If ever there was a word in visual media that the general public immediately distrusted, it's "spinoff". Experience has proven to many that a show, comic or novel that is derivative of a popular series is rarely as good as the original work, and the DVD bargain basement is littered with titles that were designed with one thing in mind - to cash in on the original work's popularity due to the lack of a valid sequel. Shows like Crusade (Babylon 5), Joey (Friends), Highlander: The TV series, Robocop: The TV series, the horrendous Baywatch titles, and a horde of others all attempted to milk
...
extra profits from a cow that had gone dry.
All is not lost though, as while it is rare that a spinoff can proclaim itself to be as good as, if not better than, the original work, there are some shows that do fit the bill. Frasier (Cheers), CSI: NY and Miami, Torchwood (Dr. Who), Mork & Mindy (Happy Days), and a small number of other titles are widely regarded as at least equal to the original works.
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun can also add its name to that list..
Unlike Toaru Majutsu no Index this series is not actually based on the light novels by Kamachi Kazuma, but is instead based on a spinoff manga by Fuyukawa Motoi. Unlike the Index series the spinoff focuses on Misaka Mikoto, the "Railgun" from the original series. Once more the action takes place in Academy City as Mikoto and her friends are beset by strange earthquakes, conspiracies, friendship issues, and all manner of hijinks.
Like the original series the format of Railgun uses an amalgamation of episodic and multi-chapter arcs however, much like Index, the series is also flawed in terms of its plot because of this. While the series has a reasonably enjoyable story, the tendency to jump from one focus to another like frog on a hot rock is detrimental to the flow of the plot. It's unfortunate as the format is similar to that adopted by GitS: SAC, however the big difference between the two shows is that where GitS: SAC provided food for thought, Railgun neglects this in favour of audience pleasing fillers (if the audience is juvenile that is).
That said, the plot has some interesting aspects to it, however the lack of a timeframe means that viewers may become a tad confused as to the ordering of events, especially if one tries to correlate the occurences in Index with those in Railgun.
The biggest downside to the format of Railgun though, is the fact that the more interesting aspects of the show are never fully explored due to the lack of focus, something which would have given this show the edge that it really needs.
While the plot may have its issues, the art and animation for Railgun is definitely a step up from Index. The characters follow the design of the manga and the original series, and while this may promote a certain sense of continuity, it's also a downside as well, as the character design becomes a little stale over the course of the show (i.e. too much of the same).
Backgrounds and settings are generally bright and colourful, and the scenery is very much in keeping with the style of the original series. The animation is generally smooth, however there are moments when the characters move in a truly ludicrous manner, something which can ruin a good action scene.
The one thing I do question is the fanservice, as it's clearly surplus to requirements. Granted the series is nowhere near the same level as some I could mention, however this is a showthat didn't really need to go that extra mile just to please the fans, and the story would have been more enjoyable without all the pandering.
Railgun is generally well served in the acting department. Satou Rina and Arai Satomi reprise their roles from Index as Mikoto and Kuroko, and they are joined by Itou Kanae and Toyosaki Aki (Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari respectively), to form the main core of characters. However, while the actresses are all experienced, there are occasions when the roles are really "hammed up", particularly when it comes to relationship issues.
As for the music, the show has a decent variety of thematic tracks which are generally well used when required, however there are also occasions where the music is clearly at odds with the on screen action. The generally upbeat style of music is reflected in the two OPs and two of the EDs used in the series. The ED for episode 12 is more melodic and has a slightly bittersweet sentiment to it which serves as a nice counterpoint to the ending of that particular arc.
The biggest surprise of this series is the characters. In a strange irony, they are both the best aspect of Railgun, but also its worst. The lack of plot focus is, in part, made up for by the development of the main cast, especially Ruiko who, in terms of actual character growth, is developed more than the other three girls. Now many fans may argue with that perspective, however I will point out that of the four main girls, it's Ruiko who not only changes the most, but also endures the most.
