Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 04

"Urban Legends" (都市伝説) is the fourth episode of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun series. It was first aired on October 24, 2009.

Adapted From
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Chapter 003

Major Events

 * Mikoto meets Kiyama Harumi.
 * Mikoto does battle with Kamijou Touma, and would've soundly been beaten if not for Touma forfeiting.

Characters

 * Saten Ruiko
 * Uiharu Kazari
 * Shirai Kuroko
 * Misaka Mikoto
 * Kamijou Touma

New Characters

 * Kiyama Harumi

Abilities

 * Electromaster (Railgun-variant) - Misaka Mikoto, Level 5
 * Imagine Breaker - Kamijou Touma

New Abilities

 * The ability to manifest a lightning rod - Discussed

Locations

 * Academy City
 * District 7
 * Joseph's Coffee and Restaurant
 * Tokiwadai Dormitory

New Locations

 * Green Mart
 * Seventh Mist

Trivia

 * Though not Harumi's propensity for undressing is still retained, it is not originally an urban legend in the original manga. The episode shows for the first time the use of urban legends as a plot device, something that would form nearly the entirety of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun's plot.
 * Touma, in the original manga, has never met Kiyama Harumi.

Cultural References

 * Dengeki Daioh, the magazine where the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga is featured in this episode, being the magazine where Mikoto picks up. It is the November 2009 issue, released on October. The magazine shows an announcement regarding the Shakugan no Shana S OVA, featuring Shana and Sakai Chigusa, as well as an advertisement of  and Love Allergen. Most importantly, it also features an advertisement for Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.
 * is a character archetype that refers to a character that is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing his or her warm side over time. Harumi tries to reference this during the episode.
 * The car that Harumi drives looks like a.

Referbacks

 * All urban legends referenced in the episode are based on actual events or phenomenon in the Toaru Majutsu no Index timeline. The wind turbines turning other way urban legend, is a reference to episode 14, where the Sister clones use their powers to help Touma defeat Accelerator. The Imaginary Number District is also referenced, as well as Touma's Imagine Breaker.
 * AIM is referenced, being first introduced in episode 21.

Animation Trivia

 * The cover on the urban legends magazine depicts the outside Tokiwadai Dormitory in false color.