Infinite Stratos Season 2: A Mecha-Harem Hybrid That Dances Between Cliché and Ambition

Infinite Stratos 2 (IS2), the second season of the anime adaptation of Izuru Yumizuru’s light novel series, aired in 2013 and dives deeper into the world of powered exoskeletons, harem dynamics, and a sprinkle of techno-thriller intrigue. While the first season introduced us to Ichika Orimura, the only male capable of piloting the titular Infinite Stratos (IS) mecha, and his chaotic life at an all-female academy, Season 2 attempts to expand the stakes while doubling down on the fan service and romantic comedy that defined its predecessor. This article offers a fresh, layered perspective on Infinite Stratos 2, exploring its unique strengths, glaring weaknesses, and the curious balance it strikes between mindless entertainment and untapped potential. Buckle up—this isn’t your typical review.

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The Setup: A Familiar Formula with New Twists

Infinite Stratos 2 picks up after the events of the first season, with Ichika Orimura returning to the Infinite Stratos Academy, surrounded by his harem of tsundere childhood friends (Houki Shinonono and Lingyin Huang), international rivals (Cecilia Alcott, Laura Bodewig, and Charlotte Dunois), and new additions like the Sarashiki sisters, Tatenashi and Kanzashi. The show introduces a shadowy organization, Phantom Task, which seeks to steal Ichika’s IS, Byakushiki, hinting at a broader conspiracy surrounding the IS technology. Yet, much like its predecessor, the series often prioritizes romantic hijinks and fan service over narrative depth.

What makes IS2 stand out, however, is its attempt to evolve from a pure harem comedy into something resembling a plot-driven mecha series. The introduction of Phantom Task and antagonists like Squall, Autumn, and the mysterious Madoka Orimura (Ichika’s sister figure with a dark twist) suggests a shift toward a techno-thriller narrative. But does it succeed in balancing these ambitions with its core identity as a harem romp? Let’s break it down.

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The Good: Where IS2 Shines

1. Mecha Designs and Action Sequences: The IS units remain a visual highlight, with sleek, compact designs that differentiate them from bulkier mecha like those in Gundam or Macross. The animation by Eight Bit, while not groundbreaking, delivers fluid combat scenes that showcase the unique abilities of each IS, from Houki’s sword-wielding Akatsubaki to Tatenashi’s water-manipulating Mysterious Lady. The battles, though sparse, are a treat for mecha fans, especially when paired with the show’s vibrant color palette and dynamic camera work.
2. New Characters Add Spice: The Sarashiki sisters are a welcome addition. Tatenashi, the confident and playful student council president, brings a chaotic energy that shakes up the harem dynamics, while Kanzashi, her reserved and insecure younger sister, offers a rare glimpse of emotional depth as she struggles with her sister’s shadow and her own IS development. These characters inject fresh tension into the group, even if their arcs don’t fully resolve.
3. Humor and Self-Awareness: IS2 leans heavily into its harem roots, and at times, it feels like a parody of the genre. Moments like the girls dressing in fetishized cosplay for Ichika’s birthday or Charlotte’s underwear inexplicably vanishing are so absurd they border on satirical. The show knows its audience and doesn’t pretend to be high art, which can be refreshing for viewers who embrace its unapologetic silliness.
4. Soundtrack Nostalgia: The opening theme, “True Blue Traveler” by Minami Kuribayashi, and the ending theme, “Beautiful Sky” by Yōko Hikasa, maintain the energetic vibe of the first season. While not revolutionary, they’re catchy and nostalgic, evoking the early 2010s anime aesthetic. The voice cast, featuring talents like Hikasa (Houki) and Kana Hanazawa (Charlotte), delivers strong performances, with the English dub adding charm through exaggerated accents for the international cast.

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The Bad: Where IS2 Stumbles

1. Ichika’s Blandness: Ichika Orimura remains the series’ weakest link. As a protagonist, he’s frustratingly passive, clueless, and devoid of agency. His inability to commit to any romantic interest or show meaningful growth as an IS pilot makes him a black hole at the center of the story. While this is a deliberate choice to maintain the harem status quo, it alienates viewers who crave a more dynamic lead. One reviewer aptly described the writing as “a man furiously smashing his erection on a keyboard,” highlighting the show’s reliance on Ichika’s obliviousness to fuel repetitive gags.
2. Fan Service Overload: If Season 1 pushed boundaries with its revealing IS suits and suggestive scenarios, Season 2 dials it up to near-pornographic levels. Crotch shots, excessive “boob jiggle,” and contrived situations (like the aforementioned underwear incident) often overshadow the action and plot. While some fans may revel in this, it detracts from the show’s attempts at serious storytelling and alienates viewers seeking substance.
3. Underdeveloped Plot: The introduction of Phantom Task and the hints of a global conspiracy are intriguing, but they’re poorly executed. The organization’s motives remain vague, and their appearances feel like afterthoughts sprinkled between harem antics. The season teases a deeper connection between Madoka, Chifuyu, and Ichika, but it never commits to exploring these threads, leaving the narrative feeling fragmented.
4. Repetitive Tropes: The show leans heavily on recycled harem clichés—tsundere outbursts, jealous rivalries, and Ichika’s accidental perversions. While some viewers find comfort in these tropes, others will find them tiresome, especially when the female characters are reduced to archetypes rather than fully realized individuals. Houki, in particular, is criticized for being a bland tsundere whose obsession with Ichika feels unearned.

