Which Highschool Dxd Watch Order Includes All OVAs And Specials?

Look, this series is a weird one to navigate with all its OVAs and specials. Season one then season two is obvious, but 'High School DxD BorN' gets messy. The studio changed the ending from the light novels, which is why 'High School DxD Hero' feels like it soft-reboots parts of the last few episodes of BorN. For a new viewer, I'd say watch S1, S2, then just accept BorN's weird ending as-is before moving to Hero and then the newest season, 'High School DxD HERO.' Don't get bogged down in the OVAs at first. The big one is 'High School DxD New: Oppai, Tsutsumimasu!' which is a hot springs OVA that's not canon. It's just fan service. Save the OVA episodes for after you've finished the main seasons if you're still craving more. Trying to slot them in chronologically just overcomplicates a first watch through. The main plot flows fine if you stick to the numbered seasons.

I get wanting to watch 'High School DxD' chronologically, but honestly? You're overthinking it. The broadcast order is the intended experience, and hopping around episodes trying to piece together the timeline ruins the momentum. Season 1 sets up Issei's growth, the core relationships, and the world's rules. Trying to slot the 'Hero Oppai Dragon' OVA or 'Season 4' (which is actually 'Hero') into a perfect timeline creates more confusion than it's worth because the anime itself retcons and adapts stuff out of order from the light novels anyway. Just watch it as it was released: Season 1 ('High School DxD'), Season 2 ('High School DxD New'), Season 3 ('High School DxD BorN'), then Season 4 ('High School DxD Hero'). The OVAs are fun side-stories you can watch after their respective seasons. The chronological headache isn't worth the payoff for this series; the fan service and battle shonen elements are way more central than a perfectly linear plot.

I always figured you'd want to start with the broadcast order if you're new. The first season sets up the basic premise—Issei, the perverted teen turned Devil, the peerage system, all that. Jumping to 'Hero' or the OVAs first would make the character relationships and power scaling seem random. That said, the OVA 'Issei the Teaching Assistant' slots in after season 2, and it's honestly a pretty chill breather episode. Skipping it won't ruin the plot, but it has some nice character moments that flesh out the school life side of things. I'd recommend watching it where it's meant to go, just for the complete vibe. The real janky part is the transition from season 3 ('BorN') to season 4 ('Hero'). 'BorN' went off the rails from the light novels and then 'Hero' had to soft-reboot to get back on track. So watching 'BorN' gives you context for why 'Hero' starts the way it does, even if some events in 'BorN' are now non-canon. It's a weird patch, but you kind of need it to feel the whiplash the fandom felt. If I'm being honest, you could probably watch the first two seasons and then jump to 'Hero' with a summary of 'BorN', but you'd miss the sheer chaos that makes the series memorable. The order impacts understanding less than it does the appreciation of its... unique development history.

Navigating the 'Highschool DxD' manga can be a bit confusing since it intertwines with the light novels and anime adaptations. The main manga series, illustrated by Hiroji Mishima, follows the light novel's storyline closely. You should start with 'Highschool DxD' (2008), which covers the first arc. After that, jump into 'Highschool DxD: Asia and Koneko’s Secret Contracts?' for some fun side stories. The manga diverges a bit in later volumes, so if you want the full experience, I’d recommend checking out the light novels afterward—they’re packed with extra details and character insights. If you’re a completionist, don’t miss 'Highschool DxD EX,' which explores alternate timelines and what-if scenarios. It’s a wild ride, especially for fans of Issei’s chaotic energy. Personally, I love how the manga captures the over-the-top action and humor of the series, though some arcs feel rushed compared to the novels. Either way, you’re in for a treat—just brace yourself for plenty of fan service and epic battles!

Want a watch order that respects both the drama and the little moments that make 'Haikyuu!!' so addictive? I usually treat OVAs like seasoning — they don't change the main course, but used at the right time they make it tastier. My go-to is to watch each TV season straight through first so the core arcs land properly. After finishing a season, I slot any OVAs that were released around the same timeframe before moving on to the next season. Many OVAs are callbacks, character-focused side stories, or comedic extras that assume you know what's happened up to that point; watching them immediately after the season they relate to gives them emotional weight without risking spoilers for later arcs. There are also pure gag or chibi-style shorts that can be enjoyed anytime as palate cleansers between heavy matches. If you're rewatching, I sometimes insert certain OVAs mid-rewatch where they chronologically belong — like right after a big match they reference — but for a first run-through, finish the season and then enjoy the OVAs as a reward. That keeps momentum, preserves the pacing of matches, and still lets you savor those extra character beats. Personally, I love these extras for the quiet scenes and goofy bits they give to side characters; they make me smile long after the final set, and I always feel richer for having watched them.