"IS": What is the appeal of this masterpiece anime that depicts the battles and growth of captivating beautiful fighting girls?

The appeal and evaluation of IS - Infinite Stratos

Introduction

The TV anime series "IS - Infinite Stratos" aired in 2011 and is based on a light novel by Izuru Yumizuru. The story revolves around the flying powered suit "IS (Infinite Stratos)" that can only be operated by women, and begins with the protagonist Ichika Orimura being forced to enroll in an all-girls school, "IS Academy." It has captivated many fans as a high-speed school battle romantic comedy featuring mecha and beautiful girls. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the appeal and reviews of "IS - Infinite Stratos," as well as introduce its background and related information.

Story and setting

"IS - Infinite Stratos" is set in a world where, since the development and release of IS, society has become female-dominated. IS can only be operated by women, and the school for training IS pilots, "IS Academy," is an all-girls school attended by female candidates from all over the world. However, the main character, Ichika Orimura, is able to activate IS despite being a boy, and is forced to enroll in IS Academy.

Ichika meets a diverse group of girls from around the world, including his childhood friend, the kendo girl Shinonono Houki, and engages in action battles and romance with them. The story unfolds as various elements intertwine, including sudden enemies, the mysteries hidden within IS, and the fate of the love affairs of the girls surrounding Ichika.

character

The appeal of "IS - Infinite Stratos -" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Ichika Orimura

Voice actor: Kouki Uchiyama

He is the only boy in the world who can use IS. Although he has an easy-going personality, he also has a passionate side and sticks to his beliefs. He is incredibly popular with girls, but he is surprisingly naive and eccentric when it comes to love. Ichika's character is at the center of the story and grows through his relationships with various girls.

Shinonono Houki

Voice actor: Youko Hikasa

She is Ichika's first childhood friend, whom she meets again after six years. She has a long ponytail, aspires to be a swordsman, and is a stubborn character who cannot be honest with Ichika at all. Houki's character grows through her relationship with Ichika, adding depth to the story.

Cecilia Alcott

Voice actor: Yukana

A candidate for the British national team, she is a young lady born into a distinguished family. She is very proud, and takes great pride in both her appearance and her abilities. Cecilia's character develops through her relationship with Ichika, adding a touch of glamour to the story.

Huang Lingyin

Voice actor: Asami Shimoda

She is a candidate for the Chinese national team and Ichika's second childhood friend. Contrary to her cute appearance with twin tails, she has a fiery temper. Suzune's character grows through her relationship with Ichika, adding spice to the story.

Charles Dunois

Voice actor: Kana Hanazawa

He is a candidate for the French national team and the second male IS pilot after Ichika. He acts like a kind-hearted gentleman, but his true identity is actually a girl. Charles' character grows through his relationship with Ichika, adding a surprising element to the story.

Laura Bodewig

Voice actor: Marina Inoue

Laura is a German national team candidate, and was raised as a fighting tool. She was trained by Chifuyu when she was in the German army, and she respects him deeply. However, she hates Ichika, who receives Chifuyu's concern. Laura's character develops through her relationship with Ichika, adding tension to the story.

Chifuyu Orimura

Voice actor: Megumi Toyoguchi

She is Ichika's older sister and homeroom teacher. She was a former representative of Japan among first-generation IS pilots, and has an undefeated record in official matches. In addition to her strength, she is also beautiful, and many girls look up to her. Chifuyu's character grows through her relationship with Ichika, giving the story a sense of stability.

Maya Yamada

Voice actor: Noriko Shimoya

She is the assistant teacher in Ichika's class. She looks almost the same as the other students and acts at her own pace, but she is a kind woman who always tries her best. Maya's character grows through her relationship with Ichika, adding warmth to the story.

Production Staff

The production staff for "IS - Infinite Stratos -" are as follows:

original work

Yumizuru Izuru (MF Bunko J / Media Factory)

Original illustration

Okiura

director

Yasuhito Kikuchi

Series composition, scriptwriting

Fumihiko Shimo

Screenplay

Atsuhiro Tomioka and Chinatsu Hojo

Character Design

Takeyasu Kurashima

Chief animation director

Takeyasu Kurashima

Mechanic Design

Takeshi Takakura

CGI animation director

Eiji Inomoto

Art Director

Shunichiro Yoshihara (Biho)

Art setting

Yoshinori Shiozawa (Biho)

