series has a promising start, it wavers down as the story progresses. I have read the light novels and the adaptations is not something that should be impressed by. Not only does the anime omits some appealing elements, it also fails to capture the point of the show especially in the second half. For what’s worth, the series went backwards on itself when it comes to story focus. While the first half of the series adds excitement with the conflicts in the supernatural world, it loses steam almost entirely later on. I say this because the show’s story turns messy with too many events happening and rapid resolutions. The plus side is that characterization retains a somewhat decent degree. But when it comes to storytelling, the third season pummels down the drain. For fans eager for some comedy though, you’ll probably get a good dose out of it from one of Issei’s new bizarre abilities that really emphasizes the ‘Born’ part of the title.

The main success of the third season is probably the characters. We have a very diverse and colorful range of characters. Ranging from the return of Issei and the Occult Research Club members to newly introduced characters such as Rossweisse, Odin, Kuroka, and Loki, the show captures the interest of its viewers when we want to see how their roles in the story. As some may guess though, Issei is still the main interest of the show as almost every episode still gives him a prominent role. This includes but not limited to saving from Koneko from her own self despair, giving Akeno the support she needs, or fighting against those he perceives as evil. As stereotypical as he can be, Issei does attract a good degree of honor as even characters such as Vali sees his purpose. However, the characterization doesn’t grow beyond than that as there’s too much happening for this one cour adaptation. Characters such as Ravel returns but hardly gains any spotlight. Rossweisse also makes little impact because of her sensitive personality (notice how she always thinks about how she may never get a boyfriend?). It’s things like this that doesn’t make first impression about a character. Although for perverted characters like Issei, her Valkyrie outfit is another story.

What’s really holding the series back though ultimately comes down to execution. In terms of buildups, the show knows what it’s doing. The characters introduced all show a degree of their personality that let anime only viewers anticipate what they may do next. However, the execution is cheesy. Remember the events of the first season about Asia nearly getting killed? Or the time when there’s fear that Issei’s feelings may never reach Rias? Yeah, we’ve seen that before and the third season wastes time again to exploit these themes. Also for whatever reason, the third season ultimately takes a route that is very cliché to the core. As gimmicky as High School DxD Born already is, this season really just doesn’t seem to keep up the momentum it has built. This isn’t just based on adaptation content but also the way the final few episodes are structured. It’s the lack of fun that results from this season’s experimentations that ultimately doesn’t live up to the hype. On the plus side though, there is still uncensored fan service for the fans. The emotional angles can be touching on occasions as High School DxD still retains a level of interest with its other characters. In retrospect though, this season is a very hit or miss for fans. For me, it’s much more of the miss.

As for technical aspects, there’s not much improvement for artwork. TNK Entertainment still handles the visual quality although there are hardly any changes to the environment of the show. The action is fun to watch on most terms with fine degrees of clever coordination. Unlike previous seasons, High School DxD born features much more of the supernatural world that is decorated to a fine degree to spark the fantasy atmosphere. The dragons, devil, demons, and all sorts of species you wouldn’t find anywhere is convincingly appealing. Then, there’s also the designs of the new characters such as Rosseweisse with her business-like and attractive Valkyrie battle outfit. Kuroka’s catlike dress is also alluring with its suggestive features while we also get modified and enhanced versions of Issei’s Boosted Gear. And at the center of it all, it’s the fan service. Surprisingly, it’s tamer than the previous season although it still seizes opportunities to show skin when it has the chance. Bedroom scenes, dress break, and clever camera angles are its trademarks. Any fan of the franchise shouldn’t be surprised by now as fan service has always been this series’ flagship.

The soundtrack is moderate and there’s nothing really to say much about it. In fact, the ED theme song that fans hope to see an improvement on really doesn’t live up to its expectations. I guess it’s perhaps the first season set the bar too high? Then again, soundtrack is one of the lesser noticeable features of the show. By OST context, the series delivers on most parts with its action features. When it comes to the emotional scenes, it stays honest and has the vulnerability that is convincing. However, that’s pretty much the only impression about it. Character voice mannerisms aren’t really impressive for our new characters. It’s gimmicky to the core with Kuroka’s ‘nya’, Odin’ ego, or Rossewisse’s nervousness. There’s even less of the suggestive moans and ahhs fans may be eager to hear out of the headphones.

