Random Curiosity

「超能力者達」 (Chou nouryoku-sha-tachi)
“Super-espers”

Oh boy, here we go.

「垣根帝督（ダークマター)」 ( Kakine Teitoku (Daaku Mataa) )
“Teitoku Kakine (Dark Matter)”

Accelerator tries to summon his Persona.

「学園都市暗部」 (Gakuentoshi anbu)
“The Dark Side of Academy City”

It’s been way too long, so I’ve opted to help refresh our memories about some of the characters.

「C文書」 (C-Bunsho)
“The Document of C”

You thought it was Dio. But it was actually Kamijou.

「神の右席」 (Kami no Useki)
“The Right Seat of God”

Time for a historical lesson in papal legitimacy.

「混乱」 (Konran)
“Chaos”

Holy amazeballs. I never thought this day would ever come!

「劇場版 とある魔術の禁書目録 エンデュミオーンの奇蹟」 (Gekijouban To Aru Majutsu No Kinsho Mokuroku Endyumion Mo Kiseki)
“To Aru Majutsu no Index Movie – Endymion no Kiseki”

Touma brings his misfortune to the big screen, and while it didn’t quite hit all the right marks, it was a darn wild ride nonetheless.

「武装集団（スキルアウト）」 (Busou Juudan (Sukiru Auto))
“Armed Group (Skill-Out)”

For a short two-episode arc that coincides with the conclusion of this second season, there was actually a fair bit of lead-in to what’s around the corner, suggesting that this is the foundation for a third season sometime down the road. We’ll probably be seeing more of GROUP after Touma and Accelerator cleaned up most of Skill-Out, after the latter cornered their leader Ritoku and caused him to commit suicide over being killed.

「開戦前」 (Kaisenmae)
“Before War Breaks Out”

Other than the conclusion to the Fuze Kazakiri at the very beginning, this episode felt like a precursor to an all-out war between science and magic. It also came off as the calm before the storm with Touma inadvertently unhooking Himegami’s bra and eating sukiyaki with all this classmates, which was a little odd considering that next week is the finale.

「天罰術式」 (Tenbatsu Jutsushiki)
“Divine Punishment Technique”

Even for To Aru Majutsu no Index, the number of punches to the face was off the charts in this arc’s conclusion. Accelerator was on the receiving end for a good chuck of them when his battery died, so there was no shortage of his face getting smashed in. Touma on the other hand got the job done with a single right once the opportunity presented itself, much like he always does. Good ‘ol Imagine Breaker. It’s so reliable it’s worth laughing over.

「学習装置（テスタメント）」 (Gakushuu Souchi (Tesutamento))
“Learning Device (Testament)”

She doesn’t have a single line to her name in this entire sequel, but Hyouka makes a return in the big way due to Aleister’s blasphemous act of turning her into an artificial angel to deal with religious fanatics (i.e. Vento).

「猟犬部隊（ハウンドドッグ）」 (Ryouken Butai (Haundo Doggu))
“Hunting Dog Corps (Hound Dog)”

Now is it just me or is this series so much better when it doesn’t beat around the bush with religious mumbo jumbo and stuff actually happens on screen? We had Accelerator trying to get Kihara’s Hound Dogs off his back, Touma trying to do the same before Vento came along, and Kuroko causing a commotion over Mikoto like only she can. Throw in Uihara for good measure and the end result is To Aru Majutsu no Index just the way I like it.

「木原数多（けんきゅうしゃ）」 (Kihara Amata (Kenkyuusha))
“Kihara Amata (Researcher)”

With Accelerator at the complete mercy of the researcher who apparently helped develop his powers, this may have been the first time I was looking to Touma to deliver a swift right fist to someone’s face at the very onset of an arc.

「検体番号（シリアルナンバー）」 (Kentai Bangou (Shiriaru Nanbaa))
“Sample Number (Serial Number)”

Another awesome episode the very next week? Who would’ve thunk it? There was a bit of foreshadowing with Hyouka showing up, but this was an otherwise lighthearted affair with Accelerator and Last Order joining in on the fun. Definitely To Aru Majutsu no Index at its finest (…at least for me).

「罰ゲーム」 (Batsu Geemu)
“Punishment Game”

This has to be one of the few series where the character interactions provide a lot more entertainment than the actual plot, and Touma’s return to Academy City made this one of the best episodes this sequel in that regard. The huge cast of characters are a lot of fun to watch, especially when they all come together with their various nuances.