IS: Infinite Stratos (OVA Released on 07 Dec 2011)

They are probaly banned in warfare but i wouldnt be suprised if some countries actullay had units of IS on standby or atleast is training them.

Something im wondering about though is what kind of sports they are used for as the teacher mentioned in the anime. Is it duels, normal sports or both? I will also like to include that they were fighting at the start of episode 1 against some white IS so research for IS use in warfare is probaly still going on but i wonder if its shady or not.

1:

The graphics are as expected: fairly average. Nothing spectacular to see here. The characters are generic, and it's shaping up like any other harems. However, the concept of the IS is still unique and a fresh idea, and I will look forward to the upcoming duel.

Certainly, you've encountered the whole "It's not original therefore it's not good" complaint before. Just let it roll off you.

Episode 1:

Who is shaping to be my favorite girl in spite of that, I hope there is more of her haha.

Overall I am liking the show, I really did wanna see that duel by the end of the episode and was upset at the fact that I have to wait a week to see it, but I can wait. I like all the characters so far, though sadly that means things can only go worse from here on out, but I'll try not think like that.

lol I would say that if i was a mech person but im not. But so far it's keeping my interest.

I don't think he's wimpy considering how he actually tries to fight Houki, is pretty awesome during the first 3 minutes of eyecatch, and stand up to the Britannian Tsundere.

He's actually not wimpy, it's just that he's probably intimidated in some situations.

Like in the in the final scene, where he asked if she wanted a Handicap, everybody laughs at him. that's intimidation there.

You're the only guy in All the Academy Student Body...some people get's intimidated with those facts.

I didn't see him as a wimp actually. Being the only dude in a pretty much all girls school would make the minority in this case him uncomfortable. To add to the handicap part at the end of the ep, in the beginning when he introduced himself, you can see that all the girls in the class were expecting something grand.

I have to agree that he's not a wimp. How would you feel if you were the only guy/girl in an academy where everyone else is the opposite gender?

Anyways, I'm liking this so far. The quality and art is really nice, the idea of IS and the fact that the main character is the only guy in the school interest me.

I will withhold my judgment for now.

The first episode seemed solid enough, but not particularly inspiring.

Kinda Strike Witches with mechs instead of airplanes, with Armored Core-style Arena sport instead of war (yet) and male hero.

Speaking of Strike Witches, the redhead from cafeteria = Minna. Only voice actor is different.

I do wonder how they will take up (if at all) the fact he's the only male capable of operating the IS.

I had an impression that IS were meant to be used against aliens for some reason... Oh wellz, having it be a sport is fine, but it kinda takes away a certain feeling to this.

the first episode was pretty good, im looking forward to the next. its not original but im not watching it for originality is the harem of this season. and as long as it is better then Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku ill be happy
i hope this will end with a im going to protect you all thing and he gets all the girls =)

Opening fight scenes, yay this is going to be awesome.

OP credits start....everything gets boring...FFFFFFFF

I felt the same way. And slightly misogynistic due to the way the culture in that world was built (and feeling sorry for the main character and his current situation; I wonder if he piloted an IS out of boredom or because he wanted to?).

But will still keep tabs regardless.

Interesting anime. A world where culture is dominated by women?

Come on, that's TOTALLY original. Anyone who say it isn't... I dunno.

From the first episode, the series looks like it is worth watching.
However, the next couple of episodes will most likely show the way that the series will head.

If the series focuses on the mecha side, I think it will turn out really well.
If the series focuses on the harem side, I think it will lose its current charm.

I like how they specifically state that IS units can't be used for warfare, so there's very little chance of the show starting lighthearted, but suddenly becoming serious. I personally hope that it doesn't try some kind of bigger, serious conflict because, while that worked for Strike Witches, I don't think it'll work here quite as well.

My guess is that it'll focus on the competitive side of the combat sport (since it's an international sport). That in itself can provide much drama and intensity where actual life-and-death combat would normally fill in.

I enjoyed the first episode despite the lack of action. I don't really care much for the harem aspect as there aren't any girls in the show that particularly caught my interest. The first impression I have for the main character isn't bad, but it could've been better. I'll keep watching the series as it did keep me entertained for the most part.