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A Certain Scientific Accelerator

A Certain Scientific Accelerator (Japanese: とある科学の一方通行, Hepburn: Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator) is a Japanese manga series serving as a spin-off to Kazuma Kamachi's A Certain Magical Index light novel series, focusing on the character Accelerator, Academy City's most powerful Level 5 esper. Written by Kamachi and illustrated by Arata Yamaji, the manga was serialized in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Daioh magazine from December 27, 2013, to July 27, 2020, and collected into 12 tankōbon volumes. It was licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment, which released the 12 volumes from October 27, 2015, to June 8, 2021. It was adapted into a 12-episode anime television series produced by J.C. Staff, which aired on AT-X and other networks from July 12 to September 27, 2019. The story centers on , who is recovering from severe injuries and living a relatively normal life with Last Order, a clone of serving as his surrogate sister, when they become targets of a clandestine organization known as "" intent on through supernatural and scientific means. Blending elements of , , and themes, the series explores Accelerator's development from a villainous antagonist in the original storyline to a more protective figure, while delving into conspiracies within Academy City. The manga's character designs are based on Kiyotaka Haimura's originals from the light novels, maintaining continuity with the broader Toaru (A Certain) . The anime adaptation, directed by Nobuharu Kamanaka, features music by Maiko Iuchi and animation production by J.C. Staff, the same studio behind prior Index and Railgun series. It includes opening theme "Shadow is the Light" by THE SIXTH LIE and ending theme "Parole" by sajou no hana, with home video releases in Japan on Blu-ray and DVD starting October 30, 2019. As part of the expansive Toaru universe—which includes light novels, multiple manga spin-offs, and anime seasons—A Certain Scientific Accelerator highlights the science side of the franchise, emphasizing espers and experimental technologies.

Background and Production

Origins

A Certain Scientific Accelerator is a Japanese manga series serving as a from the light novel franchise, centering on the esper following his injury during the Sisters Arc. The story was conceived by , the original creator of the Toaru universe since 2004, to explore side narratives within Academy City independent of the main series timeline. The was announced in the October 2013 issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh, highlighting its role as the second major spin-off after . Serialization commenced in the February 2014 issue of the magazine, which shipped on December 27, 2013, under the full title Toaru Majutsu no Index Gaiden: Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator. It was written by Kamachi and illustrated by newcomer Arata Yamaji, whose character designs were supervised by series veteran Kiyotaka Haimura. The publisher, , released a 25-page preview alongside the announcement to build anticipation. Reflecting the franchise's expansion strategy, the series capitalized on Accelerator's popularity as a complex anti-hero, introducing original plots involving his rehabilitation and encounters with new antagonists like the organization. Over its run, it produced 12 volumes, with the final chapter published in the September 2020 issue of Dengeki Daioh on July 27, 2020, and the last volume appearing on August 27, 2020. This conclusion aligned with broader Toaru developments, though the manga remained self-contained.

Development

The manga adaptation of A Certain Scientific Accelerator was announced in the October 2013 issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh, published by ASCII Media Works, as an original spin-off story within the Toaru Majutsu no Index franchise. It was written by series creator Kazuma Kamachi, who provided the storyline and character developments, and illustrated by newcomer Arata Yamaji, with character designs adapted from the originals by Kiyotaka Haimura. Serialization began in the February 2014 issue of the magazine, which shipped on December 27, 2013, marking the first dedicated exploration of the titular character's post-injury life in Academy City. The series was produced as a monthly , allowing Kamachi to expand on Accelerator's narrative arcs outside the main timeline, focusing on themes of and urban conflict within the side of the . Yamaji's artwork emphasized dynamic action sequences and the protagonist's evolving relationships, contributing to the manga's distinct visual style compared to other entries. A preview spanning 25 pages was released online by the publisher prior to full to gauge reader interest. Serialization concluded after seven years, with the final chapter published in the September 2020 issue of Dengeki Daioh on July 27, 2020, compiling into 12 volumes under the Dengeki Comics imprint. The announcement of its ending came in the August 2020 magazine issue, wrapping up the story's major plotlines without plans for continuation at the time.

