When discussing the English dubs of anime, titles like Cowboy Bebop , Fullmetal Alchemist , or Ghost Stories are typically held up as gold standards—each for very different reasons. High School DxD , a show notorious for its aggressive fan service, shonen battle tropes, and ecchi premise, rarely enters the "prestige" conversation. However, to dismiss its English dub as merely a functional translation would be a mistake. The High School DxD dub, produced by Funimation (now Crunchyroll), stands as a masterclass in adaptive localization: a script that doesn’t just translate Japanese dialogue, but reinterprets the humor, character, and tone for a Western audience without betraying the source material’s soul. The Script: From Earnest to Ironic The core difference between the Japanese original and the English dub lies in its comedic register. The original Japanese audio plays the show’s absurd premise—a lecherous high schooler who dies, is resurrected as a devil, and must build a harem to increase his power—with a surprising level of shonen earnestness. The jokes are there, but the tone often oscillates between action-drama and standard anime perversion.

The female cast follows suit. as Koneko delivers deadpan monotone lines that land harder in English due to precise comedic timing. Terri Doty as Akeno layers her sultry voice with a subtle hint of sadistic glee that feels more natural in English. But the true standout is Amber Lee Connors as Rias Gremory. Connors balances regal authority, genuine vulnerability, and a dry, mature wit that makes Rias feel less like a fantasy archetype and more like a believable (if supernatural) young woman.

Where the Japanese script might have Issei say, "I must protect my master," the English dub has him say, "Great. Another beautiful woman who wants to kill me. My life is a dating sim from hell." This change does not alter the plot, but it completely alters the experience . It validates the viewer’s intelligence by admitting the premise is silly, then invites them to enjoy the ride anyway. Is the High School DxD dub "better" than the sub? For a viewer seeking the original authorial intent, no. For a viewer seeking a genuinely funny, fast-paced, and self-aware action-comedy, the dub is arguably essential .