Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (とある科学の超電磁砲（レールガン） Toaru Kagaku no Choudenjihou?) or A Certain Scientific Railgun is the second manga series that is based off the Toaru Majutsu no Index franchise. The Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga is an original side story written by Kamachi Kazuma and illustrated by Fuyukawa Motoi.
The Railgun manga series is released as a monthly manga in the Dengeki Daioh magazine since February 2007, and currently has fourteen tankoubon volumes released.
The manga series has been adapted into two 24-episode anime series based on the first six volumes of the manga from October 2009 to March 2010, followed by an OVA released on October 2010. A sequel to the anime series entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S was green-lit[1], which was confirmed to cover the Sisters Arc in the original manga.[2]
Plot
Diverging from the plot of Index, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun focuses more on Academy City and the third of seven Level 5 espers named Misaka Mikoto.
Several characters from the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun anime.
Misaka Mikoto, despite being part of the most powerful espers in Academy City, also has a more carefree side to her life. She has to fend off constant "love attacks" from devoted friend and roommate Shirai Kuroko but despite of being the Ace of Tokiwadai Middle School she still acts like a normal student as in nobody is better than the other. However, with various problems arising in Academy City — both noticeable and out from plain sight — she moves as Academy City's unseen savior, using her powers to save people, loved ones and strangers alike.
Development
The concept used in Toaru Kagaku no Railgun began when the future editor (Ogino Kentarou) of Railgun made a request to Miki Kazuma, Kamachi Kazuma's editor, on how he wanted to have an Index manga in Dengeki Daioh. Due to the fact that the Index manga was already serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan, the editor asked for a Daioh to have one for the science side, specifically that of Misaka Mikoto.[3]
The idea was well received by Miki, and after a general idea was drafted, the producers asked Kazuma to write the original concept of it. Kamachi Kazuma, at that point, was told that the manga would be using Academy City as a primary state, as such, he wrote the original draft with Shirai Kuroko as the protagonist, feeling that Mikoto was too powerful a character from who he could make an an entertaining manga. He was later corrected, and was asked to use Mikoto instead, despite having written "quite a bit". Because of this, he was forced to rethink everything from the ground up in order to use.[3] It is unknown what would have become of the side story had Kuroko been accepted as the protagonist.
Motoi was later called up to be the artist of the manga, and started serialization in the April issue of Dengeki Daioh on March 2007. The first volume was later released on November 10, 2007.[4]
Overseas Release
Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga in North America and began releasing the series in North America starting with the first volume on June 2011.[5] Like the rest of the printed series by Kamachi, the manga is distributed by Kadokawa Taiwan for the Chinese market, with the first volume being released on April 29, 2009.[6]
Chapters and Volumes
Volumes 1 to 10
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 01 | ||||
| First Part of the Level Upper Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | November 10, 2007[4] June 7, 2011[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-866293-2 ISBN 978-1-935934-00-4[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 194 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| There are 2.3 million people in Academy Cityand approximately 80% of them are students. There where science and technology is more advanced than the outside, the special esper development program has been incorporated into the curriculum. There are only seven Level 5 espers in Academy City, and among them is Misaka Mikoto. Because of her power and disposition, she becomes involved in a number of incidents happening in Academy City. | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 02 | ||||
| Second Part of the Level Upper Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | June 10, 2008[8] September 27, 2011[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-867146-0 ISBN 978-1-935934-02-8[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 192 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| Mikoto and Shirai decide to the rumours that there is a mysterious item that amplifies esper powers known as the Level Upper. Who would've thought that despite their investigation that it would fall into the hands of Uiharu's friend Saten Ruiko? | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 03 | ||||
| Third Part of the Level Upper Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | February 27, 2009[9] February 14, 2012[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-867719-6 ISBN 978-1-935934-12-7[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 204 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| The Level Upper Arc that began in Volume 1 will finally conclude! What is the true purpose of the Level Upper that has appeared on the net? And can Mikoto defeat the mastermind!? In addition to Mikoto and Kuroko cleaning the pool, other popular characters from the series also appear to be busy. | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 04 | ||||
| First Part of the Railgun side of the Sisters Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 27, 2009[10] May 8, 2012[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-868169-8 ISBN 978-1-935934-18-9[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 186 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| "Clones of the Railgun live in the city." Mikoto has heard of such urban legends. However, she begins examining the truth behind it despite believing it all to be a hoax. Then one day Mikoto meets one of these Sister clones, and discovers the cruel truth hidden from her...! | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 05 | ||||
| Second Part of the Railgun side of the Sisters Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | June 26, 2010[11] August 7, 2012[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-868686-0 ISBN 978-1-935934-78-3[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 242 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| One after another the Level 5 esper consumes all those who stand in her way. Can Mikoto stop the horrible experiments that play with lives...!? A fierce fight is inevitable in volume 5 with a shocking appearance! | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 06 | ||||
