The limited edition cover of the first DVD compilation of A Certain Scientific Railgun, illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa and released by Geneon Entertainment; featuring two of the main characters Kuroko Shirai (left) and Mikoto Misaka.
A Certain Scientific Railgun (とある科学の超電磁砲, Toaru Kagaku no Rērugan) is an anime series based on the manga of the same name, which in itself is a spin-off of Kazuma Kamachi's light novel, manga and anime series A Certain Magical Index. The manga is serialized in Dengeki Daioh and is written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fukuyama. The anime series is set in Academy City before and during the events of A Certain Magical Index, in which the plot focuses on Mikoto Misaka, an electromaster who is the third strongest esper in Academy City, along with her friends: Kuroko Shirai, a teleporter and Mikoto's roommate; Kazari Uiharu, Kuroko's partner in Judgment, the city's public safety committee; and Ruiko Saten, Kazari's friend and classmate.
The anime is produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai, series composition by Seishi Minakami, music by Maiko Iuchi, character design by Yuichi Tanaka and art and sound direction by Tomonori Kuroda and Jin Aketagawa respectively. The anime began airing on Tokyo MX from October 2, 2009 to March 19, 2010 and were later aired a day later on Chiba TV, MBS, TV Saitama and TV Kanagawa. The first 12 episodes follow the manga closely, with some changes and a few anime-original episodes and characters, while the later half of the series being a new original plot written by Kazuma Kamachi. Eight DVD compilations, each containing three episodes and a mini A Certain Magical Index novel written by Kazuma Kamachi and art by Haimura Kiyotaka which features Kaori Kanzaki as the protagonist, were released since February 7, 2010. A five-minute bonus episode was included with the Official Visual Book of the show released on July 24, 2010. An OVA episode was then released on October 29, 2010. Funimation licensed the series in North America and released the series on DVD in April 2013.[1] A second anime season, titled A Certain Scientific Railgun S, aired between April 12, 2013 and September 27, 2013 and was simulcast by Funimation, who released the series on DVD between July and August 2014.[2][3] Another Visual Book containing another bonus episode was released on March 27, 2014. A third season, titled A Certain Scientific Railgun T, has been announced and premiered on January 10, 2020.[4][5]
"When Working Under a Hot Sun, Rehydration is Essential" Transliteration: "Entenka no Sagyō ni wa Suibun Hokyū ga Hissu desu no yo" (Japanese: 炎天下の作業には水分補給が必須ですのよ)
"A Bikini Divides the Eyeline Between Top and Bottom, but a One-Piece Shows Off the Figure so They Only Flatter the Slender" Transliteration: "Bikini wa Mesen ga Jōge ni Wakaremasu kedo Wanpīsu wa Karada no Rain ga Demasu kara Hosoi Kata Shika Niawanain desu yo" (Japanese: ビキニは目線が上下に分かれますけどワンピースは身体のラインが出ますから細い方しか似合わないんですよ)
"Level 6 (The One Who Obtains the Power of God Whilst Still Possessing a Mortal Body)" Transliteration: "Reberu Shikkusu (Kami Naranu Mi ni te Tenjō no Ishi ni Tadoritsuku Mono)" (Japanese: レベル6（神ならぬ身にて天上の意志に辿り着くもの）)
"The Battle Begins" Transliteration: "Kaisen" (Japanese: 開戦)
Kōsaku Taniguchi & Yūsuke Onoda
Hiroki Uchida
February 14, 2020 (2020-02-14)
55
7
"Auribus oculi fideliores sunt. (The eyes are more trustworthy than the ears)" Transliteration: "Auribus oculi fideliores sunt. (Miru koto wa kiku koto yori mo shinzuru ni ataisuru.)" (Japanese: Auribus oculi fideliores sunt. 見ることは聞くことよりも信ずるに値する.)
"SYSTEM (Those Who Arrive at Heaven's Will in an Only Human Body)" Transliteration: "SYSTEM Kaminaranumi de Tenjō no Ishi ni Tadoritsuku Mono" (Japanese: SYSTEM 神ならぬ身で天上の意思にたどり着くもの)
"Being a Photo Shoot Model Under the Sun Isn't Easy, You Know." Transliteration: "Entenka no Satsuei Moderu mo Raku Ja Arimasen wa ne." (Japanese: 炎天下の撮影モデルも楽じゃありませんわね。)
During the photo shoot, Kuroko attempts to seduce Mikoto by swapping a suntan lotion Kazari was rubbing on her with one filled with aphrodisiacs. However, her plan backfires when Ruiko takes Mikoto's place, leading her to become aroused instead and lecherously chase after Kazari. Mikoto discovers that Kuroko is the culprit and punishes her, and when the four of them return, they find Mitsuko had accidentally used Kuroko's lotion on her pet snake.
