A Certain Scientific Railgun season 1 explained
The first season of the Japanese animated television series A Certain Scientific Railgun, based on the manga of the same name, follows the third Level 5 esper in Academy City named Mikoto Misaka. Produced by J.C.Staff, the season was directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai from a series composition supervised by Seishi Minakami.
Rina Satō stars as Misaka, the character she previously voiced from A Certain Magical Index (2008), alongside Satomi Arai, Aki Toyosaki, and Kanae Itō, with Atsushi Abe reprising his role as Toma Kamijo. In March 2009, an anime adaptation of Motoi Fuyukawa's manga series was announced, with Nagai and Minakami joining the staff in June.
A Certain Scientific Railgun aired in Japan on October 2, 2009, consisting of twenty-four episodes, and concluded on March 19, 2010. A second season was announced in October 2012.[1] __TOC__
Episodes
Production
Development and writing
In March 2009, a flyer announced the anime television series adaptation of Motoi Fuyukawa's manga series A Certain Scientific Railgun. The final episode's ending of A Certain Magical Index (2008) confirmed that the series was greenlit.[2] In June 2009, Tatsuyuki Nagai joined the staff at J.C.Staff as the director, along with Seishi Minakami as the series composition writer and Yuichi Tanaka as the character animation designer.[3] Rina Satō, the voice of Mikoto Misaka, revealed that the series would explore her character's daily life and her interaction with other characters aside Toma Kamijo, the main character of A Certain Magical Index franchise. The series would also explore the science side since Index mainly focused on the magic side. With the Railgun series, Satomi Arai, the voice of Kuroko Shirai, hoped that her character and Misaka would have more interaction than what they had in Index.[4]
Casting
In June 2009, Satō, Arai, and Atsushi Abe were confirmed to be reprising their respective roles from A Certain Magical Index as Misaka, Shirai, and Kamijo, along with Aki Toyosaki as Kazari Uiharu and Kanae Itō as Ruiko Saten.
Music
Maiko Iuchi was revealed to be composing the series in August 2009, after previously doing so for A Certain Magical Index (2008). For the first fourteen episodes, the opening theme music is "Only My Railgun" by fripSide,[5] while the ending theme music is by Elisa.[6] A special ending theme music, titled "Smile: You & Me" by Elisa, was aired on episode 12. From episodes 15 onwards, the opening theme music is "Level 5 Judgelight" by fripSide, while the ending theme music is "Real Force" by Elisa.[7]
Marketing
In August 2009, the official website of A Certain Scientific Railgun was launched,[8] and a promotional video for the series was released.[9] Satō, Arai, Toyosaki, and Itō attended a stage event at in October to promote the series.[10]
Release
Broadcast
A Certain Scientific Railgun began airing in Japan on Tokyo MX on October 2, 2009, on Teletama, Chiba TV, MBS, and tvk on October 3, on AT-X on October 5, and on CBC on October 7.[11] The season was also broadcast on Funimation Channel in the United States in 2013.[12]
Home media release
Japanese Blu-ray and DVD release! Volume !! Episodes !! Release date !! Ref.1 | 1–3 | January 29, 2010 | [13] |
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2 | 4–6 | February 26, 2010 | [14] |
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3 | 7–9 | March 26, 2010 | [15] |
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4 | 10–12 | April 28, 2010 | [16] |
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5 | 13–15 | May 28, 2010 | [17] |
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6 | 16–18 | June 25, 2010 | [18] |
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7 | 19–21 | July 30, 2010 | [19] |
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8 | 22–24 | August 27, 2010 | [20] | |
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Geneon Universal Entertainment released eight Blu-ray and DVD volumes of the series in Japan starting January 29, 2010. Each volume contains a bonus novel written by Kazuma Kamachi titled A Certain Magical Index SS: Kaori Kanzaki, which follows one of the most powerful Saint named Kaori Kanzaki. The fifth volume is bundled with an episode of the bonus anime Much More Railgun.[21]
In December 2016, Crunchyroll added the series to their catalog.[22] Hulu released the series in Japan on March 24, 2022,[23] while Muse Asia began streaming it on their official YouTube channel on May 13.[24]
Reception
Critical response
Theron Martin of Anime News Network graded A Certain Scientific Railgun 'B', feeling that it was a "fun and engaging series that effectively mixes comedy, action, and some more serious elements and can stand plenty well on its own". He lauded the cast and lack of "preachiness" that A Certain Magical Index became the "biggest downfall".[25] Ian Wolf of Anime UK News gave the series 8 out of 10, finding it "funnier" than Index. Despite praising the creative team for getting the right balance of humor, he criticized the music, "badly written" plots, and villain that was "stereotypically evil rather than anything more subtle".[26]
Accolade
Satomi Arai was nominated for Best Actress in Supporting Roles at the 5th Seiyu Awards for her role as Kuroko Shirai.[27]
Notes and References
- News: Loo . Egan . October 21, 2012 . A Certain Scientific Railgun TV Anime Gets 2nd Season . . December 2, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210904102328/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-21/a-certain-scientific-railgun-anime-gets-2nd-season . September 4, 2021.
- Web site: Loo . Egan . March 18, 2009 . To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Manga's Anime Green-Lit (Update 2) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203024051/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-03-18/to-aru-kagaku-no-railgun-light-novels-anime-green-lit . December 3, 2021 . December 3, 2021 . Anime News Network.
