A Certain Magical Index season 2
A Certain Magical Index II is the second season of the Japanese anime television series A Certain Magical Index, adapted from the light novel series of the same name written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura.[1] Produced by J.C. Staff under the direction of Hiroshi Nishikiori, the season consists of 24 episodes and originally aired in Japan from October 8, 2010, to April 1, 2011.[2][3] It continues the story set in a world where advanced science and ancient magic coexist, focusing on the ongoing adventures of protagonist Touma Kamijou and his allies as they confront escalating threats from both scientific and magical factions.[2] The narrative picks up shortly after the events of the first season, with Index remaining a target for various powerful organizations due to the 103,000 forbidden magical grimoires stored in her memory, which they seek to exploit or erase her to access.[2] Touma, an Academy City high school student whose right hand possesses the unique ability known as Imagine Breaker to nullify supernatural powers, continues to protect Index alongside characters like the esper Mikoto Misaka.[3] Key story arcs explore deepening conflicts, including pursuits by the Roman Catholic Church and internal strife within Academy City, blending action, comedy, and themes of science versus magic while introducing new antagonists and alliances.[3][2] In terms of production, the season features music composed by Maiko Iuchi, with opening themes "No buts!" and "See visionS" performed by Mami Kawada, and ending themes "Magic∞world" and "Memories Last" by Maon Kurosaki.[2] Voice acting highlights include Atsushi Abe as Touma Kamijou, Yuka Iguchi as Index, and Rina Satō as Mikoto Misaka, maintaining continuity from the first season.[2] The series aired primarily on AT-X and other networks, contributing to the franchise's expansion that includes spin-offs like A Certain Scientific Railgun.[2]Synopsis
Overall plot
The second season of A Certain Magical Index continues the story of Touma Kamijou, a high school student in Academy City whose right hand possesses the Imagine Breaker ability to negate supernatural powers, and his roommate Index, a nun with a photographic memory containing 103,000 forbidden magical grimoires.[3] As Index remains a target for capture by various powerful factions seeking to exploit her knowledge, Touma becomes increasingly entangled in escalating conflicts between the scientific espers of Academy City and the magical societies of the world, including heightened threats from the Roman Catholic Church and other international magical organizations.[2][3] Building directly on the unresolved magical threats introduced in the first season—such as the ongoing pursuit of Index and the broader clash between science and magic—the narrative assumes familiarity with Touma's power negation and Index's grimoire library while delving deeper into the Imagine Breaker's pivotal role in resolving both esper and magical confrontations.[2] This escalation introduces greater involvement from global factions, expanding the scope of battles beyond Academy City and emphasizing themes of international intrigue and the delicate balance between opposing supernatural paradigms.[3] The season also briefly touches on character developments like Touma's quest to recover lost memories, heightening personal stakes amid the larger conflicts.[3] Comprising 24 episodes, each approximately 24 minutes in length, the season forms a continuous storyline adapted from light novel volumes 7 through 13 of Kazuma Kamachi's series, without standalone filler episodes to maintain narrative momentum.[2][3]Major story arcs
Season 2 of A Certain Magical Index is structured around several major story arcs, adapting content from light novels volumes 7 through 13 and expanding the conflict between the scientific world of Academy City and various magical factions. These arcs escalate the narrative from personal rescues and internal threats to broader international intrigues, introducing deeper interplays between esper abilities and magical organizations. The first arc, spanning episodes 1–5 and known as the Orsola Aquinas Rescue Arc, centers on the Roman Catholic Church's aggressive pursuit of Orsola Aquinas, a nun renowned for her expertise in translating grimoires. The conflict arises when Roman Catholic forces, led by the Agnese Sanctions, kidnap Orsola to exploit her skills in deciphering the forbidden Book of the Law, a powerful magical document capable of summoning deadly grimoires. Kamijou Touma and Index intervene, allying with the Amakusa-Style Remix of Church, a Japanese Catholic sect, to rescue her amid naval battles involving a disguised magical fleet. This arc highlights the tensions between rival Christian denominations and the ethical dilemmas of wielding ancient magical knowledge.