Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (manga)

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (とある科学の超電磁砲（レールガン)) is the side story of Toaru Majutsu no Index. It started serialization in Dengeki Daioh in May 2007. The story tells of the events before and during the time of the novels from a different perspective from the main character, Mikoto Misaka and her friends.

Plot
Diverging from the plot of Index, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun focuses more on Academy City and the third of seven Level 5 espers named Misaka Mikoto.

Misaka Mikoto, despite being part of the most powerful espers in Academy City, also possesses a more carefree side to her life. She has to fend off constant "love attacks" from devoted friend and roommate Shirai Kuroko and she needs to maintain the image of being perfect as Tokiwadai's Ace. However, with various problems arising in Academy City — both noticeable and out from plain sight — she moves as Academy City's unseen savior, using her powers to save people, loved ones and strangers alike.

Anime Series

 * see list of: Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episodes

The anime aired in October 2009 and ended in March 2010. There was also an extra anime episode bundled on a DVD with the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Official Visual Book which was released later, on July 24 2010. An OVA of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun was released later, on October 29, 2010.

Manga

 * see list of: Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga

The side story, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, started serialization in Dengeki Daioh in May 2007. The story tells of the events before and during the time of the novels from a different perspective from the main character, Mikoto Misaka and her friends. Currently, four volumes have been released. With the 5th Volume of the Manga to be shipped on 26th June 2010.

Music
The anime adaptation of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun has seven pieces of theme music, three opening themes and four ending themes. The first opening theme is "only my railgun" by fripSide, the 2nd Opening Theme is "LEVEL5 -judgelight-" also by fripSide. The 1st ending theme is "Dear My Friend: Mada Minu Mirai e" (Dear My Friend －まだ見ぬ未来へ－, lit. "Dear My Friend: Towards an Unseen Future") by ELISA, and the 2nd ending theme is "SMILE －You And Me－ " also by ELISA, the 3rd ending theme is "Real Force" also by ELISA. The OVA also has its own opening and ending song; "future gazer" by fripSide for the opening, and "Special "ONE"" by ELISA for the ending.