Color design

Kumiko Nakayama

Director of Photography

Kazuya Arahata

edit

Yoshiko Kimura

Sound Director

Masafumi Mima and Satoshi Nakajima

Sound Production

Techno Sound

music

Nanase Hikaru

Music Production

Lantis

Animation Production

Eight Bit

Broadcast information

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" was broadcast from January 6th to March 31st, 2011. It was broadcast on TBS, Chubu Nippon Broadcasting, Sun TV, KBS Kyoto, BS-TBS, TBS Channel, and TBS Channel 2. Each episode is 30 minutes long and consists of 12 episodes in total.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: "All my classmates are girls" (2011/01/06)
• Episode 2: "Class Representative Tournament!" (2011/01/13)
• Episode 3: "The Transfer Student is My Second Childhood Friend" (2011/01/20)
• Episode 4: "Final Battle! Class Competition" (2011/01/27)
• Episode 5: "Boy Meets Boy" (2011/02/03)
• Episode 6: "My Roommate is a Blonde Prince" (2011/02/10)
• Episode 7: "Blue Days/Red Switch" (2011/02/17)
• Episode 8: "Find Out My Mind" (2011/02/24)
• Episode 9: "Ocean's Eleven" (2011/03/03)
• Episode 10: "The Thin Red Line" (March 10, 2011)
• Episode 11: "Get Ready" (2011/03/24)
• Episode 12: "Your Name Is" (2011/03/31)

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for "IS - Infinite Stratos -" are as follows.

Opening Theme

Period: Episodes 1 to 12

Song title: STRAIGHT JET

Vocals: Minami Kuribayashi

Ending Theme

Period: Episodes 1 to 12

Song title: SUPER∞STREAM

Sung by: Shinonono Houki (voiced by Yoko Hikasa), Cecilia Alcott (voiced by Yukana), Huang Lingyin (voiced by Asami Shimoda), Charles Dunois (voiced by Kana Hanazawa), Laura Bodewig (voiced by Marina Inoue)

Evaluation and Appeal

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" has captivated many fans as a high-speed school battle love comedy of mecha and beautiful girls. Below we will explain its evaluation and appeal in detail.

Mecha design and action

The IS mecha designs were created by Takeshi Takakura and are characterized by their stylish yet functional designs. The IS battle scenes are created by CGI animation director Eiji Inomoto, who brings realistic and powerful action to the action scenes. The battle scenes between ISs are particularly visually enjoyable.

Character Appeal

The characters in "IS - Infinite Stratos -" are unique and charming. The story revolves around the main character Ichika and his relationships with various girls, and their growth and love affairs add depth to the story. In particular, characters such as Houki, Cecilia, Suzune, Charles, and Laura each have their own unique backgrounds and personalities, and it is fascinating to see them grow through their relationships with Ichika.

Story Development

The story of "IS - Infinite Stratos" unfolds as a mix of everyday life at IS Academy, battle scenes, and the love affairs of the girls surrounding Ichika. Various elements, such as sudden enemies and the mysteries hidden within IS, intertwine to draw viewers in, making for an appealing story development. Ichika's growth and the changes in his relationships with the girls also add depth to the story.

Music and theme song

The music for "IS - Infinite Stratos" was composed by Nanase Hikaru, and is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the opening theme "STRAIGHT JET" and the ending theme "SUPER∞STREAM" are masterpieces that remain in the hearts of viewers. The opening theme is impressive with the powerful singing voice of Kuribayashi Minami, and the ending theme can be enjoyed as a unit song by the main characters.

Related information

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" is not only a TV anime series, but has also been developed in various media, including the original light novel, comic book adaptations, and games. Below is some related information.

Original light novel

The original work of "IS - Infinite Stratos -" is a light novel by Izuru Yumizuru, published by MF Bunko J (Media Factory). The original work is completed in 12 volumes, and includes episodes not depicted in the TV anime series and detailed backgrounds of characters.

Comical adaptation

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" has also been adapted into a comic book, with works by several manga artists. Particularly popular are "IS - Infinite Stratos -", ​​which faithfully follows the story of the original, and "IS - Infinite Stratos - Advanced", which has an original story.

game

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" has also been made into a game, with games available for PSP, PS3, and PS Vita. In particular, "IS - Infinite Stratos - 2 IGNITION HEARTS" is a sequel to the TV anime series, and has been highly praised by fans. "IS - Infinite Stratos - VERDANT SWORD" is an original story that introduces new characters and allows players to enjoy the story.

Recommendations and Summary

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" is a high-speed school battle love comedy of mecha and beautiful girls that has captivated many fans. Its appeal lies in its unique characters, stylish mecha designs, powerful action scenes, and a storyline that draws viewers in. In addition, the music and theme songs are also important elements that add excitement to the story.

"IS - Infinite Stratos -" has been developed in various media, including the original light novel, comic book adaptations, and games, and is a must-see for fans. This is a work that we especially recommend to those who like mecha action and beautiful girl characters. Be sure to check out "IS - Infinite Stratos -", ​​which is full of elements that will entertain the viewer.