[4] Episodes 6–7 cover the Tree Diagram Remnant Arc, where factions seek a remnant of Academy City's supercomputer Tree Diagram, leading to action involving esper Kuroko Shirai, teleporter Musujime Awaki, and Mikoto Misaka, emphasizing science-side threats and crossovers with A Certain Scientific Railgun.[5] The Daihaseisai Festival Arc, spanning episodes 8–13, unfolds during Academy City's annual multi-school sports festival, the Daihaseisai, which draws massive crowds and temporarily lowers the city's defenses. Terrorist elements, including rogue skill-out groups and infiltrating magicians, exploit the event to launch attacks, leading to chaotic clashes between espers and magic users. Touma navigates the festival's competitions and crowds to thwart coordinated disruptions that threaten civilian safety, revealing underlying plots to undermine Academy City's scientific dominance. This arc intensifies the science-versus-magic divide through high-stakes action amid the festive backdrop.[6] In the La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc (also known as the Queen's Fleet Arc), episodes 14–16, the narrative shifts to international waters and political intrigue within the magic side. Touma wins a cruise vacation, but the ship is revealed to be a powerful magical weapon targeted by Roman Catholic forces. The Anglican Church's Necessarius organization mobilizes against the plot to hijack the vessel, drawing in Touma and allies to prevent escalation into open war between churches. This storyline explores covert alliances and betrayals among European magical societies, with naval confrontations underscoring the global stakes of magical supremacy.[7] Episodes 17–18 comprise the Document of Constantine Arc, where the Roman Catholic Church's pursuit of a powerful document leads to further confrontations, deepening the rift between churches and introducing new magical artifacts. The season concludes with episodes 19–24 in the early stages of the Academy City Invasion Arc (adapting volumes 12–13), featuring the powerful Saint Acqua of the Back's assault on Academy City to seize Imagine Breaker, involving Accelerator and other key characters in intense battles that set the stage for larger conflicts. This arc highlights internal strife within Academy City and the convergence of science and magic threats.[8] Each arc builds progressively on the last, transitioning from localized incidents in the Orsola and Tree Diagram arcs to the festival chaos of Daihaseisai, multinational naval conspiracies in La Regina del Mare Adriatico, ecclesiastical document pursuits, and culminating in the direct invasion of Academy City. This escalation mirrors the growing involvement of international magical cabals, shifting from isolated incidents to threats that could ignite full-scale conflicts between the magic and science worlds. Unique to season 2 is its adaptation of light novel volumes 7–13, which introduces pivotal alliances between esper protagonists from Academy City and magicians from diverse sects, fostering themes of reluctant cooperation against common foes.[9]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of A Certain Magical Index season 2 centers on the core protagonists and antagonists whose abilities and personal stakes propel the conflicts between Academy City's scientific espers and external magical forces. Touma Kamijou (voiced by Atsushi Abe in Japanese and Micah Solusod in English), serves as the central protagonist, a high school student in Academy City rated as a Level 0 esper whose right hand houses the Imagine Breaker ability, capable of nullifying any supernatural power—whether esper-based, magical, or divine—upon contact.[10] Physically depicted as a spiky-haired teenager in a school uniform, Touma's misfortune-prone nature and unyielding sense of justice position him at the forefront of season 2's escalating confrontations, where his negation power proves essential against increasingly complex magical threats, highlighting his development in navigating both scientific and arcane battles.[10][11][12] Index Librorum Prohibitorum (voiced by Yuka Iguchi in Japanese and Monica Rial in English), is the titular nun and a key magical figure, a petite girl with silver hair and a distinctive habit who possesses an eidetic memory containing 103,000 forbidden grimoires, making her a living library of arcane knowledge central to the season's magical intrigues.[13] Her reliance on Touma for protection underscores the blending of magic and science, as her vast stored texts draw pursuers from Church organizations, amplifying the narrative's exploration of hidden magical elements within Academy City.