| Third Part of the Railgun side of the Sisters Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | February 26, 2011[12] December 11, 2012[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-870350-5 ISBN 978-1-937867-03-4[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 234 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| The Level 6 Shift Project is the killing of 20,000 individual Mikoto clones, known as Sisters, in Academy City. In order to stop the experiment, Mikoto tries to challenge the strongest esper, Accelerator. But then, Touma appears. There, the strongest and the weakest clash! | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 07 | ||||
| Fourth Part of the Railgun side of the Sisters Arc First Part of the Railgun side of the Daihasei Festival Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | December 17, 2011 [13] April 2, 2013[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-870976-7 ISBN 978-1-937867-21-8[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 192 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| After the desperate struggle against the Accelerator, Mikoto was waiting for Kamijou Touma with some handmade cookies that he pestered her for. Then, a non-standard scale super athletic meet!! | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 08 | ||||
| Second Part of the Railgun side of the Daihasei Festival Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 27, 2012[14] August 6, 2013[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-891101-6 ISBN 978-1-937867-39-3[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 242 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| The first day of the Daihasei Festival. Misaka 10032 took part in a match in Mikoto's place but now her whereabouts are unknown. Mikoto sets out to search for he, however in front of her, Shokuhou Misaki's clique and a new darkness stands in her way... | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 09 | ||||
| Third Part of the Railgun side of the Daihasei Festival Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | August 27, 2013[15] April 15, 2014[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-891844-2 ISBN 978-1-937867-79-9[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 242 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| Misaka Mikoto finds that one of her Sisters has disappeared, and contacts Mental Out, Shokuhou Misaki, who works behind the scenes during the events unfolding. She tells that the Sister is being targeted by a mysterious organization. The ones who are pulling the strings... is the advocate of the Level 6 Shift!? | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 10 | ||||
| Fourth Part of the Railgun side of the Daihasei Festival Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 26, 2014[16] April 22, 2015[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-866698-5 ISBN 978-1-626920-39-2[7] | |||
| Number of Pages | 272 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| Due to Kihara Gensei's "experiment," Misaka Mikoto has begun transforming into a Level 6 esper. The one who stops her is... | ||||
Volumes 11 to Current
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 11 | ||||
| First Part of the Dream Ranker Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 27, 2015[17] June 28, 2016[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-865431-9 ISBN 978-1-626922-16-7 | |||
| Number of Pages | 242 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| Things seemed to have calmed down in Academy City after the Daihaseisai. But strange rumors have been popping up. What is it? There is a mechanism that allows people to see and enter "good" dreams. Moreover, it has an effect on reality.... | ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 12 | ||||
| Second Part of the Dream Ranker Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | November 27, 2016[18] July 25, 2017[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-892365-1 ISBN 978-1-626924-47-5 | |||
| Number of Pages | 240 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 13 | ||||
| Third Part of the Dream Ranker Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | November 27, 2017[19] June 26, 2018[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-893425-1 ISBN 978-1-626927-81-0 | |||
| Number of Pages | 226 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga Volume 14 | ||||
| First Part of the Jailbreaker Arc | ||||
 |
Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 11, 2018[20] August 20, 2019[7] | |||
| ISBN-13 | ISBN 978-4-04-912146-9 ISBN 978-1-642751-13-0 | |||
| Number of Pages | 224 pages | |||
| Cover Characters | Chapters | |||
| ||||
Chapters Not Yet in Volume Format
- 107. Monster (化生 Kasei?)
- 108. Intention (思惑 Omowaku?)
- 109. Insanity (風狂 Fūkyō?)
- 110. Evil Nature (性惡 Seiaku?)
- 111. True and False (虚実 Kyojitsu?)
- 112. Discernment (洞察 Dousatsu?)
- 113. Crazed Love (狂愛 Kyouai?)
- 114. Desperate Measures (苦肉 Kuniku?)
- 115. Leap (跳躍 Chōyaku?)
- 116. Trapped Rat (窮鼠 Kyūso?)
- Chapter 117
Media
Manga
The Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga series started serialization in Dengeki Daioh in May 2007, and is released once every month. The manga series currently has fourteen tankoubon volumes and a total of 109 chapters have been released. Seven Seas has licensed the manga series for North America under the title A Certain Scientific Railgun.[21]
In March 2017, a side-story illustrated by Nogi Yasuhito, entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Gaiden: Astral Buddy (とある科学の
Anime Series
- Main article: Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (anime)
Title card for the first season of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.
An anime series adaptation of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun manga was announced on March 18, 2009 on the official site of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime series, which aired in October 2008.[23] Roughly one year after the release of the Index anime series, the anime adaptation of Railgun began airing, with its broadcast run ending in March 2010. There was also an extra anime episode bundled on a DVD with the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Official Visual Book which was released later, on July 24, 2010.[24] An OVA of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun was released later, on October 29, 2010.[25]
In October 2012, A second season of the anime adaptation entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S was announced.[1] The series is expected to entail the infamous Sisters Arc, entirely from Misaka Mikoto's perspective as it was depicted in the Railgun manga. The series began airing on April 12, 2013 at 11:30 p.m. on A-TX. Following the arc, the anime-original Silent Party Arc, which introduces a new character, Febrie, as well as the mystery surrounding her, began from episode 18 of the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S series. At Anime Expo 2010, North American anime distributor Funimation Entertainment announced that they had acquired licenses for both Toaru Kagaku no Railgun and Toaru Majutsu no Index TV series to be released on 2011. On March 22 2014, Funimation established on their website that they acquired the license for Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S.
