Infinite Stratos is a story about girls who are in a specialized school where they learn to pilot powered exoskeleton type mecha machines to be used in a world wide sport event. Only girls can pilot the machines until on day a young boy named Ichika Orimura, who's sister is the most famous pilots of all, happens upon a new exoskeleton and is able to activate it becoming the first male to do so. Because of this he is forced to join the most prestigious school for training new pilots the Infinite Stratos Academy and is the only male student there. And thus his life as a harem lead starts. He is joined by elite pilots from around the world and his old school friends as well.
The girls all fight over Ichika until soon enough another boy shows up able to pilot another exoskeleton but of course seeing as it's the new thing to do the new boy is actually a reverse trap. That's right the new boy is actually a girl and gets to share a room with Ichika. So there is a lot of interesting harem stuff going on a little bit of girl on girl fighting over Ichika with the exoskeletons. The story progresses basically with one girl added every other episode or so until the last couple of episodes where they are all brought together to on a retreat to kick some ass and destroy a rouge full robotic frame.
This ass kicking comes at a bit of cost and sets off the more intense bonding experience with all the pilots as they suffer a set back and are worried about Ichika who was hurt. They are all able to get back in the saddle and kick some ass and all ends well with a "good job" but you're all in trouble speech from Ichika's older sister and commander from the school.
I liked it for what it was a fun little show with some comedy lots of harem antics and a helping spoonful of combat. It wasn't anything new but it wasn't at all stale. Considering the amount of fanmade fanservice I think a lot more people liked it than they let on as finding a "safe" picture of the girls wasn't all that easy. It's already been licensed by Sentai Filmworks and was simulcast by Anime Network where it is still available. There will be an OVA released a bit later as well.
Check out the trailer for IS below
