Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S Episode 05

"Level 6 Shift Project" (絶対能力者進化計画(レベル6シフトけいかく)) is the 5th episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S anime series, and the 29th episode of the anime series adaptation of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga series. It was first broadcast on May 10, 2013. The episode's script was written by Minakami Seishi, storyboarded by Nihei Yuuichi, and was directed by Takashima Daisuke. Furthermore, the episode's animation was directed by Motomura Kouichi, Komatsubara Sei, Ishii Tetsuya, and Naoya Takashi.

Guided by the feeling of someone having the same ability as herself, Mikoto comes upon a creepy girl wearing a Tokiwadai Middle School who stood alone. What she came across was like a projection, a mirror, a girl of her own shape, a doppelganger. While silence dominates between the two, a strange word originated from the other girl.

Mikoto was caught unaware by the girl calling "Misaka," who says to her that she is trying to help a cat that is stuck up on a tree. After that is done, she she refers to herself as a "Sister" to Mikoto, and admits frankly that she is her clone. Due to the incongruous situation, Mikoto is befuddled.

Major events

 * Misaka Mikoto bonds with Misaka 9982.
 * Misaka Mikoto learns the truth about the clones and the Level 6 Shift.
 * Misaka 9982 dies in her battle against Accelerator.
 * A Level 5, Misaka Mikoto, attacks another one, Accelerator, for the first time.

Adapted From

 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 022
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 023

Characters

 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Misaka 9982
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Haruue Erii

New Characters

 * Black cat
 * Accelerator
 * Ice Cream Old Man

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * Uiharu Residence

New locations

 * Endymion
 * Misawa Cram School

Abilities

 * Electromaster - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5.
 * Electromaster - Misaka 9982, Level 3.

New Abilities

 * Accelerator (ability) - Accelerator, Level 5

Trivia

 * The episode marks the first time a pantyshot actually appears on the Railgun adaptation.
 * The scene where Misaka 9982 tries to save a baby from heatstroke completely removes Yomikawa Aiho's appearance.
 * Misaka 9982 references the tea scene from the 20th chapter of Railgun despite the scene being absent in the anime.
 * Misaka 9982 points out that the Japanese word for "young cat" (こねこ) is a palindrome. In one fan translation, the English palindrome "Was it a cat I saw?" is used.
 * Endymion, along with Misawa Cram School can be seen from the distance in the bridge scene where Misaka 9982 says farewell to Mikoto. Moreover, this is the same bridge used when Kamijou Touma and Stiyl Magnus used to travel towards Misawa Cram School back in episode 7 of Toaru Majutsu no Index as well as the bridge used at the end of the first opening of Toaru Majutsu no Index II.
 * In the code, each group of three letters happen to be the first three letters on each line of a keyboard.
 * Furthermore, in the code each group of numbers happens to match up with the buttons of an atm machine going from bottom to top and left to right.

Referbacks

 * Animals being uncomfortable around Mikoto and her clones due to their electromagnetic waves may be a reference to episode 10 of Index.
 * Mikoto recalls the rumors of her clones as well as the Radio Noise Project as shown in episode 3.
 * The Gekota badge Mikoto won from the previous episode plays a prominent part during this episode.

Cultural References

 * Misaka 9982 uses a modified FN F2000 known as Toy Soldier along with her Electron (NV) Goggles. This is the first time that the anime adaptation shows how the goggles can be connected to the rifle.

Animation Trivia

 * Scenes of Misaka 9982 has her goggles drawn traditionally or of poorer quality.
 * Compared to his original appearance in the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime, Accelerator has noticeably longer and wavier hair in his apperance here.
 * When Misaka 9982 fires her Toy Soldier, the scene is computer generated, moreover, there is no rifling marks on the bullets.
 * Despite the experiment being referred to by Misaka 9982 as the 9982nd experiment, the file that Mikoto reads regarding the experiment has it written as Misaka 9928.
 * While Misaka 9982 crawls toward the Gekota badge after her legged ripped off, a scene where her entire body is shown along with her missing leg. However, the scene is censored in the television airing, with a black bar diagonally placed on screen to cover her leg.
 * The ending theme is cut during this episode, an unprecedented move in the animated Toaru Majutsu no Index series. Moreover, the entire credits sequence is changed into a scrolling one in a black background.

Unanswered Questions

 * If this is the 9982nd experiment, does that mean there have been 9981 other clones that have been killed?
 * What is the true extent of Accelerator's powers?
 * Is Level 6 such an envious power that it justifies the slaughtering of clones?

Quotes

 * Misaka 9982: "Meow."—said to Misaka Mikoto.
 * Mikoto: "Do you want me to hurt you? I can draw it out of you by force if I have to."—Mikoto threatening Misaka 9982.
 * Misaka 9982: ""Rich, yet not overbearing, and the \Naftertaste has a fresh sweetness to it. While good milk is essential for this, it also requires the best refined sugar. The cone was made to imitate cookie pie crust. Good job," says MISAKA, offering her admiration."—Misaka 9982 critiquing her ice cream.
 * Ice cream man: "If a married couple divorce, they become total strangers, but the bond between siblings lasts a lifetime."—to Mikoto and Misaka 9982.
 * Misaka 9982: ""No, no. Not a chance," says MISAKA, astounded by the overwhelming childishness of her Original."—to Mikoto after she gives her the Gekota badge.
 * Mikoto: "Even my own clone questions my taste..."—internal monologue on the above comment.
 * Misaka 9982: ""I assert that the ownership of this badge was granted to me the moment you attached it. I claim that your actions are oppressive," complains MISAKA... "It is not nonsense. Besides... this is the first present I've received from Onee-sama. Couldn't you have made it something less lame?" is what MISAKA would actually say, but she just sighs instead."—to Mikoto.
 * Misaka 9982: "Farewell, Onee-sama."—to Mikoto.
 * Misaka 9982: ""I am not running away. I have lured you to the target area as planned," says MISAKA, requesting he correct his statement."—to Accelerator.
 * Accelerator: "And that concludes tonight's experiment."—Accelerator after killing Misaka 9982.