[13][11][14] Mikoto Misaka (voiced by Rina Satō in Japanese and Brittney Karbowski in English), is a prominent Level 5 esper known as the "Railgun," a short brown-haired middle school student from the elite Tokiwadai Middle School with the Electromaster ability to generate and manipulate electricity at high voltages, often manifesting as coin-launched hypersonic projectiles.[15] In season 2, her tsundere personality and formidable combat prowess drive involvement in Academy City's internal power struggles, particularly during events like the Daihaseisai festival, where her status as the third-ranked esper intersects with broader city-wide conflicts.[15][11][16] Shiage Hamazura (voiced by Satoshi Hino in Japanese and Andrew Love in English), represents the underdog perspective as a Level 0 esper and member of the Skill-Out gang, portrayed as a lanky, brown-haired delinquent skilled in street survival rather than supernatural feats, emphasizing the struggles of non-esper delinquents in Academy City's hierarchy.[17] His expanded role in season 2 highlights the gritty dynamics of Skill-Out operations and villainous undercurrents, showcasing his resourcefulness and moral compass amid gang rivalries and city enforcements.[17][11][18] Accelerator (voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto in Japanese and Austin Tindle in English), is the season's primary antagonist-turned-antihero, the top-ranked Level 5 esper with white hair, a choker for ability control, and the power to manipulate vectors—redirecting momentum, force, or energy in any direction—which renders him nearly invincible in combat.[19] His calculating demeanor and reliance on a passive reflection field amplify his role in season 2's villainous escalations, particularly in arcs involving experimental threats and power imbalances within Academy City.[19][11][20]Recurring cast
Orsola Aquinas, a Roman Catholic nun pursued by her own church for her knowledge of the forbidden grimoire The Book of the Law, is introduced as a key supporting character in the opening arc of season 2, embodying the external threats from Catholic factions and appearing in the first four episodes. She is voiced by Aya Endō in Japanese and Mallorie Rodak in the English dub.[21] Stiyl Magnus, a rune-based magician and ally from the Anglican Church's Necessarius organization, recurs throughout season 2 in various magical confrontations, including the Orsola arc and later subplots, providing combat support and strategic insight across approximately 8 episodes. He is voiced by Kishō Taniyama in Japanese and Robert McCollum in the English dub. Kanzaki Kaori, a powerful swordswoman affiliated with the Anglican Church, features prominently in the Orsola arc, highlighting her role in church alliances and physical confrontations. She is voiced by Shizuka Itō in Japanese and Morgan Lauré Garrett in the English dub. Laura Stuart, the Archbishop of the Church of England and leader of Necessarius, appears in select episodes to oversee magical operations and church politics, influencing events from afar in about 3 episodes. She is voiced by Ayako Kawasumi in Japanese and Carli Mosier in the English dub.[22] The Knight Leader, commander of the Knights of England, is introduced toward the end of season 2 in the buildup to fleet battles, representing military aspects of church conflicts in 2 episodes. He is voiced by Takehito Koyasu in Japanese and David Matranga in the English dub. Other recurring guest characters unique to season 2 include international magicians such as Acqua of the Back (voiced by Hiroki Tōchi in Japanese and Andrew T. Chandler in English, appearing in 1 episode as a God's Right Seat member) and Vento of the Front (voiced by Akiko Hiramatsu in Japanese and Kara Edwards in English, appearing in 3 episodes), who drive subplots involving global magical threats.[23][24]Episodes
Episode list
The second season, titled Toaru Majutsu no Index II, consists of 24 episodes that aired from October 8, 2010, to April 1, 2011, primarily broadcast on AT-X on Fridays at 23:30 JST, with subsequent airings on other networks.[2] The episodes adapt volumes 7 through 13 of the light novels and are grouped into major story arcs as follows: episodes 1–5 cover the Orsola Aquinas Arc; episodes 6–7 cover the Tree Diagram Remnant Arc; episodes 8–13 cover the Daihasei Festival Arc; episodes 14–16 cover the La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc; and episodes 17–24 cover the Academy City Invasion Arc.[9][5][6][7][8]| Ep. | English title | Original title | Air date | Arc | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Last Day (August 31) | 8月31日 (さいごのひ) (Saigo no Hi) | October 8, 2010 | Orsola Aquinas Arc | Touma faces a mysterious threat on the final day of August.[25] |
| 2 | The Book of Law | 法の書 (Hō no Sho) | October 15, 2010 | Orsola Aquinas Arc | Index encounters a dangerous magical book that attracts trouble. |