Now, I did mention that the characters were also the worst part of Railgun didn't I? Well, the reason for this is that while the characters do receive a degree of development, it simply isn't enough to justify their actions. The lack of plot focus only exacerbates the problem, and the show is littered with semi developed characters. In addition to this, the usage of comic relief based fanservice (e.g. Kuroko's behaviour towards Mikoto), washes away what little development had gone before. While the characters are engaging enough in their own way, the show could have done with putting more effort into the plot and characters, and less into making money from the hormone crazed masses.
With all of the problems I've mentioned, many might think that I didin't enjoy Railgun, when in actuality, I did. The show is entertaining as a no brain action romp, and had the potential, along with Index, to be something truly great. While I may regard Railgun as a wasted opportunity, it isn't actually a bad show at all, and many people may find something to keep them insterested.
In all honesty though, Railgun, like Index, had a great deal more potential than it actually delivers. The concept of both series is inventive and imaginative, however the execution, especially in Railgun, falls flat due to the desire to make money.The biggest example of how this impacts the show is the level of fanservice throughout the series (one whole episode, for example, is nothing more than a swimsuit buffet). It rapidly becomes obvious that the one of the main purposes of this series is to pander to hordes who love Mikoto, and while giving the public what they want isn't a bad thing, sometimes a show is better off not doing so.
On the plus side though, at least Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is one of the few spinoffs that's as good as the original story.
Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Toaru Kagaku no Choudenjihou
Japanese: とある科学の超電磁砲
More titlesInformation
Type:
TV
Episodes:
24
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Oct 3, 2009 to Mar 20, 2010
Premiered:
Fall 2009
Broadcast:
Saturdays at 01:30 (JST)
Licensors:
Funimation
Studios:
J.C.Staff
Source:
Manga
Theme:
Super Power
Duration:
24 min. per ep.
Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Statistics
Ranked:
#13542
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity:
#357
Members:
609,244
Favorites:
5,967
Available AtResourcesStreaming Platforms | Reviews
Filtered Results: 66 / 87
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Your Feelings Categories Mar 31, 2010
If ever there was a word in visual media that the general public immediately distrusted, it's "spinoff". Experience has proven to many that a show, comic or novel that is derivative of a popular series is rarely as good as the original work, and the DVD bargain basement is littered with titles that were designed with one thing in mind - to cash in on the original work's popularity due to the lack of a valid sequel. Shows like Crusade (Babylon 5), Joey (Friends), Highlander: The TV series, Robocop: The TV series, the horrendous Baywatch titles, and a horde of others all attempted to milk
...
Mar 19, 2010
Are the burdens of being special greater or lesser than the burdens of being ordinary?
Academy City is a city that thrives on those who are espers -- who are special -- whether they already have powers or are trying to attain them. Everyone is reaching towards their ideal self, but some people don’t care what methods get used. The pursuit of the “next level” is absolute. If our limitations only exist so we can surpass them, should there be a limit to how far we can go to get there? Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, or A Certain Scientific Railgun, follows the events around Misaka Mikoto ... Apr 14, 2013
Back in January, I watched a just licensed anime called "A Certain Magical Index". Which I thought was a pretty good show that was worth watching, with it's interesting world and likable characters, though at times it got too complicated and hard to follow at times. Though what made it worth watching was the secondary character, Mikoto Misaka. In a sea of basic stock anime characters, she was the most interesting out of them. Plus, watching her made me want to see more of this character, including her friend, Kuroko Shirai. But seeing how she was popular enough to get her own spin-off, I'm not
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Mar 12, 2014
I thought i'd write a review for the guys out there that have watched the parent story Index.
