Akeno Himejima

Lore & Background

Akeno Himejima is the daughter of Baraqiel, a legendary Fallen Angel, and a human shrine maiden. She was born half-Fallen Angel and half-human, but later became a devil as a member of Rias Gremory's peerage. Her powers are rooted in the manipulation of lightning, a signature ability passed down through her bloodline from her father. Unlike typical Fallen Angels who rely on wings for flight or combat, Akeno channels divine electricity with precision and overwhelming force.

Her transformation into a devil did not strip her of these abilities; instead, it refined them, allowing her to combine the destructive nature of lightning with the magical resilience of a high-ranking devil. In Volume 5 of the light novels, author Ichiei Ishibumi writes that he likes to pair Rias and Akeno as the big sister duo. When Rias' English voice actress Jamie Marchi was writing the dub script, she noted that Rias was calm and stern, a character she isn't used to playing, and she also liked giving the side characters more personality.

Reader's Guide

Akeno Himejima serves as the Queen of Rias Gremory's peerage and acts as a mentor to Issei Hyoudou. Initially introduced as a mysterious senior with a dual personality—polite on the surface, sadistic underneath—her arc focuses on overcoming her traumatic past as a half-Fallen Angel. She joins the Devil faction not out of ambition, but to escape the persecution she faced for her lineage and to protect those she loves. Her primary combat ability involves summoning and controlling lightning, ranging from precise strikes to massive area-of-effect attacks. As a Queen, she possesses high magical reserves and defensive capabilities. Her defining moments include her fierce battles against enemies of the Gremory peerage and her eventual acceptance as a true member of the Gremory family.