Who Is Hestia?

Hestia is one of the main heroines of the light novel, manga, and anime series Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, also known as DanMachi. She is the head and resident deity of the series' titular Hestia Familia. Hestia is a goddess who descended from Heaven to the Lower World, where she formed her own Familia (a guild-like organization). The character is based on the Greek Goddess of the hearth, home, family, and sacred fire. In the series' lore, she is a "Virgin Goddess" and is one of the few deities capable of resisting the powerful charm of Freya, another significant goddess in the story.

Appearance

Hestia from DanMachi (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?) is a beautiful, short goddess known for her youthful appearance and distinctive outfit. She is often described as buxom, despite her petite frame. 

Hestia is quite short, standing at 140 cm (4'7"). She has long, black hair that she typically wears in twin-tails, which reach down to her mid-thighs. The twin-tails are held by hair accessories featuring blue and white petals with bell-shaped ornaments, a gift from Bell. She has gleaming blue eyes, and despite her short stature and youthful look, she has a curvaceous figure.

Hestia's iconic look consists of a simple white and blue ensemble. She wears a white mini-dress with a blue accent below her breasts and a light blue ribbon or strap is tied around her arms and under her breasts, becoming a popular feature with fans. She usually wears white evening gloves and is often depicted as barefoot when in her default outfit.

Personality

Hestia is widely known for her kindness; she doesn't discriminate against others and treats even those with perceived flaws (like Hephaestus's eye) with fairness. She accepted the monster Wiene into her home out of compassion and has a generally pacifist nature. She is full of energy and very expressive with her emotions. This passion translates into a surprising determination, as seen when she spent three days in a dogeza position (kneeling in apology/supplication) to convince Hephaestus to create a weapon for Bell.

While initially prone to laziness in Heaven, once in the Lower World and dedicated to her Familia (especially Bell), she works two jobs to pay off the debt for the Hestia Knife, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility. Hestia is deeply devoted to her Familia, especially Bell Cranel, for whom she develops strong romantic feelings. This devotion, however, often manifests as extreme jealousy and possessiveness of Bell's affections, viewing other girls like Ais Wallenstein as love rivals.

Hestia can be self-centered, sometimes making decisions without consulting her Familia members if it benefits her. Her romantic inexperience, despite being an ancient goddess, often makes her act like a "bratty" and immature child when jealous. In essence, Hestia is a largely kind and determined goddess who deeply cares for her chosen family, but her overwhelming and sometimes controlling obsession with Bell often highlights her significant character flaws and immaturity.

Background

Hestia is the Goddess of the Hearth, Home, and Family from Greco-Roman mythology, who descended to the Lower World (Orario) in the DanMachi universe to experience a more exciting life and form a Familia. Her backstory in the anime and light novel series centers on her initial struggles to establish herself and her eventual deep devotion to her first follower, Bell Cranel.

In the heavenly realm, Hestia was known for her reserved and peaceful nature, largely staying within her domain and reading. As one of the three virgin goddesses, she swore an oath of chastity, rejecting marriage proposals from powerful gods like Poseidon and Apollo, which elevated her status. Her main companions were Artemis (another virgin goddess) and Hephaestus, whom Hestia befriended when others mocked her appearance.

Hestia descended to the Lower World about six months before the start of the main story. Initially, she struggled with mortal life, relying heavily on her friend Hephaestus and essentially freeloading off her for three months until she was asked to leave. 

Hestia was given a room in an abandoned church to live on her own and tried repeatedly to recruit members for her own Familia, but was rejected by people due to her lack of influence and money. After 50 failed attempts, she despaired but then stumbled upon Bell Cranel, a young boy who had also been rejected by other Familias. Seeing how destitute he looked, she offered to take him in, marking the founding of her Familia.

The initial days with Bell marked a significant change for the goddess. Witnessing Bell's determination and desire to become an adventurer inspired her. When she saw him looking at weapons, she wanted to buy one for him but realized she couldn't afford it. Her resolve deepened after Bell, despite his own poverty, bought her the hair ties she always wears. This act of selflessness spurred Hestia to become more responsible, leading her to take on two part-time jobs (as a shop clerk and at food stalls) to support them both.

