Episode 2: Class Representative Selection Match!

ED: “Super Stream” by Youko Hikasa and Yukana

Fear the finger

During class, Chifuyu talks to Ichika about his IS. It seems that more time is needed for preparations as there aren’t any spare machines he can use. Therefore the school is prepared to issue him a personal machine for him to use in his upcoming battle with Cecilia. This is met with shock and gossiping amongst the class. Ichika wonders if having a personal machine is truly amazing. Suddenly, Cecilia appears in front of him and starts to gloat about winning the match. She adds that with 6 billion people in the world, there are only 467 Infinite Stratos available and only the elite have a personal IS. Ichika wonders why only 467, when a fellow class member tells him that the manufacturing of the cores for the IS are a secret. Therefore all 467 Infinite Stratos were created by a Dr. Tabane Shinonono; who is Houki’s older sister. The core is a black box and Dr. Tabane is the only one who can create them. Normally people with personal machines are representatives of their country of origin or of a high-class corporation. However, a machine is being developed for Ichika’s situation. A class member then asks Chifuyu if Houki is related to Dr. Tabane. Chifuyu tells her she her sister. This is met with more gossiping from the class. Houki shouts angrily shouts that she has nothing to do with Dr. Tabane and the class falls silent. Maya then continues on with the class lectures.

I am keeping my eye on you

The class continues on about the IS, with Maya suggesting that IS shouldn’t be viewed as a tool but a partner. This is met with a question from a class member, asking whether the IS should be treated like a boyfriend/girlfriend. This question makes Maya blush; which makes the class giggle. Ichika shows concern for Houki who is staring out the window. During lunch, Ichika asks Houki to go with him to get something to eat. He asks other students to join him, with 3 of them accepting. He grabs Houki by the wrist and she shoves him to the floor. Ichika suggests that Houki has gotten stronger, which she denies as it not a new technique and suggests that he has gotten weaker; the 3 other students change their mind walk away. Ichika grabs Houki’s hand and leads her to the canteen. In the queue he tells her that he being considerate to Houki as her family took care of him and that they were childhood friends who trained in the same dojo.

That's what ice cream down the neck feels like

Eating lunch, Ichika asks Houki to teach him about using the IS, as he doesn’t know what to do and he will lose to Cecilia. Houki tells him that he hastily jump into things without thinking which makes him start begging her to tutor him. Just then, another student talks to Ichika about him challenging a prospective class representative and she offers her services as a tutor. Houki interrupts, telling her that she would tutor him. The student tells Houki is a freshman whilst she is a senior and suggests that she would be the better tutor. However Houki tells her that she is Dr. Tabane’s sister, this shocks the senior student and she walks off in a huff. Later, Houki and Ichika are sparring in the dojo. Ichika is knocked down by Houki. Houki is angry that Ichika has become weak and therefore wouldn’t be able to use an IS. She tells him that she would re-train him, 3 hours every day after school. Ichika accepts. Later, Houki is dressing in the locker room thinking that she may have been a bit harsh on Ichika. However she stands by her decision to be tough but feels uneasy being alone with Ichika.

Ichika this Byakushiki say hi, Hi!!!

Much later at the arena, students have gathered in the stands. Inside Ichika complains to Houki that she hasn’t being teaching him about the IS but has been training him in kendo for a week. Houki tells him that is all they can do until his IS arrives. They then watch on a screen Cecilia’s IS. Suddenly Maya calls to Ichika and tells him that his IS has arrived. Chifuyu tells him to get ready as they have a limited time to use the arena. Ichika’s Infinite Stratos; “Byakushiki” is then revealed to him. Ichika gets into Byakushiki and the machine starts up. On the display, Cecilia’s Infinite Stratos is shown. It is called Blue Tears and it is a Sniper IS. Ichika is then ready and tells Houki he is heading out; she tells him to go out there and win. Ichika walks a few steps and then flies out into the arena. He comes face to face with Blue Tears. Cecilia gives Ichika a last chance to apologize, which he declines. Byakushiki then warns of an attack from Blue Tears and the battle begins.

Cool, Blue and British!!!

Cecilia fires her sniper at Ichika and he blocks the attack, which forces him down. Ichika is barely able to dodge the attacks from Cecilia as she fires rapidly at Ichika. Ichika is worried over his depleting shield energy and looks for Byakushiki’s weapon; a sword. Better than nothing he uses it to attack Cecilia. He continues to dodge Cecilia’s attacks, with Cecilia praises that he even though he has lasted longer than other beginners, she is going to finish him off. Cecilia launches 4 attachments from Blue Tears and they begin firing at Byakushiki. However, he dodges them and tells her that he has spotted her weak points. Maya suggests that Ichika is incredible after this being his 2nd time piloting an IS. However Chifuyu tells her that he clenched his left hand, which shows a habit that he is going to do a stupid mistake. Ichika continues to spot Cecilia’s weak points, however he falls for the deception and Blue Tears launches to missiles at him. He tries to dodge them but they hit. As the smoke clears, Byakushiki has transformed. Byakushiki has now adapted to Ichika, he now switches to an upgraded blade; one used by his sister. Cecilia launches another 4 missiles, which Ichika disposes of with ease and charges towards Cecilia. However, inches from landing a hit of Blue Tears, Byakushiki shield energy depletes and the battle ends, with Cecilia as the victor.

A bit of light reading for later...

Later, Ichika wonders why he lost. Chifuyu tells him that Byakushiki has the shield nullifying ability. This allows the user to attack an opponent after breaking through their shield; it converts shield energy into attack power, which was useful in Chifuyu’s championship win. Therefore, Chifuyu explains that Byakushiki is much better attacking than other IS. Maya hands him a rule book for Ichika to study; with the huge size, he sighs. Cecilia looks over, with an expression on her face. Ichika and Houki walk back to their room. Ichika feels down after his match loss. Houki tells him that she would fit IS training into their tutoring schedule. She also asks him if he wants her to teach him; he accepts. This makes Houki smile. Meanwhile, Cecilia is in the shower and wonders why she feels guilty, even though she won the match. She then thinks of Ichika.

Not a bad episode, with the first IS battle (1st episode intro doesn’t count). It was a shame really that Ichika lost, but that is what you get if you don’t read the rules first and be all naive about it. A change in the ED credits and theme; with addition of Yukana (Cecilia’s seiyuu) not bad really, but I prefer Hikasa’s voice, to be honest, I’ll probably have a better understanding after a full version is released.