I was 100% sure i would never watch this, it looked like a little girls show, and I wasn't wrong. I was pretty bummed there was no news for a third season of Index, so I thought I'd give this a go and test the waters. If you liked Index, you're almost sure to like this. I got caught up in the clean lines and perfect pacing all too quickly. Something about this anime series speaks to me, and just like Index, a show I also ... Nov 25, 2009
Even though I just watched this anime until episode 7 at this time, but I really like it. It's a really fun anime. Very funny and sometimes can be touching too. I really enjoy watching it. The main characters are awesome and very lovable, especially Misaka-sama ^^
The OP and ED are awesome too. A must watch anime for everyone! Nov 8, 2014
When it comes to anime in general, more than often is there a tendency to get turned off by the words "spin-off". This is especially true when it involves taking an intense, action packed parent story and drawing from it a spin-off that is mostly about a group of cute girls doing cute things. After completing Index two years ago, I was all pumped and ready to get into Railgun, but I never really did that until now. I for one, was really attached to the characters of the parent story at that point, and it bothered me that we would not get to see
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Apr 1, 2010
Let me start off by getting the more controversial stuff out of the way first: This is going to piss a lot of people off, but...I honestly liked Majutsu more than Railgun. The thing I liked about the ToAruVerse was this whole dark mystery surrounding the Magic world. I honestly didn't care much for the Science side. Touma didn't nearly come across as annoying to me as he did with most people, and I just loved the priceless comedy associated with his misfortune. Whilst there was plenty to lol about in Railgun (most of the comedy coming from Kuroko), the comedy wasn't as funny to
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Mar 20, 2010
Railgun is one of those rare shows that I'm willing to rate on just enjoyment alone. That's not to say things like story and characters aren't important, but Railgun doesn't particularly win you over with any of those. This is popcorn fare through and through, but the characters are so likable and the effort is showing at every turn, that even I can't turn my nose up to Misaka and her merry friends.
This is saying a lot because for the most part, I can turn my nose up to Index if I want to. It certainly wasn't a bad show, but as I said in ... Sep 13, 2013
A day at school, and an evening and afternoon after. Plus esper powers. Restaurants, shops, festivals. And esper powers. Social meetings with fellow students, window shopping at malls and boutiques, and leisurely walks through recreational and urban fare. Esper powers. All of it possible in Academy City, the technological capital, marvel, and envy of the world, where there is hardly a dull moment. All of it possible for Mikoto Misaka and her friends. All of it, and some extra baggage.
A Certain Scientific Railgun is a J.C. Staff (of Shakugan no Shana, Shigofumi, and Toradora! fame) anime adaptation of a manga of the same name conceived ... Mar 20, 2010
This will be my first review here, so beforehand I’m sorry for my bad English, incompetence and stuff.
Once upon a time I was looking for some Shana-like sci-fi action and this is how I got my hands on Toaru Majutsu no Index. It has cool setting so I like that show. Then Toaru Kagaku no Railgun came which I was looking forward to. Indeed, the same setting, more Misaka and no Index, who I think was annoying sometimes; so yeah, that’d be great series, it seemed. Now I can tell you what, Railgun’s not great. Well, it’s not bad either, it’s pretty much average show about ... Nov 12, 2015
I am seriously in love with this Anime. I have never watched an anime as good as this one. This anime is called: A Certain Scientific Railgun.
I love the story line. In the beginning, there wasn't much plot but then it progresses a lot! Summary: There is the city called Academy City and it is around 30 years more advanced than the rest of the world. A lot of people want to get in. The people who are in this city are ranked between level 0-5. Level 0 is like a nobody, no one really pays attention to them. Level 0's has no powers whatsoever. ... Dec 13, 2018
This review will cover both seasons of A Certain Scientific Railgun.
“You use other people’s power as an excuse for your own weakness. There’s almost nothing more pathetic than that.” – Kuroko Shirai. Anime spin-offs to well-known series are a tricky beast to execute. On one hand, anime spin-off can take all the things that the original series established and expand it by bringing in new concepts and ideas to the table aka Digimon Tamers. On the other hand, they could run the high risk of repeating the same mistakes that set original show made or even make worse ones in the progress cough Soul Eater Not. Thankfully A Certain Scientific Railgun least, for ... Jun 12, 2015
I still remember the time when my friend thought this anime was a bunch of lesbian girls fooling around. Tbh, that's what I thought too. I decided to give this anime a try and after watching 1 episode, I immediately got hooked. I guess I was 5% right about the lesbian part.
