A Certain Magical Index season 1 explained

Season Name:A Certain Magical Index
Bg Color:
  1. 225B8D
Num Episodes:24
Network:Chiba TV
Next Season:Season 2: II
Episode List:List of A Certain Magical Index episodes

The first season of the Japanese animated television series A Certain Magical Index, based on the light novel of the same name, follows the first meeting between Toma Kamijo, a high school student in the scientific-advanced Academy City whose right hand contains a unique power, and Index, a young nun from the Church of England whose mind has been implanted with 103,000 grimoires of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. It was produced by J.C.Staff, with Hiroshi Nishikiori and Masanao Akahoshi serving as director and series composition writer, respectively.

Atsushi Abe, Yuka Iguchi, Rina Satō, and Satomi Arai reprise their audio drama roles and are joined by cast members Shizuka Itō, Kishō Taniyama, Anri Katsu, Kimiko Koyama, and Nobuhiko Okamoto. An anime television adaptation of Kazuma Kamachi's light novel was confirmed in June 2008 and adapts its first six volumes.

A Certain Magical Index aired in Japan from October 4, 2008, to March 19, 2009, and consists of 24 episodes. A second season was announced in June 2010.[1] __TOC__

Episodes

Cast and characters

Recurring

Production

Development and writing

In June 2008, an anime television adaptation of Kazuma Kamachi's A Certain Magical Index was confirmed through a promotional sleeve wrapper of the light novel's 16th volume.[2] J.C.Staff was announced to be producing the series, while Hiroshi Nishikiori, who previously worked on Angelic Layer: Mobile Angel, Masanao Akahoshi, who wrote several episodes of Sky Girls, and Yuichi Tanaka were confirmed as director, series composition writer, and character animation designer, respectively.[3] Kazuma Miki, the light novel editor, wanted to make changes during the process of adapting the light novel into anime but felt a "double-edged sword" when thinking how to bring "Kamachi's color" to it and what fans would find interesting. Nishikiori laid out the concept of "following the original story" instead and aimed to have the viewers say so as well.[4] The series adapted the first to the sixth volume of the light novel.[5]

Casting

Atsushi Abe, Yuka Iguchi, Rina Satō, and Satomi Arai reprise their respective roles from the drama CD of the series, which was released in 2007,[6] as Toma Kamijo, Index, Mikoto Misaka, and Kuroko Shirai.[7] The main cast also includes Shizuka Itō as Kaori Kanzaki, Kishō Taniyama as Stiyl Magnus, Anri Katsu as Motoharu Tsuchimikado, Kimiko Koyama as Komoe Tsukuyomi, and Nobuhiko Okamoto as Accelerator.[8]

On August 25, 2012, Funimation announced the English dub cast for the series. These include Micah Solusod as Kamijo, Monica Rial as Index, Brittney Karbowski as Misaka, Alison Viktorin as Shirai, Morgan Garrett as Kanzaki, Robert McCollum as Magnus, Newton Pittman as Tsuchimikado, Jad Saxton as Tsukuyomi, and Austin Tindle as Accelerator.[9]

Music

I've Sound was selected to compose the music for the series due to Nishikiori's desire to have a "trance-like" soundtrack. Mami Kawada performed the first opening theme music, which was used from episodes 1 to 16 (the DVD release updated the final use of it to episode 14), titled "PSI-Missing"[10] and the second one, which was used from episode 17 (episode 15 in the DVD release) onwards, titled "Masterpiece".[11] Iku performed the first ending theme music titled and the second one, which was used from episode 20 onwards, titled .[12]

Marketing

In July 2008, Geneon Entertainment released a promotional video for the upcoming release of the series.[13] In August 2008, Iguchi hosted a talk show event alongside Eri Kitamura, who voiced Ami Kawashima from Toradora!, at the 74th Comiket in Odaiba to promote their series. In October, the staff and cast of the series were present during a stage event at Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2008 in Akihabara.[14]

Release

Broadcast

A Certain Magical Index began airing in Japan on Chiba TV, tvk, and MBS on October 4, 2008,[15] on Teletama on October 6, on CBC on October 8,[16] and on AT-X on October 9. The series began broadcasting in North America on the Funimation Channel on January 21, 2013.[17]

Home media release

Japanese Blu-ray and DVD release! Volume !! Episodes !! Release date !! Ref.
11–3January 23, 2009[18]
24–6February 25, 2009[19]
37–9March 25, 2009[20]
410–12April 24, 2009[21]
513–15May 29, 2009[22]
616–18June 26, 2009[23]
719–21July 24, 2009[24]
822–24August 21, 2009[25]

Geneon Entertainment released eight Blu-ray and DVD volumes of A Certain Magical Index in Japan starting January 23, 2009. Each volume contains a bonus novel written by Kamachi titled A Certain Scientific Railgun SS: Liberal Arts City, while the first and fifth volumes are bundled with episodes 1 and 2 of the bonus anime A Certain Magical Index-tan. The first DVD set containing the first twelve episodes of the season was released on December 17, 2010,[26] while the second DVD set containing the remaining episodes was released on March 9, 2011.[27]

