Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S – 09
Shinobu puts on her freaking lab coat LIKE A BOSS!
Last week was all about the amazing action with Misaka fighting off Frenda while Shinobu snuck around in another lab, but this time Misaka faces another level five codenamed Meltdowner! I can’t wait to see how things turn out this time.
Story mode with Shinobu
Not sure if hot yuri action or attempted rape scene…
Ever since we met this oddball character I have always wondered what is her main role in Railgun S? Is she an enemy for Misaka to fight? Because we already knew she programmed all of the clones! For starters Shinobu is trying her best to redeem herself for participating in such a messed up experiment just like Accelerator back in the second half of Index season one? I liked the line she used in this episode while she was trying to give emotions to the clones “The sisters have believed that death was only natural, but now some of them might bemoan such a fate. Maybe some of the researchers will see them as more than mere guinea pigs, and as slim as the chances may be, their voice as they weep I don’t want to fight, it may move someone’s heart.” of course that quote is hinting towards Last Order, but for those who do not know her basically she has all of the emotions and painful memories of all the MISAKA sisters in her head that have died after running into Accelerator! So what is going to happen to Shinobu now that she failed her mission? Honestly I have no idea, but I guess if she stand by and decided to do nothing to help we probably would not have Last Order’s story and sadly I think Shinobu is going to be either locked up or killed off because she knows way too much right about the clones and level six plan.
Railgun x AIM Stalker x Meltdowner
Meltdowner is looking fantastic in this shot!
While Shinobu sets the ball rolling for future events with Accelerator and Last Order we can’t forget that Misaka is fighting for her life against three members of ITEM, but as a few commenters said last time this episode was more about Rikou’s crazy tracking ability nicknamed Aim Stalker which basically allows her to track a target anywhere in the world. Damn talk about an overpowered character; however it appears that her power kind of requires the use of some drugs to help her maintain her focus while tracking. While that ability does not sound deadly by itself if you paired it up with Meltdowner who can blast through any solid wall or object with her powers it makes for a dangerous combo. So what part of the fight did you like this time? For me I loved watching Misaka run along those walls while dodging those deadly green laser beams! I guess next week is the real fight between Railgun and Meltdowner since she finally figured out who she was fighting? I can’t wait to see how that plays out next time.
Extra Railgun S fun
I think she is probably high all the time from her bombs.
I love spider-Misaka she is the coolest marvel super hero yo!
Soon our ears will be filled with Misaka Misaka quotes.
I guess we need bigger bullets huh?
End thoughts
Another amazing episode of RailgunS this week and this time around we had some much needed plot progression with Shinobu setting things in motion for Last Order, but like I said I am afraid that she is going to die or will she? I suppose Misaka could save her later on right? Besides that we just watched Misaka run away from the tag team of AIM Stalker voiced by Aya Suzaki or Tamako from Tamako Market and Meltdowner voiced by Ami Koshimizu or Hinako from Devil Survivor 2 the Animation currently and we can’t forget Saiai voiced by Chinatsu Akasaki or Nibutani from Chu2koi. Other than the impressive voice work I loved the soundtrack this week during the battle scenes! Damn I really want the OST, but I guess I am feeling really hyped for episode ten right now because I just want to see a real fight between two level fives…
Preview
Misaka is ready to rock your world next week Meltdowner!
Level five showdowns at last
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I had to watch this episode twice, back to back. Because, first, it was freaking awesome, and second, because I had to confirm how they got me to the edge of my seat. I was fearful that an onslaught of Meltdowner versus SpiderWoman would be repetitive and boring. But they cut each sequence down, shorter and shorter, showing at first, then telling how Misaka was getting worn down. And they layered in the AIM sniffer getting worn down as well.
And I loved how Meltdowner concieved of a plan to lay in wait and trap the Railgun, only to dump it as “not my style” Girl, you are gonna get owned! Go for smart over style, especially when you are facing Tokowadi’s Ace!
The tight cutting between Shinobu and Misaka really made this show work. Both of them working the common goal; and yes, Shinobu laying the groundwork for Last Order. Sometimes even mistakes have deeper meaning.
Yes, VA’s a go go. Some of my all time fave KyoAni performers just giving it their all. It’s like a sort of freaking reunion, isn’t it?
And yes, LIKE A BOSS, Shinobu dons that lab coat. She is reminding herself of the ethics she should have had all along. Misaka is the hero, and she is doing what hero’s need to do. Shinobu get’s nothing from this; other than correcting a past mistake. I don’t think her story is nearly done. She is to useful. Academy City makes use of those sorts.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah I watched it twice as well because damn it was such a good episode! Meltdowner is such a great boss character, but her best moment was easily the last three minutes with her figuring out who Misaka was? Also the way she said railgun was epic!
