Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S Episode 04

"Sisters" (妹達(シスターズ)) is the 4th episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S anime series, and the 28th episode of the anime series adaptation of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga series. It was first broadcast on May 03, 2013. The episode's script was written by Sunayama Kurasumi, storyboarded by Muroi Yasuo, and directed Sakurabi Katsushi.

Mikoto has discovered, after much snooping about in a laboratory, that the plan to produce clones of her has been stopped. Seeing that her DNA Map has not been exploited, a serene feeling flows into Mikoto, and decides to go out shopping with Saten and Uiharu.

The girls become more eager as the day of the "large-scale field trip" draws near, Kuroko as a consequence, pulls Mikoto around who is in the height of tension. Uiharu's friends seem a little puzzled as their hearts beat faster at the sight of cute things. Five friends spend their time happily together, focusing on Mikoto who shows an unexpected talent. Passing by in the blink of an eye, the first day of summer vacation.

Behind the scenes of the vast landscape of Academy City, a certain experiment was in progress quietly.

Major events

 * Misaka Mikoto meets a clone, Misaka 9982, for the first time and confirms her worst fears.
 * At the very end of the episode, after the ending sequence, Misaka 9982 is asked by the researchers to clean a blood-stained room full of dead clones who had fought in a test experiment against each other.
 * Accelerator is shown in the next episode preview and we see footage from the battle scene between Misaka 9982 and Accelerator in the next episode preview as well.

Adapted From

 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 020
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 021

Characters

 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Haruue Erii
 * Konori Mii (referenced)
 * Tsuchimikado Maika
 * Hazamaya Kana

New Characters

 * Misaka 9982
 * Kusakabe Yumi
 * Kanmi Eiga
 * Nao

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * A Certain Vending Machine
 * Seventh Mist
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory
 * Green Mart

New locations

 * Liberal Arts City (referenced)

Abilities

 * Electromaster - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5.
 * Electromaster - Nao

New Abilities
No new abilities were introduced during the episode.

Trivia

 * The "Large-scale field trip" is once again referenced during this episode.
 * Level Upper and the brainwave network is referenced during this episode.

Referbacks

 * The conversation regarding Kazari and Erii requiring a new rice cooker from the previous episode, is expanded upon during this episode.
 * Ruiko references her seeing a clone back in episode 2 during this episode 2.
 * Kazari references the rumors of clones of a Level 5 that Konori Mii talked to her about back in episode 2.

Cultural References

 * Dengeki Daioh, the magazine where the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga is featured is in this episode. The last time this occurred was on episode 4 of the first season. The magazine featured is from the August 2012 issue released on June 2012. The cover features Akatsuki Kojou from Strike the Blood fame, an advertisement of a Kuroyukihime, from Accel World fame, figure, and prominently featured on the cover is Chigira Chiaki of the spin-off series of Accel World, Accel World / Dural: Magisa Garden. The back cover features advertisements for cards of Yu-gi-oh fame.
 * Vessels where they drink in front to Seven Mist is a reference to Starbucks but bear the image of Gekota called Beard Frog (in spite of the fact that the frog is only mustachioed).
 * One of the badges Misaka receives from the capsule machine features Rinon from the anime series Ano Natsu de Matteru which was also produced by J.C. Staff.

Animation Trivia

 * Despite two seasons of Toaru Majutsu no Index the eyes of Misaka 9982 are different from the eyes of the clones that appeared in previous adaptations.
 * Scenes from episode 6 of the first season are reused to reintroduce Kana to the audience.

Unanswered Questions

 * What was Mikoto's answer to Kuroko's question on what she'll do if she had clones?
 * Tree Diagram predicted that the Sisters cannot reach Level 5, then what is the use of the clones now?

Quotes

 * Kuroko: "This is the first time I've seen her acting so creepy..."—regarding Mikoto's unusual demeanor.
 * Boy: "Don't argue. Those are the eyes of a madman."—to another boy regarding Mikoto's obsesssion with getting the Gekota badge.
 * Children: "Seriously. Thank goodness."—after Mikoto finally gets the Gekota badge.
 * Mikoto: "Well, I guess I can finally— Wait, what was I going to do with this again? Has your collector spirit ever fired up, making you go on a mindless rampage to get everything related to something you really like? I can't wear it on my clothes like her. Even I know that. I can almost see the pitiful looks on Kuroko's face if I did. This again? But maybe it'd be okay on my bag? Maybe?"
 * Mikoto: "What was that sensation earlier? A power similar to mine... Rather, it felt as if someone pointed my own power at me from the outside."—Mikoto, upon sensing a power similar to her own.
 * Yumi: "You can think of her as your Onee-sama."—to Misaka 9982, as a reply to her question.