Item

ITEM is one of the unofficial groups in the Science Side whose primary function was to monitor the upper echelons of the Academy City (including the board of directors) and prevent them from gaining too much power and getting out of hand. They are also used in eliminating elements of unrest within Academy City. It consists of 4 girls, with the 4th Level 5 Mugino Shizuri as the leader. They become rivals with SCHOOL.

The original 4 members of the team share a very specific treat : They all use items in a way to assist their ability and / or to fight, giving the team an actual namesake.

Despite having a Level 5, the most important person in ITEM is Takitsubo Rikou, due to her ability to find other espers and take initiative in attacks. Superior firepower from having a Level 5 can be matched using other means, but a tracker like Rikou is near irreplaceable.

Chronology
Chronologically, ITEM first appears in the Railgun manga where they are sent to stop Misaka Mikoto and her rampage against the Level 6 Shift project.

At some point after Volume SS1 and before Volume 15, Hamazura Shiage becomes ITEM's informant and lackey, often doing dirty work and following orders.

During the events of Volume 15, Mugino murders Frenda as she was about to defect to SCHOOL. Later on, Hamazura defeats Mugino and according to Volume 19, Kinuhata became the leader of the severely weakened ITEM afterwards. After Volume 22, ITEM gets back together after the efforts of Hamazura pay off; from that point and on the team will be known as Reborn ITEM (新生 アイテム).

Members (Original Team)

 * Mugino Shizuri [Original Team Leader]
 * Takitsubo Rikou
 * Kinuhata Saiai [Temporary Leader as of volume 19]
 * Frenda Seivelun (Defects team in volume 15.)

Members (Reborn)

 * Mugino Shizuri
 * Takitsubo Rikou
 * Kinuhata Saiai
 * Hamazura Shiage ('Becomes' part of the team in volume 22.) (Referred by the rest of the team as "lackey")