The third season of A Certain Magical Index has been confirmed for broadcast. Each character in this popular anime shines with their own unique personality, but Mugino Shizuri stands out in particular. We've put together a summary of her appeal and speculation about what the future holds. Be sure to check it out.
Mugino Shizuri's Profile
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
He is the fourth-ranked esper (Level 5) out of Academy City's 2.3 million people, and the leader of the organization "ITEM" lurking in the deepest reaches of the city. He once fought against the third-ranked esper, Misaka Mikoto. His nickname is "Melt Downer." He is likely a high school student or older. Her favorite food is salmon bento.
Just a Scary Older Sister
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
She's usually a caring person, beloved by the members of the Item, but that's only one side of the coin. In reality, she's cruel and merciless, even to her own family. She also has a very violent temper, and her speech becomes extremely nasty when she's angry. Furthermore, in volume 19 of the Old Testament, she even used a word that was banned from broadcast. "I'm gonna kill you like crazy." According to Takitsubo, "Once she makes up her mind, she goes straight for it." She often ends her sentences with "nyan," which, combined with her rough tone, makes her more scary than cute.
The contrast is incredible
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
While she may seem like a scary character, she's actually a rich young lady. She even had a butler as a child, and it seems Frenda has revealed her surprising secret: "She can't sleep unless she's holding a tattered stuffed animal." Moreover, although he seems to have a careless personality and doesn't care about anything, Mugino is self-conscious about the thickness of his legs and always wears stockings, tights, knee-high socks, etc. to make them look thinner. I'm sure there are many people who are attracted to this unexpected gap.
A personality disorder!?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
According to Hamazura Shiage, "He's the type of person who can't be satisfied unless he can complete a video game without making any mistakes. He gets angry even if he makes even the slightest mistake, and even seeing the ending doesn't satisfy him. He's the type who gets satisfied by breaking his high score to make up for that." He's selfish and self-centered. On the other hand, he is somewhat concerned about how others perceive him, and as a leader, he is somewhat considerate of his fellow members.
The Unrivaled Power of "Melt Downer"
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Electrons inherently exhibit either "particle" or "waveform" properties depending on the situation. She can fix them in an "ambiguous" state, somewhere between the two, and forcibly control them. Officially classified as a particle waveform high-speed cannon, it appears as a shining white beam of light. Because "ambiguously fixed electrons" cannot become either "particles" or "waveforms," they acquire the property of "staying still" when they collide with an object. This "staying still" property turns the "ambiguously fixed electrons" into pseudo-"walls," which she can force into motion and slam into at high speed, generating immense destructive power. It can also be used for high-speed movement and defense, making it an unparalleled force in combat.
The Risk of Exploiting Immense Destructive Power
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
According to Misaka Mikoto, it's similar to a "railgun" in some ways. However, unlike Misaka Mikoto's psychic power, it requires constant aiming, making it impossible to fire continuously, and each shot has significant recoil. The reason for the need to aim is that the immense destructive power of the beam could result in self-destruction if one misstep is made. In fact, when Mugino used the ability while being too angry and not aiming properly, his own arm was blown off.
At full power, it's the strongest!?
Mugino's own survival instincts normally limit the power of the atom-shattering beam, which is why the output is somewhat suppressed. According to researchers, if that weren't the case, it would be possible to instantly kill Misaka Mikoto (though this would be pointless, as Mugino's body would also be obliterated). This ability can be simply described as "firing beams from the entire body."
Leader of the Dark Organization "ITEM"
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
"ITEM" is one of the dark organizations lurking in the depths of Academy City. It serves as an executive unit directly under the Board of Governors, tasked with eliminating unscrupulous elements within Academy City and monitoring and controlling the upper echelons, including the Board of Governors, as well as other dark organizations. The main members are women with Level 4 and Level 5 abilities, led by leader Mugino Shizuri, including Kinuhata Saiai, Frenda Seivelun, and Takitsubo Riko. During the conflict between dark organizations, they acted to suppress the rebellion of "School," but were nearly annihilated instead. They were later annihilated when Mugino and Hamazura fell out.
