Gasper Vladi

Gasper Vladi is one of the male protagonists of High School DxD. He is a cross-dressing male Dhamphir, a half-Vampire half-human, who has the ability to stop time and Rias' first Bishop. Because his powers were uncontrollable prior to the series, he was sealed in the Academy by Rias and was not seen again until Volume 4 of the light novels. He is a second-year high school student at Kuoh Academy, alongside Koneko and Ravel.

Appearance
Gasper is an androgynous-looking male with platinum blond hair and pinkish-violet eyes. His hair is styled in short bob cut with several small fringes over his forehead, and he has pointed ears. Kiba describes him as looking like a beautiful girl.

Unlike the rest of the boys of Kuoh Academy who wear the boys' uniform, Gasper wears the Kuoh Academy girls' school uniform with thigh-high socks, creating a Zettai Ryōiki (Japanese for "absolute territory").

Personality
Originally a coward and a shut-in with a very shy personality, Gasper likes to wear female clothing, claiming that girls' clothes are cute. He also has a penchant for boxes, carrying one with him all the time. When Issei tried to give Gasper confidence, the former gave Gasper a paper bag to put over the latter's face. However, Issei comments that whenever Gasper puts the paper bag on, the latter looks like a molester.

As the series progresses, with Issei and the Gremory group's encouragement, Gasper begins to gain confidence and bravery. When necessary, Gasper has displayed the ability to force down his timid nature and speak up as a man. On more than one occasion, he has demonstrated extreme courage and loyalty, going so far as to be beaten to unconsciousness in defense of his weakened comrades.

Gasper Balor
While using Forbidden Invade Balor the Beast, Gasper adopts a very different personality. Due to the influence of Balor's personality, this being is both Gasper yet not him, and both Balor yet not Balor. In this form, Gasper is decidedly more aggressive to go with his powers, having darkness devour his opponents either with indifference or pure malice, however, he admits he would never hurt his friends and is still himself to the point he recognizes them as such. He still respectfully calls Issei his senpai and would flat out destroy his enemies if they harm his comrades, such as Issei or Valerie. Gasper's own poor feelings towards the Pure-Blooded Vampires also shines through, with him daring them to show their power against him before proving himself vastly superior to them and eating them.

History
Gasper was born between the Vampire Lord Vladi and a human mother; the latter of whom died shortly after giving birth to Gasper, who was born as a mass of darkness which accidentally cursed his mother and several servants to death. Between the incredible fear of Gasper's true form from the higher ups, his uncontrollable Sacred Gear the Forbidden Balor View, and people's general prejudice towards the half-breed, Gasper grew up in isolation and abuse.

He would meet Valerie Tepes and they would often play together; Valerie forcing Gasper to dress up as a girl which would lead to his cross-dressing habit. One day, Gasper worked up the courage to try to escape from the castle with Valerie's help and was shortly thereafter killed by Vampire hunters. Rias Gremory, who was in the area at the time, came upon the boy by chance and taking pity on him reincarnated him as one of her servants using her Bishop Mutation Piece.

When Rias moved to Japan and took her servants with her, she was forced to keep Gasper inside of a sealed room in the Occult Research Club's first floor to contain his power. While Gasper was given the choice to be able to leave at night, due to the circumstances of his past he had developed severe agoraphobia so he chose to remain sealed permanently.

The Red Dragon Emperor's Awakening
Gasper was briefly mentioned in Volume 1 by Rias who claims that he is in a different place, following a different order.

Birth of the Breast Dragon Emperor
Gasper first appears in Volume 4, after Rias was given permission to unseal him (much to his dismay). He then trains with Issei, Xenovia, and Koneko on how to control his Sacred Gear and with Azazel's advice and Saji's help, improve considerably. During the attack by Khaos Brigade on the leaders of the Three Factions, Gasper was captured and used against his will before being saved by Issei and Rias with Issei using his blood to allow Gasper to control his power as the two of them overpower the female Magicians.

In Volume 5 he accompanies Rias back in the Underworld for the Young Devils Gathering. During the Rating Game between Rias and Sona Sitri, Gasper was the first to be defeated after the Sitri Group, tricked Gasper (who was doing reconnaissance by turning into several bats) into gathering all of his bats together in one place, then used garlic on him.

In Volume 6, during Rias and Diodora's scheduled Rating Game, the match was interfered by the sudden appearance of the Khaos Brigade and the revelation of Diodora's alliance, the Gremory group facing Diodora's peerage along the way. He supported Issei and Koneko while they fight against Diodora's pawns who are promoted to Queen. He was last seen, with the other members, cheering Issei and Asia on their three-legged race.

The Heroic Oppai Dragon
In Volume 10, Gasper and Xenovia faced off against Misteeta Sabnock and Ladora Buné during the Rating Game between their masters. When Xenovia's ability to hold Durandal was sealed, Gasper sacrificed himself to buy time and allow the curse to deactivate so Xenovia can defeat them. He and the rest of the Occult Research Club members were later seen peeping at Issei who confessed his love to Rias, congratulating Issei who successfully became Rias' boyfriend.

