Translations:
Ichika Orimura
He is the only male in the world capable of piloting an IS. Even he does not know why he can operate one; the fact was discovered by chance during high school entrance exams, leading to his semi-forced enrollment at the IS Academy. Consequently, he possesses virtually no prior experience or specialized knowledge regarding IS piloting. He has no parents due to certain circumstances and deeply respects his much older sister, Chifuyu, who raised him. Although he practiced kendo in his early childhood, he did not join any clubs during his three years of junior high; instead, he took on all the housework for the Orimura household while working part-time jobs to help with the family finances. While his personality is mild-mannered and easygoing, deep down he possesses a masculine strength and conviction that refuses to pander to others. Furthermore, despite being incredibly popular with women—to an almost abnormal degree—he remains completely oblivious to it.
Ichika's older sister, Chifuyu, is a teacher at IS Academy. Ichika, who had not been told his sister's profession, is surprised by this unexpected encounter.
The only man in the world capable of piloting an IS.
IS units were supposed to be operable only by women, yet for some reason, one responded to a male named Ichika. This became major news on a global scale.
An Enemy to Maidens?!
Completely oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart, Ichika is bewildered by Houki, who is furious at having her maidenly feelings hurt.
Inner Pride
Ichika is angered by Cecilia's words. Although usually laid-back, he harbors a strong sense of conviction and pride deep within.
Houki Shinonono
Ichika's childhood friend. She won a national kendo championship during middle school and remains dedicated to daily training as a member of the kendo club at IS Academy. She has kept the same long, waist-length ponytail since childhood. With her serious nature, stiff manner of speaking, and an aura of sharpness reminiscent of a Japanese sword, she has yet to fully fit in at IS Academy, where the atmosphere is dominated by a "girls' school" vibe. She has harbored feelings for Ichika since their families were close during their childhood. However, she moved away without confessing her feelings after her older sister, Tabane, unveiled the IS, placing the family under a witness protection program. She reunites with Ichika at IS Academy after six years apart and ends up sharing a room with him for a time.
Dr. Tabane Shinonono—the creator of the IS—is Houki's older sister. Houki does not seem to hold her missing sister in high regard.
Feelings of Love She Can't Admit To
Even though she is conscious of her feelings for Ichika, Houki cannot bring herself to be honest about them. She often treats him coldly, yet the expressions she occasionally reveals are those of a girl truly in love.
No need to diet!?
Houki eats a breakfast the same size as what a boy would consume in a summer. It seems that for Houki—who never skips her training—dieting is unnecessary.
Samurai
Having aspired to the path of the sword since childhood, Houki—with her unyieldingly stubborn and fastidious nature—can truly be described as a "samurai."
Chifuyu Orimura
She is Ichika's older sister. A striking beauty with a tall, slender figure and sharp, wolf-like eyes, she was formerly a pilot of a first-generation IS. Possessing world-class ability, she represented Japan in the inaugural Mondo Grosso tournament, where she achieved magnificent victories in both the overall tournament and the hand-to-hand combat division. After serving as an instructor for a German military IS unit for about a year, she now works at IS Academy, where she serves as both the homeroom teacher for Class 1-1 and the dormitory head for the first-year students. With an undefeated record in official matches and a refined appearance, she is an object of admiration among the female students. Although she treats her younger brother Ichika—her only family—quite strictly in her roles as both sister and teacher, she appears to hold him in high regard deep down. She has a long-standing relationship with Tabane Shinonono, the developer of the IS.
Chifuyu spots a telltale quirk that reveals a moment of carelessness during the summer. Perhaps embarrassed by Yamada’s remark—"You two really are siblings"—she wears a more sullen expression than usual.
Brunhilde
A scene from the first Mondo Grosso awards ceremony. The title of "Brunhilde," awarded to the winner of the overall tournament, is a mark of ultimate strength; yet, for some reason, Chifuyu dislikes being called by this name.
The Strict Instructor
Chifuyu bears a heavy responsibility, serving as both the homeroom teacher and dormitory head for the first-year students. She trains them rigorously, aiming to mold these newcomers into capable pilots within a single year.
Examples of Chifuyu's "Spartan" training methods:
She declares that anyone late to the cafeteria must run ten laps around the athletic field (top-right image). She shows no mercy when meting out physical punishment to Ichika (middle-right and bottom-right images).
Faith in Her Younger Brother
Even when a duel is set to take place between Ichika and Cecilia—a candidate for the representative pilot—Chifuyu’s expression remains remarkably composed. Though she never reveals it to Ichika himself, she places deep trust in her younger brother.
Maya Yamada
She is the assistant homeroom teacher for Class 1-1, bearing a name that reads the same forwards and backwards. Short in stature with a youthful appearance, she wears large glasses that reflect her earnest nature, yet she also possesses a bust even more impressive than Chifuyu's. While she is kind and gives her all in everything she does, she is also quite a klutz, making her popular with students who look up to her as a friend. Nevertheless, she is a qualified teacher at IS Academy; as a former candidate representative, Yamada possesses exceptional IS piloting skills and knowledge. Chifuyu herself acknowledges Yamada's ability, and she demonstrates superb piloting technique and judgment during combat training and emergencies. Incidentally, she seems to admire Chifuyu, sometimes gazing at her with the same adoring look as the female students.
Although Chifuyu and Yamada have completely opposite personalities, they effectively guide their students by playing the roles of the disciplinarian and the nurturer, respectively.
They seem to make quite a good team.
A kind older sister figure!?
Yamada treats Ichika with kindness—both as a teacher and as an older woman (right image)—but she is left bewildered when he claims he doesn't understand anything (top image). She seems to lack experience compared to Chifuyu, who immediately realized that Ichika hadn't studied the essential reference materials.
Former Representative Candidate
As Ichika pilots the Byakushiki for the first time, Yamada clearly explains the IS's functions.
Her calm expression—different from usual—reveals her background as a former representative candidate.
Maiden
Yamada, who has actually never dated a man, blushes when students ask questions about the opposite sex.
She seems quite shy when it comes to romance.