Finished Season 4 of the High School DxD anime and wondering where it leaves off in the light novel? You’re facing a common question that has a simple answer but a complicated backstory. Finding the right starting point is crucial to seamlessly continue the adventure.
To continue the story directly after finishing Season 4 of the High School DxD anime (titled “Hero”), you should start reading from Light Novel Volume 11. The fourth season adapted the plot of Volume 9 (“Pandemonium at the School Trip”) and Volume 10 (“Lion Heart of the School Festival”), making Volume 11 the next chapter in the canon storyline.
Based on our analysis of the original source material and its adaptation, this guide provides the definitive starting points. It will explain not just where to start, but why some fans recommend a different approach. You’ll discover the exact volumes the anime skipped or changed, ensuring you miss none of the action.
Key Facts
- Anime Endpoint: The fourth season of the High School DxD anime, “Hero,” concludes after adapting the events of Light Novel Volume 10.
- Direct Continuation: To continue the story without re-reading adapted content, the correct starting point is Light Novel Volume 11.
- Season 3 Divergence: The third anime season, “BorN,” significantly deviated from the source material, creating a non-canon ending that complicates the timeline for anime-only fans.
- Original Source: The true source material for the entire franchise is the light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi, not the manga adaptation.
- Ongoing Story: The original 25-volume light novel series is complete, but the story continues directly in a sequel series titled Shin High School DxD, which is still ongoing.
Where Exactly Does the High School DxD Anime Leave Off in the Light Novel?
The definitive answer is that the anime concludes after Light Novel Volume 10. The fourth and most recent season, titled High School DxD Hero, faithfully adapted two full volumes of the original source material. Specifically, it covered Volume 9, “Pandemonium at the School Trip,” and Volume 10, “Lion Heart of the School Festival.” This means the very next piece of the story you are looking for begins with Volume 11.
For fans who just want to jump straight into new content, starting at Volume 11 is the correct path. The events of Season 4, including the Kyoto school trip and the climactic Rating Game against Sairaorg Bael, lead directly into the narrative of this next volume. However, while this answer is straightforward, the full story of the anime’s adaptation is a bit more complicated, especially concerning the season that came before it. Understanding this context is key to getting the complete and intended experience from the series.
Why Do Many Fans Recommend Starting From an Earlier Volume?
It is highly recommended to start reading the High School DxD light novels from Volume 5 because Season 3 of the anime (“BorN”) is not a faithful adaptation. While you can technically jump to Volume 11 after Season 4, you will be missing critical context and character development. The third season combined, altered, and completely skipped major plot points from Volumes 5, 6, and 7 of the light novel. Most importantly, it concluded with an anime-original, non-canon ending that contradicts the official story written by Ichiei Ishibumi.
This divergence was so significant that the author reportedly expressed dissatisfaction. The anime’s non-canon finale created plot holes and character motivations that were inconsistent with the source material. Because of this, Season 4 (“Hero”) had to spend its first episode (“Episode 0”) attempting to correct the timeline and get the story back on its proper track. By starting from Volume 5, you experience the story as it was meant to be told, ensuring you don’t miss key events that later volumes build upon.
What Key Content Was Skipped or Changed in Season 3?
The most significant content cut from Season 3 was the Rating Game between the Gremory and Sitri peerages from Volume 5. This event was a major moment for world-building and strategy. Beyond that single event, several other crucial elements were either completely removed or drastically changed, which is why reading the novels is so often recommended.
Here are the key things you missed if you only watched Season 3 of the anime:
- Rias vs. Sona Rating Game: An entire strategic Rating Game between Rias Gremory’s team and Sona Sitri’s team was completely skipped. This event from Volume 5 was important for showing the tactical side of these battles.
- Koneko Toujou’s Character Arc: Koneko’s backstory and her struggle with accepting her Nekomata heritage were severely underdeveloped. The novel provides a much more detailed and emotional exploration of her character during this period.
