Finding good anime like High School DxD feels like hunting for rare manga volumes sometimes. You know what you want – that perfect mix of over-the-top action, absurd fan service, and ridiculous harem situations that somehow still makes you care about the characters. But man, it's tricky getting that balance right.
I remember when I first binged DxD years ago. Stayed up till 3 AM shouting "BOOST!" at my screen during the Rias vs Sona rating game. The next day at work? Total zombie. Worth it though. That show just nails the chaotic energy where battles feel epic and bath scenes feel... well, equally epic in their own way. But once you finish it, that void hits hard.
What Makes High School DxD Special Anyway?
Let's be real – most anime like High School DxD try to copy the formula but miss the point. DxD works because it doesn't take itself seriously while taking the lore dead serious. The devil politics? Weirdly compelling. The sacred gear power system? Actually well thought out. And Issei's growth from pervy loser to legit leader? Surprisingly satisfying character arc beneath all the bouncing... assets.
The magic combo seems to be:
What DxD Gets Right:
- Zero shame about fan service - It's not subtle, but it owns it
- Harem that actually matters - Girls have personalities beyond chest size (mostly)
- Power-ups feel earned - Remember Juggernaut Drive chills?
- World-building depth - Angels vs Fallen Angels vs Devils isn't just backdrop
Where Copies Fail:
- Forced ecchi - Like that weird tentacle scene in Testament Sister New Devil (cringe)
- Flat harems - Just boobs with names attached
- Weak villains
- Half-baked mythology
So when we hunt for anime similar to High School DxD, we need stuff that gets this balance. Not just panty shots and punch-ups. Here's what I found after watching approximately too many ecchi battle harems.
The Absolute Must-Watch Anime Like High School DxD
These five nailed the DxD vibe for me. Some are obvious picks, others might surprise you.
| Anime Title | Why It Matches DxD | Where to Watch | Ecchi Level (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testament of Sister New Devil | Demons, contracts, OP MC with harem of supernatural girls. Almost a clone in places. | Crunchyroll, HIDIVE | 9/10 (Borderline hentai sometimes) |
| Campione! | God-slaying MC collecting goddess waifus. Great lore like DxD's mythology depth. | Funimation, Hulu | 7/10 (More tame but constant) |
| Trinity Seven | Magic school harem with fan service battles. Arata's pervy confidence = Issei energy. | Crunchyroll, Netflix | 8/10 (Creative "spell interruptions") |
| Date A Live | Save spirits by dating them? Killer premise. Shido's harem management skills impress. | Crunchyroll, Netflix | 6/10 (Tease-heavy but less explicit) |
| Chivalry of a Failed Knight | Less harem, more power couple. But the ecchi battles? Chef's kiss. That shower scene... | HIDIVE, Amazon Prime | 7/10 (Quality over quantity) |
Okay real talk about Testament though – that show goes harder than DxD with the nudity. Like uncomfortably so in season 2. But if you want maximum demons-and-boobs ratio, it's the top pick for anime similar to High School DxD. Just maybe don't watch with family around.
Hidden Gem Alert: Maken-Ki!
Nobody talks about this one! Basic premise: Battling school where weapons materialize from... arousal? Yeah. But here's why it works: The girls all have unique fighting styles and legit character growth. Takeru's not just Issei 2.0 either – less shouting, more sarcasm. It's on HIDIVE if you're curious.
Personal story time: I avoided this for years because the cover looked generic. Binged it sick with flu last winter. Laughed so hard I choked on cough syrup. Don't sleep on Maken-Ki if you want underrated anime like High School DxD!
Anime Like High School DxD With Better Plot?
Look, I love DxD. But sometimes you want less "accidental boob grab" and more substance. These keep the ecchi-harem-action vibe but tighten the storytelling:
- Highschool of the Dead - Zombies + ridiculous physics. Plot? Thin. Fun? Maximum.
- Rosario + Vampire - Monster school harem done right. Manga's way better though.
- Is This a Zombie? - Magical girls, necromancers, cross-dressing. Makes zero sense. Perfect.
