Urban Legend

Urban Legends (都市伝説) are stories about mysteries around Academy City that are apparently born out of rumor talk and are quite famous between the students.

They are first defined by Tsukuyomi Komoe as nothing but rumor talk related to the unknown "seven wonders" that are supposed to be around Academy City. , this is of course ironic since Komoe Sensei is herself considered one of the seven wonders.

The Railgun adaptation further introduced details on the urban legends, even going to the point of introducing a fan managed website that followed and recorded details on the legends named Urban Legends of Academy City (学園都市伝説).

Known Urban Legends

 * Initially mentioned in volume 1, the Five Element Institution is later revealed to have several rumors surrounding it's existence; for example "At 4:44 p.m. one shouldn't cross between the school district boundaries. Otherwise one might wander into the "Imaginary Number School District"" or "It’s said that the organization has the ‘fictional technology’ that today’s engineering is unable to match, and continues to control all power in Academy City from behind the scenes" . Through the existence of the Five Element Institution was corroborated with the existence of Kazakiri Hyouka, the true scope and accuracy of the rumors is still unknown.


 * The only mean to access the Windowless Building is to be under the care of one of the Guides, who must posses at least a level 4 teleporter power . It should be noted that this legend was proved to be true by Musujime Awaki statements, who happens to be one of the actual Guides.


 * When the wind turbine propellers begin turning the other way, something strange happens in the city. Kamijou Touma realizes that this is true as he gets a hold of the "report" about the "experiment" in the Sisters Arc.


 * An item that increases your level just by using it: The Level Upper! This rumor happened to be true as shown in the Level Upper Arc.


 * A guy that has an ability that prevents other abilities being used on him. As the main premise of the Toaru Majutsu no Index series, the reader is clear that this rumor is true since the start.


 * "Someone is looking" was - According to Saten Ruiko - the famous Urban Legend at the time of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun OVA 01, the legend consist about those being "the victim" feel a gaze piercing through their backs, but when they turn around no one was behind; even though "no one was there" one can feel how the gaze keeps closing in and closing in, and the gaze itself can be felt even at strange places (such as, a room where no one else is around but the victim). This was proven to be true, as it was a scientific phenomenon caused by Jounan Asako

"Unconfirmed" Rumors
These are apparently not as broad as Urban Legends as most people that has commented on them didn't properly addressed them as "part of the urban legends of Academy City".


 * Misaka Mikoto's DNA map being used for the development of the SISTERS (妹達), clones meant for military purposes. , this was proved to be true.


 * An unknown Level 0 who defeated Academy City's mightiest Esper. According to Komoe this rumor was associated to the name Kamijou Touma, causing him to be hunted by those who wanted the title of "the mightiest Esper" to themselves. Supposedly, this rumor died down quickly due to Academy City higher up's influence.


 * The "250 years method", a program which is meant to stop the aging of cells and thus increases the life spawn of the subject, the Accelerator mentioned having heard about this during his time on the experiment, but refused to believe it until he meet in person and misunderstood the nature of Tsukuyomi Komoe


 * An unknown Level 0 exists that can match against the Railgun using only his right hand, this is something that the Accelerator recalled while Kamijou Touma was repelling his 1000 wings attack.