Yep! When I saw Last Order I was like wait? OOOOOOOOH WOW Shinobu is involved in her backstory! I was waiting for her to appear eventually xD
Shinobu for the win! Yeah thinking back I don’t think she will be killed off but who knows right? For all we know she could just be locked up somewhere to keep her from spilling the beans about the clones and level six plan for Accelerator…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Things look bad for Misaka. If it weren’t for the fact she took on Frenda beforehand, I would have asked have a lower ranked Level 5 esper could be giving her so much trouble. And the thing about espers in Academy City, they have no qualms about destroying anything in their path. That laboratory is practically useless now.
Shinobu never seemed like a villain to me, just someone misguided and driven by her previously inflated ego in her quest for success. Her ideal for the clones is noble but we know the other researchers won’t see things the same way, especially if they are those that have the family name “Kihara” walking about. She may be in a bind but I doubt she’ll be killed. One thing these scientists value is competence and she has a lot of it. If anything, she’ll be put on a short leash by whoever sees fit to keep her around.
What I liked about the fight is that neither side underestimated the other. A respect for one’s opponent which is something rarely seen. Normally one side would do so then regret big time but here these two are on their toes trying to best the other. Meltdowner’s attacks strangely reminds me of Broly’s energy blasts. I guess it’s because hers are neon green. Rikou’s power is troublesome. It’s worse than GPS. Strategically, I’d deal with her first so things wouldn’t be so one sided.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Well, it’s more that you have to outlast Takitsubo. She burns herself out much faster than the other espers.
Misaka should have used Mugino’s power more for her own purposes. She forgot that the ultimate goal is that she wants to destroy the lab. And she’s got someone who is perfectly happy with destroying everything around. So lead Mugino into destroying as much of the lab as possible.
POWUH: 1000-1099 and Pirate King with 1048 comments
This episode was super-good, and J.C. has done really great work with the action sequences in these two episodes. And me too on that OST, Fosh! Index & Railgun have always had really great action-themed tracks.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Agreed! J.C. Staff is doing a excellent job with the action scenes from this episode and the previous one and yep the combat music is awesome for index/Railgun xD
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
JC Staff has always been capable of bringing the action, but I don’t think I’ve seen them do it as consistently as these last few episodes of Railgun. Even the beam spam was done well, in concept and execution. Misaka using her electro powers to hop around like Spider Man was very exciting to watch. It seemed that Meltdowner had the ability to downright disintegrate matter, given how she defended against Misaka’s projectiles and how her beams seemed to practically ignore walls. I’m curious what the official explanation will be. And I might have thought Frenda was psychopathic, but this lady makes that girl scared. What a fun villain. Next episode better deliver on the Level 5 on Level 5 action it’s teasing.
I wonder how much Last Order will appear in this show. Her story doesn’t involve Misaka, and a retelling of her story from Index wouldn’t look very much different. I would hope maybe we would see her before she ran into Accelerator. Anyway, I think Shinobu will be just fine; this franchise is a bit too hopeful to let a character like that meet a bad end. Then again, this show has surprised me before.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
if you’re wondering about the “science” behind mugino’s meltdown ability essentially she’s Show ▼
Mikoto is more versatile with her power but what Mugino can do with hers is more destructive and packs more energy.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Thanks for the awesome breakdown of Meltdowners powers it sounds really cool xD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s amazing how the scientists in Academy City go into such detail concerning power development for the espers to be so destructive. The espers in The Unlimited: Hyoubu Kyousuke are just as frightening.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
You can guess a bit on the nature of Mugino’s powers because she showed that she was able to deflect Misaka’s direct lightning atttack, Misaka can somehow sense Mugino’s lasers(spider sense hurr) and Misaka was able to deflect those lasers partially as well.
The official explanation for it is really complicated though as befitting the Toaru series with its science/magic mumbo jumbo. It might or might not get mentioned next episode.
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
I take it they both have the ability to manipulate electrons, which would go along with how their abilities are fundamentally the same. I would hesitate to call Mugino’s beams “lasers” though, because that has little to do with electrons aside from using electricity as an energy source. Let’s just say she shoots beams of energy.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Well, the title for the next episode is a big hint as to the nature of how her power works. I doubt it will be explained here but it will, more likely than not, be explained in a third season for Index. If you want to find out what it actually is, go read Volume 15 of Index.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah I guess just like Sumairii’s explanation Mugino uses “energy” as her superpower~
I love spider-Misaka!
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
His explanation is not completely correct but not too far off either. The classification of her power is “High Speed Particle Waveform Cannon”. Think Wave functions.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I am also curious to see if Last Order gets any screentime? I assume the time skip will happen soonish because I think the next big arc after ITEM is the sports stuff, but I don’t recall Last Order walking around in that arc.
