The Ultimate Question Answered: Who Did Issei Marry?
For fans of the electrifying and devilishly charming series High School DxD, one question seems to echo louder than any other through forums, discussion boards, and social media: Who did Issei marry? It’s a query that gets right to the heart of the protagonist, Issei Hyoudou’s, journey and his ultimate dream. Well, for those looking for a simple, one-name answer, the reality of Issei’s romantic future is far more spectacular and, frankly, far more in character.
The short and definitive answer is: Issei Hyoudou doesn’t marry just one person. In a spectacular fulfillment of his long-stated goal, Issei is officially engaged to and destined to marry the core members of his harem, including Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Asia Argento, Xenovia Quarta, and many others.
This isn’t just fan speculation or a popular theory; it is the canon storyline confirmed in the original light novels penned by Ichiei Ishibumi, the source material that the anime is based on. Issei’s path was never about choosing one girl over the others. Instead, his journey was always about becoming a man capable of loving, protecting, and building a future with all the incredible women who came to love him. So, let’s dive deep into the details, unpack the proposals, and understand how the perverted-but-heroic Red Dragon Emperor finally becomes the Harem King he was always meant to be.
From Perverted Dream to Supernatural Reality: The Harem King Concept
To truly understand who Issei marries, we first have to understand his primary motivation. From the very first volume, Issei Hyoudou’s goal is shockingly straightforward: he wants to become a “Harem King.” While this starts as a rather comical and lecherous teenage fantasy, it evolves significantly throughout the series. It transforms from a simple desire for a bevy of beauties into a profound promise to take responsibility for the happiness of the women who have placed their trust, and their hearts, in him.
This dream isn’t just a side plot; it’s the central pillar of his character development. Each battle Issei fights, each power-up he achieves, and each sacrifice he makes is, in some way, linked to his desire to be strong enough to protect his “harem.” Therefore, a conclusion where he picks only one girl would fundamentally betray the very essence of his character arc. The world of High School DxD, with its unique devil societal norms, conveniently provides the perfect framework for this unconventional dream to become a reality.
The Official Fiancées: A Roster of Issei’s Future Wives
Many anime-only fans might be surprised to hear about official engagements, as the anime adaptation has not yet reached these pivotal moments in the light novels. The proposals and official acknowledgments of Issei’s harem begin to solidify in the later volumes of High School DxD and its sequel series, Shin High School DxD. Here is a detailed list of the women who are officially confirmed as Issei’s fiancées.
Rias Gremory: The Main Wife and King
Of course, at the very top of the list is Rias Gremory. As the main heroine of the series, Issei’s master, and his first true love, her position is undeniable. Their relationship is the bedrock of the entire story. Issei’s devotion to Rias is absolute, and he has risked his life for her more times than anyone can count. Their engagement is a monumental event in the series, solidifying a bond that was forged in the fires of countless battles. Issei’s proposal to Rias is heartfelt and deeply emotional, representing the culmination of their journey from a master-servant relationship to one of true, equal partners in love and life. She is universally acknowledged, both by Issei and the other girls, as the “number one” and legal wife in the human world.
Akeno Himejima: The Alluring Vice-President
Akeno, the “Priestess of Thunder,” has always held a special, seductive place in Issei’s heart. Their connection is built on a shared understanding of having a “dark side” and finding acceptance in each other. Akeno often plays the role of the alluring “mistress,” but her feelings for Issei are incredibly genuine and profound. She was one of the first to truly push Issei to embrace the idea of a harem, encouraging him not to choose. Issei’s proposal to Akeno acknowledges her unique place in his heart, promising her a lifetime of love and acceptance that she deeply craved after a painful childhood. Their engagement is a promise that she will never be alone with her inner demons again.
