Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 8 – Quick Summary
In Infinite Stratos Season 1 episode 8, “Discover My Mind,” Ichika and Charles found themselves facing the team of Laura Bodewig and Houki to kick off the tournament. It soon became apparent that not only did Laura not know how to leverage her teammate – she didn’t want Houki around at all. What does Laura plan to do? Can Ichika and Charles come up with an effective plan to counter her? And will Ichika ever show any awareness of the women around him?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 8
Houki didn’t take the news very well. Capture from the Blu Ray.
My favorite quote is another example of my preference for the dub over the sub. The entire school was reeling from the crazy antics of Laura’s runaway transformation. Many of the young women lamented the loss of their chance to date Ichika. Though, to be honest, they might had dodged a bullet on that one.
But the shocks weren’t done! Maya Yamada stood in front of the class. She looked a little uneasy, and she showed why after a couple of seconds of awkward quiet. She said she’d like to introduce yet another transfer student.
There, in front of the class, stood Charles. Well, he had told them he was Charles. Now he reintroduced himself as Charlotte.
Maya broke the shocked silence by saying (20:59), “Uh, yes, it seems Mister Dunois turned out to be a Miss. We were kinda shocked, too.”
In the sub, she said, “Well, Mr. Dunois turned out to be Miss Dunois…”
Seriously, I just love this dub. It feels so natural!
Favorite Moment from Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 8
A decent attorney could convince the jury Ichika deserved the punch. But the kick? That would need very high priced legal representation. Capture from the Blu Ray.
Setup: Violence is Never the Answer
And now, Laura joins the gang in the ED (22:15). And did you notice she’s running closer to Ichika than the others? She’s quite the aggressor…
For the most part, the dub and sub were closely in alignment in this episode. There were two notable differences (that I saw, anyway). The first was my favorite quote. The second was when Houki tried to help Laura in the team match, and Laura just threw her away.
From the stands, Rin, with an incredulous expression, wondered if that was Laura’s way of working as a team. Cecilia’s response was more fun in the sub (03:30).
- Sub: “She was just in her way. That’s all.”
- Dub: “No, she was just in her way. That stupid German cow.”
I like salty Cecilia.
Salty Cecilia is always very clear about how she feels. Capture from the Blu Ray.
It’s hard for me to pick a single moment that’s my favorite. This episode moved Laura’s plot forward, and it did so economically. It might have been a little too fast. But maybe I’m not taking into account Laura’s emotional immaturity. And the fact this show isn’t trying to give me an in depth analysis of the emotional impact of a failed military physiological experiment on the survivor.
I mean, it stars Ichika. It’s not like it’s trying to establish literary credentials. And I love it for that.
For my favorite moment, I’m going to pick something that in most other series would have earned an askance look, if not outright condemnation. I’m not in favor of violence outside of material like the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. But I’m making an exception in this case.
You know how dense Ichika is, right? He’s proven impervious to his friend’s sister dressing up for him. He’s proven impervious to Rin’s subtle requests for commitment. And I’m pretty sure he has no clue about Cecilia’s feelings. Collectively, the women around him have tried everything from subtlety to practically screaming at him, and it hasn’t worked.
Delivery: Though Sometimes Violence is Understandable
That’s why I’m giving Houki a pass.
After the school canceled the match, Ichika saw Houki looking forlorn. Now, Ichika isn’t a complete idiot. I guess I’m saying he’s an incomplete idiot, because he remembered the promise he made to her, even if the rest of the school misinterpreted it. So, he went up to her and said he wouldn’t mind going out with her.
For the briefest of seconds, I thought that maybe, just maybe, he would show the tiniest bit of consideration for her feelings. I think Houki felt the same way, because she flashed a radiant smile that banished all hints of her usual disappointment and aggression (18:11). But it seemed like she remembered who she was talking to, because she grabbed him by the collar and asked if he was “really, really” sure. He said he was.
By now, Houki had Ichika’s character firmly in mind. But hope had not completely died. She asked him (18:20), “I mean, please explain your reason to me.”
Houki pushed her hope aside long enough to ask Ichika why he wanted to go out with her. Capture from the Blu Ray.
You know, I actually felt sorry for her as he said, “Well, you’re my good childhood friend, so, why shouldn’t I go, right? It’s just shopping.”
If I were Houki’s defense attorney, I’m positive I could justify Houki’s punch. Ichika had that coming. But the kick? That was probably overkill.
I’m not trying to justify violence. But let’s face it: nothing else has worked. Assuming that Ichika wasn’t permanently damaged, it was worth a shot. I mean, she could have kicked him elsewhere else – though she may still hold out hopes for a future with him that might involve those parts.
What did you think of the battle against Laura? What were your favorite moments in the episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 8: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: [Rewatch] IS: Infinite Stratos – Episode 8 (Spoilers)
- AngryAnimeBitches Anime Blog: Infinite Stratos 8 so Cecilia Alcott x Rin…I’m kinda into it
- Lost in Anime: Infinite Stratos – 8
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 1: All of My Classmates Are Female
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 2: Class Representative Match!
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 3: The Transfer Student is the Second Childhood Friend
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 4: Showdown! The Class League Match!
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 5: Boy Meets Boy
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 6: My Roommate is a Young, Blonde Nobleman
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 7: Blue Days, Red Switch
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 8: Discover My Mind
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 9: Ocean’s Eleven
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 10: Thin Red Line
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 11: Get Ready
- Infinite Stratos Season 1 Episode 12: Your Name Is
