Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 071

The original 71st chapter of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga was released on May 27, 2014. By the release of the 10th volume of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga, the contents of chapter 71 are later moved to the 69th chapter in the tankobon.

On September 27, 2014, a new 71st chapter of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is released in Dengeki Daioh magazine, using the revised chapter numbers that was introduced in the 10th volume of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.

September 27, 2014 release
The 72nd chapter of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga, entitled "Indian Poker", was released on September 27, 2014. This chapter marks the beginning of the Dream Ranker Arc.

Synopsis
After having their swimming class, Misaka Mikoto goes on a conversation with the Ringlet curl girl, who quickly talks about a limited-edition Gekota merchandise available through a particular promo. Moments after, Shokuhou Misaki, who seems to have skipped PE class as usual, shows up and notices that Mikoto is acting close to a member of her clique, much to Mikoto's chagrin. Sparks begin to fly between the Ace and Queen of Tokiwadai, and despite being an upperclassman of the two Level 5s, the Ringlet curl girl helplessly watches as the two girls bicker on. Misaki did make a hasty exit as soon as she sees the school's dormitory supervisor, leaving Mikoto at her mercy.

Mikoto's pride was left hurt after the encounter with Misaki, but the Ringlet curl girl meets her once again to apologize, giving a card to make up for the incident. Mikoto has no idea about what the card is, but Saten Ruiko quickly identifies the card as an Indian Poker card, a popular card used to peek into the dreams of someone. Ruiko explains how the card works and relates the system used in the card with a toy used by children to move a ball using artificial psychokinesis. She also adds that there are people who are capable of supplying interested people with pleasant dreams. With her interest piqued by Ruiko's introduction into the system, Mikoto decides to use the card on herself.

That night, Mikoto finds herself in a dream where she is whisked away by a group of Gekota into a castle. To her shock, the castle is inhabited by Shokuhou Misaki dressed like a queen. Mikoto then suddenly finds herself dressed like a maid, and is pressured into serving Misaki after seeing the Gekotas' sad faces when she refuses. Misaki finds Mikoto's reluctant service adorable enough that she wants Mikoto to serve her for the rest of her life. The sheer rage of being Misaki's slave is enough to drag Mikoto back from her dreams, inadvertently destroying Kuroko's plans of molesting her in her most vulnerable state.

Elsewhere the next morning, ambulance sirens blare as an incident of someone who tripped down a flight of stairs take the attention of students passing by. Here, they talk about a particular app that they suggest is related to the accident.

Major events

 * Misaka Mikoto uses an Indian Poker card for the first time.

Characters
By order of appearance:
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Ringlet curl girl
 * Shokuhou Misaki
 * Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Uiharu Kazari (fantasy-only)
 * Shirai Kuroko

New Characters
No new characters were introduced in this chapter.

Abilities

 * Mental Out - Shokuhou Misaki, Level 5 (referenced-only)
 * Psychokinesis (Artificial) - Little boy

New Abilities
No new abilities were introduced in this chapter.

Locations

 * Academy City
 * Tokiwadai Middle School
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory

New Locations
No new locations were introduced this chapter.

Trivia

 * This is the first time the year level of Misaki and the Ringlet curl girl was revealed. Misaki is a second year student, while the ringlet curl girl is in her third year.
 * Ruiko wields a bat in her warrior costume in a panel showing a short fantasy sequence, the second reference to her bat since chapter 69 (tankoubon numbering) in the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga.

Referbacks

 * The Ringlet curl girl mentions the pair contract promo for the Handy Antenna service that includes a free Gekota strap upon registration. This is a reference to Mikoto and Touma later pairing up for in order for Mikoto to attain the Gekota, as shown in Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel volume 12.

Cultural references

 * The fantasy sequence of Ruiko and the gang in her exposition regarding sharing dreams is likely a reference to classic Japanese RPGs. In this fantasy sequence, Kuroko is seen only in a bikini, a likely reference to "bikini armor", a trope that is present in fantasy stories where female warriors wear revealing clothes that do not protect them at all.

Unanswered Questions

 * What is the app that girl talking about, and what does it have to do with the person that tripped?

Quotes

 * Mikoto: "Indian Poker is the best thing ever!!" — After meeting several Gekota characters in her dream.
 * Kuroko: "Seeking only physical bonds would make you worried about our emotional bonds. There is of course nothing to worry about, but my carelessness made you worry nonetheless!! I will start by putting you at ease with my sincerity! I will prove that my love is real. I offer you both my body and my heart!" — As she plans to molest Mikoto in her sleep.
 * Mikoto: "THAT'S THE LAST THING I WANT!!!" — When Dream Misaki say she wants her to be her maid forever; inadvertently destroying Kuroko's love confession.

March 27, 2014 release
The original release of chapter 71 of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun in Dengeki Daioh serves as the conclusion of the long story arc of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun's Daihaseisai.

Synopsis
Thus ends the long day. It is currently unknown what had transpired between Misaki and Mitori, but Misaki uses her power to restore the memories of Kuroko and the others' memories of her, though modified the events somewhat for them, making them believe that they were out trying to catch terrorists targeting the festival to avoid contradictions. Apparently all to hide the existence of both Exterior and the Sisters from public knowledge, as well as passing along the information on the virus to Heaven Canceller to treat the Sisters. Mikoto's not participating in the festival events on the second day was changed as well to that of her eating too much and having her stay in the bathroom all day, much to her chagrin.

