The Ultimate Guide to IS: Infinite Stratos – Why the BluRay 720p Uncensored Version Is the Definitive Way to Watch In the sprawling universe of mecha and harem anime, few titles have sparked as much debate, devotion, and discussion as IS: Infinite Stratos . Originally airing in 2011, this series became a cultural touchstone for the "ecchi-mecha" subgenre. However, for years, fans have been divided on the best way to experience Ichika Orimura’s misadventures at the Infinite Stratos Academy. Enter the IS Infinite Stratos BluRay 720p Uncensored release. For the uninitiated, this specific format isn't just a video file—it’s a significant upgrade over the standard TV broadcast. In this comprehensive article, we will explore why the 720p BluRay uncensored version is the gold standard for collectors, the technical benefits of this encode, and what you gain (and lose) by seeking out this particular edition. Part 1: What is "IS: Infinite Stratos"? A Brief Refresher Before diving into the technicalities of the BluRay release, let’s establish the source material. IS: Infinite Stratos is set in a near-future world where powerful exoskeletons called "Infinite Stratos" (IS) have revolutionized combat. The catch? Only women can pilot them—until the protagonist, Ichika Orimura, accidentally activates one, becoming the world's only male pilot. He is subsequently forced to attend the IS Academy, a floating fortress populated by the world’s most elite female cadets. What follows is a chaotic blend of high-stakes mecha battles and romantic comedy, as Ichika navigates a harem of tsunderes, kuuderes, and royalty, including:
Houki Shinonono (Childhood friend, kendo expert) Cecilia Alcott (British aristocrat, sniper specialist) Lingyin Huang (Fiery Chinese pilot) Charlotte Dunois (Sweet-natured French representative) Laura Bodewig (German military prodigy)
The TV broadcast was a massive hit, but fans immediately noticed one thing: the censorship. Part 2: The "Uncensored" Difference – TV vs. BluRay The keyword here is "Uncensored" . In Japan, TV networks have strict guidelines regarding nudity, violence, and suggestive content. Infinite Stratos isn't a hentai, but it lives firmly in the "ecchi" (lewd) lane. During its original TV run, several scenes were modified. What the TV Broadcast Censored:
Steam and Light Beams: Bathhouse and hot spring scenes were obscured by dense steam walls or bright lens flares. Camera Angles: Intimate moments (accidental falls, wardrobe malfunctions) were shot from odd, non-revealing angles. Scene Truncation: Some fanservice-heavy scenes were shortened to fit time slots. IS Infinite Stratos BluRay 720p Uncensored
What the BluRay Uncensored Restores:
Removed Visual Obstructions: Steam and light beams are significantly reduced or removed entirely, revealing the original animation underneath. Extended Cuts: Bathroom scenes run 15-30 seconds longer, with original, unaltered frames. "Accidental" Exposures: The infamous "falling onto a heroine" scenes are fully animated without TV-safe cropping. Blood and Combat: While IS is not gory, the mecha combat has slightly more impact frames and undarkened explosion effects.
Important Note: "Uncensored" in this context does not turn Infinite Stratos into a sexually explicit show. It simply restores the animators' original vision for comedic and ecchi moments. Think of it as removing a hand covering a camera lens, not adding new content. Part 3: Why 720p? The Resolution Sweet Spot At first glance, "BluRay 720p" might seem like an oxymoron. BluRay discs are capable of 1080p (Full HD) and even 4K. So why is the 720p version so popular for this specific anime? 1. File Size Efficiency A full 1080p BluRay rip of IS: Infinite Stratos (12 episodes + OVA) can weigh between 20GB and 50GB for a lossless encode. The 720p uncensored version compresses that down to approximately 1.5GB to 4GB for the entire season. This is ideal for: The Ultimate Guide to IS: Infinite Stratos –
Users with limited hard drive space. Older laptops or tablets that struggle with 1080p playback. Archiving on external drives or media servers (Plex, Jellyfin).
2. Upscaling Limitations Infinite Stratos was produced in 2011. While the BluRay transfer is excellent, the native resolution of the animation cells is not true 4K. At a typical viewing distance on a 13-inch to 24-inch screen (laptops, small monitors, or phones), the human eye struggles to distinguish 720p from 1080p. However, the difference in file size and buffering speed is enormous. 3. Bandwidth Considerations For those streaming their own media library remotely, 720p requires half the bandwidth of 1080p. This means fewer pauses for buffering when watching the IS Infinite Stratos BluRay 720p Uncensored on a mobile network. 4. The "Fansub" Factor Many of the best uncensored releases come with high-quality fan-subtitles (Fansubs) that prioritize translation nuance over speed. These groups often choose 720p as their standard because it allows them to distribute the show widely without massive file sizes, while preserving 100% of the uncensored video data. Part 4: The Audio and Visual Quality Breakdown Let’s get technical. A bad 720p encode can look worse than a TV rip. But a proper BluRay 720p Uncensored encode is a thing of beauty for this series. Video Bitrate: Look for releases with a consistent bitrate between 3000 kbps and 5000 kbps for x264 encoding. This ensures:
No "color banding" in the sky or the IS suits' metallic textures. Smooth gradients during the pink-haired Cecilia’s scenes. Crisp mecha detail during the arena battles. Enter the IS Infinite Stratos BluRay 720p Uncensored
Audio: The BluRay typically offers two audio tracks:
Japanese TrueHD (downmixed to AAC): The original voice acting (Rie Kugimiya as Houki, for example) shines. The 720p release usually compresses this to lossless AAC at 320kbps, which is indistinguishable from the source for 99% of listeners. English Dub: The Sentai Filmworks dub is solid. Check if your 720p file includes the dual-audio track.