Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 02

"When You Work Under the Sun, You Need to Stay Hydrated" (炎天下の作業には水分補給が必須ですのよ) is the second episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime series. It was first broadcast on October 9, 2009.

Uiharu and Saten were invited to Mikoto's room at the Tokiwadai Middle School Girls' Dormitory. Mikoto and the others become excited about doing the typical things done in that situation like rummaging for swimsuits and looking at photo albums. But Kuroko, who wanted to celebrate her first month as roommates with Mikoto (as she pleases) is less enthusiastic about it. After Kuroko meekly told her earnest thoughts to Mikoto, Uiharu and Saten are saddened by it, while Mikoto ends up kicking her as usual. Kuroko's excessive actions were punished through an intense electric shock, and a fierce battle between esper abilities unfolded. They are then reprimanded by the dorm supervisor upon hearing the ensuing commotion, and the two are assigned to clean the pools...

Synopsis
In the meanwhile, in a nondescript family restaurant, Uiharu wonders if Mikoto has given "that" to her, which Saten notes that she wishes to see Mikoto give it to her, since they went out of their way to help her find it. Here, Uiharu reveals that it was Kuroko they were referring to, and references on her queer taste of underwear. However, Saten says that despite Kuroko's taste, it is the thought that counts, to which Uiharu agrees with a smile. Back with Mikoto, she draws a smile and calls out towards her crying underclassman-slash-roommate. Mikoto reminds Kuroko on what day it is: a month ago, on the evening after Kuroko barged into Mikoto's room and forced herself to be her roommate, and on the day after, they were forced to clean the cafeteria as punishment, just like what they are doing right now, and from then on and even until now, they are together. Mikoto points out that if there were any be an "anniversary" between them, it would be today and not the day before. Here, Mikoto hands Kuroko a gift, much to Kuroko's surprise. She takes it and unwraps it to discover a USA shirt, and with much joy, she tears up. Mikoto says that they'll always be together from now on. Kuroko asks if they would always be together (actually, she believes it to be together forever), to which Mikoto points out the obvious, and states that they are of course partners. Mikoto takes the two water bottles they had and drinks the contents down, of course Kuroko drank from her own spiked bottle. Refreshed, Mikoto opts to finish the work they have started, while Kuroko is in a really strange daze. Under the spell, Kuroko calls out to Mikoto, and tells her that it would be better to work while they are in their swimsuits. Mikoto replies that it would be a hassle to get them, however, Kuroko reveals that she has already taken care of it, much to Mikoto's rage, who throws and hits Kuroko in the face with the broom she is using. Kuroko points out however, unperturbed by the broom mark on her face, that lockers are not a match for her powers. Suddenly, Kuroko teleports behind Mikoto, and then teleports away her undergarments, much to her horror. Kuroko laments on how Mikoto has such childish taste. Mikoto, however, demands Kuroko to give them back, but is too embarrassed to do anything. Suddenly, Kuroko looks into the garment she just took and discovers that it matches, prompting her to run around the empty swimming pool, proclaiming that it matches. However, Mikoto finally snaps and attacks her. At the same time as this, both Kinuho and Maaya enter the area, having finished the exam and are ready to help them. However, what they discover is beyond their ken, as Kuroko, still under the daze of the aphrodisiac she took, takes in full the electric attacks Mikoto does on her. Seeing this, Kinuho and Maaya leave them to their own devices.

Adapted From
The second half of the episode is adapted from Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 017, while the rest is anime-original.

Major Events

 * Mikoto meets Wannai Kinuho and Awatsuki Maaya
 * Kuroko and Mikoto celebrate their one month of being roommates.

Characters

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

New Characters

 * Kamijou Touma (Unnamed)
 * Misaka Misuzu (Not fully appearing)
 * Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor
 * Wannai Kinuho
 * Awatsuki Maaya

Abilities

 * Electromaster (Railgun-variant) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5
 * Teleport - Shirai Kuroko, Level 4

New Abilities

 * Imagine Breaker - Kamijou Touma
 * Hydro Hand - Wannai Kinuho, Level 3.

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * Tokiwadai Middle School

New Locations

 * Tokiwadai Dormitory

Trivia

 * This is the first time Touma appears, still retaining his memories before meeting Index, though he is not referred to by name. Mikoto will not refer to Touma's name until the Toaru Majutsu no Index PSP game, during a partial retelling of the events of the Toaru Majutsu no Index storyline, specifically, the prologue of the first episode of Index.
 * Despite Kuroko saying it their anniversary after she and Mikoto became roommates, only a month has passed, making this occassion technically a mensiversary. The term is abused several times in the episode.
 * Kuroko's album's name is called "Kuroko no (hi)Album Oneesama no HIMITSU". This would later be used as the title for a Toaru Kagaku no Railgun artbook featuring artwork of Mikoto by several artists, aptly called Kuroko no (hi)Album Oneesama no HIMITSU Kaizokuban, released on December 31, 2010.
 * The episode reveals a much different Dorm Supervisor to the one that was introduced in the 18th episode of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime adaptation, complete with a different voice actress.
 * Kuroko title drops the episode's name during the latter half of the episode.
 * Mikoto says "Zutto issho ni" after giving the shirt to Kuroko, which can either mean "always together" or "together forever", of course, Kuroko confuses what Mikoto meant with the phrase.
 * Despite the manga chapter that it adapted from is part of the Level Upper Arc, this is not the case for the anime.