- Akeno Himejima’s Development: Similarly, Akeno’s internal conflict regarding her Fallen Angel lineage and her relationship with her father, Baraqiel, was heavily condensed. The light novels offer a deeper dive into her personal journey.
- The Loki Conflict: The resolution to the battle against the Norse god Loki in Volume 7 was significantly altered. The anime rushed this conclusion and changed key details about how the fight was won.
- Anime-Original Ending: The final episodes of Season 3 feature a completely original battle against Rizevim Livan Lucifer that does not happen at this point in the light novels. This creates major continuity errors that Season 4 had to fix.
How Faithfully Does Season 4 (“Hero”) Adapt the Light Novels?
High School DxD Season 4 (“Hero”) is a faithful adaptation of light novel volumes 9 and 10. After the widespread fan and author dissatisfaction with Season 3, the production was moved to a new studio, Passione. The author, Ichiei Ishibumi, was closely involved in the production of “Hero” to ensure it corrected the non-canon ending of the previous season and accurately portrayed the “Heroic Oppai Dragon” story arc.
This renewed focus on fidelity means that the events you watched in Season 4 are a reliable foundation for continuing with the novels. Episode 0 of the season functions as a “retcon” (retroactive continuity), quickly re-telling the end of the Loki arc from Volume 7 to align the anime with the novel’s canon before moving into the new material.
| Season 4 Arc | Corresponding Light Novel Volume(s) | Key Events Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 0: Holiness Behind the Gym | Volume 7 (Retcon) | Corrects the anime-original ending of Season 3, realigning the story with the canon Loki battle outcome. |
| Kyoto Trip Arc (Episodes 1-6) | Volume 9: Pandemonium at the School Trip | The school trip to Kyoto, the introduction of the Hero Faction led by Cao Cao, and Issei’s meeting with the original Sun Wukong. |
| Heroic Oppai Dragon Arc (Episodes 7-12) | Volume 10: Lion Heart of the School Festival | The lead-up to and execution of the Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Sairaorg Bael, culminating in Issei unlocking his Cardinal Crimson Promotion. |
Is the High School DxD Manga the Source Material?
No, the manga is not the source material for High School DxD. This is a common point of confusion for fans new to the franchise. The original story comes from a light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero.
The manga is a separate adaptation of the light novels, much like the anime. However, the manga adaptation was discontinued and only covers events up to Volume 5 of the light novels. This means the manga’s story stops even before the controversial events of Season 3 of the anime. If your goal is to continue the story from where the anime leaves off, you should not turn to the manga, as it is significantly behind. The light novel is the one and only true source for the complete, ongoing story.
Where Can You Legally Read the High School DxD Light Novels?
You can legally read the High School DxD light novels by purchasing the official English editions published by Yen Press. Supporting the official release is the best way to show your appreciation for the author’s work and encourage the possibility of a future Season 5. These official translations are available in both physical paperback and digital e-book formats.
You can find them at most major booksellers and digital platforms. Here are a few places to look:
- Amazon (for both physical and Kindle versions)
- Barnes & Noble
- BookWalker (a popular platform for digital manga and light novels)
- Right Stuf Anime
Always check for the “Yen Press” publisher logo to ensure you are purchasing the official English version. This guarantees the highest quality translation and directly supports the creators of the series.
FAQs About where does the high school dxd anime leave off in the light novel
Will there be a Season 5 of High School DxD?
As of early 2026, there has been no official confirmation or announcement for a Season 5 of the High School DxD anime. While the light novels provide ample source material for several more seasons, the production studio Passione has not greenlit a continuation. Fans should be wary of rumors and only trust official sources for news.
Is the High School DxD light novel series finished?
No, the story is ongoing, but the original series is complete. The first light novel series, High School DxD, concluded with Volume 25. The story immediately continues in a sequel series titled Shin High School DxD (also known as True High School DxD), which is also written by Ichiei Ishibumi and continues the main plot.
What is Shin High School DxD?
Shin High School DxD is the direct sequel to the original light novel series. It picks up right after the events of High School DxD Volume 25 and is considered the main, canonical continuation of Issei Hyodo’s story. Think of it as a “Part 2” of the overall saga rather than a separate spinoff.