High School DxD Born tries far too hard to make it look cool. Fans wants to see a fun, thrilling, and story that matches the momentum it has built. But what do we get instead? A clump of mess that digs itself deeper with inconsistency. Rushing and omitting parts is one thing but following down another road is another. As a 1 cour adaptation, it’s hard to salvage from its mistakes. From my perspective, the show tries to be far too serious as it should be. High School DxD has always been a show that mixes together plot, characters, and most importantly adding fun excitement. It’s almost if it’s self-aware and a main point of the third season never focuses on that point. That being said, you may still get some satisfaction out of the comedy (mostly fan service parts) or battle elements. Admitting, I have to say that some of the action bits improved while technical features such as visual quality died down. But ultimately, High School DxD Born is only a sporadically fun ride. It’s not even half entertaining as the previous season and is designed to be quoted than watched.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Jun 24, 2015

La_Matona301

Not Recommended

My High School DxD BorN review.


Story

Ok, so the 3rd sequel has just ended , frankly it's unfortunate that studio Genco and FUNimation didn't thought about making this sequel a 2nd season. tbh the 2nd sequel is bonkers, but I gotta say they did add some development with the 3rd sequel. However despite the developments I'm not gonna give the story category a high score, since it still rely on the MAc's sexual innuendo, also, the action plot may have become intense it still rely a lot from the MC getting his ass whooped when saving his harem.

So my verdict: a fair 6.


... Art

Like the previous sequel, the anime still rely on the fanservice to sell and there is no explanation need , since sex sells in this anime and manga.

Therefore, my verdict: a Mediocre 5.


Sound

When it come to both the op and ed, I don't have much like for it, but I still like the VA's who did the character's voices like Rias, and Asia. Oh and I'm still not gonna give this category a high score.

So, my verdict: a Mediocre 5.


Characters

Ok, so what we have here are a bunch of character's whose portrayals were a complete dichotomy i.e.

Issei Hyoudou, ok as usual, he is still pervert who wants to have a harem, but the dichotomy about him was that he's in love with Rias and yet he want's to be the Harem King, which basically conflicts his character as whole where he never makes any attempts to do his harem that this fool already has, which was quite annoying that form someone who wants to be the harem king despite of having a lot of girls sleeping naked besides him would still be a virgin.


Ria Gremory, I always wonder if she is still in her teens or is she a hundred year old hag in the body of a teenage babe, let's not forget that in some of those flashbacks we see her meeting some of her servant whom are still very young while we see her the way she is. The dichotomy about her was that she loves Issei and yet she makes no attempts to keep some of the girls away from his man, the only attempt we saw her duking out for Issei's affection was with Akeno, but it never progress beyond it.


Akeno Himejima, if there is any real competition for Issei's affection, it would be her, but the way she competes was nothing short of just a petty quarrel with her master Rias, then again just like Rias, she too never makes any attempts to take Issei away from Rias.


As for the rest of the girls, they too never make any attempts as well to competed for Issei's affection as well, but Asia is a waste, thought she is wife material for Issei she basically placed as mistress thingy, also there is Yuuto who wasn't even given a piece of the harem pie.

Another, just like the 2nd sequel , two new harem members get's added into the mix notably Rosswiess and Irian who is now a full time member of the Issei's harem, which, aside from the dichotomy of the main characters, to sum it up, this anime category should have a low score but not that low.

So my verdict: a poor 3.


Enjoyment

So far just like with the previous sequels, the only thing I enjoy about this anime was the fanservice, and need I say more....maybe not, cu'z that's just the way I see it, so I hope you guys understand.

My verdict: a Good 7.

Overall

I'm not gonna give this anime a high score, sure if you sum it up it should be a 7 or a 6, but that's not how I do it, not because I like something about the anime doesn't mean that I appreciate the anime as whole, the score I give to each category only applies to that category but the overall is the top factor, so since this anime still relies a lot on the fanservice and with all that fancy cliche and dichotomy, my verdict for this anime as a whole would be.........

My overall verdict : a pathetic 1.

Peace

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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