Ep 1. All My Classmates Are Female

Infinite Stratos is a Japanse anime series set in a distant future where scientific advancements have led to the creation of exoskeletal mecha suits known as "Infinite Stratos" or IS. These suits can be worn by anyone, but only women have the physical ability to control them due to their high ability to manipulate the energy required to power the suits. The story is centered around a young man named Ichika Orimura, who is about to embark on a journey that will change his life forever.

The first episode of season one is titled "All My Classmates Are Female" and begins with a young Ichika Orimura waking up late for his entrance exam into the prestigious Infinite Stratos Academy. As he rushes to school, he reflects on his time as a child and how he was once considered a prodigy in the use of the IS units. However, his talents have since faded, and he has been out of practice for years.

Upon arriving at the academy, Ichika is greeted by the school's headmaster, who informs him that he is the only male student to be accepted into the academy. The news leaves Ichika in shock as the academy is an all-female school, and he is unsure how he will fit in. He later finds out that his acceptance into the academy was due to his younger sister, Chifuyu Orimura, who is an esteemed alumna of the academy and a former IS pilot.

In his first day of school, Ichika meets various female characters, including the student council president, the quiet and reserved Houki Shinonono, who he recognizes immediately as his childhood friend, and the seemingly air-headed Cecilia Alcott. As Ichika struggles to adjust to his new surroundings, he is tasked with taking part in a practical exercise to showcase his abilities.

During the exercise, Ichika is pitted against his classmates and quickly discovers that his skills are subpar compared to the other female pilots. However, he also proves to be a natural leader, with his quick thinking and strategic skills helping his team win the exercise. Despite his success, Ichika's gender remains a source of tension, with some of his classmates being jealous of his attention from the other female students.

The episode concludes with Ichika struggling to come to terms with his new life at the academy and the fact that he is the only male student. As he walks around campus, he is approached by Houki, who reveals to him her desire to become a powerful pilot and make her family proud. She asks for Ichika's help in achieving her goal, and he agrees to do everything in his power to assist her.

In conclusion, the first episode of Infinite Stratos does an excellent job of introducing us to the world of the series and its main character, Ichika Orimura. It also sets the stage for the challenges that Ichika will face throughout the series as he navigates his new life as the only male student in an all-female academy. The animation is top-notch, and the character designs are beautiful, making for an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience.