Best Characters In A Certain Scientific Railgun

Summary

• Kazari Uiharu, a level one esper, adds to world-building with her unique ability to regulate object temperatures.
• Yomikawa Aiho, an adult presence in Academy City, balances out the school-focused protagonists as a mentor in dangerous situations.
• Ruiko Saten, a level zero esper, learns to appreciate her abilities and grow as a person despite societal dismissal of level zeros.

A Certain Scientific Railgun is an anime spinoff taking place throughout different dates in the Certain Magical Index series. However, rather than focusing on Touma and Index, the series shifts its focus onto the powerful level five esper, Misaka Mikoto.

Rather than just telling the same story from a different point of view, the spinoff expands upon some of the characters introduced in the original anime while also adding new ones as well. Academy City is full of different people from those who want to prove their own self-worth to others who will stop at nothing to advance the state of humanity even further. So which characters do it best in A Certain Scientific Railgun?

8

Kazari Uiharu

Small Powers But A Big Impact

Kazari Uiharu is one of Misaka’s inner circle and a valuable member of Judgment, an organization that keeps peace in Academy City. Uiharu is not just a great character in terms of her personality but what she adds in terms of world building. She is a level one esper with the power to regulate the temperature of objects she comes in contact with. So not every esper ability in the city is equal.

This means she is not without power but often lacks the tactical and offensive abilities of her peers. She makes up for this with her understanding of technology, computers, and programs. This enables her to become a valuable hacker who can seek out justice through her own means.

7

Yomikawa Aiho

A Closer Look At Adult Life In Academy City

While many of the protagonists of A Certain Scientific Railgun are still in school, Yomikawa Aiho provides a much-needed adult presence to balance things out. She gives more perspective to life outside the academy while still being heavily involved with Judgment. She makes an earlier appearance in the Level Upper Arc compared to her manga counterpart.

Yomikawa Aiho acts as a mentor for Misaka and her allies through her role as P.E teacher and member of Anti-Skill. This organization deals with investigations and more dangerous situations that the students in Judgment wouldn’t normally be able to handle. She also takes on a role of adoptive parent for characters such as Last Order and Accelerator throughout the series.

6

Ruiko Saten

Learning To Love Herself

There are a few level zero espers throughout the main story and this spinoff. What sets Saten apart is that she struggles to rise above being powerless. This does not stop her from putting all her effort into achieving just one level of esper abilities. Unfortunately, this does not come to pass as she repeatedly fails and even falls victim to the level upper’s power-enhancing promises.

This failure is a major focal point of her development. She needs to learn to appreciate the skills that she brings to the table, such as her own intelligence and determination to seek out the truth. Even while the city gives up on level zeros, she is able to grow as a person and become stronger despite never leveling up.

5

Kihara Gensei

A Villain Seeking Higher Levels Of Advancement

Level five espers are considered the most powerful in the city. In fact, only seven of them are officially recognized. This makes Kihara Gensei a logical choice for a major antagonist throughout the side series. His obsession with forcing a level six into existence kicks off many of the conflicts that Misaka has to deal with.

He is at the root of the creation for the level upper, which can artificially bump espers up in power. He also has the ability to sense when other characters have another trick up their sleeve through his naturally analytical mind, distrust of others, and psychic abilities.

4

Mitsuko Kongou

Helping Fuel Other Characters

Mitsuko Kongou is everything a side character should be. While she may not take part in as much action as Kihara or Misaka, she is always there to interact, guide, and help develop some of the other characters that reside within Academy City.

She radiates confidence though can sometimes lie to boost the way others see her. Regardless, she comes in clutch when she not only helps Mikasa locate her sister, Misaka 10032, but takes part in saving her. Despite the risk to her own life, she is loyal and follows through with her promises.

3

Shirai Kuroku

Keeping The Peace Throughout The City

Shirai Kuroku is Misaka’s best friend and greatest ally throughout A Certain Scientific Railgun. She is also head over heels in love with the level five esper. This makes her a constant presence throughout the side series, even more so than in the main one.

She has the ability to teleport, which makes her an incredibly agile member of Judgment. Despite her powers, she is still only a level four esper but considered one of the more powerful ones. With this power, she maintains peace and justice throughout Academy City as she lends her body and soul towards protecting it.

2

Frenda

A Villain’s Role Expanded

Frenda’s character development is split in two between A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun. While the first show handles her actions, betrayals, and consequences of falling in with the Dark Side of Academy City, the later shows a bit more about her personal life that leads up to this.

Frenda is played off as more sympathetic in the spinoff. She is not just an antagonist but a character who is forced into morally gray situations as a mercenary. Fans are given a deeper insight into her thoughts as she struggles with her actions and consequences. Her role in A Certain Scientific Railgun makes her fate in the original more tragic, especially if you watch the spinoff before the original show.

1

Misaka Mikoto

From Supporting Roles To Full-Fledged Protagonist

Misaka Mikoto is one of the most powerful Espers in Academy City. She has the ability to control electricity, which she can utilize in a variety of different ways. This includes her signature railgun ability that lets her send powerful blasts through her fingertips.

Misaka may be one of the best characters in A Certain Magical Index, but she certainly takes the crown in A Certain Scientific Railgun. This is because the plot revolves heavily around her this time around, as the new protagonist. Misaka is given an extra layer of depth here as you get to see more of her interactions with Touma before the memory loss and her role in the city as an esper outside of the magical conflicts presented in A Certain Magical Index.