In Volume 11, Gasper goes to the Grigori headquarters to increase his powers.

He returns in Volume 12, disappointed that he gained nothing until he heard about Issei's death from Georg, causing Gasper to undergo a change where he can create an enormous amount of darkness that devours everything (even the mist created by Dimension Lost), which allowed him to defeat the latter.

The Legend of Oppai Dragon and his Lively Companions
In Volume 14, Gasper receives an order from the Vampire faction to return back home during the negotiation between the Carmilla Faction and the Three Great Powers. Gasper was also shocked to learn that his childhood friend, Valerie Tepes, is now a Longinus possessor. He was later kidnapped by the Khaos Brigade and a group of Stray Magicians after they used a fellow first-year student as a hostage.

In Volume 16, Gasper returns to his birthplace to meet up with Rias and Yuuto who were confined in the Tepes Castle. He was then reunited with his childhood friend, Valerie, who became the new "King" of the Tepes Clan, but was greatly saddened to see her mentally broken due to overusing the Longinus, Sephiroth Graal, caused by Marius Tepes. After a tea party with Valerie, Marius appeared and agreed to Gasper's request to "free" Valerie. Gasper later learned the truth to Marius' true purpose and becomes determined to save Valerie. Upon reaching the lowest level of the basement, Gasper was shocked and despaired to see Marius having extracted the Longinus from Valerie as he shares one last conversation before Valerie's "death". Angered and disgusted by Marius and the Vampires that made use of Valerie, Gasper's hidden power awakens as he killed Marius and the Vampires that supported him. When the mass-produced Evil Dragons start attacking, Gasper used his darkness to cover the entire town, devouring the mass-produced Evil Dragons before going to assist Issei who was fighting Euclid Lucifuge. Gasper then attempted to attack Rizevim who gives out a retreat order but to no avail due to Rizevim's ability. After Rizevim and his team left, Gasper carried Valerie with him and had one last conversation with his father. After their return from Romania, Gasper participated in the meeting formation of D×D.

In Volume 17, Gasper and the Occult Research Club went to the Underworld and participated in the experience day for the school Sona Sitri built located at Auros in the Agares territory. While doing the respective activities assigned to them, Qlippoth managed to surround both Auros and Agreas inside a barrier and announced their intent to attack after a certain period of time. Before the time was up, they reconfirmed their plan and Gasper ended up pairing with Sona Sitri, creating numerous beasts of darkness and sending them to wherever Sona commands.

In Volume 18, Gasper and the other Club members went to Heaven to discuss with Michael about the Christmas project that the alliance is working on. At the end of the meeting, Michael informed them about the deaths of Church officials and the presence of Evil Dragons found at the attacks. Later, Gasper assisted in protecting Heaven from Qlippoth attack, using his monstrous form to fight against a group of Grendel clones alongside Akeno, Yuuto, and Rossweisse.

In the Extra Life of DX.1, Gasper participated in his master's rating Game rematch against Riser Phenex. He teams up with Rosswiese and takes down three of Riser's Pawns, they wait at the replica of the main school building where they meet Issei and Asia being escorted by Mihae to her master, as Issei and Asia head to the roof, Gasper and Rosswiese face off against Mihae which the pair manage to win. The victory goes to the Gremory Team as Issei was able to defeat Riser.

In Volume 19, along with other members of D×D, Gasper took part in the battle against Church rebellions led by Vasco Strada and Ewald Cristaldi. He was part of the team that would battle against Vasco, they all had difficulty beating him until Xenovia was able to beat him with Durandal and Excalibur. They are ambushed by Walburga and Evil Dragons, however, they gain the upper hand when her Dragon army are immobilized by Rosswiese, they began their attack against Walburga who activated her Balance Breaker that contained half the soul of Yamata no Orochi, in the end, she was defeated and arrested. Before Vasco was also arrested, he gives them a piece of Sephiroth Graal that Rizevim stole, the piece was later formed into a necklace and place around Valerie's neck, Gasper is then relieved to see her awake from her coma. Gasper and his friends later heard the news about Ravel went missing during her brother and Diehauser's Rating Game.

In Volume 20, days after Ravel and Riser's disappearance since their Rating Game, Gasper along with Koneko worries about the disappearance of their friend till they receive news of Ravel's safety from Ajuka who is protecting them. Gasper then travels with Rias and his friends to Ajuka's place in order to retrieve Ravel. Over there, Gasper and his allies and told about Ajuka's secret creation; the King Pieces as well as the corruption engulfing the Rating Games. When Issei's parents are kidnapped, D×D infiltrated Qlippoth's hideout on the stolen city Agreas to save them, Gasper uses his Balor form when the Gremory Team battle against the Evil Dragon who took Issie's family; Niðhöggr. All their attacks prove to be ineffective as the Dragon was equipped with several Phoenix Tears vials until Crom Cruach comes in and starts mercilessly beating Niðhöggr.