Hestia eventually used her newfound work ethic and a loan from Hephaestus to acquire a unique weapon for Bell: the Hestia Knife. This special weapon's abilities grow with the wielder's level and deepens her connection with Bell. Hestia is highly protective and deeply in love with Bell, though she can be very jealous of other girls around him. Her character arc primarily focuses on her efforts to protect Bell, help him grow, and manage her newfound responsibilities as a goddess with her own Familia.

Powers and Abilities

In the DanMachi universe, the gods seal most of their true power (Arcanum) upon descending to the Lower World as part of a covenant. As a result, Hestia's active abilities are limited. Her primary power revolves around the Protective Fire (or Eternal Torch), which is related to her domain as the Goddess of the Hearth and Home.

Primary Abilities in the Lower World

• Divine Perception: Hestia possesses a high level of perception that allows her to immediately discern certain anomalies or tell if mortals are lying.

• Immunity to Charms: As a Virgin Goddess, Hestia is naturally immune to charm-based abilities, such as Freya's powerful charm.

• Charm Purification (Dios Aedes Vesta): Hestia can use an "altar" (by mixing her blood with burning wood and establishing a central position) to project a massive-range purification flame that can rival and even undo the effects of charms on others.

• Falna Granting: Her most significant role is her divine ability to grant a Falna (status update) to adventurers, allowing them to level up and gain skills through accumulating excelia.

Potential (Sealed) Abilities

While mostly sealed, in the rare event of a God using their Arcanum, Hestia (or her Roman aspect, Vesta) has immense power related to her domain: 

• Protective Fire (Full Power): In the DanMachi mobile game Memoria Freese's "Aedes Vesta" event, she summons her full temple (Dios Aedes Vesta) which unleashes a purifying flame that can defend everything praying to her, essentially making them near-immortal to external threats.

• Pyrokinesis: In mythology, she has potent control over all fire, capable of creating flames that burn even Titans.

• Sanctuary Protection: Her influence could protect any mortal entering her temple from the wrath of other gods.

Goals and Reputation

After descending to the Lower World, Hestia struggled to recruit members. Her initial and central goal became establishing her own Familia with Bell as the first and, for a time, only member. As the Goddess of the Hearth and Home, she aims to provide a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for her Familia members, which later expands to include outcasts like the Xenos.

Hestia is deeply devoted to Bell. She actively works to help him grow and supports his aspirations to become a hero and grow stronger. Hestia also takes responsibility for her Familia's actions and well-being, working two jobs to pay off her debt rather than burdening her members. She has shown a deep protective streak, willing to put herself in danger for Bell and defending all those who seek refuge at her hearth.

Hestia was initially considered a "mostly harmless" and minor deity, largely ignored by most other gods in Orario and seen as a "bad investment" due to her lack of planning and members. She was known for freeloading off her friend Hephaestus before moving into an abandoned church.

Her reputation drastically changed as Bell Cranel became the "Record Holder" (fastest growing adventurer). The Hestia Familia's sudden rise from a one-person group to one of the most talked-about factions in Orario, especially after events like the War Game with Apollo Familia and the Great Faction War, brought them immense fame and attention.

While some older gods look down on her, others like Hephaestus are close friends, and major deities like Freya and Loki are forced to acknowledge her due to Bell's potential and her unwavering support for her Familia. Her earnest and kind disposition makes it difficult for other gods to stay angry with her. The public perception of her Familia is that of a powerful, albeit small, "elite" group, known for their remarkable achievements and their Goddess's notable debt.

Within the fanbase, Hestia has a mixed reputation: she is widely popular and critically well-received for her kind, supportive, and energetic personality, as well as her role in the series. However, some viewers find her possessive nature and actions regarding Bell Cranel to be annoying, leading to a polarization of opinions. She is also recognized for being a faithful and positive representation of the mythological goddess of the hearth.