Referbacks

 * A week has apparently passed since the first episode.
 * The episode references Kuroko and Mikoto becoming roommates, as well as the aftermaths of Kuroko forcing herself in doing so. However, the episode does not tell on how or why Kuroko became Mikoto's roommate, which is only slightly discussed in the 10th episode of Toaru Majutsu no Index, during Touma's visit to their dorm.

Cultural References

 * Kuroko references the.
 * Saten references the Tokiwadai Dorm as being, a French word that means "smart" or "stylish".
 * Kuroko imagines an homage to the climactic farewell scene in, with Mikoto in the role of Rick Blaine and Kuroko in the role of Ilsa Lund . Despite Kuroko's imagination, they do not get together in the movie.
 * Mikoto makes a pun on Kuroko's name, which can be translated as "Black child".
 * Kuroko references the phenomenon.
 * A rabbit is seen on the USA shirt and shorts that Kuroko and Mikoto have respectively, this is due to the fact that the acronym of the United States of America, USA, means rabbit in Japanese.

Differences in Adaptation

 * In the manga, the reason why Mikoto amd Kuroko gets punished by the dorm supervisor is because they are past the curfew of the students entering the dorm, as they are finished getting interrogated by Anti-Skill on the recent AIM Burst incident.
 * The flashback of Mikoto saving Wannai from Skill-Out thugs is cut in the adaptation

Animation Trivia

 * The sound that Imagine Breaker produces whenever Touma negates something is replaced during this episode, and would be standard for the rest of the anime adaptation. It would only return during the second season of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime.
 * The animation where Mikoto pulls on Kuroko's cheeks is reused several times in the episode.
 * The track "Skill-Out" from the second Toaru Kagaku no Railgun soundtrack, is played the during the Dorm Supervisor's appearance, despite the lack of presence of any Skill-Out.

Unanswered Questions

 * Who is exactly that dashing spiky-haired young man, and why is Mikoto chasing after and attacking him?
 * What exactly is the young man's power that stopped even Mikoto's power?
 * How did Mikoto save Wannai?

Quotes

 * Kuroko: "Today is... Kuroko and Oneesama's anniversary. It was one month ago today... when were first tied with the red string of fate. It's unfortunate the goods I ordered didn't arrive... but today, Kuroko will... give one to her without fail. A present from my heart and soul. That's right, me, and all that I am!"
 * Saten and Uiharu: "Excuse... us!"―said as they entered Kuroko and Mikoto's room.
 * Mikoto: "Today is the one month anniversary of Kuroko and I being joined by the red string of fate. Kuroko and myself are two but joined as one. Uiharu-san, Saten-san, let's get along from now on too. Here's to your beautiful eyes."―Mikoto in Kuroko's imagination spot.
 * Saten: "Well you know, I just wanted to get back my everyday life. Seeing Uiharu's panties help me calm down."―said to Uiharu after discovering Kuroko's fancy underwear pile.
 * Kuroko: "Kuroko lives in the present. Rather than looking back to the past... or dreaming of the future, I want to gaze at this moment now! That's how I decided to live."―regarding why she doesn't have photoalbums.
 * Mikoto: "You definitely need to reflect on the now more than the past or the future!"―said to Kuroko.
 * Kuroko: "These red beans... They'll be discarded without anyone giving a second thought. I'm the same as these lonely beans!"―Kuroko comparing herself to red beans.
 * Mikoto: "I'm going to char you as black as your name."―said to Kuroko after discovering Kuroko's "computer parts".
 * Kuroko: "Now it's down to this, it's eat or be eaten. If you won't accept my love, then fight me!"―said to Mikoto.
 * Dorm Supervisor: "If I were to listen to every circumstance every time, I would not be able to uphold the rules of the dorm. Punishment must be exacted on those who break the rules. Don't you think, Misaka?"
 * Kuroko: "Even in summer, the winds of society can be cold."―said to Kinuho and Wannai
 * Kuroko: "I'm fine! I'm not suitable to be with Onee-sama. I always cause you trouble, and I can't help you... I'm not fit to stay by your side!"
 * Mikoto: "What should I do? This is so sudden I can't keep up."―regarding Kuroko suddenly crying.
 * Mikoto: "Of course, we go the same school, we live in the same room. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't be apart. After all, we're partners."―said to Kuroko.
 * Kuroko: "It matches! It matches! Matches, matches! It matches Oneesama's!"―regarding the shirt and shorts.
 * Maaya: "Let's pretend we didn't see anything."―said to Kinuho after seeing Kuroko and Mikoto's violent escapade.
 * Kuroko: "I'll never be disheartened. I'll stay by Onee-sama's side forever."