"A Certain Scientific Railgun" is a manga that has been serialized in Dengeki Comic Daioh since 2007 as a spin-off of "A Certain Magical Index". Its official name is "A Certain Magical Index Gaiden, A Certain Scientific Railgun". The first season of the anime was broadcast in 2009, and the second season, "A Certain Scientific Railgun S", aired in 2013. Both seasons are two cours long. This time, we will introduce the original anime story aired in the second season, "Silent Party".
Synopsis of Railgun
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A city called "Academy City" has a total population of 2.3 million, 80% of which are students. The students in this city learn to develop psychic powers as part of their curriculum, and students are mainly divided by level. There are levels ranging from Level 0 (non-powerful) to Level 5 (esper), and students are constantly studying every day to reach higher levels. A Certain Scientific Railgun is a story that centers around Misaka Mikoto, one of the seven Level 5s in Academy City, and follows her as she takes on various incidents related to the city's darkness.
Silent Party Overview
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
One day, Misaka and friends meet a girl sleeping alone in the park. The girl's name is Febre. Febre doesn't know where she lives or anything, and for some reason, the only thing she knows is her name: Misaka Mikoto. For the time being, they protect Febri and hand him over to the appropriate facility, but Misaka and the others decide to take him in for a short period of time until the facility can accept him. During that time, the group deepens their friendship with Febri and becomes close, but Febri's condition suddenly worsens. When they take him to the hospital, they discover that Febri is not actually human.
Main characters of Revolution Mimei (Silent Party)
Misaka Mikoto CV: Sato Rina
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
The protagonist of A Certain Scientific Railgun, she is one of only seven Level 5s in Academy City who attend Tokiwadai Middle School, the highest-ranking Electromaster and third in Academy City, and the strongest Electric Princess, nicknamed Railgun. Tokiwadai is a school for rich girls, but she is very straightforward and has a tomboyish personality.
Shirai Kuroko CV: Arai Satomi
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A first-year student at Tokiwadai Junior High School, the same school as Misaka. She is a member of the Judgment Committee, which maintains peace, and has the ability to teleport at level 4. He worships Misaka Mikoto to the point of insanity and dotes on her. They get along well and are a pretty good partner.
Uiharu Kazari CV: Aki Toyosaki
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A first year junior high school student who is a member of the discipline committee, just like Shirai, who attends Sakagawa Junior High School. Her abilities are quite low at level 1, and her physical abilities are also below average, but she is exceptionally skilled with computers and is a genius at processing information. It is Uiharu who is referred to as the "Goalkeeper," a genius hacker who is spoken of as an urban legend by some. She has a very good relationship with Saten-san.
Saten Ruiko CV: Ito Kanae
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A first-year student at Sakagawa Junior High School, the same school as Uiharu, who is a level 0 non-powered person. Initially, he would make statements that suggested he was jealous or envious of high-level beings, but after getting to know Misaka and Shirai, he changed his view and came to believe that there are good people among those with high-level abilities. Despite being a Level 0, he has an extremely strong sense of justice and has a tendency to get caught up in trouble easily, so he is often at the center of problems when they arise. Flipping up Uiharu's skirts has become a daily routine for him.
Febri Voiced by Iori Nomizu
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
The most important character in the Revolution Before Dawn arc, she is a little girl who was sleeping in a flowerbed in the park. She is rescued by Misaka and the others. Febri has no idea about herself, and the only possession she has is a candy with a strange taste, but for some reason she knows Misaka's name. It is later revealed that she is not human, but an artificial being, and that she does not have much time left. Misaka and the others are determined to save her.
Journey CV: Nomizu Iori
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Febli's older sister, she is an artificial human "Chemicaloid" developed by Study and is basically kept in a capsule. She has the ability known as Diffusion Ghost, which allows her to generate an AIM diffusion force field using Journey's hair as a medium and control it remotely, allowing her to operate the powered armor unmanned.
Nunotaba Tonobu (CV: Hayama Ikumi)
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A third-year high school student at Nagatenjouki Academy, one of the top five prestigious schools in Academy City. She is a woman with bulging eyes and a slightly creepy demeanor, and is very particular about etiquette, mercilessly delivering a flying kick to Misaka who speaks to her in a casual manner. She has not appeared since the Sisters Arc, where she was involved in a plan to create clones, and was researching a field called learning devices. After the Sisters Arc, she was sold off and sent to STUDY.
Dark Side Team Item
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A dark side team that lives in the dark side of Academy City, this team is made up of four people, led by level 5 Mugino Shizuri. They work well together and ordinary ability users can't compete. He usually takes on assassination and security requests. This time, he's angry that he was used to collect combat data under the guise of a request, and so he fights.
Haruki Aritomi CV: Junji Majima
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
The boss of the Revolution Dawn Arc, the leader of the "Study" group that belongs to the dark side, and the creator of Febri and Journey. Although he is extremely talented, in Academy City, it is ability that matters more than intelligence, so he is carrying out what he calls a revolution to show off his power to the city. On the surface, he holds the title of director of a company called Study Corporation.
Kongo Mitsuko CV: Kotobuki Minako
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
A second-year student at Tokiwadai, she is a level 4 aerodynamic user (aero hand). She is the daughter of the large company Kongo Airlines, and is basically a confident and arrogant person. However, she is surprisingly sentimental, and because of her personality, she has not had many friends in her life. However, she also showed her honest side by crying tears of joy when she made her first friend. She talks about her one-sided rivalry with Shirai.
Wannai (Yurufuwa) and Awabuki (Straight) CV: Tomatsu Haruka, Nanjo Yoshino
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
They are students at Tokiwadai Middle School, and both of them are very graceful and ladylike, typical of Tokiwadai. She has an extremely good relationship with Konno, and the two of them are good at supporting her when she tends to get out of control. Although she is usually gentle, she can become angry if her friends are harmed.