With that Tokiwadai Middle School continues to participate in the remaining days of the festival. Mitsuko makes a recovery and is able to participate in the festival with Mikoto as her partner again.

Now with the waning days of Daihaseisai coming, one night the girls come upon the bonfire where the folk dance is happening, where they note on how they cannot participate. Mikoto goes away to buy them all drinks. In the meanwhile, Kamijou Touma later meets up with Ruiko, and thanks her for the protective charm she lent. Touma offers her to buy her some food to make it up to her, though she says that it is all right. Mikoto later comes around with the drinks, and finds Touma talking with Ruiko. Touma says that he borrowed a protective charm from her, confusing Mikoto though later figures out it was for the borrowing race. Mikoto's stutters and awkward way of presenting herself to Touma does not go unnoticed before the eyes of Ruiko and Kazari.

Capitalizing this new found knowledge, Ruiko approaches Touma and asks him to dance with her around the bonfire as a way to thank her for lending him her protective charm. Touma is fine with the idea, though asks if she is sure with it, to which confirms. Ruiko then tells Touma to go on ahead, leaving the girls alone. Mikoto is utterly shocked by what has transpired, but with a knowing look between Ruiko and Kazari, they make their move. Ruiko fakes an ailment finally catching up to her, prompting Mikoto to ask her if she is okay. However, Kuroko suddenly figures out their ruse and tries to tell Mikoto, but Kazari comes up behind her and covers her mouth. With this ruse finally set up, Ruiko says that she can't move but tells Mikoto that she can dance with Touma in her place. Mikoto becomes embarrassed by this, and makes up a bunch of excuses. Fed up with this, Ruiko forces Mikoto to say that she wants to dance, to which she does.

Touma later sees Mikoto coming up to him and drags him to the dance, much to his surprise. Ruiko, Kazari, and Kuroko later observer Mikoto's dancing with Touma. Back with the couple, Mikoto tells Touma that he saved her once again, though, ever his personality, points out that other people helped out as well, with him helping a bit in the end. Mikoto says that she was saved by a lot of different friends, and says that she can't forgive the unpleasant parts of Academy City that view espers as guinea pigs, but it was coming to the city that allowed her to meet everyone, and that those meetings are a treasure to her. She then says to Touma that next time, she wants to protect everyone, because she thinks that's the only way to pay everyone back.

Touma teases that she must also consider meeting him a treasure as well, as the way she said it included him as well. Before a flustered Mikoto can reply, Ruiko and Kazari fails in restraining Kuroko and she teleports away to kick Touma in the head, ending their dance.

Major events

 * Shokuho Misaki restores Mikoto's friends memories of her.
 * Daihaseisai continues as planned, ending with a bonfire dance in which Misaka and Touma participate together.
 * Ruiko and Kazari finally discover Mikoto likes Touma.

Characters
In order of appearance:
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Heaven Canceller
 * Sisters clone
 * Shokuhou Misaki (Mikoto's imagination-only)
 * Kirifu Megumi
 * Wannai Kinuho
 * Awatsuki Maaya
 * Kongou Mitsuko
 * Kamijou Touma

New Characters
No new characters were introduced during this chapter.

Abilities

 * Mental Out - Shokuhou Misaki, Level 5.
 * Float Dial - Awatsuki Maaya, Level 3.
 * Teleport - Shirai Kuroko, Level 4.

New Abilities
No new abilities were introduced in this chapter.

Locations

 * Academy City
 * Heaven Canceller's Hospital
 * Exterior

New Locations
No new locations were introduced this chapter.

Trivia

 * This would mark the first time Kazari and Ruiko notices Mikoto's feelings for Touma.

Cultural references

 * Mikoto references her combination with Mitsuko as the Raijin and Fuujin combo respectively, the god of thunder and the god of wind in Japanese mythology and Shintoism.

Referbacks

 * The girl that becomes too dizzy to compete against Ruiko in their race is the girl whose butt Touma accidentally touches in the 67th chapter the Toaru Majutsu no Index manga during A Certain High School's competition against her school.
 * Ruiko saying that "baseball bats is her specialty," may be a reference to her relation with the object in the Toaru Majutsu no Index animated universe, as introduced in the 23rd episode of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.
 * The events of this bonfire dance is referenced in the prologue of the 11th Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel volume.
 * Dancing in the background during the bonfire dance sequence is the male member of Judgment and the girl he saved back in Chapter 4 of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun. They were last seen apparently on a date back in Chapter 31.
 * Mikoto's speech to Touma regarding the good and bad parts of Academy City is similar to the one she gives to Therestina Kihara Lifeline in the 22nd episode of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S.

Unanswered Questions

 * What happened to Kihara Gensei?
 * What happened to Kouzaku Mitori and Shokuhou Misaki? Did they achieve what they set out to do and saved Dolly's sister?

Quotes

 * Mikoto: "I may have thought she was a disagreeble person...(actually i still do) But if she has her own type of justice and beliefs... the day might come when we can... walk together."—regarding Shokuhou Misaki before changing her mind.
 * Mikoto: "Okay. I'm killing her."—regarding Shokuhou Misaki after realizing she place false memories about her locked herself inside the toilet even threatening the Shokuhou faction.
 * Mikoto: "I was saved... by a lot of different friends. I...I can't forgive the unpleasant parts of Academy City that view espers as guinea pigs. But it was coming here that allowed me to meet everyone...And those meetings are a treasure to me... So I want to protect everyone next time. I think that's the only way to pay everyone back."—to Touma.