A Certain Scientific Railgun

 is a Japanese manga series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa, which began serialization in the April 2007 issue of ASCII Media Works' "Dengeki Daioh" magazine. The manga is a spin-off of Kamachi's "A Certain Magical Index" light novel series, taking place before and during the events of that series. The manga is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, who began publishing the series in June 2011. An anime television series adaptation by J.C. Staff aired in Japan between October 2009 and March 2010, followed by an original video animation released in October 2010. A second season titled "A Certain Scientific Railgun S" aired between April and September 2013. A third season titled "A Certain Scientific Railgun T" aired between January and September 2020. The anime is licensed in by Funimation (North America) and Muse Communication (Southeast Asia).
Plot.
In the futuristic Academy City, which is made up of 80% students, many of whom are espers possessing unique psychic powers, Mikoto Misaka is an electromaster who is the third strongest of a mere seven espers who have been given the rank of Level 5. The series focuses on the exploits of Mikoto and her friends; Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten, prior to and during the events of "A Certain Magical Index".
Media.
Manga.
"A Certain Scientific Railgun" is illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa and started serialization in the April 2007 issue of ASCII Media Works' "Dengeki Daioh". The first volume was released on November 10, 2007 and as of October 26, 2020, 16 volumes have been published. North American publisher Seven Seas Entertainment began distributing the "Railgun" manga from June 2011.
Anime.
A 24-episode anime television series adaptation that was produced by J.C. Staff and directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai aired in Japan between October 3, 2009 and March 20, 2010. The anime was collected into eight DVD and Blu-ray Disc sets released between January 29 and August 27, 2010, with each volume containing a short story series titled "A Certain Magical Index: Kanzaki SS". The series was licensed in North America by Funimation, who released the series on DVD on April 16, 2013. A bonus episode was included with a visual book released on July 24, 2010, and an original video animation was released in Japan on October 29, 2010.
A 24-episode second season, also directed by Nagai, titled "A Certain Scientific Railgun S", aired in Japan between April 12 and September 27, 2013. It was simulcast by Funimation, who released the series on DVD in North America in two parts on July 1, 2014 and August 19, 2014, respectively. Another bonus episode was released with a visual book released on March 27, 2014.
A third season titled "A Certain Scientific Railgun T" aired from January 10 to September 25, 2020. The third season ran for 25 episodes. Two bonus anime are set to be released from the third season's first and fifth Blu-Ray/DVD volumes. Unlike previous seasons, the season was simulcasted on both Funimation and Crunchyroll, with Crunchyroll streaming the series in Japanese with English subtitles, and Funimation streaming the English dub.
Music.
The anime adaptation of "A Certain Scientific Railgun" has five pieces of theme music, two opening themes and three ending themes. The first opening theme is "Only My Railgun" by fripSide, and the first ending theme is by Elisa. The song "Smile (You & Me)" by Elisa, which uses the same tune as "Dear My Friend (Mada Minu Mirai e)", is featured as the ending theme for episode twelve. The second opening theme is "Level 5 Judgelight" by fripSide and the third ending theme is "Real Force" by Elisa. "Only My Railgun" appears in Konami's arcade music games "Pop'n Music 20: Fantasia", "Dance Dance Revolution X2" and "Jubeat Knit". For the OVA, the opening theme music is "Future Gazer" by fripSide, the single of which was released on October 13, 2010, while the ending theme is "Special One" by Elisa, the single of which was released on October 27, 2010.
For "A Certain Scientific Railgun S", it has six pieces of theme music, two opening themes and four ending themes. The first opening theme is "Sister's Noise" by fripSide and the first ending theme is "Grow Slowly" by Yuka Iguchi, the latter of which was released on May 15, 2013. The song "stand still" by Iguchi is featured as the second ending theme for episodes 11 and 14. The second opening theme is "Eternal Reality" by fripSide and the third ending theme is "Links" by Sachika Misawa. The song "Infinia" by Misawa is featured as the fourth ending theme for episode 23.
For "A Certain Scientific Railgun T", the first opening theme is "final phase" by fripSide and the first ending theme is "nameless story" by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets.
Other media.
A series of short light novel stories, titled "A Certain Railgun SS", were included with the Japanese DVD and Blu-ray Disc releases of "A Certain Magical Index" and its second season.
A visual novel based on "A Certain Scientific Railgun" for the PSP was released on December 8, 2011 after facing several delays, and comes in a special edition which includes a Kuroko Shirai Figma figure. The opening theme for the "A Certain Scientific Railgun" PSP game is "Way to answer" by fripSide.
Reception.
The opening theme for "Railgun", "Only My Railgun", won Best Theme Song at the 2010 Animation Kobe Awards.
Nicoletta Christina Browne of THEM Anime Reviews had mixed feelings on the first season of the series. Comparing the series to "Aoi Hana", "Bodacious Space Pirates", and "Inari Kon Kon", she criticized the relationships with the characters, but praised the narrative it adds to the "Index" series. She concluded that there is a good story, and if you like the characters and universe, the series will interest you.