How To Watch Toaru If You Love Railgun/accelerator And Dread Index
1. Toaru Majutsu no Index 1-9 episodes â a necessary evil to understand Mikotoâs story,
2. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun â pretty self-explanatory, this is the first season of our beloved Misaka-sama!
3. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun OVA the events happen after the Level Upper Arc ,
4. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun Episode 13 Being a Photo Shoot Model Under the Hot Sun Isnt Easy, Is It?
3. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S â Sisterâs arc and a lot of Acceleratorâs scenes,
4. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S OVA â we are all in love with Mikoto so obviously even this short OVA is a blessing,
5. Toaru Majutsu no Index S2 â you donât have to watch it but itâs recommended,
6. Toaru Majutsu no Index: endymion No Kiseki â a movie, again optional but I recommend to not bother,
7. Toaru Majutsu no Index S3 â again you donât have to watch it in my opinion but there are some interesting scenes with Accelerator, Touma, and a bit of Mikoto,
8. Toaru Kagaku No Accelerator â Accelerator is an absolute bae and you should definitely watch it!
9. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun T the return of our sweetie Mikoto.
How To Watch A Certain Magical / Scientific Series
At face value, A Certain Magical Index and its spin-off story, A Certain Scientific Railgun, shouldnt be difficult to watch. You watch both seasons of Index then both seasons of Railgun and enjoy. However, thats kind of a recipe to make this already complex series more confusing than it needs to be.
Incidentally, there are also those that argue that by watching Index first, it greatly diminishes the best arc in the series that is infinitely more expanded upon in Railgun, but loses a lot of the grandeur when you have already seen the shorter, less fleshed out version in Index. Furthermore, it is also notable that the first few episodes of Indexs first season make this series seem almost worth a pass when compared to how amazing it gets for the next three-fourths.
So if you are looking to give A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun a try, consider the following watch orders to get the most out of the series.
*****Updated for A Certain Scientific Railgun T as of 11/6/2020
A Certain Magical Index Easy Watch Order Guide
A Certain Magical Index is an anime set in a world where science and magic coexist. The show starts by showing a city in Japan called the Academy City or also known as, Utopia of Science. We follow a young high schooler, Kamijou Touma who sadly has the lowest possible Psychic rank possible.
Although he has the lowest possible rank he is gifted with a special ability that no scientist is able to understand. The power called, Imagine Breaker allows Kamijou to cancel out other peoples supernatural abilities.
A series of incidents leads him to meet a girl who has memorized all the forbidden grimoires and now cause she has all of the memorized she is being hunted down by dangerous organizations. Upon learning this Kamijou swears to protect his new companion.
In this article we are gonna tell you all about watching Toaru Majutsu no Index in the right order!
So majorly there are two ways of watching Majutsu no Index, firstly the broadcast order, the simple and easiest way, and secondly we have the Railgun first order.
But before we could check the watch orders let us first introduce ourselves to all the anime in the Toaru Majutsu no Index series.
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Toaru Kagaku No Accelerator/ A Certain Scientific Accelerator
Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator is a Japanese manga series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Arata Yamaji. Its a spin-off of Toaru Majutsu no Index.
Accelerator series focuses more on the scientific side of the Toaru Universe.
The main protagonist is Accelerator.
I know that the Toaru series might be a bit confusing, but no worries, I have a guide on how to watch the Toaru series whether you love Misaka Mikoto, Accelerator, or Index .
There are 2 popular ways how to watch the Toaru series:
Where A Certain Magical Index Gets A Little Confusing
After the first season of the anime, an anime adaptation of its spin-off manga, A Certain Scientific Railgun, began. While the first season of that serves mostly as a prequel, events from later in the source material occur at the same time as its parent story. Possibly a little confusing, but nothing too much to worry about.
Once the second season came out for each show, it became an exponential issue. The second season of Railgun was fully treading in the waters of the first season of Index, running parallel while also showing some events from different perspectives .
Newcomers to the series who were confused because of the differences between A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun were only further confused about the order in which they should watch the series. The announcement of an anime-only movie and another manga spin-off called A Certain Scientific Accelerator only furthered the confusion.
What saved it was the massive break the animated series took after the second season of Railgun. From 2008 to 2011, there were two seasons of Index and one of Railgun that aired alternatively. Railgun S and A Certain Magical Index: The Movie The Miracle of Endymion aired in 2013. It would be seven years of fans asking Index Season 3 when after Index II finished that an anime adaptation would air.
Lets take a step back and briefly explain each series before we get to watch orders.
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The First Side Story: A Certain Scientific Railgun
A Certain Scientific Railgun is the first manga spin-off and follows Misaka Mikoto, the level 5 esper also known as Railgun, in her own adventures, separate from her involvement in the Index series. Her story focuses more on the Esper side of things and takes place before and during the events of Index.