How many total volumes of High School DxD are there to read?
The complete story is spread across multiple series. The original High School DxD series has 25 volumes. The sequel, Shin High School DxD, is ongoing. Additionally, there is a collection of side stories called High School DxD DX. In total, there are well over 30 volumes of canon story content available to read.
Is it worth reading the light novel from the very beginning?
Yes, for the most complete experience, starting from Volume 1 is recommended. While the first two anime seasons are relatively faithful adaptations, the light novels provide significantly more inner monologue, world-building details, and minor character moments that are cut for time in the anime. Reading from the start offers a much richer understanding of the story.
What is the difference in art style between anime seasons?
The art style changed significantly between Season 3 (“BorN”) and Season 4 (“Hero”) due to a change in animation studios. Season 3 was made by TNK, while Season 4 was made by Passione. The “Hero” art style is generally considered to be closer to the illustrations in the original light novels by Miyama-Zero.
How far behind is the official English translation?
The official English translation by Yen Press is several volumes behind the original Japanese releases. While fan translations often cover the latest volumes, the official release schedule is more gradual. As of late 2026, you can purchase the officially translated novels up to the early-to-mid volumes, with new ones being released periodically.
Does Issei get stronger in the light novels?
Yes, Issei’s growth in the light novels far surpasses what is shown in the anime. After the events of Volume 10 (the end of the anime), he undergoes significant development, unlocking new forms, powers, and responsibilities. His progression is a central focus of the later volumes and a major reason fans love the novels.
What are the DX volumes and are they important?
High School DxD DX is a series of volumes that collect short stories taking place between the main numbered volumes. While some are slice-of-life, many contain important canon character development and backstory that is referenced in the main plot. They are highly recommended to be read alongside the main series for a complete understanding.
Do I miss anything by just starting at Volume 11?
If you skip reading volumes 5-7, you will miss crucial canon events and character development that Season 3 of the anime handled incorrectly. This includes the full Rias vs. Sona Rating Game, important Koneko and Akeno development, and the correct sequence of the Loki confrontation. While you can follow the main plot starting at Volume 11, your understanding will have gaps.
Final Thoughts on Continuing the High School DxD Story
Navigating the transition from the High School DxD anime to the light novels is a journey that unlocks a much richer and more expansive version of the story. You now have a clear map to continue Issei’s adventures without getting lost in adaptation changes or non-canon material. By understanding where the anime leaves off and why certain seasons deviated, you can make an informed choice that best suits your desire for the complete story.
Here are the most important takeaways to guide your decision:
- Start at Volume 11 for the Direct Continuation: If you want to pick up exactly where anime Season 4 (“Hero”) ends, begin reading Light Novel Volume 11.
- Reading From Volume 5 is Highly Recommended: Season 3 of the anime (“BorN”) was not a faithful adaptation and has an anime-original ending. To understand the true canon story and avoid confusion, you should go back and read Volumes 5, 6, and 7.
- The Light Novel is the Source Material, Not the Manga: The original story is from the light novels by Ichiei Ishibumi. The manga adaptation is far behind the anime and has been discontinued.
- Season 4 (“Hero”) is a Faithful Adaptation: Unlike Season 3, the fourth season accurately adapts Volumes 9 and 10 of the light novel, successfully putting the story back on its canon track.
- The Story is Still Ongoing: After the original 25-volume series, the story continues directly in a sequel titled Shin High School DxD, so there is a large amount of un-adapted content to read.
- Support the Official Release: The best way to read the series legally and support the author for a potential Season 5 is by purchasing the official English translations from Yen Press.
- The “DX” Volumes Are Also Important: These side-story collections contain canon plot points and character development that are referenced in the main story, making them essential for a complete experience.
Whichever starting point you choose, diving into the light novels opens up a world of deeper lore, expanded character arcs, and epic battles that the anime simply couldn’t fit. Happy reading
Last update on 2026-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