Story 9/10 The show is basically a spin-off to another anime show called "A Certain Magical Index". When I first started watching this anime, I didn't know it was a spin-off. The show is focused on Mikoto Misaka, one of the lv 5 espers in Academy City and her friends which I'm going to ... Aug 29, 2010
It's been a while since I have watched an anime that moved me to the point of immediately writing a review about it. I'm not going to sit here and over analyze this anime. I hate doing that, and I don't enjoy reviews that are written like that, I'm just going to keep it simple. This anime was fantastic! I actually spent an entire weekend watching it, I don't understand why I'm just now getting around to this I wish I would have found it sooner.
Story- Railgun had a pretty interesting story. Of course I'm not going to go into much detail ... Jan 17, 2010
Good art, music, and easily likable characters make up for a weak story in this lighthearted comedy.
"Railgun" starts out as an easygong anime with little semblance of a plot. However, this was not a bad thing as each story is interesting on its own. Well drawn visuals and characters make it quite a good watch. Also, both ending and opening songs are worth listening to. The problem starts when some story development starts, which could have been executed better. In fact it may have been better if it was left out and the anime had kept to its comedic style. Despite its one major weakness, Railgun ... Nov 11, 2014
I think the expression ,,spin-off'' should have been kind of changed for some anime. Some of those, like Railgun - show us another side of whats happening.
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun , or like in english ,,A Certain Scientific Railgun'' is an anime side-story from To Aru Majutsu no Index, a famous novel book series and naturally also a manga & an anime. The same like Index, Railgun sets of in the city called ,,Academic City'' a city that is 30 years in front of humanit in things of technology and thus they have managed to grant their students super powers, the espers. The beginning is a ... Feb 18, 2010
Toaru Kagaku no Railgun seemed like a stereotypical moe blob anime with random 'fanservice' thrown in for no reason; however after sitting down and viewing it I have to say it was surprisingly better than what I had expected.
So let's break this down, Story: For the first five or so episodes, there is virtually no continuous storyline. Each episode in the beginning is just a variety of random happenings that the girls of 'Judgement' must fix. By the time you get to some actual story you won't be able to help but say 'Finally.' That is not however to say that the early episodes ... Jul 12, 2015
While A Certain Magical Index follows the story of Touma, A Certain Scientific Railgun follows the story of another character in the anime, Misaka. A Certain Scientific Railgun follows Misaka in her endeavors with three of her friends, that occasionally overlap with the events in Index, but for the most part stays as a separate story. There is a technologically advanced city, that is 30 years further in science than any other city in the world known as Academy City, and in this city live people with powers like that out of a fantasy book, espers. The anime follows the story of our protagonist, Misaka,
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Aug 5, 2011
Railgun is a spinoff from To aru Majutsu no Index or A certain magical Index
While it is a spinoff, a lot of things are different and some people may form biases because of the different feels both anime have. If you disregard the fact that it's a spinoff and consider Railgun as a work of it's own, you can find the things to enjoy. Story 8/10 Railgun has a few arcs to offer with slice of life-like episodes in between. These episodes however are not completely empty as they are used as tension builders and breakers. As for the arcs, I'll be reviewing them individually Big spider arc ... Jun 22, 2015
I was off school sick; so what did I do? I watched the entire A Certain Scientific Railgun anime. Best thing I could have done.
Story: 9 The story only gets a 9 because each consecutive episode feels disconnected from the episode prior. Especially around the beginning and middle of the anime. I could say that the story is about Railgun and her friends helping a scientist rescue some kids from eternal sleep. Art: 10 ACSR is beautiful and modern. The characters look great and the setting of Academy City is stunning. Sound: 10 I loved the soundtrack. It fits in well with the story and the beginning and end themes weren't ... |