Ep 5. Boy Meets Boy

Infinite Stratos season 1 episode 5, Boy Meets Boy, introduces a new character, Ichika's childhood friend and roommate from his past at the IS Training Academy, named Honne Nohotoke. Ichika and Honne share a moment reminiscing about their time at the academy and catching up on old times.

Meanwhile, the academy's student council announces that they will be organizing a cultural festival and tasks each class with coming up with a project. Ichika's class, led by Charlotte, decides to create a haunted house attraction. The group splits up to gather materials and plan out their project.

During his search for materials, Ichika bumps into a flamboyant fashion designer named Ran Gotanda. While initially intimidated by Ran's flashy and eccentric personality, Ichika quickly warms up to him and begins to appreciate the designer's unique fashion style.

As the cultural festival draws near, tensions rise between Ichika and the other male students as they compete for Ran's attention and favor in the hopes of receiving a custom-made outfit from him. This poses a challenge for Ichika, as he struggles with his own confusion and developing feelings for his male classmates.

The episode ends with the cultural festival in full swing and Ichika's class putting on their successful haunted house attraction. Amidst all the chaos and excitement, Ichika is forced to confront his own feelings and come to terms with his own identity and desires.

Overall, Infinite Stratos season 1 episode 5, Boy Meets Boy, tackles themes of identity, sexuality, and self-discovery in a poignant and heartfelt manner. With the introduction of new characters and the exploration of complex emotional dynamics, this episode is a standout in the series and a great example of its ability to balance humor with drama and self-reflection.