Its also the only series so far to have filler arcs in it. Both Railgun and Railgun S have secondary filler arcs, while Railgun T has so far only adapted canon material.
Misaka Mikoto: A main character in the Index series, and the titular protagonist for the Railgun series. Her status as a level 5 electromaster esper is enough reason to gain attention, but she comes to learn that events from her past carried more weight than shed ever known.
Shirai Kuroko: One of the protagonists in Railgun, and the best friend and roommate of Misaka Mikoto. Shes a level 4 Esper with the ability to teleport herself and other objects. She works with Uiharu in Judgement, the student-led discipline committee in Academy City.
Uiharu Kazari: A supporting character and a level 1 esper. She works alongside Shirai Kuroko in Judgement. Although shes not much of the fighting type, she supports Judgement with her excellent computer skills.
Saten Ruiko: One of the supporting characters and a level 0 esper. Shes a friend with Uiharu and meets the other characters through her. Even without being gifted in terms of powers, she does whatever she can to help those in need.
Toaru Majutsu No Index Ii
The second season of A Certain Magical Index sees some thrilling action and even more comedy than the first.
As the tensions grow between The Academy City and the World of Magic, Kamijou and his allies have to face off against a barrage of enemies.
Kamijou and his friends have to face both espers and magicians and protect themselves. This calls for some of the best action the show has ever seen.
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Railgun First / Chronological Order
If you ask any fan, they would say watching Railgun first is the right choice because you get a more emotional impact from events that dont get the same focus in Index. As those events are spoiled by Index, knowing the outcome isDisappointing.
A simplified Railgun first watch is as follows:
- A Certain Scientific Railgun
- A Certain Scientific Railgun S
- A Certain Magical Index
- A Certain Scientific Railgun T
- A Certain Magical Index II
- A Certain Magical Index the Movie: The Miracle of Endymion
- A Certain Magical Index III
This watching order preserves the mystery and emotion of the show. Furthermore, I personally believe watching Railgun first has a better initial hook than the somewhat difficult to like first episodes of Index. You do hold off on the third season of Railgun because the events happen during the second season of Index, so you will want to know the events of the first season of Index before watching it.
If you really want to get into it, you also have the option of a full chronological order watch. While I personally recommend the simplified Railgun first order above, if you have watched it before or simply just want a standard timeline of events, you can do the following.
A Certain Magical Index Season 4 Isnt Confirmed
J.C. Staff has yet to confirm whether or not A Certain Magical Index season 4 is in the works. There was, however, a lengthy gap of almost a decade between the release of the second and third seasons of the anime, so the lack of confirmation as of yet doesnt necessarily mean the series is done.
The first three seasons of A Certain Magical Index may have covered all volumes of Kazuma Kamachis original light novels, but theres still plenty of related media ripe for adaptation. Kamachi has since penned a 23 volume sequel series titled New Testament: A Certain Magical Index and recently began publishing a third series named Genesis Testament: A Certain Magical Index all of which J.C. Staff could adapt into further seasons of its anime series.
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In What Order To Watch The Anime Series
Ive definitely seen people give watch order recommendations that splice episodes of different series together. Personally, I think thats way too complicated, and instead, Im going to recommend two well-known watch orders. The first of them is to simply follow the broadcast order:
- A Certain Magical Index
- A Certain Magical Index II
- A Certain Scientific Railgun S
- A Certain Magical Index: The Movie The Miracle of Endymion
- A Certain Scientific Accelerator
- A Certain Magical Index: The Movie The Miracle of Endymion
- A Certain Scientific Railgun T
- A Certain Magical Index III
Id argue that this is a pretty acceptable watch order as well. In a way, its a bit more of a chronological watch order, and thanks to the mostly self-contained stories of Railgun and Accelerator, it shouldnt ruin anything from its parent story. A real chronological order would be splicing episodes together from all around, so this is a lot easier for newcomers.
A Certain Scientific Railgun: Pseudo
This order is not the true chronological order but it has Railgun first instead of Index. The spin-off A Certain Scientific Railgun illustrates the stories of Mikoto Misaka, the 3rd-ranked Level 5 esper, with her friends at the prestigious all-girls private Tokiwa academy. The events that occur in Railgun happen before the meeting of Index and Toma so many people watch Railgun first to get a sense of chronology.
- A Certain Scientific Railgun
- A Certain Scientific Railgun S
- A Certain Magical Index I
- A Certain Scientific Railgun T
- A Certain Magical Index II
- A Certain Magical Index III
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List Of A Certain Magical Index Episodes
A Certain Magical Index is a Japanese anime television series produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, which is based on the light novel of the same name. The story follows the adventures of Toma Kamijo, a high school student in the scientific-advanced Academy City whose right hand contains a unique power called “Imagine Breaker”, and Index, a young nun from the Church of England whose mind has been implanted with 103,000 grimoires of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. The series broadcast 74 episodes over three seasons.