In Volume 21, A week after Trihexa was unleashed upon the world, Gasper and his friends assembled with an army of variant races on an island in the coastal waters of Japan awaiting the arrival of Qlippoths army. During the battle, Gasper goes into beast form carrying Valerie whilst protecting her from any Evil Dragons approaching. After Apophis had moved away from Trihexa, Gasper and Valerie head towards above the beasts head to retrieve the Holy Grail to prevent them from resurrecting any more Evil Dragons.

Powers & Abilities
Dhamphir Physiology: Being a Dhamphir as well as one with rare Vampire abilities, Gasper has the ability to control bats, and transform into a flock of them, usually using them for reconnaissance. Being born half human, Gasper is immune to the general Vampire weaknesses but still feels some discomfort from it.
 * Daywalker: Due to being Dhamphir, Gasper is also a Daywalker, allowing him to survive contact with sunlight.
 * Blood Consumption: Gasper can absorb other people's powers by drinking their blood, as shown when he drank Issei's blood in Volume 4, gaining Issei's Dragon power to boost his own.
 * Darkness Manipulation: He can also manipulate shadows and darkness, though at present seems unable to wield this with complete control. This changed during Volume 24, as he could extend his shadow and freely control it. It is shown that Gasper can change the forms of his shadow into tentacles that can bind his opponents like almost seemed alive.

Magic Talent: Befitting of his status as a Bishop, Gasper is shown to have skills and knowledge in magic, excelling in human magic used by Magicians. Gasper can deactivate seal curse from Xenovia to use Durandal and he can also use defence spell.

Master Hand-to-hand Combatant: Gasper was originally unskilled in fighting until after gaining Forbidden Invade Balor the Beast Form Gasper started Hand to Hand combat training. The fighting style is heavily influenced by Issei such as charging into battle and fighting head on. However, unlike Issei, Gasper can grab or entrap his opponents with his darkness before attacking. Gasper can also Combined with his partial Balor transformation on his right arm to further increase the power of his physical attacks.

Equipment
Forbidden Balor View : Gasper's Sacred Gear has the ability to stop the time of those he sees but is unable to control it. After drinking Issei's blood, Gasper's control over his vampire powers increases and allows him to use his Sacred Gears power through the eyes of the bats. Sacred Gear Scanner: A scanner that can tell the type, abilities, and weakness of a Sacred Gear. Azazel gives one to Gasper prior to the Hero Faction's small-scale assaults.
 * Forbidden Invade Balor the Beast : First used in Volume 12, it creates an enormous amount of darkness that can engulf a whole town which devours everything (including the mist created by Georg's Dimension Lost). While this large area of darkness is active, Gasper can generate twisted monsters to attack opponents, as well as multiple eyes through which he can use Forbidden Balor View, freezing multiple targets at the same time. The Forbidden Invade Balor the Beast is considered to be a Balance Breaker yet different from a Balance Breaker at the same time and has the potential to make the Forbidden Balor View become the 14th Longinus-grade Sacred Gear. In this form, Gasper's body gets covered by the darkness and takes the form of a five meter tall monster with a Dragon head, arms with claws and wings growing from the back. It is revealed that the evil Irish God, Balor has part of his consciousness residing in the Sacred Gear. In Volume 24 Gasper’s can do partial Balor transformation on his right arm into Balor that can send Grim Reapers flying.

Quotes

 * 《All of you should be killed. I’ll even devour your souls.》 (Volume 16)
 * I WILL KILL YOU…….! I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU TILL NONE OF YOU ARE LEFT…….! (Volume 12 Life -1)

Trivia

 * Gasper's height is 150 cm. (4 feet 11 inches) and his weight is 40 kg. (88 lbs.), according to the visual book with his data; this makes him the shortest male character in the series to date.
 * Gasper's family name is a reference to Vlad Tepes, the real-life inspiration for Dracula.
 * When Gasper was hit by Azazel's Gender-Swap Raygun, his appearance remained the same; he simply lost "something important."
 * Gasper has the most success with making contracts out of any of Rias' Peerage by using his computer.
 * Gasper plays the character "Danball Vampire God" (ダンボールヴァンパイア神 Danbōru Vanpaia-gami) in Oppai Dragon.
 * Gasper's status as a Hikikomori, or a recluse, seems to stem from severe agoraphobia, most likely due to the constant neglect from his family.
 * His surname, Vladi, was mistranslated as "Bloody" in the Funimation dub.
 * Gasper's name is written as "Gaspard" in the English translation of the manga.
 * Gasper's birthday is on March 14;  also known in Japan as White Day.
 * Gasper is British slang for "a cigarette" and refers to his natural ability to create and manipulate fog, as fog is like smoke.
 * Since Gasper comes from Romania, his nationality is Romanian.
 * Koneko calls him "Gaspy" in the dub.
 * Gasper is good with computers.
 * Gasper likes to make anime and game review videos on DeviTube under a pseudonym. He also does the editing for Koneko's videos.