IS or Infinite Stratos is a mecha-themed light novel series written by Izuru Yumizuru with illustrations by Okiura and Choco, published by Media Factory under their MF Bunko-J imprint, which switched to Overlap from volume eight onwards.
Infinite Stratos is the name of a powerful exoskeleton developed by a Japanese scientist in the near future. Fearing the impact such a powerful weapon might have on the world at large, a number of nations enact the Alaska Treaty which states that the technology must be distributed equally among all governments to prevent destabilization of relations. However, there is a shift in power relations between the sexes as IS can only be operated by women.
The peace lasts 10 years until regular high school boy Ichika Orimura discovers a hibernating IS suit and finds that despite being a male he is able to pilot it. The Japanese government then forces him to attend the Infinite Stratos Academy where he is surrounded by all female students representing Japan and other nations including: Houki Shinonono, Cecilia Alcott, Huang Lingyin, Charlotte Dunois, Laura Bodewig, Kanzashi Sarashiki, and Tatenashi Sarashiki.