Gremory House

Lore & Background

Though often mistaken as one of the Three Great Satan Families, the Gremory are actually a major noble house distinct from the true Three Great Satan Families: Bael, Sitri, and Gremory. Similarly, the three great noble pillars of the Underworld are Bael, Sitri, and Gremory, not Glasya-Labolas. Nonetheless, the Gremory have long been synonymous with strategic dominance rather than brute force alone. Their history is marked by a commitment to stabilizing the Underworld after the Great War of Devils, shifting from conquest to governance. This reputation for diplomacy allows them to navigate complex relationships with Angels and Fallen Angels more effectively than many other noble houses. The family's status shifted dramatically when Sirzechs ascended to become the current Lucifer, one of the four Satans (Lucifer, Leviathan, Beelzebub, Asmodeus) who rule over all Devil territories. Consequently, Rias Gremory assumed the mantle of managing the family's direct affairs on Earth, operating out of Kuoh Academy while upholding her brother's vision for peace. Their legacy is defined by this transition from traditional nobility to active world-building leadership.

In Their Own Story

The candlelight flickered across the obsidian walls of the Gremory manor in the Underworld. Rias paused before a portrait of her ancestors, her crimson hair catching the dim glow. The weight of the family crest felt heavier tonight; the balance of power was shifting again with every new threat emerging from the human world. She touched the cold stone of the mantle, remembering her brother's words about protecting the future rather than ruling it. Somewhere in Kuoh, her peerage waited for orders, but here, she was simply a daughter of Gremory, carrying the burden of history on her shoulders.

Reader's Guide

The Gremory House operates as a cornerstone of political stability within the Devil society. Their primary goal involves maintaining peace between the various factions after centuries of conflict, often acting as mediators rather than aggressors. While they possess immense destructive capability, their influence is wielded through diplomacy and alliances with other noble houses like the Sitri and Phenex families. Key members include Sirzechs Lucifer, who governs the Underworld, and Rias Gremory, who manages operations on Earth from Kuoh Academy. They lead a peerage system where subordinates serve under the family's protection in exchange for loyalty and power development. In the broader conflict involving Angels, Fallen Angels, and Dragons, the Gremory often seek balance to prevent total war that would destroy their domain. Their reputation relies on honor, though they are not above using force when necessary to protect their interests or allies. This makes them a central pillar in the supernatural world's shifting power dynamics.

Did You Know?

• The Gremory are a major noble family, but the Three Great Satan Families are Bael, Sitri, and Gremory.
• The three great noble pillars of the Underworld are Bael, Sitri, and Gremory, not Glasya-Labolas.
• Sirzechs Lucifer holds the title of the current Lucifer, one of the four ruling Satans of the Underworld.
• Rias Gremory manages a peerage based in Kuoh Academy on Earth.
• They are known for prioritizing diplomatic solutions over direct warfare.

Origins and Creative Vision

The narrative world of High School DxD was crafted by author Ichiei Ishibumi, who deliberately shifted from his previous horror genre work to blend school life, romance, battle, and fantasy. This transition began with the first light novel volume, where he established a unique setting: a post-war era where the ancient conflicts between angels, devils, and fallen angels have concluded, leaving many legendary figures extinct. Ishibumi drew inspiration from diverse sources, including biblical texts, non-fiction literature, Norse mythology, Japanese yokai, and even the Gundam franchise for naming the Four Great Devils. The protagonist, Issei Hyoudou, was specifically designed as a lecherous character at his editor's request, while Rias Gremory served as the primary heroine alongside Asia Argento. As the series evolved, Ishibumi focused on pairing characters into distinct duos and emphasized the erotic appeal of the heroines, particularly in side stories dedicated to comedy.

The Occult Research Club Dynamic

At Kuoh Academy, the protagonists operate under the guise of the Occult Research Club, which serves as a front for Rias Gremory's devil peerage. This team consists of ten devils, an angel, and a dragon, all bound by their supernatural roles within the school setting. Their activities range from forming contracts with humans to engaging in sanctioned combat tournaments known as Rating Games, where members are assigned positions analogous to chess pieces. The club's structure expanded significantly when Azazel, the leader of the fallen angels, joined as an adviser at the end of volume four. This development led to a major lifestyle change for the female members, who began residing at Issei Hyoudou's home under his care. The group functions as a cohesive unit in both academic and supernatural conflicts, navigating complex relationships while adhering to the strict rules governing devil society.

Issei Hyoudou: From Pawn to King

Issei Hyoudou serves as the series' viewpoint character, introduced as a lecherous second-year student whose life is irrevocably altered when he is killed by Raynare during a deceptive date. Revived by Rias Gremory using all eight of her pawn pieces, he becomes a devil servant with immense potential. Initially described as foolish and obsessed with girls, Issei's journey involves overcoming the trauma of his death while aspiring to become a Harem King. His combat prowess relies on the Boosted Gear, a Longinus-class Sacred Gear housing the Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig. Through this artifact, he gains abilities like doubling his power every ten seconds and amplifying allies' strength. As he advances from a middle-rank devil to an upper-rank leader, Issei acquires powerful forms such as Juggernaut Drive and Balance Breaker Scale Mail, eventually commanding his own group of peers while mastering unique techniques that range from serious combat moves to comedic abilities.

Rias Gremory: The Crimson Leader

Rias Gremory stands as the primary female protagonist and a top-ranking third-year student at Kuoh Academy. A tall devil with crimson hair and a voluptuous figure, she is defined by her calm and stern demeanor, which contrasts sharply with the chaotic nature of her peerage. She is responsible for resurrecting Issei Hyoudou after his fatal encounter with Raynare, thereby establishing their master-servant bond. As the head of the Occult Research Club, Rias leads her team through various devil activities and Rating Games, utilizing her authority to promote members and strategize against rival factions. Her character design and narrative role were central to Ishibumi's vision from the first volume, where she was positioned as a second lead alongside Asia. The English voice actress Jamie Marchi noted that Rias represents a stern archetype distinct from her usual roles, highlighting the character's unique blend of leadership and the series' broader thematic focus on supernatural power dynamics.