External References

This is a list of references made to other media in Toaru Majutsu no Index and other works in the Toaru series, and in other media to the Toaru series.

Within story

 * In Volume 1 and Episode 1, Mikoto refers to Great Teacher Onizuka when asking Touma why he tried to save the delinquents.
 * In Volume 1, the narrator refers Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's Stand users.
 * In Volume 2, Touma refers the manga series Black Jack when he was amazed about Himegami Aisa's medical aid ability on a Misawa Cram School's female student, who was damaged due to the use of the Gregorian Chant Replica.
 * When Mikoto pulled the bench Touma, Index, Birdway and Lessar were sitting on over a river with electromagnetism, Touma was reminded of the bicycle scene from E.T. The Extraterrestrial.

Character designs
In notes regarding concept art for the series, Haimura Kiyotaka has occasionally referenced other media, either because of a resemblance, analogy or a design influence.
 * Rimea: Haimura notes that she looks like she would fit in with the Gotei 13, most likely referring to Nanao Ise.
 * Carissa: Haimura mentions that from the beginning, he had an image for Carissa similar to Debora from the DS version of Dragon Quest V.
 * Villian: According to Haimura, Villian was designed with an image similar to that of Tina (Terra in the English releases) of Final Fantasy VI or more specifically, her appearance in Dissidia Final Fantasy.
 * AIM Burst: In designing the AIM Burst, Haimura was apparently aiming for something similar to Giygas from Mother 2 (Earthbound in English), something with no clear shape or form, something which couldn't be comprehended yet clearly something very bad.
 * Cendrillon: Haimura notes that her design is based on a futuristic spacesuit, mentioning that it is the same motif as in Kamen Rider Fourze.
 * Othinus: While describing the reason for Othinus's exposing outfit as her way of showing that her enemies' attacks and hostility mean nothing to her by casting aside any form of protection, Haimura compares it to how Dragon Shiryū is stronger without his Cloth.
 * Freadia Strikers: Haimura says that she could be called a blonde-haired blue-eyed Betty Boop.
 * Professor: Haimura comments that he kind of looks like Desty Nova from Battle Angel Alita.
 * Misaka Mikoto (Level 6 Shift attempt): Haimura mentions he designed her forms with JRPG final bosses in mind, where they change forms at certain points.

Anime

 * In Episode 8 of Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi (Okami-san and her Seven Companions), another series animated by JC Staff, Misaka Mikoto, Shirai Kuroko, Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko are briefly mentioned and shown, as potential bride candidates for rich boy Nezumi.
 * In Episode 10 of Durarara!!, Erika and Walker argue over who the heroine of the series is, with Walker claiming it is Biribiri while Erika supports Himegami, while holding the first volume of the Railgun manga.
 * In Shakugan no Shana, another JC Staff series, two of Yuji's friends are seen wearing shirts with Mikoto and Index's faces on them.

Video Games

 * In Disgaea 4, Index, as drawn by Haimura Kiyotaka, appears in the animation for the spell Omega Heal.