Irina Shidou

**Irina Shidou** (, *Shidō Irina*) is one of the many female protagonists of *High School DxD* and the childhood friend of Issei Hyoudou and Satoru Mugen.

Irina is a third-year high school student at Kuoh Academy in Class 3-B and is a devout Christian who, even after learning of God's death, still follows his teachings. She is later reincarnated as an Angel by the Archangel Michael, through one of the Brave Saints, her ranking among his peerage being "Ace Of Spades". She is also one of Issei's fiancées.

## **Appearance**

Irina is a beautiful young woman with violet eyes. She has long chestnut hair that is usually tied into twintails, each held with a blue scrunchy, but on some occasions, she lets her hair down. Her body measurements are B87-W59-H89 cm [B34-W23-H35 in]; height is 164 cm (5 feet 4 inches) and body weight is 56 kg.

She wears the standard Church battle attire, same as Xenovia's with some slight differences. After transferring to Kuoh Academy and moving into the Hyoudou Residence, she starts wearing the Kuoh Academy girls' school uniform, with black short shorts under her skirt and the addition of white sneakers with blue accents.

Following her Angelization by Michael, she wears a red "A" printed on her right hand, symbolizing her position as Michael's Ace. Irina also gained white Angel wings and a halo, as of Volume 17, she has a total of 4 wings.

## **Personality**

Irina is a cheerful, carefree, upbeat, and enthusiastic person. She is also shown to be cooperative and open-minded to others as she is seen with Arthur Pendragon discussing Excalibur Ruler, although he stated that the location is secret.

She is a devout Christian, showing great respect for God's teachings. During her first appearance, she was very harsh towards those whom she perceived as an opposition to her religion. This was demonstrated by how she and Xenovia treated Asia Argento when they first met, as well as her reaction to Xenovia becoming a Devil. The death of God of the Bible was a great shock for Irina, yet she still believes in his teachings and transferred her belief to Michael who is the current "God". Irina later became close friends with Asia and the rest of the Occult Research Club members, even joining the ORC herself.

She began experiencing "impure thoughts" around Issei; her Angel wings start to flicker from white to black indicating that she is about to "fall" from her status as a true Angel to a Fallen Angel if she gives in to her desires. She is shown to be very sensitive to and annoyed about being called "self-proclaiming". After kissing Issei, she becomes bolder in her relationship with him, as she becomes slightly less concerned about "falling" in order to show her love for him. This has also caused her to become perverted herself, as she has no qualms by being with Issei, even desiring to have sex with him.

## **History**

Her family lineage is related to the church, implied to be the Protestant Church, and possessing a currently unidentified Holy Sword.[1] She is Issei's childhood friend, who was under the impression that she was a boy, due to appearing quite tomboyish, they were close friends who used to play together. At some point, she kissed him while he was sleeping at her house. She later left Japan and went to England with her family, due to her father's job, where she trained to become an exorcist.

Three years prior at age 14, Irina was granted the ability to wield Holy Swords via a Light Container and was given Excalibur Mimic, thus following in her fathers footsteps. Soon after, she was eventually partnered with Xenovia, where they undertook a mission to slay the stray Vampire from the House of Manthar.

At some point in time, she crossed blades with a knight from Riser Phenex's Peerage named Karlamine.

## **Powers & Abilities**

**Light Power:** As an Angel, Irina has the ability to use light powers to create various effects.

* **Light-Based Weapons:** As an Angel, Irina is able to create light-based weapons such as light swords. In the anime, she has shown to be able to use light halos that wrapped about her foes of remarkable power and size such as one of Fenrir's sons. In Volume DX.4, Irina created a move, which creates rings of light that homes in on her opponents and radiates light. In Volume 25, she made a whip of light that imitates Excalibur Mimic.

**Artificial Holy Sword Wielder:** After taking in the Light Container, Irina became an artificial Holy Sword user, being able to wield Excalibur Mimic and later Hauteclere.

**Enhanced Speed:** While she can't match up to the likes of Yuuto Kiba, Irina is still noticeably fast due to her training as an Exorcist as she dodged Jeanne's attacks with ease.

**Enhanced Luck:** Due to also receiving Ophis' blessing, Irina gained improved luck, gaining second place in a lottery.

**Master Swordswoman:** Like Xenovia, Irina is well versed in swordsmanship, specialized in tricky movements that makes use of her speed, being able to fight on par with Jeanne during their first encounter. By Volume 19, Irina's swordsmanship skills became great enough being able to keep up against Ewald Cristaldi wielding a replica of Excalibur.

**Skilled Magician:** In addition to her Light Weapons, Irina is also mentioned to be a skilled user of magic, specializing in Holy Magic. She is also learning new magic from Rossweisse.

* **Defensive Magic:** Irina is shown to be able to create defensive magic circles to shield herself in battle as well, as was shown in the battle with Loki.
* **Teleportation Magic:** Irina has shown the ability to use teleportation magic in order to transport herself and others.

**Flight:** Being an Angel, Irina can fly using her wings.

## **Equipment**

**Hauteclere** (*オートクレール, Ōtokurēru*)**:** Irina's current primary weapon, a holy sword given to her by her father, starting to be the most qualified to wield it. The sword has the ability of purification, even to those that are cut by it.

### Formerly

**Excalibur Mimic** (, *Eskukaribā Mimikku*): Irina's initial weapon (through artificial means). A Holy Sword that has the ability to transform itself into any shape as its wielder's desires. This sword was later given to Xenovia to be fused with Durandal.

**Holy Demonic Sword** (聖魔剣, *Seimaken*): A prototype Irina received from Heaven in Volume 12, based on Yuuto Kiba's Sword of Betrayer. She is able to use the swords ability to use different elemental attributes, ranging from fire, ice, and lightning.