Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S Episode 22

STUDY is the twenty-second episode for the second season for the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime adaption, and the forty-fifth episode overall. It was first broadcasted on September 13, 2013. It was directed by Takashima Daisuke, screenplay written by Tsuchiya Michihiro, and storyboarded by Sayama Kiyoko. The animation was co-directed Moroishi Kouta, Komatsubara Sei, and Shigeki Kimoto.

The time left for Febri is 72 hours.

In order to obtain a clue to save her, Mikoto goes to where Therestina is being imprisoned. This is because Therestina is someone who is known for experimenting on the children living of Academy City after all. However, Mikoto is warned that to taste a glimpse of the darkness, she may never look the same at the city ever again, even hating it.

The two stare at each other, but Therestina nonetheless give Mikoto a clue. The clue is that Febri is something called a Chemicaloid, made by the people who go to the Academic Assembly. Meanwhile, in the surface, ITEM receives information from the people who had hired them under false pretenses...thus starts the action.

Major events

 * Febri is revealed to be a Chemicaloid.
 * Shinobu reveals that she was the one who freed Febri and gave Mikoto's name to her believing she could protect her.
 * Mikoto infiltrates STUDY's first base, discovers Shinobu's whereabouts and is captured by STUDY.

Adapted from
Other than the ITEM swimming pool scene taken from the 43rd Railgun chapter, most of the content in this episode is an anime original.

Characters

 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Therestina Kihara Lifeline
 * Takitsubo Rikou
 * Kinuhata Saiai
 * ITEM liaison
 * Mugino Shizuri
 * Frenda Seivelun
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Febri
 * Konori Mii
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Kongou Mitsuko
 * Wannai Kinuho
 * Awatsuki Maaya
 * Yomikawa Aiho (referenced)
 * Nunotaba Shinobu
 * Aritomi Haruki
 * Kosako Shunichi
 * Sekimura Hirotada
 * Sakurai Jun
 * Madarame Kenji
 * Kamijou Touma (flashback)

New Characters

 * Janie

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * Judgment 177 Branch Office
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory
 * Uiharu Residence
 * School District 17

New Locations
No new locations were introduced this episode.

Abilities

 * Electromaster (Railgun-variant) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5
 * Meltdowner - Mugino Shizuri, Level 5.
 * Offense Armor - Kinuhata Saiai, Level 4.
 * AIM Stalker - Takitsubo Rikou, Level 4.
 * Psychokinesis (referenced)

New Abilities
No notable abilities were shown during this episode.

Trivia

 * The ED is once again removed this episode.

Referbacks

 * ITEM finally settles on a private pool, an argument which was stated back in episode 8.
 * The bridge that Mikoto wrecks in her confrontation with Touma is shown to be under repair this episode.

Cultural References
No notable references to culture are shown this episode.

Animation Trivia

 * Scenes from episode 21, 22, 23, 24 from the previous season are reused for flashbacks regarding Therestina this episode.
 * Scenes from episode 14 and 16 are reused this episode for flashbacks regarding Touma.

Unanswered Questions

 * Why did Haruki quit school, quit the current years Academic Assembly, and started STUDY Corporation?
 * Who is Janie and how exactly does she control those Powered Suits?
 * What is the purpose of the creation of Febri and Janie?

Quotes

 * Therestina: "I like that look in your eyes. It's as if you've seen the darkness in this city. Did you despair? Were you scared by how deep it goes? What did you do then? Did you curse Academy City? And, in the end, you realized that I was right. Academy City is one big laboratory. You students are all just guinea pigs. So, what do you want from me? Do you want me to pat you on the head and tell you everything'll be all right?"—to Mikoto.
 * Therestina: "Stupid? That's what you think, O chosen Level 5. Remember this, princess. In Academy City, even a filthy guinea pig like you can get a bunch of "close" friends with a label like "Level 5." You don't know how deep the darkness goes for those who can't even be guinea pigs. Don't piss your panties. Brat."—to Mikoto.
 * Ruiko: "I mean, if he's smart enough to win all those prizes, then he should use his brain for good. Instead, he's with some underground organization trying to kidnap Febri. I don't get it... I'd never heard of the Assembly before, but I was happy that people without any esper powers could achieve something too."—to Kazari regarding Aritomi Haruki.
 * Mikoto: "Tokiwadai's Railgun" is a pretty big title. I've met a lot of people because of it. I was thinking, if I weren't a Level 5, then maybe we'd have never become friends."—to Kuroko.
 * Mikoto: "Looking back on it, it was a pretty selfish and pushy demand. So what if it's his dream? Didn't he consider the possibility that it might go unfulfilled? Believing it'll be fulfilled is the only way, huh?"—regarding Touma's talk to her in the bridge.
 * Shinobu: "Sorry. I owe you an apology. Yes, I taught Febri your name. I couldn't think of anyone else she could depend on. I was naive. But it must be fate that the lab was attacked, and I met you here."—said to Mikoto.