I am a little uncertain where to begin about this series or what to say in the opening. Typically I mention something on why it is here or something brief about it before going into the finer details. Yet although this is a spin-off of A Certain Magical Index, which I did a few posts back, I still do not know what to say. I already covered another spin-off before so I guess I will say it again how I hold spin-offs just as high as the original a majority of the time. With that said let’s get started.
The Plot:
Set in Academy City and basically both seasons take place up to and around episode 12 of the first season of Index. The series focuses on Misaka, that beloved bug zapper from Index. She is the forth strongest Esper in the city. There are plenty of taking on threats that challenge her or something that hits close to home the battles never end for “Railgun.”
Info:
Genre- Action, Sci-fi, Superhero
Air Date- October 2009- March 2010 (Season 1)
April 2013-September 2013 (Season 2)
Series Length– 2 Seasons (24 Episodes each) + 2 OVAs
Studio- J.C. Staff
Licensor- Funimation
Source- Manga and Spinoff of Index
Main Series- A Certain Magical Index
Why a Fav?
Due to the fact it is a spin-off I do enjoy it as much as the source. It is rare for a spin off series where it would not make the same level or I do not care for it as much as the original. However just because I like the source what I like about this series is it sets itself away from the source, despite some of the characters, including the main one, playing an important role in A Certain Magical Index. At the same time, although it can be a little slow, the series did only cover up to what is episode 12 in the first season of Index, for its time line. But all stories are set away from, with the exception of Season 2, this is due to that story in Index relates to the main character in Railgun. Yet Railgun focuses more on the city and espers in the city. So although you could watch Index, and never watch Railgun the same could be said for this series.
Last Viewing
A very long time ago to say the least. Season one I watched in my first year of watching anime. So in terms of when this post went up, almost four years ago. As for the second season, it was when it finished airing. Index I seen more times, but I never went back to rewatch Railgun.
Railgun or Index
I have to say Index I prefer more of the two. As much as I like the girls of Railgun kicking butt, I just like Index more. Sometimes for Railgun the story drags on or loses focus for the arc. Half of both seasons are filler, but that is because it does not want to do an arc only halfway. Even then the filler is pretty good.
For me I watched Index first, I am sure if I watched Railgun first I would like that more, since that typically is what happens when people watch both series. Whatever one the start with they like more.
Not only that but Index expands more on the world, as much as I loved the sister’s arc in Index and was excited for it in Railgun, it dragged on too long. Of its 24 episode second season 17 was the arc. Even then the fight at the end all relied on the main character from Index, which the fight itself was expanded on in Railgun Season 2.
But another thing being is that I watched Index a lot more times. I even own it as well.
What I don’t Like
I think I covered a bit of why I don’t like it in the last part. It drags on. Nothing was wrong with it going into a lot of detail for the Sister arc in season 2, it just felt like the story could have used some work. This could be due to feeling that I saw it all before in Index.
Little Tidbits
Best Girl: Misaka
Best Dude: Accelerator
Favorite Arc: Sisters
So, since this was a spin-off, for those that seen both, which did you like more Index or Railgun? Also which did you see first?
As always I hope you enjoyed.
The Reviewer’s Corner has an official twitter, which is here. All updates, polls, and information on posts and future posts can be found there.
If you are a blogger who focuses on anime, manga, or comics and make you blog known feel free to visit the blog roll page and leave a message.
Again, I hope you enjoyed and see you next time.
– Joe
June 20, 2016 at 7:29 pm
I am one of the flock who watched Railgun first, and as such my faith follows it. I love all of the universe, but yeah, Railgun just seems to flow better and stay more entertaining. The ‘science’ side of things also appeals to me more than the magic, though again, both are very interesting. With Railgun being one of my favorite franchises, I do agree with you that the Sister’s Arc is a bit too long. The Meltdowner action makes it all worth it, however, and as you said the filler for both seasons is of good quality.
Was sent here from LitaKino. Love the list you’ve got here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 20, 2016 at 7:49 pm
Thanks, the filler is good and makes sense, if they didn’t do it then in both seasons cases they would have to stop halfway though an arc. I am glad in Season one how the filler connects to the first arc. Season two however I do not remember anything about the filler.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 20, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Very true, all of the Therestina incident tied into the Level Upper Arc, which made the beginning so much more relevant. With the second filler, Railgun does a Railgun in space. Now that’s fan service taken to a whole new world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8, 2016 at 2:16 am
Railgun > Index all the way for me. Mostly because I don’t like Touma and Index. I only watched the first season and I don’t even remember what happened (something about Touma’s father and Index memory loss?).
Not sure why, but I heard more about Railgun at first I thought Index was the spin-off.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 8, 2016 at 9:25 am
I think you told me this before. Not sure if it was in the Index post or on Twitter. But memory lost was the first arc, Touma’s dad was mid way through for an arc. So you remembered the first six episodes and some of the middle ones.
LikeLike
June 7, 2016 at 6:36 pm
I watched this 2 years ago now the first season loved it. Never watched a show with all female characters in it. Of course misaka is best girl !!! ☺️☺️ I have yet to watch index but it’s been on my list forever ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 6:46 pm
The Misaka is important in Index, after Index she is the second main female lead. Plus index covers a lot further in that series then Railgun was. It would be worth to check out if you enjoyed this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 7:15 am
I honestly need to finish Index… but Railgun keeps making wanna rewatch… i like the character design in Railgun better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 11:04 am
But they look the same in both. Just some of the characters in Railgun aren’t in Index.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 6:10 pm
They did have different character designers, the difference are minor but if you compare the sisters, you can tell the difference
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 1:47 am
I like both actually. They are too closely tied to each other so you can’t just watch one series without watching the other.
Really difficult to pick a favorite. In Railgun, you see more of Kuroko’s perverted antics but in Index you get, well, Index’s kawaii-ness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 7, 2016 at 11:04 am
Index is in only like one scene on the top of my head in season 1 for Railgun. I sort of view it in terms of plot that you don’t need to watch both. In terms of world building and characters watching both are good.
LikeLike
June 6, 2016 at 12:38 pm
cool blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
June 6, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Thanks. 🙂
LikeLike