Story (6.31/10): The story of infinite stratos is about the school life of a boy named Orimura Ichika, who is able to polite something known as an IS, or Infinite Stratos. The catch to this, is due to the fact that only women are able to pilot these things, so, a boy being able to polite one is a pretty big deal. It is then that we peer into his life as we see him surrounded by the hundreds and hundreds of girls that exist within the facility where they train IS pilots.
Now, before we get into the nitty gritty I will give an explanation for what an IS is in case you haven't read or seen the series before. An IS is essentially a tiny gundam, with the ability to fly and shoot stuff, or perhaps even wield a sword or two. It's sort of like a mech that only armors the arms, legs, and partially the body and head, while having two giant floating whatever they are, on either side of the pilot. This idea in and of itself is somewhat flawed, I feel. The reason is due to the fact that the IS's use, is somewhat muddled. On one hand, the series says that they're used for recreational purposes and for "sport", yet, the series shows us these machines as real genuine weapons, as intended by their primary use. It's really confusing to think about when the idea is muddled with the actual plot.
Aside from the obvious idiotic initial idea of a guy being placed in a world of girls, a flaw that Infinite Stratos seemed to have, was a lack of a direct plot line or idea. Every few episodes, the idea of the show changes into something that is completely different than the rest of the show. I never felt like the show had a really cohesive plot line, rather than being stuck together through production means.
On the other hand, the pacing was rather decent in terms of the fact that the series never seemed to rush as much as I have seen before.
Overall, IS had quite a bit of problems in terms of is storyline, but everything did actually come together rather well in terms of what the creators were going for. Sure, it wasn't the best, but it was somewhat decent to watch.
Overview
+ Watchable
+ Decent pacing
- mashed different plot points together somewhat uncohesively
- confusing mech usage
Characters (5.95/10): Orimura Ichika. Just...wow. Whenever a harem series comes into existence, the one thing, the ONE THING that is made every time they make a main character, is to make him more oblivious than the oblivious ability in pokemon. Ichika follows this general time stream of having this same trait, but exponentially increased. He possesses the general traits of a "non-perverted" harem lead by being the nice guy, being kind to girls, the whole enchilada. With that, he has the most obvious trait of being the most oblivious guy ever, and it...is...frustrating...to...watch. This trait made the some scenes somewhat unbearable to watch, especially due to the fact that the girls of this series give completely obvious signs that they like/love him.
What I find interesting, is that fact that literally, just by looking at the girls' hair, you can probably tell what their personality is. Moving on to the girls, since they're for the most part, one-noters that only add to the fact that this is a harem series, most of them seem kind of forced. At least 2 or 3 out of the entire harem seem somewhat forced in terms of liking the guy. There was never any real sort of progression with some of the girls actually falling in love with him, and it somehow felt unnatural. (Then again, a harem in and of itself is unnatural.) Aside from having a huge crush on the main guy, Ichika, they all really feel like cardboard cutouts with a certain distinguishable trait, all except our main female Houki, of course because, main character status.
For supporting cast, we have a load of characters that range in terms of screentime. We have some that add to the plot and show overall very well, really, playing more of a part than most of the harem girls in the series, while others are just there for reasons unknown.
Overall, the cast, except for a few choice members of the supporting cast, was quite bland in comparison. Most of them were quite overused troupes and traits from series past, and there wasn't anything completely out of the ordinary or special. (I do like Honne Nohotoke though. She's an exception.)
Overview
+ Decent supporting cast members
- Densest...guy....ever....
- Bland and unoriginal harem girls
Art and Sound (7.64/10 and 7.22/10): While the series has some flaws with its storyline and idea, the artwork has a decent thing going for it. Created by Sentai Filmworks, the series has a thing for fight scenes with the mechs, which look surprisingly fluid and well...awesome. The use of 3-D models in the series fits well with the flow of battle that the series uses, and the actual designs are nothing to shy away at either.
To be frank, the art is a good thing to have come out of this series in general.
On the topic of its soundtrack, IS has the problem that a great number of anime series have, and that is unmemorable tracks. While the majority of the soundtrack did sound good enough to listen to it, with the OP actually fitting for the series it was in, it wasn't so good that you would remember it for days to come. To put it frank, the sound was good, don't get me wrong, but there wasn't any track that stood out as something that I would like to listen to over and over again.
Overview
+ Decently good art
+ Good mech designs
+/- Good soundtrack, not memorable
Personal Enjoyment (6.82/10): As a personal fan of the harem genre, one thing that I always like trying to find, is a series where the idea of a harem goes beyond the general one guy surrounded by 5 girls, by giving the story and characters, some substance. Essentially, what this series does differently than the normal template of a harem series. Infinite Stratos didn't really succeed in that department.
For me, nothing stood out as extraordinarily different or even remotely apart from the general formula of a harem series. Apart from that, the obliviousness that Ichika has is positively ridiculous. So ridiculous in fact, that I had an aneurysm after raging at my paused screen by the obvious hints (that weren't even hints), that this guy was given.
While I won't lie that I enjoyed this series nonetheless on account of it being a harem, (I have low standards), IS doesn't really push itself apart from the norm of a harem series, is for the most part, was pretty standard in terms of plot. The series isn't fabulous, but it was at least watchable to some extent. Though personally, this wouldn't be the first choice for rewatching a harem series.
Overall Score: 6.46/10