Incredible Physical Abilities
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
While her impressive psychic powers may be what catches your eye, Mugino's true fearsomeness lies in her physical abilities. With just one punch, she can make Hamazura vomit and dig his stomach into the bridge railing; jump from a bridge several meters above ground onto the train tracks and stab his hand into the ground; calmly pursue Hamazura despite him repeatedly running away until he was at his limit; catch up with him just after he was blown away by an explosion and accurately insert a screwdriver into his ear; and stand up after being hit by multiple pistol bullets. Her physical abilities are just as impressive as her psychic abilities.
Physical abilities are just as impressive as psychic powers
She can drag a waterfall basin, which must be quite heavy even for a high school girl, with one hand and throw it away; jump from a three-meter-high walkway onto a wire fence, then gracefully land from that fence on the lowest level, which is large enough to store an airplane; send Hamazura flying several meters in the air with a single kick, and perform seven or eight consecutive kicks. Incidentally, Hamazura, who gets beaten up all the time, has trained his body to deal with people with special abilities, and is strong enough to fight on equal terms with Kamijou in terms of combat alone, and not even fall down after receiving a tackle that would break through a door panel.
Mugino's voice is provided by a popular voice actor
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
In the anime "A Certain Magical Index," voice actress Ami Koshimizu provided the voice of Mugino Shizuri. Her notable appearances include "Strike Witches" (Charlotte E. Yeager), "Saki" (Haramura Kazu), and "Macross Delta" (Mikumo Guynemer).
Mugino Shizuri dies and is resurrected!?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Using Takitsubo Riko's powers, he attempted to destroy the dark organization "School," led by Kakine Teitoku, the second-ranked Level 5 of Academy City. However, Hamazura Shiage opposed his plan, leading to a battle with him. While initially overwhelming, the shortcomings of his powers and his own personality led to his defeat. Her right eye was crushed, and in a fit of rage, her powers exploded, causing her left arm to disappear. She was then shot at close range, and was presumed dead.
Save by Aleister
In fact, Mugino Shiori was rescued by Aleister, Academy City's most powerful man, just before her death, and survived. Forced to resurrect in order to reuse her powers, she was transformed into something inhuman. She attacked Hamazura, who was being pursued by enemies, treating him as her "prey," and cornered him, only to be defeated once again by Hamazura's quick thinking.
Fighting Hamazura Again
Still alive, she used her powers to support Hamazura and Takitsubo as they escaped Academy City. She began to show signs of change, a thoroughly villainous character. She later appeared before Hamazura Shiage again to settle her feud with him. Mugino used her incredible powers to try her best to kill Hamazura, but collapsed just before the last moment. After Hamazura desperately persuaded the devastated Mugino, they reached a settlement. From then on, Mugino worked alongside Hamazura and Takitsubo.
Restarting the New "Item"
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
After returning to Academy City, Mugino reunited with Kinuhata Moa and activated the "New Item." She replaced her missing eye and left arm with prosthetics, and with special makeup to erase her scars, she regained her normal human appearance. She seems troubled by the fact that she murdered her comrade, Frenda, and that the crime was not brought to justice. When she met with Frenda's sister, Fremea, she confessed to killing Frenda and showed a desire to atone for her crimes.
Mugino Becomes More Human
After reconciling with Hamazura, she seems to have regained some self-control, and even when angry, she no longer uses vulgar and filthy language like before. While she remains violent, she seems to have mellowed out a bit. She has begun doing housework to maintain her prosthetic arm and teasing Hamazura, showing signs of becoming more human.
Summary
If you're interested in Mugino and want to see her in action, check out the anime "A Certain Magical Index III." Of course, you can also read the light novel and relive the epic battle scenes in your mind. That concludes our introduction to Mugino Shiori!
