STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry
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Anime DetailsFINISHED

Format
TV series
Episodes
13
Episode length
24 min
Total watch time
5 h 12 min
Status
Finished
Aired
November 2, 2006 – February 15, 2007
Season
Fall 2006
Source
Original story
Original creator
Frances Eliza Burnett
Music
Ryou Sakai
Age rating
R — Mild Nudity
Country
Japan
AniList score
66/100
Estimated watch time
5h 12m
⚡ 3 days at 5 eps/day

Tags & Tropes

Real Robot88%Military79%Space79%War79%Nudity70%Female Protagonist66%Bullying66%Primarily Female Cast60%Time Manipulation60%Yuri54%
TVFINISHED2006 FALL6.6 / 10 AniList score

STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry

奏光のストレイン• Soukou no Strain
overview details

Synopsis

In the distant future, mankind is divided into two factions: Union and Deague. They have waged a war against each other for so long that no one remembers when it first began. The backbone of the Union military is the manned weapons system Strain, while the Deague uses an unmanned version, the Tumoru. Sara Werec, the daughter of a respectable family, is a 16-yearold girl who attends Grapera Space Armed Soldier Academy located in the Cranial Solar System, where she is training to become a full-fledged Reasoner (a Strain pilot). Her brother, Ralph Werec, had been sent to the frontline 130 light-years away to accomplish a special mission when she was 11 years old, a distance that requires 400 years of objective time to traverse by even the fastest Union spacecraft. However, in accordance with the theory of relativity, this corresponds to only two subjective years (time as experienced by those within the spacecraft). The two of them had lost their parents when they were young and the bond between the two is very close. It is Sara’s dearest wish to be reunited with her brother. To do that, she must travel to the battlefield where he is. One day, Sara’s planet is suddenly assaulted by Deague forces. To her surprise, her brother, Ralph, turns out to be one of the raiders who successfully kidnap a mysterious girl sleeping in a capsule. In order to find the truth, Sara gets in a Strain and chases after him. However, she is attacked by Ralph, and the Mimic, a copy of the pilot’s brain which is essential to controlling the Strain, is damaged. (Source: AnimeNfo)

Should you watch STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry has been met with mixed reactions, with an average AniList score of 66/100 — 34% of 1,500 ratings are 8/10 or higher.

It ranks #70 highest-rated anime of 2006, and #85 most popular anime of 2006, and #24 highest-rated anime of Fall 2006 on AniList.

Of the 2.6K AniList users who started it, 8.0% dropped it, so it is dropped at a typical rate; 2.1K have finished it.

At about 5 h 12 min in total, it is a short commitment — a weekend binge.

Best for viewers who enjoy Drama, Ecchi, Mecha — especially real robot, military, space, war.

Where to Watch Officially

Availability, audio and subtitles vary by region and service.

Episodes

13 episodes are listed.

Main cast & voice actors

Creators & key staff

Original creator
Frances Eliza Burnett
Series composition
Masanao Akahoshi
Character design
Mariko Fujita

Opening & ending themes

Openings (1)

  1. OP1“Message”

Endings (1)

  1. ED1“Umi no Opal” · eps 1-8, 10-13

Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.

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STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry FAQ

How many episodes does STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry have?

STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry has 13 episodes of about 24 minutes each, roughly 5 h 12 min in total.

How long does it take to watch STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

About 5 h 12 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 7 days; at one hour a day, about 6 days.

Is STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry finished?

Yes. STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry has finished airing — the final episode aired February 15, 2007.

Is there a season 2 of STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

No sequel is listed for STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry as of October 2026.

Is STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry based on a manga?

No. STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry is an original anime story, not adapted from a manga or novel.

Who animated STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry was animated by Studio Fantasia and directed by Tetsuya Watanabe.

Who sings the opening of STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

The opening, "Message", is performed by an uncredited artist.

Where can I watch STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry?

STRAIN: Strategic Armored Infantry is listed on Crunchyroll. Availability varies by region — check the streaming links on this page.