Rosario especially nails the "weak MC grows strong" arc better than most anime like Highschool DxD. Tsukune starts as human snack food but becomes legit badass. Also, Moka's dual personality? Genius character work beneath the ecchi surface.
Where To Watch These Anime Like Highschool DxD
Streaming rights change constantly, but here's the current lay of the land:
| Service | Free Tier | Subscription Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll | Yes (with ads) | $7.99/month | Broadest ecchi catalog |
| HIDIVE | No | $4.99/month | Uncensored versions |
| Netflix | No | $6.99-$19.99 | Date A Live only |
| Hulu | No | $7.99-$14.99 | Mixed catalog (ads suck) |
Pro tip: HIDIVE's worth it just for uncut Testament. The Blu-ray versions? Night and day difference. Saw censored version first – felt like someone edited a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
Anime Like High School DxD Without Harem Overload?
Sometimes you want the action and ecchi without 10 girls fighting over one dude. These balance it better:
Quick Picks:
- Freezing - Battle couples with insane fan service (Crunchyroll)
- Valkyrie Drive - Girls powering up through... intimacy? (HIDIVE)
- Keijo!!!!!!!! - Sports ecchi that's unironically hype (Crunchyroll)
Keijo!!!!!!!! might sound stupid – butt and boob sumo battles? But holy crap, the tournament arcs go harder than most shonen. That hip-thrust dodge move lives in my head rent-free. And zero harem! Refreshing when you're burnt out on love polygons.
Why Finding Good Anime Like Highschool DxD Is Tough
Straight talk: Most studios miss what makes DxD work. They see "demons + boobs" and call it a day. But what we actually love:
- Issei's genuine dumbass charm
- Rias' perfect waifu balance of power and vulnerability
- Actual stakes in battles
- Fan service that serves character moments
Remember when Asia's trauma actually mattered to the plot? Or Akeno's daddy issues affecting her powers? That depth separates DxD from cheap copies. Shows like Hybrid x Heart try too hard with mecha-ecchi nonsense. Feels soulless.
My hot take: The best anime like High School DxD right now might be Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher!?. No demons, just absurd situational ecchi. But the embarrassed chemistry? Pure DxD energy. Fight me.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anime Like Highschool DxD
What anime is most similar to High School DxD?
Testament of Sister New Devil is spiritually identical – demon contracts, growing harem progression, and insane ecchi scenes. But Trinity Seven matches the comedy-action balance better.
Is there any anime with better ecchi than DxD?
Depends what you mean by "better." Testament has more explicit content. But for creative fan service, Keijo!!!!!!!! wins. Nothing beats tournament arc panty shots as combat strategy.
Why do people like anime like Highschool DxD?
It's junk food with protein powder. You expect cheap thrills but get legit character growth and hype battles. The fan service isn't apologetic – it's celebratory. Also, Rias Gremory.
Will there be more High School DxD seasons?
Season 5 got announced years ago with zero updates. Light novels are still going though! If you need that fix, reading ahead helps. Shin DxD Volume 5 had insane dragon god fights.
What's the best dubbed anime like High School DxD?
Trinity Seven's dub nails Arata's pervy confidence. Date A Live also has stellar dub work – especially Tohka's VA capturing that adorable glutton vibe.
Final Reality Check Before You Watch
Not all anime similar to High School DxD are equal. Based on what you actually want:
For maximum ecchi: Testament Sister New Devil (uncensored)
For harem comedy: Trinity Seven
For action: Chivalry of a Failed Knight
For story: Date A Live
For wildcard: Why the Hell Are You Here, Teacher!?
Last thing: Don't sleep on light novels either. The DxD LNs expand the story massively past the anime. Volume 22's >!Issei vs Apollo!
Still searching for that perfect anime like Highschool DxD? Honestly, just rewatch season 3's Juggernaut Drive scene. Chills every time. Nothing replicates that raw "I'LL SACRIFICE EVERYTHING" energy. Till season 5 drops anyway...
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