only my railgun is the first opening theme of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime. It was first introduced in the first episode of the anime as an ending theme (initial TV airings only) and from the second episode up to Episode 14 as an opening theme (used in the first episode as the opening theme as well), it was replaced by LEVEL5-judgelight-. On the 12th and 24th episode of the anime, it was used as an insert music.
Until 11 years later in 2020, this song is re-recorded by fripSide as -version 2020-, right when Yoshino Nanjō vocalized in a more mature motion.[3]
Background[]
The song acts as a description of the titular character of the series, Misaka Mikoto, and her signature move, the Railgun.
Promotional Video[]
The promotional video of "only my railgun" depicts various characters from Toaru Kagaku no Railgun as played by people in masks. The only characters of note are Shirai Kuroko and Misaka Mikoto, and the rest of the characters in the video display various psychic abilities like psychokinesis, pyrokinesis, manipulation of water and others. One other actor in the video is a magician played by comedian Maggy Shinji, who performed various tricks, seemingly imitating the psychic powers in the video.
In later 2020, Maggy Shinji was returned once again in the video, but having teamed up with the other male comedy magicians rather than the cosplay characters with psychic abilities. In the video's ending, one of the comedians at the center, which they are lined up along with Maggy in a v-shaped formation, performed Railgun right out of nowhere similar to the old one.
Tracklist[]
It was composed and arranged by Satoshi Yaginuma and was sung by Yoshino Nanjo, under their band name fripSide. This was their first single release since the departure of the previous vocalist. It was released on November 4, 2009, an entire month after the broadcast of the first episode.
The single features the full version of the song.
- only my railgun – 4:17
- late in autumn – 6:09
- only my railgun -instrumental- – 4:17
- late in autumn -instrumental- – 6:09
Characters[]
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun title card for only my railgun.
By order of appearance:
- Misaka Mikoto
- Shirai Kuroko
- Uiharu Kazari
- Saten Ruiko
- Yomikawa Aiho
- Tessou Tsuzuri
- Juufuku Miho
- Kongou Mitsuko
- Kamijou Touma
- Kiyama Harumi
- AIM Burst
Spoilers[]
- The machine shown during the Child Error experiment.
- The appearance of the AIM Burst creature.
Lyrics[]
| Japanese | English Translation |
| hanate! kokoro ni kizanda yume wo mirai sae okizari ni shite genkai nado shiranai imi nai kono chikara ga hikari chirasu sono saki ni haruka na omoi wo |
Release! The dream that's engraved in my heart, leave even the future behind This limitless, yet meaningless power Sparkles with light, with my feelings at the distance, preceding it |
| aruite kita kono michi wo furikaeru koto shika dekinai nara...ima koko de subete wo kowaseru |
If I can do nothing but look back at the journey along this road... I have the choice to destroy everything, right here and now |
| kurayami ni ochiru machinami hito wa doko made tachimukaeru no? kasoku suru sono itami kara dareka wo kitto mamoreru yo |
How long can the people stand against this darkness that falls on the city? Surely somebody will protect them from the pain that is racing through |
| Looking! The blitz loop this planet to search way. Only my RAILGUN can shoot it. imasugu karada juu wo hikari no hayasa de kake megutta tashikana yokan |
Look! The blitz loop that (tries to) guide the planet Only my railgun can shoot it. Right now, this definite sensation Runs around my whole body at the speed of light |
| tsukame! nozomu mono nara noko sazu kagayakeru jibunrashisa de shinjiteru yo ano hi no chikai wo kono hitomi ni hikaru namida sore sae mo tsuyosa ni naru kara |
Seize! All the things of my shining heart's desire, leave nothing behind I still keep the oath I made that day Even the tears that shine from my eyes will turn into my strength |
| tachidomaru to sukoshi dake kanjiru setsunasa ni tomadou koto nai nante uso wa tsukanai yo |
But I won't lie that I am immune to The little pain I will feel when I become perplexed |
| sora ni mau KOIN ga egaku houbutsusen ga kimeru unmei uchidashita kotae ga kyou mo watashi no mune wo kake meguru |
From the coin that dances through the air, the trajectory determines my fate The target however is the answer that creeps inside my heart again today |
| Sparkling! The shiny lights awake true desire. Only my RAILGUN can shoot it. kanarazu tsuranuiteku tomadou koto naku kizutsuite mo hashiri tsuzukeru |
Sparkling! |
| nerae! rin to kirameku shisen wa kuruinaku yami wo kirisaku mayoi nante fukitobaseba ii kono kokoro ga sakebu kagiri dare hitori jama nado sasenai |
Aim! With a shining vision so dignified, shred open the darkness with composure Just throw away any of the doubt My heart screams loudly, I won't let anyone stand in my way |
| hakanaku mau musuu no negai wa kono ryoute ni tsumotte yuku kirisaku yami ni mietekuru no wa omoku fukaku setsunai kioku |
Uncountable wishes are faintly trembling down Gathering on my two open hands The darkness that I tore apart is revealing to me Heavy, deep, painful memories |
| iroaseteku genjitsu ni yureru zetsubou ni wa maketaku nai watashi ga ima watashi de aru koto mune wo hatte subete hokoreru! |
I don't want to give in to the despair That has shaken this reality that is losing colour For now, I shall take every bit of pride And feel proud for being myself, the way I am! |
| Looking! The blitz loop this planet to search way. Only my RAILGUN can shoot it. imasugu karadajuu wo hikari no hayasa de kake megutta tashikana yokan |
Look! The blitz loop that (tries to) guide the planet Only my railgun can shoot it. Right now, this definite sensation Runs through my whole body at the speed of light |
| hanate! kokoro ni kizanda yume wo mirai sae okizari ni shite genkai nado shiranai imi nai kono chikara ga hikari chirasu sono saki ni haruka na omoi wo |
Release, the dream engraved in my heart, leave even the future behind This limitless, yet meaningless power Sparkles with light, with my feelings at the distance, preceding it |
Trivia[]
- The scene in which Mikoto is near a vending machine being passed by Touma before being groped by Kuroko is a recreation of a similar scene in the first opening of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime.
- In the promotional video, Kuroko is depicted as both a Teleport and a Psychokinesis user.
- She hums this theme at the end of thirteenth episode of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.
Videos[]