Premise and Characters

Premise

A Certain Scientific Accelerator is a from the Toaru , set in Academy City, a technologically advanced metropolis where students develop abilities through scientific means, with about 80% of its population possessing such powers. The narrative centers on , the city's strongest , renowned for his vector manipulation ability that renders him nearly invincible. Following severe injuries sustained while protecting Last Order—a young clone of the esper Misaka Mikoto— finds himself significantly weakened and reliant on a walking cane and an electrode choker to access his powers. Now living a subdued life caring for Last Order and her "sisters" (other Misaka clones), he is drawn into conflict when a mysterious organization emerges, targeting him and the clones amid broader threats to Academy City. This setup explores themes of redemption, as the once-antagonistic grapples with his protective instincts against dark conspiracies in the city's underbelly. The premise delves into the "Dark Side" of City, revealing hidden experiments and criminal elements that contrast with its surface-level academic focus, forcing to confront both external dangers and his own traumatic past.

Main Characters

, also known as Ippō Tsūkō, is the protagonist of A Certain Scientific Accelerator and the strongest esper in City, capable of manipulating any , including , heat, and , through advanced computational abilities. His powers cause him to reflect rays, resulting in pale skin, , and red eyes, giving him an albino-like appearance. After participating in the unethical "Absolute Ability Evolution" experiment to achieve Level 6 status, which involved harming Misaka clones, Accelerator suffered severe brain damage from an attack while protecting Last Order, leaving him reliant on a choker device for mobility and speech. Now hospitalized and under observation, he reluctantly takes on a guardian role, displaying a personality marked by cynicism and protectiveness toward those he cares for. Last Order, or Uchidome, is the 20,001st and final clone in the Misaka Network project, a Level 2-3 with electrokinesis derived from the original . Unlike her "Sisters," she exhibits childlike behavior, having ceased physical development at age 10, and communicates in a fragmented, third-person speech pattern due to her role as the network's . Orphaned after the Level 6 Shift experiment's fallout, she forms a deep bond with , who saves her life, prompting him to shield her from threats like the anti-Academy City group . Her innocence and dependence drive much of the series' emotional core, highlighting themes of redemption and makeshift family. Esther Rosenthal, a young girl with latent necromantic abilities from the side, arrives in Academy City as part of a covert plan to exploit the city's scientific advancements. Pursued by the radical organization , which seeks to dismantle Academy City's system, she allies with to rescue Last Order from their schemes. Her outsider perspective bridges the science and worlds of the broader Toaru universe, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative.

Supporting Characters

The DA organization, known as Disciplinary Action, is a rogue faction of Anti-Skill composed of officers who have gone overboard in their duties, operating as zealots who pursue "justice" through extreme and secretive means, including lethal force and experimental weapons like the "Coffin" drones; key members include Rizou Nakimoto, a member who finances their operations, and Hishigata Mikihiko, a who develops their technology for personal motives related to his deceased sister Hiromi. Aiho Yomikawa is a Level 0 esper and Anti-Skill officer, specializing in physical combat despite lacking superpowers; she often intervenes in crises with a no-nonsense attitude, wearing her signature green , and supports Accelerator's recovery as a trusted adult figure. Kikyou Yoshikawa, a researcher involved in the Sisters project, provides medical oversight for and harbors guilt over past experiments, contributing to his rehabilitation. The Sisters, collectively the 20,000 clones of (excluding Last Order), are Level 2-3 electrokinetics created for military purposes; they appear sporadically, their emotionless demeanor underscoring the ethical horrors of in Academy City. Hishigata Mikihiko, a scientist at a high school lab, and his deceased sister Hiromi, whose tragedy fuels his research into hazardous projects, intersect with DA's activities through experimental ties. The Frog-faced Doctor, a quirky with a distinctive appearance, aids in treating Accelerator's injuries with unconventional methods.

