Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 01

"Electromaster" (電撃使い（エレクトロマスター）) is the first episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime series, first broadcast on October 2, 2009. It was written and directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai, who also acts as the overall director of the series.

After seeing Academy City in the eyes of a "powerless" boy named Kamijou Touma, this spin-off series takes us to the point of view of one of the strongest espers in Academy City, Misaka Mikoto. Taking down thugs and avoiding her friend's malicious advances towards her, Mikoto's life is far from the idolized one known by many. As two girls makes friends with the famous Ace of Tokiwadai, they discover that she is not that different from the many students that make up the population of Academy City.

Adapted From

 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 001
 * Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 08 Prologue
 * Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 004

Major events

 * Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko meets Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko.
 * Okahara Ryouta and his gang is caught.

New Characters
By order of appearance
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Watanabe (Unnamed)
 * Kongou Mitsuko
 * Saten Ruiko
 * Hitotsui Hajime (non-appearing)
 * Konori Mii
 * Yomikawa Aiho
 * Tessou Tsuzuri

New Abilities

 * Electromaster - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5.
 * Teleport - Shirai Kuroko, Level 4.
 * Clairvoyance or Telepathy - Unnamed Tokiwadai Middle School student, Level 3 or 4.
 * Telekinesis - Unnamed Tokiwadai Middle School student, Level 3.
 * Pyrokinesis - Okahara Ryouta, Level 3.
 * Railgun - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5.

New Locations

 * Academy City
 * A Certain Vending Machine
 * Tokiwadai Middle School
 * Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant
 * Sakugawa Middle School
 * Crepe Rablm
 * Isobe Bank

Trivia

 * The vending machine, a recurring location in the Toaru Majutsu no Index universe, is given a name, referred as Vending Machine #7116.
 * This is the first time the System Scan is shown in the anime continuity.
 * Watanabe appears in this episode but will not be named until the 44th Chapter of the Railgun manga.
 * The scene where Mitsuko brags about her abilities is taken directly from the Prologue of 8th Index Light Novel Volume. Here, the scene is used to introduce Mitsuko as part of the cast, despite not appearing in the Railgun manga until the 40th chapter. The scene is also redone in the manga as well, as part of her introduction in the manga continuity.
 * In the episode, the shower scene after the System Scan is also based from the 8th Index Light Novel, and was also done at the last episode of the first season of Toaru Majutsu no Index anime adaptation, as well as the 6th episode of the second season. This has Kuroko in the anime continuity invade Mikoto's shower stall three times.
 * Ruiko is introduced earlier in the anime than in the manga, to complete the four girl ensemble theme going for the show. Her appearance in the manga regarding her opinion on Mikoto is different to that in the anime, which is that in the manga, she too shares Kazari's awe of Mikoto.
 * Although her obsession with Gekota is downplayed in the first season of Index, it takes a prominent role in the anime, which is exemplified by Mikoto's actions during the episode. Furthemore, mooing sounds can be heard when Gekotas are focused in a scene.
 * It should be improbable for the car to flip and tumble several times in the air front first if the car wasn't running upon an incline, or Mikoto's Railgun to hit at a certain angle. The scene is less dramatic in the original manga.

Referbacks

 * This would be the first time A Certain Tune is heard in the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime adaptation.
 * The scene where Mikoto kicks a certain vending machine, though taken from the manga, is based off the similar scene in the 3rd Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel, which was later adapted for the 10th episode of the Index anime adaptation. In fact, the animation is reused from that episode.
 * The gesture Mikoto does after firing the Railgun, as if flipping her hair, is similar to what she does in the first episode of Index, though this time, no electric arcs appear out of her head.

Cultural References

 * Zener cards are used to test a clairvoyant or telepath during this episode.
 * Saten Ruiko's cellphone looks similar to that of an iPhone.
 * Kuroko references the Koto, a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, and Japan's national instrument.
 * During the establishing shots of Crepe Rablm, as well as later shots of the line forming in front of the cart, one can see the forms of Shana and Yoshida Kazumi from the Shakugan no Shana fame wearing their uniforms. Later, after Mikoto laments failing to get a Gekota, faces that are similar to Takasu Ryuuji and Aisaka Taiga of Toradora fame, both of which are also anime produced by JC Staff, as well as being published by ASCII Media Works.

Animation Trivia

 * Mikoto kicking the vending machine is reused animation from the 10th episode of the Toaru Majutsu no Index animation.
 * Two boys in the background pass by Kazari and Ruiko with notable blushes after Ruiko flips up Kazari's skirt.
 * After Kazari sighs after having her skirt flipped up, you can see a man in the foreground walking to the right side. However, there is an animation error, as the man does not transition smoothly out of the scene and instead looks like he disappeared.
 * Background scenery features several banners with Happy Anniversary. This refers to the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko's marriage, that occurred on April 10, 2009.
 * only my railgun, the first opening theme of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime adaptation is played at the end of the episode in place of the ending theme.

Unanswered Questions

 * If Kazari is Level 1, then what is her power?
 * Why was the music player in Ryouta's pocket focused on?

Quotes

 * Mikoto: "Seriously, never a dull moment in this city, huh?"
 * Kuroko: "This is Judgment!"―recurring quote.
 * Mikoto: "Chaser!"'―as Mikoto kicks a certain vending machine.
 * Kuroko: "Well, I say that... but it's a humble little chest that needs some more con-fi-dence. But this humility is Oneesama's iniquity! The allure of this seductive humility! Kuroko, no, Kuroko's heart is breaking!"―to Mikoto as she molests her in the shower.
 * Ruiko: "U~i~har~ru!"―said to Uiharu Kazari just as she flips her skirt.
 * Ruiko: "As long as every day is fun, I'm okay with it."―to Kazari regarding her state as a Level 0.
 * Ruiko: "I don't think I can keep up with your friends."―to Kazari.
 * Kuroko: "Stay back, Oneesama. Maintaining the security of Academy City is Judgment's job. Please behave yourself this time."―to Mikoto regarding the current Judgment operation.
 * Mikoto: "Kuroko! This fight has turned personal now. Sorry, but... I'm stepping in now."
 * Ryouta: "I remember now. There's this horrifying teleporter in Judgment who'll tear apart your body and soul if she catches you... And there's another who rules over even that teleporter's body and soul—the strongest Electromaster!"―regarding Kuroko and Mikoto
 * Kuroko: "That's right... That person is definitely amongst the top of Academy City's 2.3 million people. Third strongest of the seven Level 5's, the Railgun—Misaka Mikoto Oneesama. Tokiwdai Middle School's pride, the unrivaled Electric Princess."―to Ryouta regarding Mikoto.
 * Kazari and Ruiko: "Amazing..."―regarding Mikoto after she fires her Railgun.
 * Kuroko: "You skill wasn't bad. Maybe somewhere around Level 3. It seems you went down the wrong path after growing too confident of your own abilities. Take some time to examine your soul, and then make a fresh start for yourself."―to Ryouta.
 * Mikoto: "That was quite a feat Saten-san. You really looked cool back there."―to Ruiko.