Funimation began streaming the series in North America in September 2012.[28] They later released two DVD volumes on December 18, 2012, after getting delayed from its original October 30 release,[29] while a Blu-ray and DVD combo set was released on November 18, 2014. Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released two DVD volumes in Australia on April 24, 2013.[30] Hulu released the series in Japan on March 24, 2022.[31] Muse Asia began streaming the series on their official YouTube channel on April 19, 2022.[32]

Reception

Critical response

Ian Wolf of Anime UK News scored A Certain Magical Index 7 out of 10, praising the action scenes, voice acting, and animation quality while calling the music "OK".[33] Carlo Santos of Anime News Network graded the season 'C+', feeling that the "fight scenes, mind-bending story ideas, and unlikely plot twists" would delight fans but criticizing the "long-winded dialogue" and arrangement of story arcs that left "no sense of progression over the season".[34] Nicoletta Christina Browne of THEM Anime Reviews was critical of the show's characters, describing Toma Kamijo a "boring and ineffective lead", the bond between him and Index "staler and shallower" than Toradora! characters Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, and Mikoto Misaka a "poorly-written character", unlike her appearance in A Certain Scientific Railgun series. She rated the season 2 out of 5 stars, stating that it "isn't a total loss, but... was a bit of a tedious series".[35]

Accolade

Abe won Best Rookie at the 4th Seiyu Awards for his role as Toma Kamijo.[36]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Loo . Egan . June 7, 2010 . Toaru Majutsu no Indexs 2nd Season Green-Lit . . July 12, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210712160119/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-06-07/toaru-majutsu-no-index-2nd-season-green-lit . July 12, 2021.
  2. News: Loo . Egan . June 4, 2008 . To Aru Majutsu no Index Light Novels Get TV Anime . . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713123246/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-06-03/to-aru-majutsu-no-index-light-novels-gets-tv-anime . July 13, 2021.
  3. News: June 10, 2008 . ja:「とある魔術の禁書目録」がTVアニメに!電撃文庫MAGAZINEに詳報掲載!! . A Certain Magical Index to become a TV anime! Detailed report in Dengeki Bunko Magazine! . https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/085/85265/ . Japanese . Dengeki Online . July 15, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210715130840/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/085/85265/ . July 15, 2021.
  4. Web site: The show starts tomorrow! . ja . July 16, 2021 . June 12, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100612010626/http://www.project-index.net/index/blog/2008/10/post-15.html . bot: unknown .
  5. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Season 4 Updates: Is The Show Cancelled? . Armitage . Helen . June 9, 2021 . . July 18, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210718080442/https://screenrant.com/certain-magical-index-season-4-updates-release-date-story/amp/ . July 18, 2021.
  6. Web site: Drama CD Information . ja . July 13, 2021 . November 21, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071121014246/http://project-index.net/drama_cd/index.php . bot: unknown .
  7. News: August 29, 2008 . ja:待望の新作アニメがコミケで早くもイベントだ!『とらドラ!』VS『とある魔術の禁書目録』トークショーが喜多村英梨さん&井口裕香さん登場で大開催! . The long-awaited new anime is already at Comiket! The "Toradora! VS A Certain Magical Index" talk show with Eri Kitamura and Yuka Iguchi! . https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1241741326&pagemode=amp . Japanese . . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713122700/https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1241741326&pagemode=amp . July 13, 2021.
  8. Web site: Staff & Cast . toaru-project.com/index_1_2 . Japanese . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713035702/https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/staffcast/ . July 13, 2021.
  9. News: Loveridge . Lynzee . August 26, 2012 . A Certain Magical Indexs English Dub Cast, Trailer Revealed . . July 17, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716172615/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-25/a-certain-magical-index-english-dub-cast-trailer-revealed . July 16, 2021.
  10. Web site: http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sho-sai/index-shokai/index-music.htm . . Japanese . ja:とある魔術の禁書目録 音楽 . A Certain Magical Index Music . December 14, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090403003930/http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sho-sai/index-shokai/index-music.htm . April 3, 2009.
  11. News: February 2, 2009 . ja:川田まみ、TVアニメ「とある魔術の禁書目録」新オープニングテーマ「masterpiece」リリース大特集 . Release of Mami Kawada's new opening theme "masterpiece" for the TV anime A Certain Magical Index . https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000046662 . Japanese . Barks Japan Music Network . July 10, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710024643/http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000046662 . July 10, 2021.
  12. News: February 25, 2009 . ja:IKU、TVアニメ『とある魔術の禁書目録』新EDをリリース . IKU Releases New ED for TV Anime A Certain Magical Index . https://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000047368 . Japanese . Barks Japan Music Network . July 10, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710024216/http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000047368 . July 10, 2021.
  13. News: Loo . Egan . July 8, 2008 . Kemeko-DX, To Aru Majutsu no Index Promos Streamed . . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713111722/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-07-07/kemeko-dx-to-aru-majutsu-no-index-promos-streamed . July 13, 2021.
  14. News: Ito . Masahiro . October 8, 2008 . ja:「電撃文庫秋の祭典」開催!アキバは「電撃」色に染まった!! . "Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival" Held! Akiba was dyed with "Dengeki" colors! . https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/178/178078/amp/ . Japanese . ASCII . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190511140744/https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/178/178078/amp/ . May 11, 2019.