Plot

Synopsis

A Certain Scientific Accelerator follows , Academy City's strongest esper capable of manipulating vectors, as he recovers from a severe sustained while protecting , a young clone of Misaka Mikoto, during prior events in the broader franchise. Hospitalized and reliant on a choker to control his powers, lives with and the other Misaka Sisters clones, attempting to distance himself from his violent past. However, his fragile peace is disrupted when Rosenthal, a teenage necromancer, crash-lands in his room, fleeing from —a rogue splinter group of Anti-Skill that has declared war on all perceived evil in the city through extreme, supernatural methods. DA's fanatical crusade targets Last Order, intending to exploit her unique network connection to the Misaka clones for a ritualistic plan to eradicate sin and reshape the world in their image, blending and forbidden . Reluctant to engage but driven by his protective instincts toward Last Order, allies with Esther Rosenthal and a group of misfits, including allies from the city's underworld, to infiltrate DA's operations and dismantle their conspiracy. The narrative highlights Accelerator's internal struggle with redemption, as he confronts his history as a former antagonist while battling DA's forces in high-stakes action sequences across Academy City's underbelly. Subsequent developments expand on the threats lurking in City's dark side, introducing new adversaries and ethical challenges tied to esper development and experimental technologies. Through these conflicts, the series delves into themes of atonement, the cost of power, and unlikely bonds formed in chaos, with evolving from a solitary figure into a guardian against systemic corruption.

Arcs

The manga series A Certain Scientific Accelerator is divided into two primary story arcs, each exploring the darker elements of Academy City's underbelly through 's perspective as he protects Last Order and confronts threats blending science and forbidden arts. The Necromancer Arc, spanning volumes 1 through 7, introduces the core conflict following Accelerator's recovery from injuries inflicted during events in the parent Toaru Majutsu no Index series. A radical faction known as the unit—a splinter group of disillusioned Anti-Skill officers—launches assaults using illicit necromantic rituals to animate the deceased and challenge the esper-dominated establishment. Their invasion of Accelerator's hospital room escalates into citywide chaos, with targeting Last Order due to her role as a Misaka host. Accelerator allies with the Hishigata siblings, inventors of experimental tech, and Rosenthal, a young woman entangled in the necromantic plot through her family's cursed legacy. The arc examines the misuse of magic in a scientific society, internal corruption in security forces, and Accelerator's evolving sense of guardianship, culminating in battles against leaders wielding reanimated horrors. This storyline was adapted into the 12-episode series produced by in 2019. The Nectar Arc, covering volumes 8 through 12, pivots to biotechnological intrigue after the Necromancer events. Accelerator encounters Himegi Matsuri, an imperious girl sustained by a prototype mechanical heart, who becomes a in "Project Nectar"—a covert Academy City initiative fusing surgical implants with AIM diffusion fields to engineer superior . Multiple parties, including black-market surgeons, corporate spies, and internal traitors, pursue Matsuri to seize or dismantle the project, drawing Accelerator and Last Order into high-stakes chases and ethical quandaries. Key developments involve Matsuri's backstory tied to experimental child subjects. The narrative intensifies themes of bodily autonomy, the perils of unchecked innovation, and power imbalances, resolving in a finale where Accelerator confronts the project's architects amid revelations about its potential to reshape esper evolution.

Media

Manga

A Certain Scientific Accelerator is a Japanese manga series written by and illustrated by Arata Yamaji. It serves as a from the series, focusing on the character . The manga was serialized in ' Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine, beginning on December 27, 2013. Serialization ended with the September 2020 issue, on sale July 25, 2020, after approximately 6.5 years. The series was collected into twelve volumes, published under the Dengeki Comics NEXT imprint by in . The first volume was released on , 2014, and the final volume appeared on August 27, 2020. In , acquired the license and began publishing the English translation in October 2015, with the first volume released on October 27, 2015. The English edition concluded with the twelfth volume on June 8, 2021. The adapts and expands on Accelerator's backstory and adventures in Academy City, emphasizing his role as the city's strongest esper and his interactions with Last Order and other characters.

