Story-6
The basis of the story is this: IS stands for Infinite Stratos and is a mecha like suit that is employed for battle, and only women can operate it, except for Ichika Orimura. Now while this concept interested me, I quickly found out it was a harem manga, therefore eliminating most of my interest, as I have read and watched too many to be still entertained. The story is typical, it drags its feet at times but the battle scenes and small dilemmas kept me reading.
Art and Sound-8
Now I'm coming out with this right now, I am no expert when it comes to art design or sound quality. The art, I think, is quite beautiful, nothing completely amazing, but better than most. The sound also, particularly the voice acting, is great. Except if I had to take a shot for every time Cecilia and Charles broke accent, I wouldn't last 5 minutes.
Character-7
Ichika is a likable enough main character, he's straight forward, kind, and oblivious to the point of retardation (necessary for harem). Not really much else to say here other than a weird tendency to get misunderstood for liking his sister. The other characters are lackluster and quite typical: tsundere childhood friend, arrogant English woman, another tsundere childhood friend, and an awkward German lacking social skills. Now the only reason this did not plunge to a 2 is for one very cute French girl: Charlotte. She might as well have cut out my heart and ran away with it. I have never, ever, been so captivated with a character in all the manga and anime I have ever watched/read. I won't spoil anything, but some moments she and Ichika share are just too cute.
Enjoyment-9
I don't know why, (or maybe I do) but I have been engrossed with this anime. Sure the story and characters could use some work, but just some of the moments in the anime make it quite enjoyable to watch.
Overall-7
Mediocre story and characters (except for one), great art and sound, and overall quite enjoyable, I would recommend this to anyone who wants to just enjoy anime and this short series.