Course Last Order x Accelerator is more of an Index thing and less of a Railgun thing, unless they are going to have Misaka meet Last Order? I know that is not going to happen but I would love to see it.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I think Misaka would go into cuteness overload if she ever met her kawaii mini-me….Complete Gekota make-over…
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hell ya Skylion! Sadly I don’t think it will ever happen but we can dream damn it xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
What would you do if you met your kawaii mini-me? This is an important question…
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
So moe I just died!
POWUH: 400-499 with 406 comments
Every time I see Shinobu put on that labcoat, I just get so HYPED.
I have almost no coherent comments for this epsiode! I’m going to just adkfjadjhdfjhfks in the corner over here.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Due to rabid fan base and near obsession, your Psycho-Pass has gotten cloudy. We recommend you seek emergency medical treatment immediately! 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I know what you mean! The opening always gets me hype when Shinobu throws on her labcoat xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I have been enjoying Kuroko busting for some Railgun-Teleport action of the OP. Are we gonna see our fave yuri drama queen rip in and save the day? Touma?
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hmmm I can’t remember if Touma or Kuroko shows up in the next episode or not! I kind of want Misaka to take on Meltdowner by herself but whatever happens I am cool with xD
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
But sadly thanks to the OP, we know the chances of Misaka beating Meltdowner alone is slim to none.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah that is possible but I hope Misaka can at least put up a decent fight! That said I can see it ending in a draw because it appears their powers cancel each other out, so it will come down to a battle of tactics xD
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Mikoto will fight alone. If anyone else came to help her at this point, that would completely destroy the purpose of the Bridge Scene. So, yes. Mikoto wins with some pretty resourceful tactic. How? I’ll leave that up to your imagination but the preview gives a big hint of that.
Let’s say that if it wasn’t for a certain extraneous factor that Mikoto would lose seeing as Mugino could counter each of Mikoto’s tactics easily from Raulgin to lightning spears to even the iron sand.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
But I want her to team up with her friends. One, it’s awesome when they are all together, and two, it is what makes them all heroes. They work it together…
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Again, the entire purpose of Mikoto fighting solo is that she is trying to bear this burden on her own. She doesn’t even ask for help until after she sees Touma at the Iron Bridge.
If she suddenly got assistance from her friends, we would lose the powerful image of Mikoto attempting to bear the burden of her “sins” alone.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I think it’s more killing intent. In a straight up fight, where neither one really cared about the life of the other one, I’d think Misaka would probably win easily. As it is, she pulls her punches, something Mugino is not doing.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Mugino is basically a mercenary so pulling punches on a job would most likely be a sign of weakness for her.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yep, and Misaka is pulling her punches. And fighting essentially to a stalemate. If Misaka was more interested in just getting rid of Mugino, I think this fight would be long over.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
That would be the case if she wasn’t focusing on the lab and exhausted from fighting Frenda beforehand. Misaka has been getting nothing but strokes of bad luck lately. She can’t seem to catch a break.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
..and as Hiss reminds me, she’s going to have it even tougher. This fight will take a great deal out of her, not only physically, but spiritually as well. The Iron Bridge was one hell of a moment for both her and Touma…
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Never trust a OP, guys.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
You don’t have to tell an old fart that sort of thing, D. But I do thank you for the reminder non the less. Ah, I’m still in the land of hope, ain’t I?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s better to say “never trust an OP all the time” because some of them are true to what’s going to happen next (Like Sword Art Online or Shiki) and some are not.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
amen
POWUH: 500-599 with 543 comments
Happy to see more fighting! I feel like this fight was done well, kept me watching, I barely even noticed how quickly the episode went. And I was also glad to see Shinobu get to do more, but it’s too bad she isn’t having much success :(. Hopefully she will live to put that lab coat on once again (LIKE A BOSS.)
I’m just glad Miss AIM Stalker couldn’t go on for too long because of the drugs and stuff, although she would probably be really great for Judgement or something, to track down criminals, if she got sick of ITEM one day. Not that she would, of course.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hell ya more fighting! I love these kinds of episodes and agreed this episode ended really fast! As for Shinobou yeah I think she will be fine, but who knows just like Lvlln said we have been surprised before.
Indeed but every great series needs some baddies to stir things up for Misaka and her friends! Not that ITEM is evil they are just espers for hire…
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Let me just say that AIM Stalker, although she has powers that could potentially make her the 8th Level 5, is not exactly the best for tracking criminals. For one, she can only track criminals who she has seen and memorized the AIM Dispersion field for (meaning normal people and magicians cannot be tracked by her). At the same time, she can only use her powers by taking the drug and the drug she uses (Body Crystal) overloads her powers so it has negative consequences after prolonged and repeated use (short term as shown by this episode and long-term demonstrated in Index Volumes 15 and 19).
Not to mention, Body Crystal is an illegal drug.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…harvested from the souls of children. Why on Earth would that be illegal?
