To Aru Kagaku No Railgun is one of the shows that I’ve been watching out for since To Aru Majutsu No Index finished airing. Like most people say, and like what spinoffs should be, it stands out on its own with minimal references to the main story. Plus, the fanservice is soundly justified by an equal amount of action and ausumness. So far, so good, they say. I don’t expect Magi to come popping out to ruin the show, but I do expect Index protagonist Kamijo Toma to ruin a bit of the story once he gets a chance to butt in.
I will not talk about kids like animekritik here (but really, I didn’t think he’d take up this show), nor will I talk about yuri and fanservice that most of us have given interest. Instead, I will focus on the entirety of the world where the Railgun story revolves. Not Academy City, but the world of Science in general.
Ah~! Please don’t read my notes, Misaka-tan~!
There is something I noticed after following the manga of this spinoff: A fundamental principle that is being employed in Academy City is that if you have the ability to create your own ideal world that can interact with the world you’re currently in, then you’re an Esper. In order to strengthen the manifestations of your ideal world, you must “train” yourself using physical and mental training, medication, and even experimentation. Then, does that mean that Academy City being a collection of Espers would also mean that Academy City is a false instance of utopia created from the Espers’ ideal worlds? Then, why is there need for peacekeepers such as Judgment and Anti-Skill, on a city strictly governed by Science and all its machinations? And what about the Abilityless? They don’t have a need to be in this city if they cannot be part of the false utopia, do they? Because Academy City is a false instance of utopia, there is a need to keep it as an instance by all means.
It is but “one big experiment”, after all. Science is trying to be oh-so-taboo… AGAIN…
A right-on-ish type of show being watching by a not-so-right-on author. I think a direct hit from that railgun would suffice to straighten me up.
Overall, there isn’t much to expect… yet. There are still a lot more to tell (and consider, from the main story’s perspective, that is), and I can’t bother spoiling about what’s going to happen unless you’ve decided yourself to follow the manga, which is mostly available on any online reading site. What I’m going to say is, Railgun is taboo to my Science, and it won’t be long before the fanservice will amount to any blood loss, nose-wise.
Further Reading
Academy City is Concerned of Your Kids:
Railgun 01: Wonders of Academy City – Kritik Der Animationskraft
Girls and Fanservice – Kuroko, Kuroko, Kuroko, Kuroko…:
A Certain Scientific Railgun ep. 1 – The Ultimate Fanservice For Digitalboy – Fuzakenna!
A Certain Scientific Railgun 01: Bamf – Moe Check!
The Greatest Anime of All Time…?:
The Greatest Anime of All Time 01 – Mikotoism
I Think Someone Just Railgunned My Wallet… and Fangzhao, too…:
A Certain Scientific Railgun Misaka Mikoto 1/8 PVC figure by Taki corporation – Neko Magic
Another Person Like Me Waiting for Touma:
To Aru Kagaku No Railgun 01 – Xebek’s Blog
The funny thing I see with the principle of “creating an ideal world” is that it seems to be more rooted in philosophy than science.
Science has always been like that. They use their own ways in order to change how things go. Americans created atomic bombs to change the tide of war. Countries created machines and inventions to escape the Great Depression. Although you’re correct to say that these changes are rooted in philosophy, the one that really does the underhand, dirty work is science. So much for our ideal world.
I think you’re referring to applied science, or in other words, Engineering.
“Pure” or “basic” science has no end in mind except knowledge.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we are going to have it under the basis of “Pure” Science, then you’re saying Philosophy is not a standalone field but a part of science, am I right? Then wouldn’t that mean that the creation of an ideal world is achieved through systematic and scientific means and not other factors like creativity?
I don’t know anything about this Touma, but I don’t like him already….
It is interesting, if there are many espers, then there would be many academy cities, and as you said, where’s the need for security. Judgment is a word not of science, not of fantasy, but of religion…
Nothing was mentioned about Espers going out of Academy City, nor do I remember any events concerning them outside Academy City. I don’t want to speculate about them only being able to manifest their powers on a single space, either. Maybe because Espers are also part of the need of having security. The first episode is a testament to that.
Also, yes, everyone hates unlucky Touma because he rakes in all kinds of girls and says it’s unlucky.
When I said many academy cities, I didn’t mean in different places, I meant Academy City itself is many Academy Cities. Like multiple dimensions, based on the Espers’ minds.
Oh, I didn’t get it first. But yes, it’s true. If Academy City is an example of utopia, then it would also mean that Espers are also examples of utopia. But since each person has a different idea of an ideal world, then there is also a possibility that these worlds will clash, and this can form disorder in utopia.
Then, we can say that the utopia is a false instance due to the having its characteristics challenged by human tendencies.
I guess I should fear for your nose then. But screw that, follow your nose!
I do have a bit of resistance to nosebleeds. Maybe I got numb watching fanservice-ey shows or reading ecchi doujin and other NWS material.
Plus, the manga version of Kuroko boobgrope was better in the manga.