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The Unique: What Sets IS2 Apart

Despite its flaws, Infinite Stratos 2 offers a few elements that make it stand out in the crowded harem-mecha genre:

• Gender Dynamics as Social Commentary: The show’s premise—where only women can pilot IS units, leading to a female-dominated society—offers a subtle critique of gender roles. Ichika’s presence as the sole male pilot challenges this matriarchy, but the series doesn’t fully explore the implications. Instead, it uses this setup to flip traditional mecha tropes, where women, not men, are the dominant warriors. This inversion, while underdeveloped, is a refreshing twist that could have been a springboard for deeper exploration.
• Parody or Pastime?: Some argue that Infinite Stratos is a deliberate parody of harem anime, using exaggerated clichés to poke fun at the genre’s conventions. The sheer absurdity of certain scenes—like the girls’ collective obsession with Ichika despite his lack of charisma—suggests a self-aware wink at the audience. This interpretation, supported by bloggers like Infinite Zenith, elevates the show from mindless fan service to a satirical take on anime tropes, though it’s debatable whether the execution is intentional or accidental.
• Cultural Snapshot of the Early 2010s: Watching IS2 in 2025 feels like opening a time capsule. The show captures the early 2010s anime zeitgeist, with its blend of CG-heavy mecha, vibrant character designs, and unapologetic fan service. For younger viewers or those revisiting the series, it’s a nostalgic reminder of a time when harem anime dominated the airwaves, and studios like Eight Bit were experimenting with light novel adaptations.

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The Missed Opportunities: What Could Have Been

Infinite Stratos 2 is a textbook case of untapped potential. The premise of a world reshaped by IS technology, coupled with Ichika’s unique position, could have explored themes like power dynamics, technological ethics, or even the psychological toll of being the only male in a female-dominated space. Instead, the show prioritizes fan service and repetitive comedy, leaving these ideas on the table. For example:

• Phantom Task’s Potential: The shadowy organization could have been a vehicle for a gripping techno-thriller, delving into the geopolitics of IS technology and the Alaska Treaty, which bans its military use. Instead, their appearances are fleeting and lack impact.
• Character Depth: Characters like Kanzashi and Charlotte show glimmers of complexity, but their arcs are sidelined for more harem shenanigans. A deeper focus on their insecurities or motivations could have elevated the show beyond its clichés.
• Ichika’s Growth: A more competent or emotionally aware Ichika could have balanced the harem dynamics with a compelling character arc, making his relationships feel earned rather than obligatory.

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The Verdict: A Guilty Pleasure with Glimmers of Brilliance

Infinite Stratos 2 is a polarizing watch. For fans of harem anime and light-hearted mecha, it’s a fun, nostalgic romp with vibrant action and enough comedy to keep you entertained—if you don’t take it too seriously. The addition of new characters and the tease of a larger plot make it a worthy follow-up to Season 1, even if it doesn’t surpass it. However, for viewers seeking substance, the show’s reliance on fan service, repetitive tropes, and a bland protagonist can be frustrating, if not outright insulting.

What makes IS2 unique is its ability to straddle the line between mindless entertainment and ambitious storytelling, even if it leans heavily toward the former. It’s a show that knows its audience—those who revel in the chaos of a harem led by a clueless hero and punctuated by cool mecha fights—but it also hints at a deeper story it never fully tells. As one reviewer noted, “It’s a great show to sit down and have a good time with and not take too seriously,” but its flaws are undeniable.

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Why Watch Infinite Stratos 2 in 2025?

If you’re a fan of early 2010s anime, IS2 is a nostalgic trip worth revisiting for its vibrant animation, catchy music, and unabashed embrace of harem tropes. For new viewers, it’s a glimpse into a bygone era of anime where fan service was king, and mecha was a playground for experimentation. If you can overlook Ichika’s blandness and the over-the-top ecchi, you’ll find a show that’s flawed but undeniably fun.

For those craving more, the light novels offer a deeper dive into the techno-thriller elements hinted at in the anime, though they’re not without their own issues. As for a Season 3, fans have been waiting since 2013, but as of 2025, no official renewal has been announced, leaving the series in limbo.

Final Score: 6.5/10 – A guilty pleasure that entertains but never fully realizes its potential. Watch it for the mecha, stay for the chaos, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

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Recommendations for Fans

If you enjoyed Infinite Stratos 2, check out these similar anime:

• Code Geass: For a more serious take on mecha and geopolitics.
• Date A Live: For another harem with supernatural elements and a clueless protagonist.
• Absolute Duo: For a blend of action, romance, and academy life.
• The Asterisk War: For a modern take on the harem-mecha formula.