To Aru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble

In celebration of Ascii Media Works' 20th year, there's going to be a movie version of the hit TV anime series "To Aru Majutsu no Index" under the banner "To Aru Majutsu no Index Endymion no Kiseki", which will hit theaters this Saturday across Japan but before that, there's a new PSP game that combines all of your favorite characters from two To Aru series. That's right, your favorite characters from To Aru Majutsu no Index and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun joined forces for this one-of-a-kind video game that some say it took place before the film.

To Aru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble is an icing in the cake that really sums it up for Ascii Media Works' 20th birthday but this is just more than just a birthday present to ASCII. Aside from meeting up with your favorite characters from the To Aru franchise such as Index, Toma Kamijo, Mikoto Misaka, Kuroko Shirai, Styil Magnus, Kaori Kanzaki, Kazari Uiharu, Ruiko Saten, Accelerator, Last Order, Sisters, and other characters from the franchise, you can also expect original in-game characters as well. If that wasn't surprising, there's a special character waiting in the game and Alisa Meigo from the upcoming Endymion no Kiseki film makes a very special appearance on Ensemble.

Ensemble takes place before Endymion no Kiseki and the storyline made by the series creator Kazuma Kamachi were purely original meaning that this is an all-original storyline made for this game. While the game begins at their respective routes of the Science Side and the Magic Side, the two routes intertwine at a certain point. Like most games, Ensemble is depend on the player's decision because it has choices, multiple approaches, multiple paths, and multiple tools you can expect on this game. Choose your path and you'll be facing some crucial consequences of your actions and it's up to you how the Ensemble story unfolds.

As a headsup, To Aru Majutsu to Kagaku no Ensemble was developed by the same blokes behind Toradora Portable and Oreimo Portable. We're talking about Guyzware, the developer. Which means that there's a bit of a clever Live 2D System that you expect from other games, the Live 2D System lets the character change moods as you scroll your way to the story so far.

A good effort all round and for a To Aru fan, I think that the Ensemble PSP game is the biggest treat for any To Aru fan who just can't wait for Saturday's big movie.

LIMITED EDITION:

Although the game may cost you 6,280 Yen, there's a limited edition offered for 9,980 Yen as well. For the Limited Edition, which is a must have for any To Aru fan around here, not only you can get the PSP game but also comes with 4 Chibi-Kyun mini-figures: two of the returning heroines Misaka and Index, and the other two of Urepady Exica and Hibiki Kukimoto. It will also bundle a stage set for the figures and come in a box with an exclusive illustration by the animators at J.C. Staff.

way to answer

way to answer

The recently released To Aru Kagaku No Railgun PSP Game made Geneon Universal rushed through the schedule by releasing the main opening theme song, way to answer by fripSide, with this latest maxi single CD.

This maxi-single includes not only the theme song from the Railgun PSP game but also includes the song, last fortune, which is the main theme song for the PC game titled "Twinkle Crusaders -Passion Star Stream-". You may never heard about this game but feel free to listen both of these songs for fun.

LIMITED EDITION:
The limited edition includes not just the music CD but also a special DVD featuring the music video for "way to answer" plus bonus features!

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 way to answer
02 last fortune
03 way to answer (instrumental)
04 last fortune (instrumental)

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (PSP Game)

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
(PSP Game)

Now, after the launch of the To Aru Majutsu no Index video game for the PSP last January 2011, it seems that most To Aru fans love this game but one question is that is there will be a To Aru Kagaku no Railgun PSP game and Kadokawa Games took the answer, well at least so after facing several delays following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster and of course, the Thai flooding since October 2011. The arrival of the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun PSP game is definitely a dream come true but this is not what it means to be.

The To Aru Kagaku no Railgun PSP game features an all new original adventure for Mikoto Misaka, Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten. Unlike the Majutsu no Index game, which is a fighting game, the Kagaku no Railgun PSP game is just a hopeless visual novel game with the "Action Part" that is somewhat similar to games like Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker and Need For Speed: The Run, the part where you have to push buttons while on a cutscene.

Of course, being just a pointless visual novel with an original storyline, that part features two modes as the game progresses such as "Girls Talk Mode" where this was focused like some kind of a dating sim game and "Judgement Mode" where players are focusing on choices. Careful though that your choices at Judgement Mode will affect the outcome of the game. Aside from that, you can enjoy the anime cutscenes at the game and this looks cool.

Logically then, it could and it should have been a must have for the Railgun fans but it was somewhat becoming just a pointless visual novel game with various confusing routes.

I wonder what will happened if I have a Railgun PSP save data, an Index PSP save data with Toma Kamijo finished in Story Mode, and an Index PSP game? Could it trigger a bonus story at the Majutsu no Index PSP game?

Keep in mind that the theme song from the Railgun PSP game is "way to answer" by fripSide. Great way to hear this, huh? This maxi single will be on sale this December 14.

LIMITED EDITION:
The To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (PSP Game) Limited Edition features not just the game itself but also a special Kuroko Shirai figma made by Good Smile Company's Max Factory division.

Another delay for a much awaited Railgun PSP game

"１１月２３日に発売を予定しておりましたＰＳＰソフト『とある科学の超電磁砲』ですが、

更なるクオリティアップのため、発売日を変更させていただくことになりました。

正式な発売日は決定次第、公式ホームページなどでお知らせいたします。"

Notice this? It seems that the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun PSP video game gets delayed again! This is going to made us very upset about that special Kuroko Shirai figma made exclusively for the Limited Edition packaging. Reason for this delay remains unknown for now...