| 3 | The Amakusa Church | 天草式 (Amakusa-shiki) | October 22, 2010 | Orsola Aquinas Arc | Touma meets a group of magical practitioners from the Amakusa Church. |
| 4 | Sheol Fear (Voice of the Magicbane) | 魔滅の声 (シェオールフィア) (Sheōru Fia) | October 29, 2010 | Orsola Aquinas Arc | A powerful magical force disrupts the city’s balance. |
| 5 | Lotus Wand | 蓮の杖 (ロータスワンド) (Rōtasu Wando) | November 5, 2010 | Orsola Aquinas Arc | Touma investigates a magical artifact causing chaos. |
| 6 | Remnant (Wreckage) | 残骸 (レムナント) (Remunanto) | November 12, 2010 | Tree Diagram Remnant Arc | The aftermath of a battle leaves lingering mysteries. |
| 7 | Move Point (Coordinate Relocation) | 座標移動 (ムーブポイント) (Mūbu Pointo) | November 19, 2010 | Tree Diagram Remnant Arc | Touma deals with a teleportation-related incident. |
| 8 | The Daihasei Festival | 大覇星祭 (Daihaseisai) | November 26, 2010 | Daihasei Festival Arc | The city hosts a festival that draws unexpected conflicts. |
| 9 | Route Disturb (Pursuit Inhibited) | 追跡封じ (ルートディスターブ) (Rūto Disutābu) | December 3, 2010 | Daihasei Festival Arc | Touma faces obstacles while tracking a dangerous target. |
| 10 | Shorthand (Stenographic Sourcebook) | 速記原典 (ショートハンド) (Shōtohando) | December 10, 2010 | Daihasei Festival Arc | A secretive text sparks a magical investigation. |
| 11 | Stab Sword | 刺突杭剣 (スタブソード) (Sutabu Sōdo) | December 17, 2010 | Daihasei Festival Arc | Touma confronts a warrior wielding a unique weapon. |
| 12 | Belvedere (The Observatory) | 天文台 (ベルヴェデーレ) (Beruvedēre) | December 24, 2010 | Daihasei Festival Arc | A high vantage point becomes a battleground. |
| 13 | Croce di Pietro (Apostolic Cross) | 使徒十字 (クローチェディピエトロ) (Kurōche di Pietoro) | January 7, 2011 | Daihasei Festival Arc | A religious symbol triggers a magical confrontation. |
| 14 | City of Water | 水の都 (Mizu no Miyako) | January 14, 2011 | La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc | Touma travels to a city surrounded by water facing a crisis. |
| 15 | Queen's Fleet | 女王艦隊 (Joō Kantai) | January 21, 2011 | La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc | A naval force arrives with hidden intentions. |
| 16 | Rosary of the Appointed Time | 刻限のロザリオ (Kokugen no Rozario) | January 28, 2011 | La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc | A mystical rosary causes time-related disturbances. |
| 17 | Penalty Game | 罰ゲーム (Batsu Gēmu) | February 4, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | Touma gets involved in a high-stakes challenge. |
| 18 | Serial Number (Specimen Number) | 検体番号 (シリアルナンバー) (Shiriaru Nanbā) | February 11, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | A numbered experiment sparks concern. |
| 19 | The Researcher (Amata Kihara) | 木原数多 (けんきゅうしゃ) (Kenkyūsha) | February 18, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | A scientist’s actions threaten the city. |
| 20 | Hound Dog (Hound Squad) | 猟犬部隊 (ハウンドドッグ) (Haundo Doggu) | February 25, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | A specialized team begins a dangerous operation. |
| 21 | Testament (Learning Device) | 学習装置 (テスタメント) (Tesutamento) | March 4, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | A learning device causes unexpected problems. |
| 22 | The Divine Retribution Spell | 天罰術式 (Tenbatsu Jutsushiki) | March 11, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | A powerful spell is unleashed in the city. |
| 23 | Prewar | 開戦前 (Kaisenmae) | March 25, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | Tensions rise as war looms on the horizon. |
| 24 | Armed Gang (Skill-Out) | 武装集団 (スキルアウト) (Sukiru-Auto) | April 1, 2011 | Academy City Invasion Arc | An armed group causes chaos in the streets.[26] |
Adaptations and changes
The second season of A Certain Magical Index serves as a faithful adaptation of light novels volumes 7 through 13 by Kazuma Kamachi, encompassing the Orsola Aquinas Arc (volume 7), Tree Diagram Remnant Arc (volume 8), Daihasei Festival Arc (volumes 9–10), La Regina del Mare Adriatico Arc (volume 11), and Academy City Invasion Arc (volumes 12–13, including introductory elements involving Acqua of the Back). Unlike some anime series, it includes no original filler content, sticking closely to the source material's core events and character developments, though it rearranges the arcs out of sequential light novel order for pacing.[2][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] To accommodate the visual medium, the adaptation condenses the light novels' lengthy internal monologues and expository passages into streamlined visual action sequences and concise dialogue, reducing the dense world-building while preserving key plot points. This approach makes the narrative more accessible for viewers but sacrifices some of the novels' intricate foreshadowing and philosophical depth.