- Web site: https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/173/173987/ . June 27, 2009 . Dengeki Online . Japanese . ja:10月から放送のアニメ『とある科学の超電磁砲』キャスト&スタッフを公開! . The cast and staff of "A Certain Scientific Railgun", an anime to be broadcast from October, have been revealed! . December 3, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203124348/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/173/173987/ . December 3, 2021.
- Web site: https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/199/199693/ . October 2, 2009 . Dengeki Online . Japanese . ja:息はピッタリ!? 『超電磁砲』佐藤利奈さん&新井里美さんにインタビュー!! . The two are in perfect sync! An interview with Rina Sato and Satomi Arai from "Railgun"! . December 3, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203032338/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/199/199693/ . December 3, 2021.
- Web site: https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/185/185290/ . August 7, 2009 . Dengeki Online . Japanese . ja:fripSideが『超電磁砲』のOPで活動再開!新ボーカルの情報も . fripSide back in action with "Railgun" OP! Information on the new vocalist . December 3, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203153724/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/185/185290/ . December 3, 2021.
- Web site: http://www.saiani.net/article/125989649.html . August 18, 2009 . Latest Anime Information . Japanese . ja:『とある科学の超電磁砲(レールガン)』PV配信スタート . "A Certain Scientific Railgun" PV distribution started . December 5, 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090922023018/http://www.saiani.net/article/125989649.html . September 22, 2009.
- Web site: https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/225/225457/ . December 28, 2009 . Dengeki Online . Japanese . ja:TVアニメ『とある科学の超電磁砲』新OP&EDはfripsideとELISAの新曲!! . TV anime "A Certain Scientific Railgun" new OP & ED is a new song by fripSide and Elisa! . December 3, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203155658/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/225/225457/ . December 3, 2021.
- Web site: http://www.saiani.net/article/125718048.html . August 14, 2009 . Latest Anime Information . Japanese . ja:『とある科学の超電磁砲(レールガン)』公式サイトオープン!。. "A Certain Scientific Railgun" official website is now open! . June 18, 2022 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090817135354/http://www.saiani.net/article/125718048.html . August 17, 2009.
- Web site: Loo . Egan . August 19, 2009 . To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Anime's Promo Video Streamed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203222149/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-18/to-aru-kagaku-no-railgun-anime-promo-video-streamed . December 3, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime News Network.
- Web site: https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/200/200104/ . October 3, 2009 . Dengeki Online . Japanese . ja:インデックスは出るの……?『とある科学の超電磁砲』ステージで気になる発言が . Will there be an Index ......? I've heard some interesting comments on "A Certain Scientific Railgun" stage . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203223416/https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/200/200104/ . December 3, 2021.
- Web site: Onair Schedule . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204022827/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/onair/ . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Funimation Week 46 of 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020129/http://www.funimation.tv/schedule/2_e346.htm . September 24, 2015 . July 18, 2022 . Funimation.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/01.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第1巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 1 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204012052/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/01.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/02.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第2巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 2 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204012536/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/02.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/03.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第3巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 3 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204012824/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/03.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/04.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第4巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 4 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204013110/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/04.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/05.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第5巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 5 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204013342/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/05.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/06.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第6巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 6 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204013536/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/06.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/07.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第7巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 7 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204013745/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/07.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/08.html . toaru-project.com/railgun . Japanese . ja:「とある科学の超電磁砲<レールガン> 」第8巻 . A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 8 . December 4, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204013914/https://toaru-project.com/railgun/goods/bddvd/08.html . December 4, 2021.
- Web site: Loo . Egan . April 15, 2010 . Toaru Kagaku no Railgun's 5th BD/DVD to Add Bonus DVD . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204015702/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-04-15/toaru-kagaku-no-railgun-5th-bd/dvd-to-add-bonus-dvd . December 4, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime News Network.
- Web site: Ressler . Karen . December 3, 2016 . Crunchyroll Adds More Catalog Titles From Funimation, Nozomi . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204030823/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-12-02/crunchyroll-adds-more-catalog-titles-from-funimation-nozomi/.109438 . December 4, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime News Network.
- Web site: https://toaru-project.com/railgun_t/news/index01670000.html . February 28, 2022 . toaru-project.com/railgun_t . 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/20220407004151/https://toaru-project.com/railgun_t/news/index01670000.html . April 7, 2022.
- Electromaster . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514125453/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFrsC2A4wH4&feature=youtu.be . May 14, 2022 . May 14, 2022 . A Certain Scientific Railgun . A Certain Scientific Railgun season 1 . Seishi . Minakami . . October 2, 2009 . 1 . 1 . Japanese.
- Web site: Martin . Theron . May 2, 2013 . A Certain Scientific Railgun DVDs 1 and 2 - Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204124720/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/a-certain-scientific-railgun/dvd-1 . December 4, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime News Network.
- Web site: Wolf . Ian . October 6, 2015 . A Certain Scientific Railgun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204123358/https://animeuknews.net/2015/10/a-certain-scientific-railgun/ . December 4, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime UK News.
- Web site: Loo . Egan . March 5, 2011 . 5th Annual Seiyū Award Winners Announced . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211204023520/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-03-05/5th-annual-seiyu-award-winners-announced . December 4, 2021 . December 4, 2021 . Anime News Network.