Gekota

Gekota (ゲコ太) is a popular mascot found in merchandise marketed to children in the Toaru Majutsu no Index universe. Misaka Mikoto is a huge fan of the franchise it belongs to, and much to her consternation gets her labeled as someone who is childish.

Background
Gekota seems to belong to a cast of characters composed of frogs. Several characters have been revealed to exist in the franchise so far.
 * Gekota is an old man type of character who is known to suffer from motion sickness easily. Because he has a habit of saying geko-geko (ゲコ, ゲコ), the name stuck and he's been referred to as such ever since.
 * Pyonko is a female frog from the same franchise. She wears a bow on her head and is pink in color in contrast to the usual green of the male frogs.
 * Unnamed Tadpole is another frog from the same franchise. He lives next to Gekota.

Merchandise
The Gekota franchise is the most prominent one in the Toaru Majutsu no Index universe, and there has been a lot of various items that feature its characters.
 * Cellphones
 * Plushies
 * Figures
 * Cellphone accessories
 * Gashapon Badges
 * Cellphone straps
 * Pyjamas
 * Masks
 * Shampoo or some other bathing product
 * Piggybank

Index Arc

 * Main Article:Index Arc

Gekota figures were used in the ritual in order to represent Tsukuyomi Komoe and Index.

Academy City Invasion Arc

 * Main Article:Academy City Invasion Arc

Because Touma lost to Mikoto in their Daihaseisai bet, he was forced to do anything she wanted. Mikoto made Touma sign a pair contract with her in order to subscribe to a handy antenna service. A free pair of Lovely Mitten Gekota straps, featuring Gekota and Pyonko, were acquired by the two for subscribing to the service.

Acqua's Pursuit Arc

 * Main Article:Acqua's Pursuit Arc

Mikoto headed to the 'Super Resort Serene Springs' in District 22 in order to collect the 10 stamps needed to acquire a free out-of-bath Gekota strap.

World War III Arc

 * Main Article:World War III Arc

The straps acquired during September 30th were mentioned several times during the arc. The first instance of which was Mikoto staring at her phone with the strap on it, thinking about looking into the upcoming World War. Lessar later on asked Touma about the strap when he saw it hanging from his pants pocket. Mikoto later on saw Touma, with the Gekota strap in his pocket, on a broadcast about the situation in Russia. This prompts Mikoto to head to Russia by hijacking a supersonic bomber, and meets Misaka 10777, who later inquires about the aforementioned strap. At the end of the arc, Mikoto saw Touma's torn Gekota strap at the coast.

Homecoming Arc

 * Main Article:Homecoming Arc

Hamazura Shiage points out the torn string attached to Touma's phone, making him realize that the Gekota strap came off. Later on, Mikoto returns the strap she found to Touma, who reattaches it to his phone.

Introduction
In the first episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime, a free Gekota strap was being given away by the newly opened stall, Crepe Rablm. The first 100 customers were given the strap for free, with Saten Ruiko being the last winner. She gave it to Mikoto, realizing how badly she wants it.

Poltergeist Arc

 * Main Article:Poltergeist Arc

Mikoto, Kuroko, Ruiko, and Kazari went to the Academy City Fireworks Display together. At the night fair, Mikoto bought a Gekota mask from one of the stalls.

Sisters Arc (Railgun)

 * Main Article:Sisters Arc

Mikoto spent at least 10,000 yen on gashapon in order to acquire a Gekota badge. She later gave it to Misaka 9982 who cherished it until her dying moments.

Mikoto was shown to be wearing Gekota pyjamas on the night before she attempted to hack the Tree Diagram Information Receival Center. Her phone was also revealed to be some sort of custom Gekota model.

Daihaseisai Festival Arc (Railgun)

 * Main Article:Daihasei Festival Arc (Railgun)

Mikoto wore the same mask she bought during the night fair in order to hide her face during the Balloon Hunter competition after Misaka 10032 was dragged into playing the game in her stead.

Toaru Majutsu no Index (PSP Game)

 * Main Article:Toaru Majutsu no Index (PSP game)

In the unlockable Mikoto Route, Mikoto chases Touma around because the latter obtained Gekota Chocolate before she did, not to mention insulted the mascot character by calling it weird.