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
Telesma is kinda like AIM (its not the same phenomenon but Telesma is sort of like the magic side’s AIM) so couldnt she just “stalk” that?
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
I doubt it. There is a reason it is called AIM Stalker and not something like “All Tracker” (bad naming). For one, I doubt that is even possible considering that she has no idea what Telesma is. Second, Telesma and AIM are not identical. If they were, then I would understand if she could track Telesma but they are not. They are simply analogous. Case in point, Accelerator was able to fully reflect Hyouka’s attacks but was only able to partially reflect Archangel Gabriel’s attacks.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
That’s the word i was looking for to describe the relation between telesma and AIM; analogous. And you’re right; most people from the science side have no idea what telesma is so she wouldnt even know the first thing about tracking it. Fundamentally, telesma and AIM are different but they have similar principles regarding their purpose for their specific side. Still, as they are two different things with somewhat similar attributes, takitsubo would not be able to “stalk” telesma even if she knew about it unless her ability allowed her to.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 77 comments
I wish I could do that with a lab coat. Then my life would be complete. It would be the only thing I would do. And I don’t think Shinbou will fail, she got the program in, so fingers are crossed hoping it works. And she better not die, Misaka needs to see her change of heart. And melt downer, man dem boots. I don’t know what I would do if that was coming after me, do I run? Or do I stop for dem boots. And the fighting has been epic throughout this series and I’m enjoying it, and I can’t wait for the epic showdown between meltdowner and Misaka. And you don’t need bigger bullets, you need a bigger gun to start with, something along the lines of a Barrett.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Lab coats are awesome! I want one xD
Yeah I think Shinobu will be alright but the real question is how is she really going to get away? I suppose someone COULD save her.
Ahaha yeah Meltdowner has a great outfit <3
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 77 comments
Well, Mikasa has over a thousand war ready clones. I think they can take em, that or her esper friends, so long as Shinbou can hang in there
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Someone has a thousand war ready clones, I don’t think the Railgun has them per se…
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
I’m surprised that nobody pointed out that had Shinobu’s plan worked, Accelerator would have quit the experiments altogether.
On another note, Kinuhata didn’t seem as super genki as the Index novels always portrayed her. I guess she can also be super serious when the mood calls for it.
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
I wonder if seeing a more human Misaka sister would really have warmed Accelerator’s heart? He did warm up to Last Order in the end, but that was after he had hit rock bottom. I could picture him happily continuing to slaughter the girls.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I think that was more about how Shinobu sees Accelertor than how he actually might be. As we saw with his first encounter with Last Order, he doesn’t have all the answers himself.
As it is, her plan did work, just not the way she expected it too…It’s all down to a kid that likes to steal her big sister’s goggles…
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Remember what Last Order said to Accelerator when talking in the restaurant. He was taunting them for a reason. He was trying to incite a reaction of fear for a reason. Had any one of them said “I don’t want to die”, I am sure that he would have quit the experiments.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, I think I agree with Hiss. If he had to go seek them out and squash them while they were cowering in fear of death, he wouldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be fun. It seems like so much of his fun is from them coming at him and him beating them when they’re trying to beat him.
Not that it would warm his heart, but it would sap all the fun out.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
I’ll elaborate my point. Remember, the only reason he is killing them is because he believes that they are emotionless guinea pigs.
One of the central points of his character development in Index (Season II and LN) is that he regrets what he did to the Sisters. In a sense, I believe that seeing the Sisters crying, “I don’t want to die” would touch his heart and lead him to quit and possibly turn against the scientists involved out of anger.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I know where you’re going, it’s just that the name Accelerator and the phrase “warming his heart” are soooo at odds with each other…Yes, the twain will meet, but you would never recognize the place those two paths would cross.
Personally, I cannot wait to see his interactions with Misaka Worst. That’s probably a few years down the road, yes?
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
The idea of Accelerator’s heart warming seems really wrong at this point but I guess it will seem more natural for novel readers considering how Volume 15 ended, Accelerator’s awakening in Volume 22, etc.
If the Index adaptations go at a proper pace (meaning Index III being an adaptation of Volumes 14-19 sans SS2), then we won’t get Misaka Worst until Index IV. If JC Staff decides to screw us over by making a horrible pace for Index III, then we will get it then.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
That seems about the right pace…
Which means we can dump whatever Accelerator-rage we have left over on Kuroyoru.
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 53 comments
Hey, man..I like Kuroyoru [Kuro-nyan]. Especially after her moments in NT7. People will like her as much as they like Fre|nda.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
From some of the bits and pieces I’ve read of her, I rather like her as well. Nyan, indeed! How can I not like someone with enough guts to try AIM and magic at the same time! And I think there will be more love for her than Frenda…
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
But at this point, he seemed glad to kill Misakas even including the original one. Okay, killing thousands upon thousands of them is a bit different, but it still felt a little too optimistic to me.