A Certain Scientific Railgun Watch Order!

Updated September 24, 2022 by Ernie

Don’t get confused with the title when it mentions “scientific” because it screams more than just sci-fi as it also brings you a lot of action! The Certain Magical Index series is an interesting story that introduces multiple subplots that keep us engaged with the story that starts with a male lead and soon enough includes a female lead, as well, which leads us to our anime today. A Certain Scientific Railgun is actually the side story of the Magical Index series, with Mikoto Misaka as the main character. Not only that, they’ve got really cool characters with amazing abilities that we’d just want to keep watching! 

A Certain Scientific Railgun was first a manga series written by Kazuma Kamichi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa. The illustrations were definitely done justice in the anime as J.C. Staff picked it up and gave us quite a series. While A Certain Magical Index started as a novel and soon expanded its mediums, there is still a debate between Railgun and the Index rose about comparing the two series–despite it being related. Personally, I didn’t see the significance since both series are really good and do their job in terms of entertainment. Plus, why have both shows be put up against each other if we can just enjoy both shows instead?

The whole story focuses on the adventures of Mikoto and her friends before and during the events of A Certain Magical Index. So if you’re new to the series then, we have a watch order for you that can help you understand the whole story better. There are two ways of watching this series, you can either follow the broadcast order and just look at the dates on which they were released, or; you can go with the chronological order which happens to be prepped for ya in this blog! Well, either way, as long as you watch it go ahead!!!

 

HOW TO WATCH A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN?

 

QUICK WATCH ORDER

 

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

1. A Certain Scientific Railgun
2. A Certain Scientific Railgun S
3. A Certain Magical Index
4. A Certain Scientific Accelerator 
5. A Certain Magical Index II
6. A Scientific Railgun T
7. A Certain Magical Index the Movie: The Miracle of Endymion
8. A Certain Magical Index III

 

BROADCAST ORDER

1. A Certain Magical Index 
2. A Certain Scientific Railgun
3. A Certain Magical Index II
4. A Certain Scientific Railgun S
5. A Certain Magical Index the Movie: The Miracle of Endymion
6. A Certain Scientific Accelerator
7. A Certain Magical Index III
8. A Certain Scientific Railgun T

 

A Certain Scientific Railgun

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Scientific Railgun
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Fall 2009
Episode Count	24
Duration	24 minutes per episode

This story follows Mikoto Misaka and her friends in Academy City, where eighty percent of the population are students. Mikoto is an ‘electricity manipulator,’ and she is a Level 5 Esper. Among her friends, she is ranked as the third strongest and is known to be called “The Railgun.” 

Strange things start to pick up when Mikoto discovers that the crimes in the city were all connected to a legendary device called the “Level Upper,” her sleuthing around helps in uncovering the secrets that the Academy City is hiding.  

 

Related: A Certain Scientific Railgun Quiz: Which Esper Are You?

 

A Certain Scientific Railgun S

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Scientific Railgun S
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Spring 2013
Episode Count	24
Duration	24 minutes per episode

The second season continues to follow Mikoto and her friends, as this time another dark secret was looming over Academy City. This time, the rumors led Mikoto and the gang into a shocking discovery of illegal experiments. 

These involved the murder of espers across the city, but these espers aren’t ordinary people as they share a connection with Mikoto. But what is it that has gotten Mikoto spooked and guilty about? Enough so that Touma Kamijou also makes an appearance and aids Mikoto in stopping the torturous testing on espionage.

 

A Certain Magical Index

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Magical Index
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Fall 2008
Episode Count	24
Duration	23 minutes per episode

A Certain Magical Index follows Touma Kamijou, a regular high school boy who lives in Academy City where most of its population are students. Here, there are a number of students who have psychic abilities but Touma Kamijou however, has the lowest psychic rank of zero. Despite being labeled as such, he has an ability called “Imagine Breaker ” which makes most of the scientists confused since this ability can negate all other psychic abilities. 

Even with that, he still goes by his days as a normal teenager until he meets a nun named Index. Index Librorum Prohibitorum is a young girl who has an amazing memory as she houses the entirety of forbidden grimoires in her head. A dangerous group is hunting her down, now roped into this mess Kamijou does whatever he can to protect her and navigate through a new perspective of this supernatural world. This is the beginning where magic and science collide.

 

A Certain Scientific Accelerator

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Scientific Accelerator
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Summer 2019
Episode Count	12
Duration	23 minutes per episode

Despite the number of espers in Academy City, only the most powerful is called Level 5, and even among those who are strong, Accelerator stands at the top. Though weakened by a brain injury, his power is still at its height—so there’s no beating him soon. Accompanying him is a girl named Last Order and though he exudes a cold demeanor, he holds her dear and promises to protect her at all costs. 