The first season aired on Chiba TV on October 4, 2008, and later on AT-X on January 8, 2009, upon the release of episode 14, until March 19, and consisted of twenty-four episodes. It adapts the first six volumes of the light novel. The second season aired from October 8, 2010, to April 1, 2011, and consisted of twenty-four episodes. It adapts the seventh to the thirteenth volume of the light novel. The third season aired from October 5, 2018, to April 5, 2019, and consisted of twenty-six episodes. It adapts the final nine volumes of the light novel. All three seasons are available on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as on streaming services.
A Certain Magical Index Railgun First Order
This watch order is preferred among the fans due to the fact that an arc in the first season of Index is expanded upon in the second season of Railgun thus removing some of the impacts while watching Railgun after Index thus fans started this new order to watch Railgun first and then move to Index.
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A Certain Magical Index
A Certain Magical Index is a Japanese light novel series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura.
It is based on Tma Kamij, a high school student in a scientifically advanced city where he meets a young nun named Index from the Church of England whose mind has been implanted with the Index Librorum Prohibitorum: the magical texts which the church removed from circulation. This meeting makes him explore more of the secret magical world of Science and begins his adventure with his friends.
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There Are Other Anime Titles In The Certain Magical Index Franchise
While viewers wait for confirmation of A Certain Magical Index season 4, there are plenty more related anime titles to enjoy in the meantime. The franchise currently includes a feature-length anime film titled A Certain Magical Index: The Movie The Miracle Of Endymion which was released in 2013 and two further anime series A Certain Scientific Railgun and A Certain Scientific Accelerator which are based on Kamachis spinoff manga of the same names.
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Toaru Majutsu No Index Movie: Endymion No Kiseki
The Movie Endymion no Kiseki introduces a few new faces and majorly revolves around the Endymion. Endymion is the new space elevator constructed in Academy City.
The plot begins with Kamijou and Index leading normal lives in the city when they meet a cheerful girl called Arisa. Arisa Meigo is a Level 0 esper but she is very talented at singing and she actually performs roadside concerts and sings professionally too.
After a series of strange events Kamijou and Index find out about Arisa and The Endymion and the story gets twisted and complicated. Full of surprises and action along with some patented Majutsu Index comedy this movie will certainly lift your spirits.
About A Certain Scientific Railgun
A Certain Scientific Railgun is a Japanese manga series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa, which began serialization in the April 2007 issue of ASCII Media Works Dengeki Daioh magazine.
The manga is a spin-off of Kamachis A Certain Magical Index light novel series, taking place before and during the events of that series.
The events of the series take place in a futuristic world full of students, many of whom are espers with unique powers. The protagonist, Mikoto Misaka, is a high-level electro master esper. The story revolves around Mikotos adventures and her friends: Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, Ruiko Saten.
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For Fans Of Rare Power Protagonists
Blood Blockade Battlefront
Vampires, fishmen, supersonic monkeys they are all normal residents living alongside humans in Hellsalems Lot, formerly known as New York City. When a gate between Earth and the Beyond popped up there three years ago, old NYC became dominated by monsters and now Libra, a secret organization, is tasked with keeping it in order. However, for main character Leonardo Watch, he is no one special, just a hobbyist photographer. However, when he obtains the All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods, he finds himself recruited into Libra.
All you really need to know about both shows are that they involve a protagonist with a rare power that goes around their magnificent city and gets into fights because of their sheer bad luck. In Blood Blockade Battlefront, the city is strictly overrun with supernatural characters while the city in A Certain Magical Index is distinctly more technological.
Bakemonogatari
After being saved from a vampire attack, high school student Koyomi Araragi finds he has several supernatural side effects. While trying to live a normal life, he ends up catching a classmate after falling down the stairs and finds she is near weightless. Thus begins to his foray into a weird and wonderful world.
Strike the Blood
Did we miss any more good anime recommendations like A Certain Magical Index? Let us know in the comments section below.
Bad Guy Turned Good In A Certain Scientific Accelerator
The final spin-off is A Certain Scientific Accelerator. It follows the character known only as Accelerator and his own separate adventures from the Index series. Like Railgun, it focuses more on Espers within Academy City. The series takes place after the first season of Index and during the seven episodes of Index II.
Accelerator: The top ranked Level 5 esper. Hes originally introduced as an antagonist with the Index and Railgun series, but progresses into a protagonist in the former as well as the titular protagonist in Accelerator. At times he can seem especially sadistic and unhinged, especially when fighting strong opponents.
Last Order: The final sister of Misaka Mikoto. She stands out the most among the sisters due to being a ten-year-old, whereas the others are the same age as Misaka. She comes into the care of Accelerator, forgiving him of his past actions and allowing him to forgive himself.
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