Anime

The anime adaptation of A Certain Scientific Accelerator is a 12-episode television series produced by . It aired from July 12 to September 27, 2019, on AT-X and other Japanese networks, adapting the manga storyline focusing on Accelerator's post-injury recovery and battles against the anti-esper organization . Directed by Nobuharu Kamanaka, the series features series composition by Kenji Sugihara, character designs by Yohei Yaegashi, and art direction by . The plot centers on , Academy City's strongest , who is recuperating in the hospital after saving Last Order when he becomes targeted by , a rogue extremist faction within Anti-Skill obsessed with delivering extreme justice to City through secretive and violent means. Accompanied by Last Order and the Anti-Skill officer Yomikawa Aiho, Accelerator confronts DA's schemes, which escalate to threats against the city and global security, highlighting themes of redemption, protection, and the ethics of abilities within the broader Toaru universe. The adaptation covers the manga's initial arcs, emphasizing intense action sequences powered by Accelerator's vector manipulation ability. Key voice cast includes as and as Last Order. The opening theme, "Shadow is the Light," is performed by THE SIXTH LIE, while the ending theme, "," is by sajou no hana, both contributing to the series' energetic and introspective tone. Music is composed by Maiko Iuchi, enhancing the high-stakes battles and character-driven moments. The series was licensed for international streaming by Crunchyroll, which simulcast episodes outside Japan, making it accessible to global audiences familiar with the A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun franchises. Home video releases, including Blu-ray and DVD compilations, were distributed in Japan starting September 2020 by Kadokawa. As a spin-off, the anime assumes prior knowledge of Accelerator's backstory from the main series but provides contextual recaps for standalone viewing.

Reception

Sales and Popularity

The manga adaptation of A Certain Scientific Accelerator, serialized in Dengeki Daioh from December 2013 to July 2020, achieved moderate commercial success in . Its first volume sold 39,039 copies during its debut week in July 2014, securing the 27th position on charts. Subsequent volumes maintained steady initial sales, with the second volume moving 20,462 copies in its first week in December 2014 and the third volume selling 20,416 copies upon release in April 2015, reflecting consistent interest within the Toaru franchise fanbase. The series concluded after 12 volumes, contributing to the broader popularity of titles centered on Accelerator's . The 2019 anime adaptation, produced by and airing from July to September, garnered positive audience reception and bolstered the series' visibility. On , it received user ratings averaging around 7 out of 10, with 8 votes for "Masterpiece" and 15 for "Excellent" among 154 total ratings. reports a score of 7.21 from over 106,000 users, placing it at #3440 in overall rankings and indicating solid engagement for a 12-episode entry. The anime's focus on as a complex anti-hero resonated with fans, enhancing his status as one of the franchise's most iconic figures and driving merchandise sales, including figures and apparel tied to the character's narrative.

Critical Response

The anime adaptation of A Certain Scientific Accelerator has garnered generally positive reception from critics and audiences, particularly among fans of the broader Toaru franchise, for its focus on the titular character's redemption arc and high-quality production values. Reviewers praised the series for its engaging portrayal of Accelerator's protective instincts toward Last Order, which provides emotional depth to an otherwise action-heavy narrative. The animation by was highlighted as a step up from previous entries like , with smooth fight choreography and vibrant depictions of Academy City's scientific elements. Sound design also received acclaim, including the opening theme "Shadow is the Light" by THE SIXTH LIE and strong voice performances, especially as . However, criticisms centered on the storyline's reliance on prior franchise knowledge, making it inaccessible to newcomers, and underdeveloped villains with simplistic motivations. Some noted repetitive sequences in the latter half and a lackluster climax that diminished tension. Aggregate user scores reflect this mixed sentiment: 7.21/10 on based on over 100,000 ratings, 6.7/10 on from 680 users, and 70% on AniList. Anime News Network's episode reviews averaged community scores around 4.0-4.5 out of 5, positioning it as a solid but not standout that solidifies Accelerator's appeal within the series. The original series, serialized from 2013 to 2020, received more tempered responses, often lauded for its action-oriented by Arata Yamaji but critiqued for shallow exploration and pacing issues that felt like a cash-in on Accelerator's popularity. Otaku USA Magazine noted its strong action sequences but inconsistent proportions in quieter moments, recommending it primarily for established fans due to heavy lore dependencies. A review of the first volume described it as dull and regressive in depicting Accelerator's growth, lacking the emotional weight of related arcs like the Sisters storyline. Overall, the is seen as a functional extension of the but less impactful than core titles like .

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