In the near future, a Japanese scientist engineers a powered exoskeleton
called "Infinite Stratos" (IS). Possessing technology and combat
capabilities far more advanced than any other weapon system, the IS
threatens to destabilize the world. Faced with such an overpowering
weapon, the nations of the world enact the "Alaska Treaty", which states
that IS will never be used for military combat and that existing IS
technology must be equally distributed to all nations, to prevent any
one nation for dominating the others. The introduction of the IS does
however have a major effect on society. As IS can only be operated by
women, the power balance between men and women is broken, with women
coming to dominate society over men.
Ten years after the first IS
were introduced, the world has entered a new age of peace. The peace is
shattered, however, by an unexpected discovery. A 15 year old Japanese
boy, named Ichika Orimura, is discovered to be capable of operating an
IS. Realizing the potential, Ichika is forced by the Japanese government
to attend the prestigious Infinite Stratos Academy, an international
academy where IS pilots from all over the world are trained. Thus his
busy school life surrounded by girls begins.