A Certain Magical Index is a long-running series with a truly diverse cast of characters, and many fans of the series are also fans of specific characters. So this time, we'll be picking out some of the most fascinating "villains" and compiling a strength ranking. Please note that this ranking is entirely subjective and biased.
10th Place: Vento of the Front
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
A magician who is a member of the "Roman Orthodox Church's Right Seat of God." Her nicknames are "Vento of the Front" and "The Ultimate Weapon of Two Billion." She is a young woman with a tongue piercing, attached to a thin chain that reaches down to her waist and a small cross. Her age is unknown, but she appears to be at least older than Kamijou Touma. She dresses in the style of a 19th-century French citizen, but her entire body is bright yellow.
Abilities
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
She possesses the ability of "Divine Fire (Archangel)," which means she has the attribute of "wind." There is no legitimate way for humanity to defeat her. Her most terrifying quality isn't her strength, which allows her to effortlessly swing a gigantic hammer, or the wind bullets she unleashes in conjunction with her crucifix. It's her power, known as the "Divine Punishment Curve," which instantly deprives anyone of oxygen and knocks them unconscious the moment they harbor even a shred of hostility toward her.
Unfair Strength
Even if they're unaware of Vento's existence, no matter how far away they are, her ability is so unfair it knocks them out the moment they feel even the slightest bit of hostility. This ability activates the moment they harbor even the slightest bit of hostility, regardless of how much trust they place in her, making even their allies inescapable of Divine Punishment. She has used this to subdue large numbers of opponents. Additionally, her constantly active invisible barrier provides impenetrable defense, impervious to anti-tank weaponry. These factors have earned her a place on this list!
9th Place: Terra of the Left
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
He governs the elements of Earth and the Left, and his corresponding angel is Raphael. A staunch Roman Orthodox Christian, he does not even consider heretics or pagans to be human. He uses a special spell called "Execution of Light." This ability allows him to "set priorities for all things and events." By prioritizing himself over attacks, he can render any attack ineffective. By prioritizing the atmosphere over the human body, he can even immobilize the target.
Power and Abilities
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
As a byproduct of this spell, he gains the ability to freely manipulate wheat flour, the "flesh of the gods." The power of this guillotine created from flour does not have the ability to cut (it can be gained by changing the priority using the aforementioned "Execution of Light"), but it is strong enough to easily blow a human away. Changing the priority is inflexible, so you have to change the settings each time you want to change the target. For example, if you change the priority between A and B and then a completely different attack called C comes your way, you will not be able to deal with it. Even so, if you increase the number of priorities, it seems that a certain degree of effect can be expected. Incidentally, Terra does not seem to have mastered this technique to its full potential, and is currently still adjusting it.
8th Place: Acqua in the Back
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
A magical mercenary from England. Also known as "Acqua in the Back." His magic name is "He Who Changes the Reason for Tears (Flere210)." He is one of the few saints, or rather, the only sensible person at God's Right Seat. His physique and appearance give him a quiet and unwavering aura. Not only can he wield a gigantic mace over 5 meters long and the giant sword, Ascalon, with the physical abilities of a saint, but as the Right Seat of God, he also possesses the properties of "divine power" and, due to his connection with the Annunciation, can exercise "Virgin Mary's Mercy." Furthermore, due to the effects of Virgin Mary's Mercy, he can also use normal human magic that the Right Seat of God cannot use.
Abilities and Skills
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Recognizing Kamijou Touma's Imagine Breaker as the root of the conflict, he engages in combat with Kamijou and Amakusa Shiki in an attempt to seize it. He's a powerful character, capable of beating Kamijou, the supposed protagonist, out of the story in just a few pages, and overwhelming Kanzaki. A "magic to negate punishment" based on the "attenuation of severe punishment" of the Virgin Mary cult. By extension, it can also be interpreted as being able to escape promises, constraints, and conditions, making it possible to nullify curses and twist the conditions for activating magic to draw out true power from illusions. It also negates the rule that "the Right Seat of God cannot use human magic," making it possible to use normal magic such as "banish people." Its properties seem to directly embody the nature of the Right Seat of God, which "cancels original sin without relying on faith," like the "Immaculate Conception."