The Beginning of the Revolutionary Dawn Arc
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
The story begins when Misaka and her friends discover Febri sleeping alone in the park. The girl, who remembers nothing, is named Febri, and the only thing she has with her is a mysterious candy, and for some reason, she knows only about Misaka. It takes five days for Febri to be taken care of at a facility, and Misaka and the others decide to look after her for that time. During that time, their relationship with Febri deepens. Then, a security robot suddenly goes out of control and attacks Febri, but Misaka helps them escape unscathed. However, behind the scenes, the mysterious man with glasses makes remarks that hint at something.
Febri's true identity is revealed
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Now, a powered armor stands in front of Febri and Misaka and the others. Misaka fights to protect Febri, but for some reason, Misaka's electric shocks do not work on the machine. It seemed like he was in a desperate situation, but when Febri glared at the machine, it stopped functioning, and then Febri's condition suddenly worsened and he collapsed. When he was taken to the hospital, several things were discovered about Febri. He was not human, but an artificial human, and the candy was used to replenish his energy. Furthermore, based on the amount of candy remaining, Febri had only 72 hours left to live.
Misaka and friends' decision
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
At first, Misaka tried to do it on his own, but when he happened to be talking to Konno, he was persuaded and asked everyone for advice. Then, everyone decided to help Febri. Misaka and the others are determined not to forgive those who created Febri and those who abuse it. Although Konno-san doesn't make many appearances, she does occasionally pop up and seems to play an important role in the story.
Identifying the Mastermind
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
With everyone's efforts, Misaka and the others succeed in obtaining various information and succeed in identifying the organization that developed Febri. Uiharu identifies a suspicious member who is excellent but does not participate in the Gakkenkai. These talented people, who were unable to see the light of day due to their incompetence, formed a team called STUDY and operated as the dark side. They created a chemicaloid called Journey, and are trying to bring about a revolution in the city.
Nunotaba Toshin Returns
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
As Misaka breaks into the research lab at STUDY, Nunotaba, who worked hard behind the scenes in the Sisters arc, returns to face her. After the Sisters Arc, she was sold to STUDY and helped develop the Chemicaloids, but she did not approve of Febry's misuse and only told him her name, Misaka Mikoto, believing that Misaka would be able to do something about it. She then entrusted Misaka with the Febry neutralizer, but Aritomi, the leader of STUDY, knew everything and thwarted her plans.
Towards the Final Battle
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Misaka and the others, who have joined forces with Nunozuka, learn that the day Aritomi and the others will start a revolution. The final battle will take place on the day of the research presentation where Aritomi and the others from STUDY suffered a bitter defeat, and at the venue. STUDY is excited to show the town the strength of the powerless. However, with the goal of preventing the revolution, protecting the town, and saving Febri's future in mind, the curtain is about to rise on a major battle that will feature the entire Railgun cast.
Now, everyone, let's say "Judgment" together.
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Many people are placed in the place where STUDY is supposed to cause a revolution. Judgment and Tokiwadai students positioned at various points, including the Shirai Kuroko defense line, the Kobo Senpai defense line, the Uiharu Saten defense line, and the Konno group defense line, stand in their way, and Kuroko tries to say his usual catchphrase, but since they've come all this way, they all sing along, "It's Judgment." The defense battle begins with a spectacular production befitting the final episode, and the members refuse to back down even against the opposing powered armor. Misaka then takes Febri and heads to Aritomi.
An unexpected alliance
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Misaka is faced with a number of powered armors that use AIM diffusion fields and have the ability to destroy atoms (melt downers), and Misaka struggles. Just when she is cornered, another Melt Downer laser comes flying from behind her. When she turns around, she sees the Items, who were enemies in the Sisters arc. Irritated by Aritomi and the others stealing her battle data under the pretense of a request, Mugino is furious when they show her an inferior version of her own ability. She comes to get revenge on them, not to help Misaka, but it was a heartwarming scene that can only be found in an anime original. I wish they had included Ichimichi-san.
And to the conclusion
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
With the help of many people, Misaka somehow manages to reach Aritomi and thinks that the matter has finally been resolved, but Aritomi, who is the key to this, gives up on everything and tries to commit suicide, but Misaka stops him and lectures him. Aritomi has reformed, but unfortunately, as a last resort, a missile powerful enough to destroy the city is launched. To stop it, Misaka and Kuroko take to the sky in a robot developed by Konno Aviation. And just like the end of the first season, the missile is destroyed with a super-large railgun, and the Revolution Mimyo comes to an end.
After the Revolution
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Febre and Journey leave for America with Nunozuka. Nunozuka's battle finally comes to an end. And behind the scenes, Misaka was making efforts to bring Nunozuka back to the outside world, bowing down to Shokuhou, whom she hates. In the end, Shokuho, the hidden main heroine of A Certain Scientific Railgun, only appeared in the first episode and briefly at the end, but the old lady was given preferential treatment... And so, in the final episode, the Revolution Dawn Arc, which featured all the characters, ends with a big engagement.
Summary of the Revolution Before Dawn Arc
Source: A Certain Scientific Railgun ©Kamachi Kazuma/Fuyukawa Motoi/ASCII Media Works/PROJECT-RAILGUN S
Because it's an original anime, and because they wanted to include everyone, the scenario felt a bit forced, with robots appearing all the time and even transforming (lol), but well, it wasn't Index-like, and I think it was a good story that was very Railgun-like. We all agreed that "Judgment" was a great scene, and it was a very interesting and strange sensation to behold (lol). After all, it's a Railgun, so it's filled with complex words and settings, so if you haven't seen it yet, please watch the anime, it's much easier to understand and it's more interesting. Thank you for reading to the end.
