“Level 5 esper Mikoto Misaka investigates the mysterious Level Upper in Academy City's dark underbelly.”
A Certain Scientific Railgun
とある科学の超電磁砲
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Level 5 esper Mikoto Misaka investigates the mysterious Level Upper in Academy City's dark underbelly.
The student-filled Academy City is at the forefront of scientific advancement and home to the esper development program. The seven "Level 5" espers are the most powerful in Academy City, and ranked third among them is middle schooler Mikoto Misaka, an electricity manipulator known as "The Railgun." When strange incidents begin occurring throughout the city, she finds each crime to be connected to the elusive "Level Upper," a legendary device that allegedly increases the esper level of its user. As the situation escalates, it becomes apparent that there is more to the Level Upper than meets the eye, and that Academy City may be a far more twisted place than the glamorous utopia it appears to be. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun focuses on Mikoto and her friends—and the dangerous situations they find themselves in—as they get caught up in the matter of the Level Upper. As Mikoto says, "There's never a dull moment in this city."
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 89 sampled reviews
What 89 viewers settled on.
Polarized
σ 2.01 · split reception
5.6 pts
Recommenders 8.2 · others 2.6
↓ 1.69
Running avg · Nov 2009 → Dec 2025
- 9 “Even though I just watched this anime until episode 7 at this time, but I really like it. It's a really fun anime. Very funny and sometimes can be touching too. I really enjoy watching it. The main...”
- 10 “I thoroughly enjoy this spin-off series, more than the original series honestly. The story was so fun to follow, as well as bringing in real issues into the story. The characters were made so well...”
- 8 “Hmm. I'm not gonna write a long review but really here are my thoughts 1. I really liked it. It was an action anime with some slice of life episodes. But the thing is, the SoL episodes (they seem...”
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See all credits →Production slate
- Format 24 × 24′ eps × min
- Total runtime 9h 36m all episodes
- Aired Oct 2009 – Mar 2010 Fall 2009
- Source Tv media type
- Rated PG 13 - Teens 13 or older
- Ref. BS-4498 catalog
Produced by
- Geneon Universal Entertainment Producer
- Movic Producer
- AT-X Producer
- ASCII Media Works Producer
Licensed by
- Funimation Licensor