Asia Argento: The Heart of Purity and Kindness
Asia was the first girl Issei saved and the reason he truly began his journey as a devil. Their bond is one of immense tenderness and purity. For Issei, protecting Asia’s smile is a sacred duty. While their relationship is less overtly passionate than with others, it is no less deep. Issei sees her as the embodiment of kindness, and his feelings for her are fiercely protective. When Issei proposes to Asia, it’s a deeply touching moment. It validates her feelings and gives her a permanent place in the family she always longed for. She represents the gentle, compassionate core of Issei’s growing family.
Koneko Toujou: The Stoic Rook’s Slow-Burning Love
Koneko’s journey from a reserved, almost hostile junior to a deeply affectionate, if still quiet, partner is one of the series’ most rewarding developments. Initially wary of Issei’s perverted nature, she eventually opens up after he helps her confront her traumatic past concerning her Nekomata heritage. Her love is quiet but incredibly fierce. Issei’s proposal to her is a promise to always be by her side, helping her carry her burdens and celebrating her strength. It signifies his acceptance of every part of her, solidifying a bond built on patience and deep emotional trust.
Xenovia Quarta: The Power-Obsessed Swordswoman Turned Mother-to-Be
Xenovia’s introduction was as a straightforward, pragmatic holy sword wielder. After being exiled from the Church, her primary goal became… having strong children with Issei! While her initial approach was blunt and comical, it quickly evolved into genuine love. Xenovia fell for Issei’s kindness and his unwavering resolve to protect his comrades. She is perhaps the most forward about her desire to start a family with him. Issei’s engagement to Xenovia is an acceptance of her fierce loyalty and her earnest, if sometimes awkward, affection. It’s a promise to build the strong family she desires.
Irina Shidou: The Angelic Childhood Friend
As Issei’s childhood friend, Irina holds a unique and irreplaceable position. Their shared history gives their bond a nostalgic and deeply comfortable quality. Despite becoming an Angel, a faction traditionally opposed to Devils, her love for Issei transcends all boundaries. The supernatural world even makes an exception for her, allowing her to be with Issei. Her engagement to Issei is the beautiful culmination of a childhood promise, proving that their bond could withstand time, distance, and even the laws of Heaven and Hell.
Rossweisse: The Valkyrie Teacher Looking for Love
Initially introduced as Odin’s Valkyrie bodyguard, Rossweisse becomes a teacher at Kuoh Academy and a resident of the Hyoudou household. Her anxieties about being a “leftover” woman and her terrible luck with money make for great comedy, but beneath it all is a longing for stable, genuine love. She slowly but surely falls for Issei’s reliability and kindness. Issei’s proposal to her is a promise of security and cherished love, finally giving the beautiful and powerful Valkyrie the happy future she deserves.
Ravel Phenex: The Devoted Manager
Ravel started as an antagonist’s little sister but quickly developed one of the most profound and devoted crushes on Issei after he saved her family’s honor. She voluntarily becomes his official manager, meticulously handling his affairs and supporting him from behind the scenes. Her love is one of pure admiration and unwavering support. Issei eventually recognizes the depth of her feelings and her indispensable role in his life, leading to their engagement. This act validates her years of devotion and formally welcomes her from the role of a manager to a future wife.
A Summary of Issei Hyoudou’s Official Fiancées
To make this complex web of relationships a bit easier to digest, here is a table summarizing the main fiancées and their unique role in the future Hyoudou household.