[34] Pacing adjustments restructured the arcs to span 24 episodes, including the consolidation of subplots within the Daihasei Festival Arc and Academy City Invasion Arc to maintain momentum and avoid the source material's occasional drag from extended political intrigue. Additional scenes emphasizing esper-magic hybrid confrontations were incorporated to heighten tension and visual dynamism in battles, altering minor aspects of church politics for clearer resolution without deviating from the overall storyline.[34] The anime introduces unique elements such as enhanced special effects and CGI for depicting esper abilities and magical phenomena, which expand on the novels' textual descriptions to create more immersive action— for instance, fluid animations of psychokinetic forces and spell invocations that blend science-fiction and fantasy aesthetics. These visual enhancements, including directorial techniques like split screens during multi-perspective conflicts, differentiate the adaptation while reinforcing the clash between esper powers and magical systems.[34][35]Production
Development and announcement
The second season of the anime series A Certain Magical Index, titled A Certain Magical Index II, was officially green-lit in June 2010, following the broadcast of the first season from October 2008 to March 2009.[36][37] The announcement appeared in the July 2010 issue of Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine, which included an early key visual illustration featuring protagonists Index, Tōma Kamijō, and Mikoto Misaka.[36] Production responsibilities were assigned to J.C.Staff, the studio that handled the first season, ensuring continuity in animation style and staff involvement.[2] The adaptation focused on volumes 7 through 13 of Kazuma Kamachi's original light novel series published by Dengeki Bunko, expanding on the science-versus-magic conflicts introduced in the prior season.[3] Early planning emphasized integrating the series' deepening lore while accommodating potential new audiences, with concept art for key arcs like the Deep Blood and Academy City Invasion developed shortly after the announcement by summer 2010.[36]Writing and direction
The second season of A Certain Magical Index, titled A Certain Magical Index II, featured series composition by Masanao Akahoshi, who served as head writer and penned scripts for 13 episodes, including the majority of the season's arcs to ensure fidelity to the source material's pacing and narrative structure.[2] Akahoshi's oversight extended to adapting light novel volumes 7 through 13, with the final episodes incorporating elements from the first side story volume (Toaru Majutsu no Index SS: Kazakiri Hyouka wa Saikai suru) to deepen character backstories, particularly for secondary figures like Shiage Hamazura.[2] Hiroshi Nishikiori directed all 24 episodes, drawing on his prior experience with action-oriented anime to choreograph the season's magical confrontations and esper ability clashes.[2] His direction emphasized dynamic, fantastical action sequences that heightened the intensity of battles between science and sorcery, balancing explosive visuals with the series' underlying themes of conflict.[38] The production style combined dialogue-driven scenes that echoed the light novels' expository tone—often static to convey complex world-building—with fluid, high-energy animation for esper powers and combat, creating a rhythmic contrast between introspection and spectacle.[35] Episodes typically structured around escalating tensions within arcs, concluding on cliffhangers to propel viewer engagement across the season's multi-threaded plots.[38]Casting
The voice cast for the second season of A Certain Magical Index, titled Toaru Majutsu no Index II, primarily consisted of returning actors from the first season to maintain continuity in the main characters' portrayals. Atsushi Abe reprised his role as the protagonist Touma Kamijō, Yuka Iguchi returned as Index Librorum Prohibitorum, and Rina Satō continued voicing Mikoto Misaka.[2] These actors were selected to reprise their roles based on their established performances in the initial season, ensuring familiarity for returning viewers.[39] Several new characters were introduced in season 2, necessitating additional casting. Aya Endō was cast as Orsola Aquinas, a key figure in the Deep Blood and Daihaseisai arcs, bringing her experience in dramatic roles to the ensemble.[2] Nobuhiko Okamoto expanded his portrayal of Accelerator, transitioning from a supporting antagonist in season 1 to a more prominent character with deeper development.[40] Other notable new hires included Ai Kayano as Itsuwa and Hiroki Tōchi as Acqua of the Back, selected to fit the series' mix of esper and magical elements.[2] The Japanese production, overseen by the Toaru Majutsu no Index Production Committee, handled the voice casting through established anime industry practices, focusing on actors from reputable agencies to align with the narrative's ensemble dynamics. In contrast, the English dub was produced separately by Funimation Entertainment, with Micah Solusod voicing Touma Kamijō across both seasons. Funimation announced the dub cast for season 2's new characters, including Alex Moore as Agnese Sanctis, in July 2014 prior to its North American release.[41]Music and sound design