  15. News: September 29, 2008 . ja:TVアニメ「とある魔術の禁書目録」10月4日放送開始!設定画やあらすじを掲載 . TV anime A Certain Magical Index will start on October 4! Posting setting pictures and synopsis! . https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/109/109002/ . Japanese . Dengeki Online . July 10, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710032918/http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/109/109002/ . July 10, 2021.
  16. News: October 1, 2008 . ja:秋の神秘体験はアニメから! . The mystical experience of autumn starts with animation! . https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/172/172788/amp/ . Japanese . ASCII . July 13, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713120430/https://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/172/172788/amp/ . July 13, 2021.
  17. Web site: Funimation Mon 21 Jan 2013 . 12 July 2021 . 10 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130610042134/http://funimation.tv/schedule/2_e30121.htm . bot: unknown .
  18. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 1 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on January 23, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611225717/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd01.php . bot: unknown .
  19. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 2 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on February 25, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611230004/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd02.php . bot: unknown .
  20. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 3 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on March 25, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611225253/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd03.php . bot: unknown .
  21. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 4 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on April 24, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611224347/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd04.php . bot: unknown .
  22. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 5 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on May 29, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611230122/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd05.php . bot: unknown .
  23. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 6 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on June 26, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611225557/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd06.php . bot: unknown .
  24. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 7 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on July 24, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611225432/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd07.php . bot: unknown .
  25. Web site: A Certain Magical Index Volume 8 Blu-ray & DVD to be released simultaneously on August 21, 2009 . ja . July 12, 2021 . June 11, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611225841/http://www.project-index.net/index/item/dvd_bd08.php . bot: unknown .
  26. Web site: http://www.project-index.net/contents/hp0024/index01450000.html . project-index.net . Japanese . ja:とある魔術の禁書目録 DVD-SET1 2010年12月17日発売 . A Certain Magical Index DVD-SET1 December 17, 2010 Release . November 1, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121015204427/http://www.project-index.net/contents/hp0024/index01450000.html . October 15, 2012.
  27. Web site: http://www.project-index.net/contents/hp0024/index01630000.html . project-index.net . Japanese . ja:とある魔術の禁書目録 DVD-SET2 2011年3月9日発売 . A Certain Magical Index DVD-SET2 March 9, 2011 Release . March 16, 2019 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121015155117/http://www.project-index.net/contents/hp0024/index01630000.html . October 15, 2012.
  28. News: Bunao . Daryl . October 2, 2012 . North American Stream List: Sept. 24-31 . . July 17, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716163254/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-01/north-american-stream-list/sept-24-31 . July 16, 2021.
  29. News: Grace . Kimberly . September 18, 2012 . Funimation's A Certain Magical Index DVDs Delayed 6 Weeks . . July 17, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716170412/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-17/funimation-a-certain-magical-index-dvds-delayed-6-weeks . July 16, 2021.
  30. News: Hayward . Jon . February 17, 2013 . Universal Sony Home Pictures to Release Anime in Australia . . July 17, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716165206/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-18/universal-sony-home-pictures-to-release-anime-in-australia . July 16, 2021.
  31. Web site: https://toaru-project.com/index_3/news/index01130000.html . February 28, 2022 . toaru-project.com/index_3 . Japanese . ja:「とあるシリーズ」、Huluでの配信決定!. Toaru will be available on Hulu! . April 7, 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407003400/https://toaru-project.com/index_3/news/index01130000.html . April 7, 2022.
  32. Academy City . April 20, 2022 . A Certain Magical Index . A Certain Magical Index season 1 . Masanao . Akahoshi . . April 19, 2022 . 1 . 1 . Japanese.
  33. News: Wolf . Ian . September 15, 2015 . A Certain Magical Index . Anime UK News . July 16, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716102648/https://animeuknews.net/2015/09/a-certain-magical-index/ . July 16, 2021.
  34. News: Santos . Carlo . February 1, 2013 . A Certain Magical Index DVD 1 & 2 - Review . . July 16, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716095555/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/a-certain-magical-index/dvd-season-1 . July 16, 2021.
  35. Web site: A Certain Magical Index . Browne . Nicoletta Christina . . July 16, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716110800/https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1786 . July 16, 2021.
  36. News: Loo . Egan . March 6, 2010 . 4th Annual Seiyū Award Winners Announced . . July 16, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210716061640/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-06/4th-annual-seiyu-award-winners-announced . July 16, 2021.