| Fiancée’s Name | Primary Role / Title | Core of Their Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Rias Gremory | The Main/Legal Wife, King | Master/Servant bond evolved into a deep, passionate, and equal love. |
| Akeno Himejima | The “Mistress,” Priestess of Thunder | Mutual acceptance of their inner “darkness” and seductive passion. |
| Asia Argento | The Healer, Symbol of Purity | A deeply protective and tender bond built on salvation and kindness. |
| Koneko Toujou | The Beloved Junior (Kouhai) | A slow-burn love built on patience, trust, and overcoming trauma. |
| Xenovia Quarta | The Holy Swordswoman, Power Fighter | A bond of mutual respect, strength, and a shared desire for family. |
| Irina Shidou | The Childhood Friend, Angel | A love that transcends factions, rooted in a long and shared history. |
| Rossweisse | The Valkyrie Teacher, Magic Specialist | A relationship built on reliability, security, and mutual support. |
| Ravel Phenex | The Devoted Manager | A love born from admiration, respect, and unwavering devotion. |
It’s also worth noting that other characters, like Kuroka (Koneko’s sister), have expressed a strong desire to be with Issei and are considered part of the broader harem, even if a formal engagement hasn’t been depicted in the same way. The future of the Hyoudou household is, shall we say, ever-expanding.
How is a Harem Marriage Possible? The In-Universe Logic
A skeptic might ask how such a scenario is logistically or socially possible. The genius of Ichiei Ishibumi’s world-building is that it provides a very clear justification for polygamy, especially within Devil society.
- Preserving Pure-Blooded Devil Lineages: High-class Devils suffer from a very low birth rate. To ensure the survival and continuation of their noble houses, polygamy (specifically polygyny) is not only accepted but often encouraged. Powerful male Devils are expected to take multiple wives to produce strong heirs. We see a prime example of this with Issei’s own master’s brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, who has a full peerage of devoted female servants who would likely have become his concubines had he not been so singularly devoted to Grayfia.
- Issei’s Unique Status: Issei is not just any Devil. He is the host of Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon, making him the Red Dragon Emperor. His power and potential are astronomical. Furthermore, he is later promoted to a High-Class Devil and is recognized as a “super-celebrity” in the Underworld. For a figure of his stature, taking multiple wives to establish a powerful new house is seen as perfectly natural, even desirable.
- Magical Contracts and Rings: The engagements aren’t just verbal promises. Issei presents each of his fiancées with a special engagement ring. These acts are binding and recognized within their supernatural society, formalizing the relationships beyond mere dating.
The Harem King’s Promise: Why This Ending is Perfect for Issei
Ultimately, the answer to “who did Issei marry” being “everyone” is the only satisfying conclusion for his character arc. A story that spent dozens of volumes emphasizing the importance of every single girl in Issei’s life, only to have him discard all but one, would feel hollow and cruel. Issei’s growth is measured by his expanding capacity to love and protect.
His journey is about building a found family. The Gremory peerage became his first true family, and his harem is an extension of that. He never saw the girls as conquests but as precious people he was indebted to and responsible for. He genuinely loves each of them for their unique qualities:
- He loves Rias for her pride and leadership.
- He loves Akeno for her complexity and passion.
- He loves Asia for her unending kindness.
- He loves Koneko for her quiet strength.
- He loves Xenovia for her earnest power.
- He loves Irina for their shared past.
- He loves Rossweisse for her hardworking nature.
- He loves Ravel for her unwavering devotion.
To choose one would be to invalidate the love he feels for the others, and more importantly, to invalidate the very real love they all feel for him. By promising a future to all of them, he honors their feelings and fulfills his ultimate promise: to create a home where all of them can be happy and safe, together.
Conclusion: The Harem King’s Reign of Love
So, when we ask the question, who did Issei marry?, the answer is a testament to the grand, over-the-top, and surprisingly heartfelt story of High School DxD. Issei Hyoudou marries Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Asia Argento, Koneko Toujou, Xenovia Quarta, Irina Shidou, Rossweisse, and Ravel Phenex. He is engaged to all of them, with each relationship officially and lovingly acknowledged.
He achieved his dream. But the dream was never just about self-gratification; it was about creating a massive, powerful, and loving family where everyone belongs. For those who have only experienced the anime, the light novels hold these and many more incredible moments of character development. Issei’s journey to becoming the Harem King is not just a punchline; it’s a long, arduous, and ultimately rewarding saga about a boy who became a hero worthy of the love of many incredible women.