Past Animes Review: To Aru Kagaku no Railgun / とある科学の超電磁砲

Yosh! It's been a while!

Well, if you read the Ookami review, the answer is "To Aru Kagaku no Railgun"! (A Certain Scientific Railgun) (とある科学の超電磁砲)
Well, there was a typo on there a few days ago, so some of you might already knew this was coming...

As all To Aru fans would know, this show is part of the whole To Aru series.

Ah yes, please note that Railgun IS a side story to the Index series. It premiered in between season 1 and 2.

Once again, the story is based on Gakuen Toshi, (Academy City), where science holds a high position in the present society of 230, 000 individuals. And for all those who might not know, the city is well-known for one particular success, superhumans. Using the esper theory, many individuals in academy city are able to develop psychic powers which are regarded as impossible as a human. Such powers include teleportation, controlling heat, wind, invisibility, and of course, ELECTRICITY! They are ranked according to Levels, of which Level 5 is the maximum so far.

Okay, so the main character in the show is of course, everybody's beloved tsundere electromaster, Misaka Mikoto! She wields the power of controlling electricity to fight, and is only one of the seven level 5s in Academy City! Oh yes, and of course, Shirai Kuroko. For anybody who still thinks: "Is she yuri? (lesbian)", I would like to confirm that thought. Yes she is, she's a damn hardcore yuri... with problems.

Shirai Kuroko at Work

The show begins with the introduction of a crime taking place, and where Shirai Kuroko, a member of "Judgement" steps in to intervene. So what is THAT? Basically, it is an enforcement agency which specializes in enrolling volunteer individuals, whom mostly students, to help fight crime (Just so you know, Anti-Skill is the military agency).

Just so you know, the story also focuses on Mikoto & Kuroko's school, "Tokiwadai Middle School", of which they stay... as roommates. Ah, just as a precaution, shower. Episode 1.

Electromaster

In this anime, there is a very distinct difference to the other 2 shows. One of which, is a new plotline. Life starts to stray from the norm when there is a sudden increase in espers who are extraordinarily good in their skills compared to what the level database shows. It seems to be related to an audio clip that, when played is able to increase the esper's skill tenfold! However, they go out of control! What is                                                             going on? What or who is causing this to happen?"

Gakuen Toshi, Academy City

Severe earthquakes rock Academy City, being called a poltergeist, destroying many structures. What is causing them to go off? Are all these incidents related?

There are of course, NEW CHARACTERS! Saten Ruiko and Kazari Uiharu! They are also students from a nearby middle-school, and know Kuroko at Judgement. However, both are not high level espers.

So what is the theme and atmosphere in this anime? For starters, the theme is simple to understand.

1. Friendship. It is what keeps the four fighting for justice and being together at all times, never giving up for evil.
2. Giving up and recovery. The story of the failed espers who gave up and how they find strength to try again.
3. Perseverance and endurance. How a teacher's love for her students goes to the ends of the world, even if it means death.

Shirai Kuroko... with Mikoto

Plot wise, i've seen a lot of animes, and this is very well-done. The plot is all inter-connected, and it truly is scientific. Also, the plot is so well orchestrated, and truly original. On all levels, whether its the constructing or the foundations, I can find nearly no similarities to other anime shows. The author has really done a good job by fully showing the scientific analogies and theories.

Atmosphere wise, it is probably one of the more pleasant ones, where there are no major ECCHI scenes (Only Kuroko acting silly all the time with her LESB). Besides that the action scenes are also on par with Index.

Ok....

Not wanting to spoil it for you all, i'm not going to say more.

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun premiered in Fall 2009 ( October 3 2009 to March 20 2010, with 24 Episodes, 2 specials and one OVA.

It was subbed by Chihiro  and Ayako. They still have the HD with them, the last time i checked, even blu-ray 0_o

And, i have to say, the music selection for this anime was AWESOME. With my two favourite artists, fripside doing "Only My Railgun" and "LEVEL 5 Judgelight" and ELISA doing "Dear My Friends" and "Real Force".

Hint for next review: What do you get when you have an otaku father?

Oh yes, there will be a site renovation tomorrow or by the end of this week, i think. Expect new features! Bye for now!

WWHCurrent
wwhcurrent@gmail.com