If you're one of the sci-fi nerd who has been decrying the decline in hardcore sci-fi mecha anime outside the various Gundam shows...well, you'll probably decry this show, too. But hey, mecha is mecha, even if it's mecha-musume.

It's called Infinite Stratos, adapted from the light novel series of the same name written by Yumizuru Izuru. Billed as a "high speed battle romantic comedy", the premise sounds equally straightforward.  Ichika Omimura is drafted into pilot academy because he's apparently the only boy in the world who can operate the Infinite Stratos (IS) weapons system, which is traditionally girls-only. Romance, comedy, and high speed battle ensues.

So yes, it sounds like an pretty typical harem/action show, but the trailer (which you can see below) promises some slickly-animated CG and a voice cast I'm willing to watch at least some of a show for, including Yoko Hisaka (K-ON!!'s Mio), Yukana (Code Geass' C.C.), Asami Shimoda (B Gata H Kei's Yamada) and Kana Hanazawa (Bakemonogatari's Nadeko).

Besides, the fact that there's a male presence at all suggests that there may be at least some semblance of a plot, which is more than one can say for Strike Witches or whatever they come up with should someone decide to adapt Busou Shinki. And yes, I'm aware that that sounds incredibly sexist.

The show is set for a Winter season appearance, so expect it in January 2011.