7th Place: Fiamma of the Right
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
He rules over fire and the right, and his corresponding angel is Michael. He is the de facto leader of the Right Seat of God and a skilled magician. He refers to himself as "oresama." He is the one who started World War III, which he initiated in order to perfect his own skill. Fiamma uses a special technique known as the "Sacred Right." The "third arm" that appears from his right shoulder does not possess the original power of the Sacred Right, but is extremely powerful and unstable.
Abilities and Strength
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
This power allows him to "simply swing his right arm to generate optimal power in response to challenges and difficulties." In other words, he can "win" against any strong foe simply by swinging his right arm. Fiamma has no need for destructive power, speed, hardness, intelligence, strength, range, numbers, or weapons. One swing and it's over, so he doesn't need destructive power. One swing and he'll hit, so he doesn't need speed. Absolute destruction, absolute accuracy, and absolute preemptive strike - a power that's truly unfair. This is the true power of Fiamma's right arm, and the power it should have. That power can be summed up in one word: tremendous. The output alone shown in the story was enough to destroy a planet and recreate all of the myths of Christianity.
6th Place: Kakine Teitoku
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
He is the second-highest-ranking esper (Level 5) of the seven espers in Academy City, second only to Accelerator. He is also the leader of Academy City's dark organization, "School." He generally has a fickle personality and calls himself "the lowest of the low," but among the dark side, he is one of the more humane, and tries to avoid ordinary people as much as possible, even overlooking enemies if they are of a lower rank. However, he is also brutal and will show no mercy to those he considers his enemies, or for the sake of his own goals.
Ability
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The ability to create and manipulate a special substance called "dark matter." Unlike the dark matter of the original work, "dark matter" is not something that "has not yet been discovered" or "should theoretically exist," but rather a substance that truly does not exist in this world. As it is not "material matter," it does not follow the physical laws of this world, and any matter it interacts with will behave according to its own unique physical laws that are not of this world (for example, sunlight diffracted by its wings will become a death ray). In other words, it is not just the ability to create unusual matter, but also the ability to rewrite the laws of physics.
5th Place: Ollerus
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
A kind-hearted magician who was unable to become a "Demon God," partnering with the saint Silvia. He wields the "Nordic Throne," which converts life force into special powers rather than magical energy. Although the original "Nordic Throne" does not have the ability to attack, it is used forcefully to attack with an inexplicable power. He is a powerful being who easily defeated Kuzesaka. It is true that he is an existence that is extremely close to a demon god who has mastered magic, and his abilities are extremely high.
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Compared to the demon gods, who are difficult to deal with, he is weaker and is targeted by the entire magical community. He has also successfully put the power of the Index into practical use and is even able to face Othinus for a short time. He is also essentially similar to Touma in that he will help anyone in need when he sees them. However, her methods of help are quite violent, and she is prone to sacrificing everything else in order to save the person she perceives as being in trouble.
4th Place: Othinus
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The symbol of the magical organization "Gremlin." A "Magic God," a magician who has mastered magic and become a god. Her true identity is Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology. He is the god of magic who once gained wisdom by gouging out one of his eyes, offering it to Mimir's Well, and hanging himself from a branch of the world tree, Yggdrasil. He lost his eye as a systematic "sacrifice" to attain the rank of "Demon God," and thus, as per Odin legend, he is now one-eyed.
Abilities
Othinus's perfection as a Demon God embodies "infinite possibilities." However, she abandoned her "divine spear," which possesses the power to control her Demon God powers, and as such, she now carries an equal chance of success and failure in everything she does. To control her distorted possibilities, Othinus aims to tilt the probability 100% toward either positive or negative. If she tilts it 100% toward positive, she will achieve absolute success in everything she does. If she tilts it 100% toward negative, she will achieve absolute success by always following the opposite path she chose. In short, no matter what happens, Othinus wins.
Strength
She crushes Kamijou's right arm, and then, just as in her fights with Aureolus and Fiamma of the Right, she easily crushes the "enormous power hidden within Kamijou" that emerges from the amputated arm. After defeating Ollerus, she confronts Kamijou. Kamijo is terrified, and Othinus finds even the act of combat bothersome. And because it's such a hassle, she destroys the world. Her strength is unmatched throughout the series.