OVA–1
"Since Misaka-san is the Center of Attention Right Now..." Transliteration: "Misaka-san wa Ima Chūmoku no Mato desukara" (Japanese: 御坂さんはいま注目の的ですから)
One day, shortly following the events of the Level Upper incident, Mikoto starts to feel an eerie feeling like someone is stalking her. As Mikoto continues to feel this discomforting sensation everywhere, she starts to become very paranoid and afraid. Looking into a related rumor, Kuroko and the others learn other students have also been experiencing the same sensation. While Ruiko and Konori take Mikoto to the public bath, where Ruiko gives her some encouragement, Kuroko and Kazari interview Mitsuko, Maaya and Kinuho, whose senior is also one of the victims. Thanks to Ruiko's advice and Kuroko's research, Mikoto finds the culprit behind the sensations to be Asako Jonan, an Anti-Skill officer and former Nagatenjōki Academy teacher. Having been fired from her teaching job, supposedly due to not being able to produce any Level 5 espers, Asako blamed Tokiwadai and used a device to produce special electromagnetic waves and cause discomfort in electromasters. Asako tries to escape but, thanks to Ruiko's assistance, she is quickly captured by Mikoto and the Anti-Skills. As Mikoto rewards her friends for their help, Kazari unintentionally reveals Kuroko was also legitimately stalking Mikoto at the same time, prompting a swift punishment.
OVA–2
"All the Important Things I Learned in a Bathhouse" Transliteration: "Daiji na Koto wa Zenbu Sentō ni Osowatta" (Japanese: 大事なことはぜんぶ銭湯に教わった)
Youhei Suzuki
N/A
March 27, 2014 (2014-03-27)
As the local bathhouse comes under threat of being closed down, Mii enlists the help of Mikoto, Kuroko, Kazari, and Ruiko to help promote interest, coming up with a Mikoto-powered "electric bath" to bring in more customers. At first, the baths become a success which attracts the attention of Erii, Mitsuko, Wannai, Atsuki, Yomikawa, Tsuzuri, Komoe, Shizuri, Frenda, Saiai, Rikō, and the Dorm Supervisor. However, the baths are almost ruined after Kuroko adds too much bubble bath soap in one of her schemes to seduce Mikoto. After the customers go home, the girls celebrate by having a bath and drinking milk.
Specials
These special episodes are released as extras on DVD and Blu-ray Disc volumes.
No.
Episode title
Original release date
Special–1
"MMR: Much More Railgun" Transliteration: "MMR: Motto Marutto Rērugan" (Japanese: MMR: もっとまるっと超電磁砲)
February 7, 2010 (2010-02-07)
A series of outtakes and bizarre sketches as experienced by the characters of the anime. Mikoto and her friends discuss internet rumors that the Dorm Supervisor was once a commando. Ruiko's class discuss Schrödinger's cat where the cat in question becomes a Palmtop Tiger. Yomikawa, Komoe and Tsuzuri have Nabe while Yomikawa talks about people and things which start with "Jan" like Jean-Claude Van Damme. Meanwhile, the gang wonders about Academy City's wind turbines and Mikoto makes a PSA about conserving electricity.
Special–2
"MMR II: Much More Railgun II" Transliteration: "MMR II: Motto Marutto Rērugan II" (Japanese: MMR II: もっとまるっと超電磁砲II)
May 28, 2010 (2010-05-28)
More outtakes and bizarre sketches as experienced by the characters. Kuroko gives some peculiar lessons to her class. Ruiko and Kuroko get brainfreeze from eating their frozen treats. Harumi tries to explain what AIM Burst is but is interrupted by Mikoto and Kazari. Mitsuko is fishing while Kazari narrates. The gang drinks milk while watching the sunset. Mikoto tells her friends their lives are being watched by an unknown audience.
Special–3
"MMR III: Much More Railgun III" Transliteration: "MMR III: Motto Marutto Rērugan III" (Japanese: MMR III: もっとまるっと超電磁砲III)
July 24, 2013 (2013-07-24)
Ruiko uses her nose to smell if Mikoto's lunches have gone bad. Shinobu teaches Mikoto some English words and punishes her when she gets them wrong. Misaka 9982 jokingly plays a Kōan on Mikoto. Shinobu gives a Misaka clone expert gaming knowledge which ends up making her a hardcore gamer. Accelerator and Misaka 9982 discuss their voice acting careers since starting in 2006. Mikoto and the others failed to notice that Kazari is with them, due to the latter not wearing her flower headband.
Special–4
"MMR IV: Much More Railgun IV" Transliteration: "MMR IV: Motto Marutto Rērugan IV" (Japanese: MMR IV: もっとまるっと超電磁砲IV)
November 27, 2013 (2013-11-27)
Mikoto suspects Academy City may come under attack by Kaijus from a certain movie and how they must prepare themselves. The girls wonder if Turtle blood really has aphrodisiac effects and Misaka 10032-tan replaces Index-tan's role on Toma's head.
Special–5
"MMR V: Much More Railgun V" Transliteration: "MMR V: Motto Marutto Rērugan V" (Japanese: MMR V: もっとまるっと超電磁砲V)
April 30, 2020 (2020-04-30)
Special–6
"MMR VI: Much More Railgun VI" Transliteration: "MMR VI: Motto Marutto Rērugan VI" (Japanese: MMR VI: もっとまるっと超電磁砲VI)
