Have you heard of the hugely popular light novel series A Certain Magical Index? It was Kazuma Kamachi's debut work and breakthrough, and the original novel has sold 16.6 million copies as of August 2018. The first season of the anime aired in 2008, the second in 2010, and ended in April 2011, so the third season, which will begin in October 2018, will be the first anime adaptation in about seven years. I think you can see how popular it is from this far! Today, we'll be revealing all about Takitsubo Rikou from A Certain Magical Index. A must-read if you're watching season three.
Who is Takitsubo Rikou in A Certain Magical Index?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
This slightly sleepy-looking girl is Takitubo Riko. She has bob-black hair and always wears a pink tracksuit, making her a soothing character. She's a member of "ITEM," a shadowy organization (a small organization that undertakes missions that cannot be made public) under the jurisdiction of Academy City's Chairman of the Board, Aleisler Crowley. She's a rare example of common sense in [A Certain Magical Index], and is a very human character who feels sad when Level 0s (non-ability users) are hurt. Despite her appearance, she's actually a Level 4 with great abilities, making her an incredible character! Incidentally, she's also a character that's been talked about online for her secretly large breasts (lol).
[A Certain Magical Index] What are Takitsubo Riko's psychic powers?
You can't escape!
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
Takitsubo Riko's psychic power is "AIM Stalker." AIM refers to the AIM force field, which refers to the general area of weak power that the power user unconsciously emits. By sensing this AIM force field, she can pinpoint the enemy's location in minute detail. So, while it's not an ability suited to combat, he is said to be the closest ability user to Level 5 at present. Also, the range he can grasp is so incredible that he would be able to detect his opponent even if they fled to the solar system, meaning that no one can escape from Takitsubo at this point.
Is it already the strongest ability?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
And the most amazing thing is that he can simultaneously sense an opponent's AIM force field and reverse theirs, taking over their power. While he has never succeeded to date, being able to achieve this power consistently means that Level 5 is no longer just a dream. Isn't that just the strongest?!
[A Certain Magical Index] What is Takitsubo Rikou's weakness?
A surprising side effect?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
As mentioned above, Takitsubo Rikou is the strongest support character, but she also has a weakness. This means that abilities cannot be used properly without the use of "body crystals (ability crystals)." Body crystals are a drug that intentionally causes a rejection reaction to abilities, causing them to go out of control. Created as part of an experiment, it is such a powerful drug that an average person would lose consciousness and collapse after taking it for a while. Takitsubo has also experienced being left near death after using it for an extended period of time. It also caused him to be unable to use his abilities for a while.
Why use it?
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
The reason he goes to such lengths to use it is because, although extremely rare, his abilities have been dramatically improved by using the "Body Crystal." It's thanks to this potion that he can clearly pinpoint the opponent's exact location. What a tragic fate.
[A Certain Magical Index] Is Takitsubo Riko Surprisingly Real?
A Maiden?!
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
When talking about Takitsubo Riko, the next person to come to mind is Hamazura Shiage. Hamazura is the former leader of the Skill-Outs, a group of non-powered individuals (a.k.a. delinquents) that appeared in the final episode of the second season of the anime. He is also a highly anticipated character who is said to be the third protagonist of the story. In fact, Hamazura and Takitsubo Riko are very much in love! It's surprising, isn't it? After the incident mentioned above, Hamazura said, "I will always protect Takitsubo," which brought them closer.
The contrast is incredible!
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
These two are in love with each other, and Takitubo Riko is quite proactive when it comes to romance, having willingly performed the first kissing scene in A Certain Magical Index. However, she uses her powers to seriously stalk Hamazura, find out where he is, and when she sees him getting friendly with other girls, she twists the door to the protagonist Kamijou Touma's dorm room so tightly that it almost shatters. If another girl tries to hug her, she becomes so jealous that she lets out an unimaginable moan. This is what we call a yandere (lol).
[A Certain Magical Index] You can't take your eyes off Takitsubo Riko!
Source: A Certain Magical Index ©Kamachi Kazuma/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-INDEX
What did you think? We've introduced you to "A Certain Magical Index: An Analysis of Takitsubo Rikou's Charm!" While Takitsubo is expressionless and soothing, she's surprisingly agile and quick-witted when it comes to combat. She's also proactive in romance, so we're curious to see how their relationship develops. Will he appear in the third season of the anime? Hamazura will also be appearing, so there's a lot to look forward to. Let's look forward to that as well as [A Certain Magical Index III]!