But things are never dull in Academy City, as the dark side of the city continues to brew. A mysterious woman approaches Accelerator, who happens to be in pursuit of Last Order, this villain is faced with a new conflict that forces him to ally with the darkness once more. Which kind of makes us question who’s right at this point? 

 

A Certain Magical Index II

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Magical Index II
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Fall 2010
Episode Count	24
Duration	23 minutes per episode

More adventure awaits for Touma Kamijou, Index, and the rest of the gang as this time they have to defend themselves against espers and magicians. That’s right, magic and science are going to cross paths once again as this time, the Book of The Law has been stolen! With the book stolen, we know Index could be next. Only the nun, Index, can decipher this is an encoded grimoire. 

With different factions after Index, Touma Kamijou and the rest of his allies band together to protect Index but the story unveils more pressing problems. Problems that could significantly threaten Academy City’s future—which happen in the midst of a school festival.  

 

A Certain Scientific Railgun T

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Scientific Railgun T
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Winter 2020
Episode Count	25
Duration	24 minutes per episode

As the Daihasei Festival begins, the Tokiwadai Middle School also participates in…some school spirit. The prestigious all-girls middle school competes in an effort for winning despite having the “Ace of Tokiwadai”—which is Misaka btw.  

But things are more than fun and games as the Academy City opens itself to the outside world. This leads to other organizations and factions planning to infiltrate the city, and Mikoto Misaka is one of their targets. Soon enough, new enemies emerge and underground projects are popping up. Again, anything can happen within the Academy City. 

 

A Certain Magical Index the Movie: The Miracle of Endymion

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Magical Index the Movie: The Miracle of Endymion
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	Movie
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	February 23, 2013
Episode Count	1
Duration	1 hour and 30 minutes

Endymion is a space elevator that is referred to as the miracle in Academy City. Here, they meet a Level 0 girl named Arisa Meigo with amazing singing prowess. We follow Touma Kamijo and Index as they hang out with Arisa after school. However, a magic user suddenly attacked them, targeting Arisa. This leads to more conflict as Sityl says how their friendship could lead to a war between science and magic.

That attack, however, meant more than just a possible war as a certain plot against Arisa and Endymion was to arise. The miracle, Endymion is a tower that sends citizens to the heavens–naturally, someone would want to manipulate such success. But the battle between science and magic does happen and soon enough, Kamijou and his friends do what they can to protect Arisa and their world. 

 

Related: My Hero Academia Movies Watch Order (OFFICIAL) 

 

A Certain Magical Index III

INFORMATION
Title	A Certain Magical Index III
Genre	Action, Sci-fi
Type	TV
Studio	J.C. Staff
Premiered	Fall 2018
Episode Count	26
Duration	23 minutes per episode

Things decide to ramp up even more, after Academy City is invaded and the tensions between science and magic, well… Academy City decided to declare their war against the Roman Catholic Church (oddly historical ain’t it?). This leads to the world falling into global warfare where Touma Kamijou has to stop this war and protect his friends. 

Amidst the war, separate organizations are taking the opportunity to take advantage of the mess. Adding this to Touma Kamijou’s radar, he has to put his skills to the test and see where Imagine Breaker can surpass its limits. 

 

News on the Next Season

With the release of the third season of A Certain Magical Index, we (the fans) are speculating on a fourth season. Although it has been quite a while since the third season aired, still we can’t but hope for an upcoming fourth installment. Well, even if the fourth season may take a while, perhaps they may consider adding other installments to the spin-offs right? 

I mean with the success of the animated series and the light novel still continuing…is it wrong to be hoping for another season???? Even just some crumbs? But there are some thoughts that the anime may be canceled and we’ll just have to settle with the manga adaptations and the light novels instead. I, however, will remain hopeful and pray for a 4th season.  

 

Conclusion

Well, that’s it! Hope you weren’t confused with everything, but this is the chronological order of events where we see familiar faces surfacing and sharing the main character spot. Personally, I found the entire series really entertaining because it introduces different perspectives and really cool subplots. It got me hooked on it and hopefully, you find it the same! Though Railgun may have been just a  side story, it’s still enough to acknowledge that its existence of it allows us to explore the Magical Index universe more. 

Also, if you have a knack for sci-fi, action, and a hint of magic then this series is right up your alley! Plus, you’ll definitely enjoy the “money shots” that this show’s got! I tell you, every action scene is as titillating as it can be and when it’s funny you better be prepared to hold your stomach.  

Plus, it’s easier to understand the chronological order of things, but watching by the broadcast order can work if you’re into seeing how the animation of each season changes. Overall, if you haven’t seen a single season of this series, then I recommend you watch it! Also, if you’re interested in other recommendations then go ahead and explore our website! We’ve got lots of interesting content lined up for you!