To aru kagaku no rêrugan

Everything about it is on point, the creators care so much and that care reflects on both the show and viewers, proud to call it my favorite anime.

Had no idea about the index series so watched the first two seasons of railgun about ten years ago and now that I'm starting to rewatch correctly I can urge everyone with no hesitation to go ahead and give this show a try because it's super entertaining and unique imo

the best watch order the makers would want you to watch it in: a certain scientific railgun (s1)

a certain scientific railgun S (s2)

a certain magical index s1

a certain magical index s2

a certain magical index the movie

a certain scientific accelerator

a certain scientific railgun T (s3).

This is a rare occasion where I find myself actually preferring the spinoff over the original. In this version you don't have the mandated minutes-long scene every episode where Toma Kamijo lectures the villain of the week on how what they're doing is wrong, while you're rolling your eyes and wishing he would just shut up.

The tradeoff is Kuroko Shirai freaking out and screaming at you about once or twice an episode, and the drama is a bunch of high school girls instead of a 14-year-old boy whining about morality. Railgun tends to be more direct and less philosophical, as the titular character usually just blasts stuff instead of talking her enemies to death...but that's understandable given their difference in powers.

There's some plot problems later on where you wonder where the heck Railgun's parents are, that she's being asked to make ethical decisions for herself as an 8-year-old in flashbacks, too, but maybe that's just an anime thing? The plot arc enemies they fight can also strain suspension of disbelief at times (especially considering this is supposed to be the more scientific and less fantasy of the two shows), but if you've watched Index already, that's old hat.

Still a fun show if you're willing to wobble over and back across that line of whether you should take it halfway seriously, or just sit back and enjoy the nonsense.

Disclaimer: Oh, apparently there's a third season now. I've only seen the first 2 so far.

It was an amazing anime, the characters were good, animation and the plot talks about Misaka Mikoto a 14 year old girl in a school of espers and she is ranked third in the strongest esper in town, I was not bored in any part amazing anime recommends watching!

There was the potential for serious depth in this spin off series and it flirts with it in the first season, but in the end seems to shy away from taking it to the next level, because it's trying to maintain the upbeat tempo.

The first two seasons are overall enjoyable and worth watching but I'm undecided on the current third season. It seems weaker which is a shame as it deals with a "foe" and the associated powers that could go down a dark and thought provoking path

Misaka Mikoto (also known as Railgun and Bug Zapper) was a great character in the first series (A Certain Magical Index) and makes a strong lead in this parallel series. Many characters and events appear in both series, but this is from Mikoto's point of view. I do wish there was more exposition of her potential relationship with Toma and more interaction with Index.

A Certain Magical Index took place all over the world, but A Certain Scientific Railgun occurs entirely in Academy City. A fair effort has been made to keep events consistent between the two series. It was frustrating that Railgun's biggest contributions were made secret to everyone.

This series has plenty of "fan service" but it is not as obnoxious as it was in Magical Index. The blood and guts has also been scaled back about 90%. This series leaves out the religious fanaticism in Magical Index and focuses on science-fiction and personal relationships.

The animation and art design is quite good. The English voice actors are also very good. The pace is uneven at times. Some of the "slice of life" sections are too slow. The comedy elements are usually funny. There are plenty of strong action sequences. However, the overall plot is generally not as intense feeling as in Magical Index.

In summary, there are flaws, but plenty to like in this science-fiction series.