Music
Yoshino Nanjō and Satoshi Yaginuma of fripSide during the official music video for "future gazer".
The anime adaptation of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun has seven pieces of theme music, three opening themes and four ending themes. The first opening theme is "only my railgun" by fripSide, the 2nd Opening Theme is "LEVEL 5-judgelight-" also by fripSide. The 1st ending theme is "Dear My Friend -Mada Minu Mirai he-" (Dear My Friend －まだ見ぬ未来へ－, lit. "Dear My Friend: Towards an Unseen Future") by ELISA, and the 2nd ending theme is "SMILE －You And Me－ " also by ELISA, the 3rd ending theme is "Real Force" also by ELISA. The OVA also has its own opening and ending song; "future gazer" by fripSide for the opening, and "Special "ONE"" by ELISA for the ending.
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S has four pieces of theme music, consisting of two opening theme songs and two ending theme songs. The first opening theme is "Sister's noise" by fripSide. The 1st ending theme is "Grow Slowly" by Yuka Iguchi, which was released on May 15, 2013. The second opening theme is "eternal reality" by fripSide and the second ending theme is "Links" by Sachika Misawa.
Light Novels
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun currently has three light novel titles, two of which are side stories that were released in parts as additional content for the limited-edition releases of the Toaru Majutsu no Index anime series on DVD and Blu-ray. The first volume, entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun SS: Liberal Arts City, focuses on an overseas field trip by the main cast, while the second volume, entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun SS2: Shopping Mall Demonstration involves Mikoto's trip in Russia and the ensuing contact with the members of the magic cabal New Light. The third volume, entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun: Cold Game, was released on December 27th 2017, celebrating the manga's 10th anniversary.
Games
A game entitled Toaru Kagaku no Railgun was released for the PlayStation Portable handheld console on December 8, 2011. The game has the predominant features of a visual novel, and includes an original story by Kazuma Kamachi, detailing Misaka Mikoto's adventures while investigating an urban legend in Academy City. The game has close tie-ups with the PSP game released for Toaru Majutsu no Index, and the story itself is teased in portions of the Railgun manga.
Due to the nature of Railgun as part of the Index universe, characters from Railgun also appear in games based on the light novel series, notably Toaru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble, Toaru Majutsu to Kagaku no Puzzdex and Toaru Majutsu no Index Struggle Battle.
External Links
- Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Official Website (Japanese)
- Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Chapter 1 Preview (Japanese)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "A Certain Scientific Railgun TV Anime Gets 2nd Season," Anime News Network. Retrieved on October 21, 2012
- ↑ "Railgun Staff, Cast Return for 2nd Season Sisters Arc", Anime News Network. October 25, 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Toaru Majutsu no Index Subete: Talk with Fuyukawa Motoi
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "とある科学の超電磁砲(1) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (1)"](Japanese). Retrieved on 24/12/2012.
- ↑ "Seven Seas Acquires 3 Red Hot Manga From Japan". Anime News Network. July 20, 2010. Retrieved on 24/12/2012.
- ↑ 魔法禁書目錄外傳 科學超電磁砲 (1) from Kadokawa Taiwan (Chinese). Retrieved on 26/12/12.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 A Certain Scientific Railgun. Gomanga. Retrieved on 09/01/2015.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(2) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (2)"](Japanese). Retrieved on 24/12/2012.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(3) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (3)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(4) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (4)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(5) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (5)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(6) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (6)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(7) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (7)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(8) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (8)"](Japanese). Retrieved 24/12/12.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(9) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (9)"](Japanese). Retrieved 27/8/13.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(10) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (10)"](Japanese). Retrieved 09/01/15.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(11) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (11)"](Japanese) from Amazon Japan. Retrieved 25/11/15.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(12) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (12)"](Japanese) from Amazon Japan. Retrieved 25/11/16.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(13) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (13)"](Japanese) from Amazon Japan. Retrieved 27/10/17.
- ↑ "とある科学の超電磁砲(14) [A Certain Scientific Railgun (14)"](Japanese) from Amazon Japan. Retrieved 9/9/18.
- ↑ "Seven Seas Adds A Certain Scientific Railgun," Anime News Network. July 20, 2010.
- ↑ Gouranga (Railgun Manga Editor), Twitter
- ↑ "Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Manga's Anime Green-lit," Anime News Network. March 18, 2009.
- ↑ "Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Book Has New Episode Listed," Anime News Network. June 15, 2010.
- ↑ "Toaru Kagaku no Railgun OVA Confirmed for October 29," Anime News Network. June 22, 2010.