Season 1 Plot
Misaka, one of the the 7 strongest people at her school, is the titular character of the story and can control the electric fields surrounding her. She lives in Academy City, a "scientific city of the future" of over 2 million students all learning to control their esper (supernatural) powers -- of which some are more powerful than others. She mostly tries to do the right thing but isn't above taking matters in her own hands and bending a few rules here and there. This is about her trials, tribulations, and experiences as she grows up surrounded by her friends. This story deals with "Level Upper", a cheat people can use to quickly become more powerful without effort. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is a fully formed 'side-story' to Toaru Majutsu no Index where a supporting character there (Misaka) is given her own complete story and viewpoint while also interacting with the concurrent events of Index 1. This is the second story in the entire overarching story line -- you should watch Index 1 first, but you MUST watch this before Reilgun S (aka Railgun 2).
A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 1 aired on October 2nd, 2009.
Season 1 Episodes
1. Electromaster
Mikoto, Kuroko, Kazari, and Ruiko take action against a gang of bank robbers. When Ruiko is injured trying to rescue an innocent bystander, Mikoto angrily unleashes her railgun power!
2. When Working Under a Hot Sun, Rehydration is Essential
Mikoto and Kuroko get in trouble for using their powers in the dorm. Their punishment: pool cleaning duty! Later, Kuroko finds herself feeling frisky after accidentally ingesting a powerful aphrodisiac!
3. Tokiwadai is Targeted
Someone is tasering students and drawing on their faces with permanent marker! While Kuroko and Kazari investigate, poor Ruiko becomes the latest victim. Who is behind the unusual attacks?
4. Urban Legends
Awkwardness ensues when Mikoto runs into Kamijo. When they meet again later in the day, Mikoto demands a duel! She gives it her all, but there’s a chance she’s no match for Kamijo’s powers.
5. A Certain Pair of New Trainees
Uiharu and Kuroko have an argument that leads to recollections of the past, when the girls were young Judgment recruits, and a dangerous mission resulted in a life-long promise between friends.
6. Everyone is Proactive When it Comes to This
Someone is planting bombs all over Academy City, and it’s up to Judgment to stop the person responsible. Mikoto, wanting a piece of the action, uses Uiharu’s badge to investigate on her own.
7. Abilities and Powers
As Kuroko and Konori begin to suspect Judgement officers are the true targets of the mysterious bomber, Uiharu, Mikoto, and Saten find themselves in an explosive situation while shopping!
8. Level Upper
Mikoto and Kuroko ponder the ramifications of Kaitabi’s shocking display of strength and wonder if Level Uppers actually exist. Before they can find answers, Kaitabi mysteriously slips into a coma!
9. Majority Report
Even as Mikoto and Kuroko question Dr. Kiyami about the side-effects of Level Uppers, Saten wonders if she should use the one she recently found - even though there could be dangerous consequences.
10. Silent Majority
Saten falls into a coma after she confesses using a Level Upper to Uiharu. Later, Mikoto and Kuroko discover that all of the recent coma patients are connected - in more ways than one!
11. Dr. Kiyama
After inadvertently connecting to Kiyama’s mind, Mikoto learns what’s been motivating the doctor’s actions. Later, when the network goes out of control, Mikoto comes face to face with a monster!
12. AIM Burst
The girls work to stop the monster before it reaches a nuclear power plant! Uiharu’s efforts slow the abomination down, but Mikoto might be the only person able to stop the creature’s rampage!
13. A Bikini Divides the Eyeline Between Top and Bottom, But a One-piece Shows Off the Figure, so They Only Flatter the Slender
The Swim Club recruits Misaka and the gang to strut their stuff as swimsuit models! Later, after taking a break from posing and primping, the girls work together to make some curry.
14. Special Workshop
Saten and the other students who used the Level Upper learn some valuable lessons when they attend a special weekend workshop taught by Komoe and Yomikawa.
15. Skill Out
Misaka and Kuroko investigate a gang called Skill Out. The group is known to be attacking Espers all over Academy City - but in some instances, a mysterious man arrives just in time to stop the confrontation.
16. Academy City
Konori’s past with Big Spider is revealed. In the present, she finds herself torn. Can she honor her responsibilities as a Judgment officer while somehow remaining loyal to Kurozuma?
17. Tsuzuri's Summer Vacation
After Komoe and Yomikawa encourage her to get a hobby, Tesso rediscovers an old school arcade game she loved as a child and forms an unlikely bond with a fellow fan.
18. Asunaro Park
Misaka and the girls decide to play matchmaker with their dorm’s Head Resident and Daigo, Uiharu and Saten's teacher. Things look to be working out - until Daigo brings up the subject of marriage.
19. Midsummer Festival
The midsummer festival arrives, and students are preparing to show off their school for friends and family. Misaka’s scheduled to perform a violin solo for the festivities - if her nerves don’t get the best of her!
20. Poltergeist
The gang discovers that the recent wave of earthquakes is connected to a phenomenon called poltergeisting - and there’s a chance Uiharu’s new roomie might be somehow be involved.
21. Voices
Kuroko suspects Haru'ue has something to do with the recent poltergeisting events, and it’s causing tension between her and Uiharu. Later, Haru'ue reveals a hidden part of her past.
22. Level 6
The past comes into focus as Haru'ue and Edasaki’s connection to a common Child Error facility is revealed. Later, Misaka sets out to find Kiyama after learning that the rogue scientist is out on bail and working with the Frog Doctor.
23. What Is It You See In Your Eyes Right Now?
Therestina reveals new information about her real identity and her master plan. Meanwhile, Kuroko and the gang vow to fight alongside Misaka in order to save the children jeopardized by Therestina’s activities.
24. Dear My Friends
Misaka and her friends reach the facility where the children are being held, but Therestina uses Capacity Down to take the Espers out of the fight. With everything on the line, it’s up to Saten to save the day.