3rd Place: Demonic Forces
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The demonic forces, true Gremlins, even mock Matinus, who can easily create and destroy worlds, as a failure. Because they cannot descend into the world with their original powers (because their mere existence would destroy the world), they mock Matinus, who can do so, calling him a "failed demon" and a "failed creation." Each of the demons who are deified in their own myths can only appear in the world by drastically reducing their own abilities.
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
While the Demon Forces have many characters, their combat power is unknown due to the fact that none of them possess their true powers, and there is no one who can fight them on equal terms or better. Therefore, I ranked them third based solely on scenes depicted in A Certain Magical Index. Since we haven't really seen much of their unique abilities, this is a prime example of how it's hard to know where they should rank, even though it would be strange if they weren't included in the strongest rankings.
2nd Place: Aleister Crowley
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The most powerful person in Academy City, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Academy City. His true identity is Aleister Crowley himself from Index. He is the greatest modern Western magician, known by the magical beast names "Beast 666" and "Silver Star." In reality, he is Edward Alexander, who calls himself "Great Beast 666 (Master Therion)" and is described as "the worst magician" and "a weirdo." He currently relies on life support machines to keep him alive, mechanically generating the life force needed to generate magical power, and lives as the Chairman of Academy City, evading all investigations.
Formerly the World's Greatest Magician
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Although he was active approximately 70 years ago, it is no exaggeration to say that thousands of years of magical history have been rewritten during that time. Nearly 50% of today's magicians have been influenced by Aleister in some way. However, in this work, despite being the world's greatest magician, for "certain reasons" he abandons magic itself and begins working to eradicate it.
Understanding Magic
According to him, magic in this world can be explained by "similarity" and "contagion." Similarity is a fundamental law of magic that states that "objects with similar shapes influence each other." In Index, this is referred to as the "theory of idols" among practicing magicians. It is the power to rewrite reality by utilizing imaginary identity, such as destroying a doll in a specific way to destroy the body of a hated enemy (Ushi no Koku Mairi), or allowing a replica of the cross on which the Son of God was executed to acquire the same divinity as the real thing (Sacred Souls).
The Effects of Mastered Magic
He uses illicit magic, such as inflicting images of real value on linked targets, using iron pipes and other rod-like objects as "holy swords" from legends, and using "auxiliary magic" to "amplify the power of magical spells ten times greater than the target's imagination."
1st Place: Kamisato Shoryu
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
He's an ordinary boy with brown hair, a medium build, and a gentle voice, like someone you might find in any town. However, his behavior is somehow decadent and gentle, like that of an enlightened person, yet somehow evocative of an eerie quality. He also calls himself an ordinary high school student, and it seems he wants to remain an ordinary high school student. As a result, he harbors an intense hatred and murderous intent towards the demons who caused him and those around him to become anything but "ordinary," and he has taken action to completely eradicate them.
Differences with Kamijou Touma
At first, he sympathized with Kamijou Touma, seeing him as someone very close to him, but his thoughts, beliefs, values, and even his feelings toward his own abilities and those who admire him were completely incompatible with his. Having been thoroughly rejected by Touma himself, he abusively called him a "harem-positive bastard who's enjoying a stroke of good fortune that came out of nowhere." From then on, he began to seriously attempt to kill Touma, even using despicable means.
Right Hand Ability
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The power residing in Kamisato Shōryu's right hand is its effect: banishing anyone with "overlapping wishes" to an isolated space known as "New World." It's the polar opposite of Touma's "Imagine Breaker," a power of hope that combines wishes, dreams, and possibilities. (According to Laura, the Imagine Breaker's incomplete form prevented it from fully absorbing the dreams of all magicians, resulting in a condensed, overflowing dream.) According to Touma, it's a power that brings salvation to its opponents.
Summary
Despite its theme of shounen manga-style battles, A Certain Magical Index features such a large cast of characters, making it enjoyable even just by browsing the character list and learning about their abilities. One of the charms of A Certain Magical Index is that even villains often end up becoming allies. The third season of the anime is also airing, so be sure to keep an eye out for the "villains"!
