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

The anime was pretty awesome. It had good art, good special effects, nice looking/moe girls, and some funny parts. However, all of the fighting in episode 11 and 12 was kind of confusing. In my opinion, the ending sucked since Ichika was just about to kiss Houki and then the other girls interrupted, being jealous and all.

As usual, the fighting in Ep. 11 was pure eye-candy. Plot-wise though, it was rather confusing though, between Houki suddenly being crack-pilot and that illegal fishing boat suddenly slipping from nowhere...I mean, seriously? They can detect a top-grade super drone I.S, but not a God-dammn fishing boat? They could have done much, much bettter in shooting down Houki's dark-side hubris, then Ichika just delivering a "What the Hell Hero" speech at her while defending the boat and then getting shot when he was trying to protect her as well. I did liked however the way Lin smacked (literally) some sense into Houki after her BSOD regarding Ichika's injuries.

As for final episode itself, I think that it reflected the entirety of Infinite Stratos anime - good to watch, awesome mecha eye-candy and overall relaxing, but nothing even remotely innovative - and if there was an interesting plot bunny, then it never got fed.

The fight against the Gospel was pretty fun to watch, and Ichika finally got to play proper cavalry to all the ladies. Setsura is quiet hax, though the fact that Yukihira is still devouring shield power with every swing is getting old. At very least, couldn't they install better generators? Or at least make it more energy-efficient? But I digress.

Akatsubaki's Energy-restoring ability was just an asspull though. It was just fine without it.

Overall, the battle part of episode came out really well, even better then you might have thought from the originally peek all the way back in Ep. 1
And we also got to see all I.S machines at the same time.

But plot-wise...

The mysterious waif bit during Ichika's unconscious period made me laugh. I was honestly expecting him to babble something half-retarded and mech-musume Chifuyu offering him Geass.

I am however curious as to who was that white-haired girl - whenever it was his I.S Core, or perhaps a memory of someone he met in the past.

The note about Byakushiki being able to revive it's pilot puts an interesting spin on Ichika's injuries. So was he actually killed but his I.S resurrected him? If so, then what will that mean for him in the future? I really wished they would develop that line further.

Aaaaand Justasplanned Tabane? Really? While it certainly sounds like something she'd do, I was honestly expecting that to be a sign of things to come...



Overall, it was a good episode, it's just that it left too many things hanging in the air. On positive side, this might mean they will make a second series some day. They certainly have the material, as the Light Novels still continue.

But above all, we finally saw Houki in a swimsuit.And in the end, isn't it all that matters?

I think it's specifically stated that this particular I.S Academy is outside national or corporate jurisdiction. The part about Japan financing Ichika's study is mostly their attempt to make him more likely to work for them once he's finished studying. I think it's specifically stated that Chifuyu selected that academy precisely because despite governmental backing of Ichika, they wouldn't be able to order him around while he's on it's ground. It's also same reason why Charlotte stays - her dad's company can't touch her while she's an Academy student.

And regarding the 4th Gen mechs:

- Byakushiki is IMO too flawed of a design to give Japan much of a strategic advantage in any prolonged conflict. Sure, Ichika's a good pilot, but as it stands, he won't last in a protracted battle with multiple enemies.

Or it may be my Raven senses facepalming regarding such energy-inefficent design that relies on laser weaponry.

- Akatsubaki is much more useful, but Houki is supposedly much worse pilot then the rest of the girls. At least, in the Light Novels.


And I'm pretty much sure each nation has a trick up it's sleeve. Germany developed the Valkyrie Trace system after all, and it's supposedly "forbidden".

Uhuh. So...Tabane is dead, or else can teleport?

The fucking INVENTOR of the system DOESN'T KNOW why Ichika is the only man who can pilot an IS?

What the fuck. Did she just find the IS core plans while digging in her sandbox, or something?

She built the fucking things. Perhaps if they explain why only women can use it, then we'd know why men can't.

...Ugh. Whatever. I give up. Bitching about technology in fiction is like arguing with a brick wall by running your head into it.

- Apparently Chifuyu keeps tabs on Tabane - despite her cheery disposition she could be a fuckin' bad cobra. Especially if she could conjure up new 4th-Gen IS on the fly.
- Kind of a handicap when Houki has a very pumped-up IS but she's not that skilled of a pilot.
- We can't blame the plot - the anime producers did their best using the available material (LN volumes) while keeping open wide a door for a possible second season. They ended the series quite well, IMO.
- The ending at the moonlit beach was nice as well. Especially with the harem chasing their lead.
- Plot-wise, I can't find a single reason to bash them for their anime adaptation. They only had 12 episodes to work on, they had to skip a few things here and there to progress it to that point. If some fans feel there are things left hanging in the air, they better hope for a second season.
- I hope an OVA comes along.

Oh look, it's the useless bunch of harem girls.

Yo, Ichika, might want to take care of the IS before it starts spray-painting the sky in lasers. I mean, deflecting lasers with your sword is cool and all, but you might want to use a weapon that doesn't cost so much energy to use to do it.

Suddenly, a naked heart-to-heart talk.

What am I fighting foooooorrrrrr?! Also, it just occurred to me, what's the point of Ichika throwing himself in front like that? It's called "Shield Energy" for a reason.

Laura ever the sensible one ... well, this time at least ...

Emo self-doubt time!

Let's rest by running on the beach!

Oh no, a flashback featuring pathetic childhood bullies, how traumatic![/sarcasm] Man, pissing off people and thinking you're going to get away with it? Not a great idea, stupid. Did not expect Ichika to be the one doing the punching.

Oh look, it's childhood friend #2. A lot of good she did, but she's lecturing #1 anyway. "A personal machine holder can't say such selfish things"? This coming from the lazy-ass girl who didn't join IS academy until after finding out Ichika joined?!

Hey, more useless girls. And they're only just now being useful. But I have to say I like the music during this scene.

The IS is just going to float there?!

Another dream sequence?!

Wait, shouldn't the other girls be too slow to keep up with Gospel?

"Why do you want power?"
"Umm ... Let's see ..."
Terrific answer Ichika.

What the fuck, Gospel?! Suddenly, your wings can just crush IS'? And you're just going to let Ichika hit you with his left hand?! So much for Ichika's weapon being a one-shot kill ...

And the crazy older sister in a maid outfit is responsible for everything.

Yay! Houki in a swimsuit!

Going for the kiss and then ... gun to the head. WHOA! And it fired!

"Ichika, what so you think you're doing?"
So says the failure of a reverse trap who had naked bathing time with Ichika. You really should know your place. If I remember correctly, you had your own breast fondling time. Give the others a chance.

#2 and Cecilia have gone yandere again.

Source: http://kibitou4life.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/everyone-calm-the-fuck-down-i-got-this/