The music for A Certain Magical Index season 2, known as Toaru Majutsu no Index II, was primarily composed by Maiko Iuchi, who crafted over 40 tracks across two original soundtrack albums to underscore the series' blend of magical and scientific elements.[42] The first OST, released on January 26, 2011, contains 23 tracks, while the second, released on May 25, 2011, also features 23 tracks, both published by Geneon Universal Entertainment.[42] Iuchi's score emphasizes orchestral arrangements for magical themes, evoking tension and grandeur in sequences involving spells and grimoires, contrasted with electronic synth elements to represent the high-tech esper abilities and urban sci-fi atmosphere of Academy City. The season employs two opening themes and two ending themes to align with its narrative arcs. The first opening, "No buts!" by Mami Kawada, plays from episodes 1 to 16, featuring energetic rock instrumentation composed by Tomoyuki Nakazawa with arrangement by Takeshi Ozaki.[43] Starting from episode 17, the second opening shifts to "See visionS," also performed by Kawada, which introduces a more introspective tone with layered vocals and driving beats, again composed by Nakazawa and arranged by Ozaki.[44] For the endings, "Magic∞world" by Maon Kurosaki serves as the first, used in episodes 1 to 13, with lyrics by Kurosaki, music by Iuchi, and a mystical pop arrangement that highlights the series' supernatural intrigue.[45] The second ending, "Memories Last" from episodes 14 to 24, is performed by Kurosaki with lyrics by herself, music and arrangement by Nakazawa and Ozaki, delivering a reflective ballad that complements the season's emotional depth.[46] Sound design in the season enhances the action and supernatural confrontations through custom audio effects, particularly for key abilities like Imagine Breaker, Touma Kamijou's power that negates supernatural phenomena with a distinctive high-pitched, shattering sound effect to convey disruption and impact.[47] Layered audio techniques, including synthesized clashes and ambient echoes, were employed for immersive depictions of magical activations and esper battles, amplifying the tension between science and sorcery without overpowering the orchestral score.Promotion
Marketing campaigns
The marketing campaigns for the second season of A Certain Magical Index began in mid-2010, ahead of its October premiere, with a focus on building excitement through multimedia promotions tied to the light novel series. Multiple promotional videos (PVs) were released starting from July 2010, featuring glimpses of new story arcs such as the Orsola Aquinas arc and Tree Diagram arc, alongside returning characters like Touma Kamijou and Index. These PVs, including an early teaser in late July and a more detailed one in September, were aired during previews on AT-X and shared online via platforms like Nico Nico Douga and YouTube to engage existing fans.[48][49] Advertisements extended to television commercials broadcast on Japanese networks including TOKYO MX, MBS, and AT-X, which highlighted the season's blend of science and magic elements from the source material. Print ads were prominently featured in Dengeki Magazine and other ASCII Media Works publications, often showcasing key artwork and emphasizing the adaptation's fidelity to volumes 7 through 13 of the light novels, with calls to action for viewers to catch up on the books.[50][51] Online campaigns kicked off with updates to the official anime website, including new character biographies, teaser illustrations by series designer Kiyotaka Haimura, and interactive elements like countdown timers to the premiere. These digital efforts were designed to foster community discussion on forums and social platforms.[52] All promotional activities were coordinated by ASCII Media Works, the publisher of the Dengeki Bunko light novels, aiming to reach core anime and light novel enthusiasts through integrated cross-media strategies that leveraged the franchise's established fanbase.[2]Tie-ins and events
