Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S Episode 17

"Study Session" (勉強会) is the seventeenth episode of the second season of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime adaption, and the 41st episode overall. It was broadcasted on August 2, 2013. The screenplay was written by Tsuchiya Michihiro, storyboarded by Sayama Kiyoko, and directed by Ikehata Takashi. Its animation was co-directed by Fujibe Ikuma and Moroishi Kouta.

The right fist of the "weakest" has brought an end to the incident surrounding Mikoto's clones, the Sisters, and peaceful everyday life has returned. Mikoto and Kuroko slip past the strict dorm leader's inspection to gain permission to leave. They want to participate in the study group (which is actually a nabe party) being held in Saten's room. This is a plan for Mikoto to make up for her recent neglect of Kuroko and the others. Until they meet up that evening, Saten, Uiharu, and Kuroko enjoy their free time separately. Meanwhile, Mikoto visits the frog-faced doctor's hospital the Sisters are staying at.

Major Events

 * Mikoto discovers that the clones are being distributed to outside institutions.
 * Mikoto meets Mugino Shizuri and Frenda Seivelun again.
 * Kuroko meets Mugino and Frenda, arguing with the latter.

Adapted from
Most of this episode is an anime original, though features adapted content:
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 039
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 040

Characters

 * Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Tsuchimikado Maika (cameo)
 * Minori
 * Konori Mii
 * Kongou Mitsuko
 * Ekaterina
 * Misaka 10032's cat
 * Heaven Canceller
 * Misaka 10032
 * Mugino Shizuri
 * Frenda Seivelun
 * Haruue Erii

New Characters
No new characters were introduced during this episode

Locations

 * Academy City
 * School District 7
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory
 * Saten Residence
 * School Garden
 * Judgment 177 Branch Office
 * Heaven Canceller's Hospital
 * Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant

New Locations

 * Horus Pet Shop

Abilities

 * Electromaster (Railgun-variant) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5.

New Abilities
No new abilities were introduced during this episode.

Trivia

 * Konori Mii referenced Uiharu as the Goalkeeper during this episode.
 * Kuroko replaces Mikoto as the one that accompanies Kongou to the Horus Pet Salon to buy some food for Ekaterina.
 * The episode reveals that Misaka 10032's blood is type AB, indicating that her and even Mikoto are all type ABs, as they are clones of her.
 * The segment where Kuroko and Frenda argue which of their Level 5 acquaintances is better is taken from an omake 4koma from the 5th Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume.
 * Both the OP and ED, sister's noise and Grow Slowly respectively, are replaced by their new counterparts during this episode.
 * In initial airings of the the TV version, the preview for the next episode is replaced by a preview for Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Miracle of Endymion, later airings have some stations use the proper preview episode preview instead.

Referbacks

 * The homecooked cookies that Mikoto tries to give to Touma back in the previous episode is referenced twice in this episode.
 * Reference from episode 7 is shown this episode, from the alleyway Kuroko visits to the four leaf clovers show to her.

Cultural References

 * Kuroko hums the nursery song "Usagi to Kame" ("The Tortoise and the Hare") when she is shown carrying a paper bag with the "ingredients" for the party, which happen to be turtle meat.

Animation Trivia

 * Animation in Saten's scene as she talks with Uiharu over the phone while cleaning is choppy.
 * For the entirety of her appearance during this episode, Maika's face is obscured.

Unanswered Questions

 * Why does Konori Mii insist on referring Uiharu as the goalkeeper?
 * Why does Uiharu act strange when asked about Erii's whereabouts?

Quotes

 * Mikoto: "I-It's just that I'm in debt and it's, like, not my style to be indebted to anyone. I thought store-bought cookies would be enough, but no, it wasn't. They have to be homemade. That idiot... B-But it's not like I'm doing it for someone specifically! It's just, like, you know... "see how much I did for you?" kinda thing."—to Saten regarding what the cookies were for.
 * Saten: "Shirai-san was pretty obvious about it, but Uiharu and I were worried about you too. I might not be the most reliable person, but I'm glad I could at least help you out with this."—to Mikoto.
 * Saten: "She's so cute! Even though she's making a mess..."—regarding Mikoto as she becomes flustered after Saten references her "boyfriend".
 * Mii: "So I suppose our legendary goalkeeper's one weakness is writing book reports."—to Uiharu regarding her epithet.
 * Heaven Canceller: "They've got a long fight ahead of them. But this time, they're not fighting to die. They're fighting to live."—to Mikoto on the fate of the clones.
 * Mikoto and Mugino: "What the hell do you think you're touching?!"—to Kuroko and Frenda respectively.
 * Mikoto: "Let's go"—to Kuroko as they go home.