If you are wanting a show where plot continues, and characters develop , you aren't going to get it with Infinite Stratos. The plot is very simple. There was a mecha suit designed by a "mad scientist", Tabane Shinonono, and only women could pilot it, men could not. Until, Ichika Orimura, gets the ability to pilot one, thus he is sent to an all girls academy. A few more characters are introduced in season two, but they don't really do much but mention plot. Sure, Ichika has a sister, another sister, somebody tries to kill him, do we get explanation to that at all? Nope. As you watch on you will see this as it goes, a bunch of story arcs get introduced, but then they just vanish. This is why things like FanFiction and doujshinshi come in. There are so many failed plotlines in this show that I'm sure fourty percent of the people watching I.S don't like it, and feel like its shit because of its story, then the other ten percent watch it just for echii, and the rest watch it because they like it. I've talked with so many people over on fanfiction, and what I get alot: I.S is great! I like to expand my own story upon it since it doesn't have such a big one to begin with! Do you see where I am going with the story? The very fact that its loathing in development, is all the more merrier for fans to expand upon it.
THE ART:7
I really do enjoy the art when it comes to the Infinite Stratos. For me, it kind of seems like a mix between Power Armor and Stormtrooper gear. I think the I.S looks cool, but thats my own opinion. As far as the animation goes, again, I love it. The fights are action packed, they deliver what you'd expect from 8bit studios.
THE SOUND(MUSIC): 10
I will say I love the music. The instrumentals for the moments of romance, to the music and openings, you won't be disappointed. In fact, I highly recommend you head over to a place like Sound Cloud and listen to one of the piano tracks, or opening theme. It reminds me of Angel Beats.
CHARACTERS: 6
Going back to what I said about the story, the characters, they aren't as cliché as you may think, but some progress a lot more then others, but they shouldn't considering others get introduced earlier, and it basically just goes all over the place. One of the main characters or heroine, Houki, basically changed herself completely through another season! Overall, the characters are enjoyable, but I don't see becoming attached to one, unlike lots of others. The characters are where comedy comes in, heavy-set.
ENJOYMENT: 9
I really enjoyed this anime. It had great music, opening soundtracks I downloaded as many of my friends did, and the characters were laughable and it had all the...Echhi too. If you enjoy a series of plots that don't lead anywhere, but you like to create and expand your own, you will enjoy this even more then just the romantic comedy.
OVERALL: 9
I like this anime. It has a great setting, but it leads to so many different places, but then it stops. Thats the biggest problem! Considering FanFiction.net and Archive of Our Own still seek to keep the fanbase for this work alive, the more serious works there are way better when it comes to story. I highly suggest giving this show a watch, but as I mentioned above if you are looking to get into an anime as to where you LOVE the characters, sort of like watching Clannad, or Akame Ga Kill(two series in which the fans are intended to get emotionally attached), I don't suggest you watch it. This anime is great when you want to wind down, and watch a funny, romantic comedy. Or if you want to expand your own ideas, this show certainly has the setting to start you off.