To promote A Certain Magical Index season 2, several tie-ins and events were organized to heighten fan anticipation ahead of its October 2010 premiere. A key event was the preview of the season's first episode at the Dengeki Bunko Autumn Festival 2010, held on September 26 at Akihabara UDX in Tokyo, where attendees could see a digest of the continuation of the story arcs involving magic and science conflicts.[53] Merchandise releases included drama CDs released in conjunction with the season's home video volumes, such as Toaru Majutsu no Index II Archives 1, which featured audio dramas expanding on key arcs like the Orsola Aquinas rescue and the Roman Catholic Church intrigue, voiced by the main cast including Yuka Iguchi as Index. These CDs, distributed by Geneon Universal Entertainment starting in May 2011, provided supplementary narratives tied to episodes 1-6. Similar volumes, Archives 2 and Archives 3, covered later arcs with additional character interactions.[54][55] Fan outreach efforts extended to online platforms, where promotional contests allowed participants to win episode previews and merchandise through Dengeki's digital channels and partner sites. Collaborations included special reprints of light novel volumes 7-13 with anime-style illustrations integrated into covers and interiors, aimed at bridging the source material with the adaptation. Crossover promotions appeared in Dengeki Bunko Magazine, featuring joint artwork with series like Maid Sama! to cross-pollinate audiences. The season also saw initial international promotion through streaming on platforms like Nico Nico Douga for global access starting in 2010.Release
Broadcast schedule
The second season of A Certain Magical Index, titled A Certain Magical Index II, premiered in Japan on October 8, 2010, and aired weekly on Fridays at 23:30 JST on AT-X.[3] The series was simulcast on multiple networks shortly after, including Tokyo MX on the premiere date, followed by Chiba Television, Television Kanagawa, and Television Saitama Co., Ltd. on October 9, Mainichi Broadcasting System on October 9, and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd. on October 13.[2] Comprising 24 episodes, the broadcast maintained a consistent weekly cadence without interruptions or delays, concluding on April 1, 2011.[2] It was also streamed simultaneously on Nico Nico Douga during its run.) Internationally, Funimation Entertainment acquired the license for North America, producing an English dub announced in July 2014 with a home video release later that year. The series became available for streaming on platforms such as Crunchyroll, where it offers subtitles, and has appeared on services like Netflix in select regions.[56]Home media releases
In Japan, Geneon Universal Entertainment released the second season of A Certain Magical Index, titled Toaru Majutsu no Index II, on Blu-ray in eight limited first-press edition volumes from January 26, 2011, to September 22, 2011, with each volume containing three episodes for a total of 24 episodes across the set.[57][58] The corresponding DVD volumes followed a similar release schedule, also handled by Geneon Universal, spanning the same period in 2011.[2] A Blu-ray box set compilation was later issued on October 25, 2017, compiling all episodes into a single digipack edition.[59] Internationally, Funimation Entertainment licensed the season for North American home video distribution, releasing it in two Blu-ray/DVD combo parts: Part 1 (episodes 1–12) on October 28, 2014, and Part 2 (episodes 13–24) on December 16, 2014.[60] A complete collection Blu-ray/DVD box set followed on August 21, 2017, bundling both parts with English subtitles and dubbing.[61] Digital availability includes streaming on Amazon Prime Video through the Crunchyroll add-on channel, with episodes added or updated for accessibility by 2023.[62] On Crunchyroll, the season is available with Japanese audio and English subtitles, but an English dub remains unavailable as of 2024, with no confirmed plans for addition.[56][63] Special features across the Funimation releases include audio commentaries by English voice actors for select episodes (such as episodes 2, 7, 14, and 22), textless opening and ending themes ("No buts!" and "See visionS" for openings; "Magic∞world" and "Memories Last" for endings), U.S. promotional trailers, and additional trailers.[64][65] The Japanese volumes featured limited-edition bonuses like original mini-novels and artwork, but no integrated original soundtrack samples or cast interviews were standard; separate OST albums were released concurrently by Geneon.[57] No box set re-release including an exclusive artbook occurred in 2015, and no major physical re-releases have been announced for 2024 or 2025.[2] Sales for the Japanese Blu-ray volumes were modest but consistent, with the final volume (Vol. 8) selling 10,218 units in its first week according to Oricon rankings, and several earlier volumes exceeding 10,000 units in initial weeks, reflecting steady demand among fans.| Volume | Release Date | First-Week Sales (Blu-ray, Oricon) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 26, 2011 | ~12,000 (estimated from rankings) |
| 8 | September 22, 2011 | 10,218 |