Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 04

"Urban Legends" (都市伝説) is the fourth episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun series. It was first aired on October 23, 2009.

Adapted From
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 003

Major events

 * Mikoto meets Kiyama Harumi.
 * Mikoto does battle with Kamijou Touma, and would've soundly been beaten if not for Touma forfeiting.

Characters

 * Saten Ruiko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Kamijou Touma

New Characters

 * Kiyama Harumi

Abilities

 * Electromaster - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5
 * Imagine Breaker - Kamijou Touma, Level 0

New abilities

 * The ability to manifest a lightning rod - Discussed
 * Iron sand manipulation (Electromaster) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5

Locations

 * Academy City
 * Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory

New Locations

 * Green Mart
 * Seventh Mist

Trivia

 * Though not Harumi's propensity for undressing is still retained, it is not originally an urban legend in the original manga. The episode shows for the first time the use of urban legends as a plot device, something that would form nearly the entirety of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun's plot.
 * Touma, in the original manga, has never met Kiyama Harumi.

Cultural References

 * Dengeki Daioh, the magazine where the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga is featured in this episode, being the magazine where Mikoto picks up. It is the November 2009 issue, released on October. The magazine shows an announcement regarding the Shakugan no Shana S OVA, feautring Shana and Sakai Chigusa, as well as an advertisement of Asura Cryin' and Love Allergen. Most importantly, it also features an advertisement for Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.
 * Tsundere is a character archtype that refers to a character that is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing his or her warm side over time. Harumi tries to reference this during the episode.
 * The car that Harumi drives looks like a Lamborghini Gallardo.

Referbacks

 * All urban legends referenced in the episode are based on actual events or phenomenon in the Toaru Majutsu no Index timeline. The wind turbines turning other way urban legend, is a reference to episode 14, where the Sister clones use their powers to help Touma defeat Accelerator. The Imaginary Number District is also referenced, as well as Touma's Imagine Breaker.
 * AIM is referenced, being first introduced in episode 21.

Animation Trivia

 * The cover on the urban legends magazine depicts the outside Tokiwadai Dormitory in false color.

Unanswered Questions

 * If both the urban legend about the Stripper Lady and the man who can negate all other abilities true, then are the other urban legends true as well?
 * What is the true nature of the boy who can negate Mikoto's power, and is Mikoto's power the only one he can negate?
 * Why does the woman who likes to strip have eyebags?

Quotes

 * Mikoto: "Hey! That wasn't scary at all!"―To Ruiko, after hearing the latter's story about the "Stripping Lady."
 * Mikoto: "You shouldn't read such pointless sites. Besides, we shouldn't be bothering with urban legends. This is the Academy City, after all."―To Ruiko, regarding urban legends.
 * Touma: "You totally ruined my "get out of trouble by pretending to be a friend" plan!"―To Mikoto after she busted him.
 * Touma: "Aren't you guys embarrassed? It's pathetic, surrounding one little girl like this. Besides, take a good look at the person you're dealing with. She's still a brat! You saw that just now, right? That crude, disrespectful attitude towards her elders. Even though she looks like a young lady, she's still in that rebellious period. She's that kind of brat!"―A classic Touma speech towards the thugs, regarding Mikoto's personality.
 * Harumi: "I've been walking in this blazing sun for quite a while. I'm soaked in sweat."―After removing her shirt.
 * Touma: "It's all a misunderstanding!"―Said after being accused of attacking and disrobing Harumi.
 * Harumi: "You know, when a girl behaves all cold towards the guy she likes. It was popular a while back... Tsun... Tsun... Tsundara? No... Tsunjire?"―Harumi trying to say tsundere.
 * Touma: "It's a massacre... My vital source of protein... After all this... After lining up for two hours..."―Touma lamenting his loss of cheaply bought eggs.
 * Touma: "I got it. If that'll make you happy, I'll take you on."―To Mikoto.
 * Touma: ""Liar! You were like this, just about crying, and when I raised my fist, you—―To Mikoto.
 * Kuroko: Stripper curse away!"―To Mikoto as Kuroko tries to force a pair of panties on her.
 * Harumi: "So she's the legendary Level 5, huh. What an interesting girl."