Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 08

"Level Upper" (幻想御手(レベルアッパー)) is the eighth episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime adaption. It was first aired on November 20, 2009.

Synopsis
But it isn't over yet, as Saten is somehow able to use her PC and the Internet despite the power outage. She is apparently looking for the Level Upper, but is having no luck with it. Giving up, Saten tries to find a new song to get for her player, but then notices a hidden link in the website she is browsing. Clicking on it, it shows in big white letters and in a black field, the words: Level Upper.

Adapted From

 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 006
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 007

Major Events

 * Academy City receives its first major outage in summer.
 * Level Upper users start falling unconscious all over the city.
 * Saten Ruiko discovers the Level Upper.

Characters

 * Akemi
 * Muu
 * Mako
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Kaitabi Hatsuya
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Okahara Ryouta (non-appearing)
 * Jufuku Miho (non-appearing)
 * Kiyama Harumi

New Characters

 * Junta
 * Elder Sister

Abilities

 * Synchrotron - Kaitabi Hatsuya, Level 2 (raised via Level Upper, flashback)
 * Teleport - Shirai Kuroko, Level 4
 * Electromaster (Railgun-variant) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5

New Abilities

 * Flux Coat - Elder Sister,Level Unknown (raised via Level Upper)

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * Sakugawa Middle School

New Locations

 * Uiharu Residence
 * JonaGarden Family Restaurant
 * Mizuho Medical Institute
 * Saten Residence

Trivia

 * Assuming that the Railgun and Index anime adaptations are of the same timeline, we can presume that Mikoto would meet Touma again much later that would kick off the story of Toaru Majutsu no Index. Meaning, Mikoto would again, cause another power outage in the city.

Cultural References

 * is referenced during this episode.
 * is once again referenced in the series.
 * , the phenomenon in which a stimulation of a single sense leads to the influence and stimulation of other senses, is referenced during this episode.

Referbacks

 * Personal Reality, a concept that was explained by Tsukuyomi Komoe back in episode 12 of the Index anime.
 * The Level Upper that was first referenced off-handedly in episode 04 is discussed during this episode.

Differences in Adaptation

 * The lightning that leaves Academy City without electricity, caused by Touma´s fight against Mikoto after having frustrated her attempt to obtain information about the Level Upper, is changed to a fight against Elder Sister, omitting the crossover with the first episode of Toaru Majutsu no Index.

Animation Trivia

 * Scenes from the previous episode is used as flashbacks for this episode.

Unanswered Questions

 * How does one gain their own Personal Reality, and why can't Level 0s get one?
 * How is Mikoto not reprimanded for her actions in causing a power outage, despite knowing Judgment members?
 * Why are Hatsuya and the other characters falling unconscious?
 * How is Saten able to use her PC while there is a power outage?

Quotes

 * Saten: "I don't care about concepts and theories.Couldn't they do a class on leveling up?"
 * Kuroko: "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! I'm such an idiot!"―Regarding the comparing flavors thing.
 * Saten: "Honestly, when I first heard "one's own reality", it sounded like nonsense. But I sort of feel like I get it now. I wonder if someday my Level will go up if I believe."―To Uiharu.
 * Saten: "What's this incredibly uneasy feeling I have..."―To Mikoto.
 * Elder Sister: "You beat up my underlings. Are you prepared for the consequences?"―To Mikoto.
 * Elder Sister: "Don't screw with me! I haven't lost yet! If you're an esper, come at me seriously! If you think you can break my iron will with your pathetic electricity, then just try it!"―To Mikoto.
 * Mikoto: ",I like your spirit. Then, as you wish..."―To Elder Sister.
 * Saten: "The way I see it, if you wanted to live a normal life, you could do it in the outside world. Lots of people came to Academy City because they were interested in esper powers, right? I also used to wonder what my own powers were. What kind of strength might I have hidden in me? The day before I came here I was so excited I couldn't sleep. And then after the initial scan they told me, "You have no potential at all. Level 0". I was like "aw man..." Honestly, that really got me down."―To Uiharu.
 * Uiharu: "I understand your feelings. My esper power level is also nothing special. But whether I'm working with Shirai-san or playing with you, everyday is fun. If I had never come here, I wouldn't have met all of you. If only for that, there's meaning to behind my coming to Academy City."―To Saten.