User blog:Ollerus/Who is third-ranked Level 5?

Misaka Mikoto is definitely the third-ranked Level 5.

Note: Spoilers for anime-only viewers down this list.

I watched the latest episode of Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator anime. Then I was curious about when does this flashback chapter is placed on Unified Story Timeline. Also I wonder who is third-ranked Level 5 at that time.

When does Esther invited to Academy City?

 * Hishigata Mikihiko: Now, now. Let's not rush this. Let's talk it out. Yeah. We just got to the best part. It's the culmination of my 5 years of research.
 * At some point within the past five years, Esther came to Academy City and was apparently tricked into joining Hishigata Mikihiko's research team as a supervisor.
 * Hishigata Mikihiko starts his research five years prior to current year in the timeline

Who is third-ranked Level 5 at that time?

 * Hmm, you mean like the standalone third-ranked, who's as powerful as a battle cruiser.
 * At the beginning of the Episode 8, Hirumi mentioned third ranked Level 5.
 * Academy City’s #4 Level 5. Her power was known as Meltdowner. Electrons always appeared as either a particle or a wave, but her power let her emit them while they were fixed in a pure state that could not distort into either form. That attack known as the Particle-Function Waveform High Speed Cannon held enough destructive power to slice apart an Aegis ship.
 * The one who had enough destructive power to slice apart an Aegis ship is not for Misaka Mikoto, but catchphrase for Mugino Shizuri.
 * Kimi appears to be apathetic to her surroundings. She paid little attention to the conversations of other prisoners to the point of being unaware that there are now seven Level 5 espers. She had been a prisoner for three years prior to her escape.


 * Three years prior to current year in the timeline

Accelerator Gene Thief Trio

 * In Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator Episode 08, trios who tried to steal Accelerator's gene are appeared in this episode. In Episode 1, Anti-Skill has confirmed that they're high school students. It is unknown what year they are, but they wore same uniform in past days. Unless they flunked.
 * Takada Youko is tried to follow the path of the urban legend, a Stripping Woman.
 * At least Three years prior to current year in the timeline

When Misaka Mikoto became Level 5?

 * How old were you when you reached Level 5? It was after I entered Tokiwadai at age 12.
 * The age of Misaka Mikoto is 14 in current year in the timeline. She passed her birthday (May 2nd) and She became Level 5 two years ago.


 * Two years prior to current year in the timeline

When does Hishigata Hirumi died?

 * Hishigata Hirumi (Taowu): When I was activated for the 17th time 2,467,585 seconds ago, a being contacted the artificial soul that forms me. After 0.23 seconds of hesitation, I accepted the communication.
 * At some point in early August of the current year, Hirumi ended up dying under unknown circumstances and seeing her friend dead in front of her, Esther tried to revive her using Taowu, one of the Evil Spirits of the Numbers.
 * 2,467,585 seconds is less than a month and Necromancer Arc is placed on early September.
 * Early August of current year in the timeline

Result

 * Hishigata Mikihiko starts his research five years ago.
 * He invited Esther Rosenthal to Academy City and Hishigata Hirumi met Esther three years ago.
 * Takada Youko, Nakahara Hiromi, and Kidera Minori were still high school students at least three years ago.
 * Misaka Mikoto became Level 5 two years ago.
 * Hirumi died early August. Necromancer Arc begins in early September.


 * Based on these references, third ranked level 5 which mentioned by Hirumi is not Misaka Mikoto, but Mugino Shizuri. Episode 8 should be placed on three years prior to current year in the timeline.