Railgun PSP game to arrive this late November

It says it all. The upcoming To Aru Kagaku no Railgun PSP game will hit stores this November 2011 and this game is more like a visual novel to them. Check out the first screenshot of this game;

Looks nice, right? Some say, that limited edition packaging will include a Kuroko Shirai figma courtesy of Max Factory. Looks like we'll better start saving for this kind of packaging right before the late November release of the Railgun PSP game!

Photo: ASCII Media Works/Kadokawa Games

Railgun Extra School Swimsuit Figure GET

Sega Prize To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
EX School Swimsuit Figure

Sega Prize To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
EX School Swimsuit Figure

Sega Prize To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
EX School Swimsuit Figure

Sega Prize To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
EX School Swimsuit Figure

Read the full story: 

http://www.figure.fm/post/en/27968/Railgun+Extra+School+Swimsuit+Figure+GET.html

超電磁砲ビジュアルブック - 100のヴィ学

Earlier, I bought the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Official Visual Book at Kinokuniya Bookstore. I think this looks safe because it was there a long time ago.

About that, this shows more pics of Mikoto Misaka (that's Biribiri to you and me), Kuroko Shirai (Judgment Desu No!), Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten. Also included are the episode guides, opening and closing theme sequences, and a special DVD regarding episode 13 (the swimsuit episode).

A perfect souvenir from the girls day out spin-off!

コナミの3つのBEMANIゲームと超電磁砲(レールガン)の2つのOPテーマ - 100のヴィ学

Dance Dance Revolution X2

jubeat knit

REFLEC BEAT

Three of Konami's BEMANI arcade games such as "Dance Dance Revolution X2", "jubeat knit", and "REFLEC BEAT" are the most enjoyable arcade games for the young guys and gals who are hanging out on most arcade game centers just for fun. Those three were highly addictive not just the tense gameplays but also the songs played. The question is, what those three Konami arcade games had in common? One simple answer:

Those three featured two Opening Theme songs from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun!

only my railgun

LEVEL5-judgelight-

Hmm...That was interesting. Three of Konami's BEMANI arcade games featured these opening theme songs from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun. Dance Dance Revolution X2 and jubeat knit featured "only my railgun" by fripSide and REFLEC BEAT featured "LEVEL5-judgelight-" that was also sung by "fripSide" as well! Unbelievable, no wonder I got hooked on Railgun because these two Railgun opening theme songs were featured in these Konami arcade games.

Unbelievable! That's what I get from getting hooked on this anime series, which is the spin-off from To Aru Majutsu no Index.

If I'm back and if I check in most arcade game centers, especially Festival Supermall's X-Site, I would go try these arcade games and choose that Railgun song!

That was my 100のヴィ学 about how the heck these three Konami arcade games featured songs from Kagaku no Railgun.

Anyone checked it out?

About this Railgun Extra Figure Volume 2 courtesy of SEGA PRIZE

Surely, the volume 2 of the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Extra Figure courtesy of SEGA PRIZE is just one thing only Railgun fans would love to enjoy since Extra Figure Volume One (Consists of Biribiri and Kuroko).

Me and my little sister, Cecille, have these from Christmas and geez, this looks fit not just in my desk, but also in the bedroom.

Japanese otakus looking for these second wave figures are acquirable by winning these as prizes from the famous UFO Catcher at the Sega Game Center.

My figure of choice was Mii Konori, the brains of Judgment 177 branch, and my sister's choice was Kazari Uiharu, Kuroko's ally from the Judgment 177 branch who was voiced by the voiceover behind K-ON's Yui Hirasawa, if you know what I mean...

That figure of Uiharu-san looks simple but the figure of Konori-senpai looks somewhat attractive. Looking over Konori-senpai holding some kind of shield is just one thing but anyway it still looks fine.

Never thought this is the first time having a single figure, especially my little sis...

Let "Biribiri" and "Judgment Desu No" lead your way...

In tradition of MAPLUS Portable Navi 3's collaboration with the finest anime series for the special "Kisekae Pack" such as Hayate the Combat Butler 2nd Season, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, Macross F, and Eden of the East, the special To Aru Kagaku no Railgun "Kisekae Pack" adds "Biribiri" and "Judgment Desu No" to the Maplus 3.

With the choice between Mikoto Misaka (CV: Rina Satou) and Kuroko Shirai (CV: Satomi Arai), this special pack gives the Maplus 3 fully charged like a railgun!

I'm sure most JDM drivers reside in Japan got their PSP and the Maplus 3 ready to have the railgun fully charged. If I said Railgun, we say it's Biribiri and Judgment Desu No!

More Info (Japanese):

http://maplus-navi.jp/maplus3/railgun

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun -Original Video Animation-

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA

When Majutsu no Index II airs and the incoming Majutsu no Index PSP coming this winter, most Railgun fans truly miss the whole girls-day-out spin-off, titled To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (日本名：とある科学の超電磁砲), since it was ended on late March 2010. When the anime ended, they still enjoy the whole Railgun day out thanks to the Archives CDs (from drama parts to character songs) to keep the whole thing as a remembrance.

As a remembrance, Geneon Universal brings this girls-day-out spin-off a second chance in the form of a OVA. It's a made for DVD and Blu-ray extra episode of the phenomenal story revolving in the life and times of a Level 5 Electromaster, Mikoto "Biri-Biri" Misaka, along with Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten. In this extra episode, after Saten told a scary story, something's wrong is happening with Biribiri. We don't really know what's going on but is it somewhat happened after a scary story? What lurks around Misaka?

This OVA seems to be more of a decent souvenir for Railgun fans who want to savor the flavor of the whole Railgun story and this would be a good memorabilia to watch it over and over again. After watching the OVA, what do you think, does anyone still like Railgun? I know they will like it to remember it forever.

As always, good job for the production staff responsible of this! Always staying ahead on the game!

Ah...Biribiri, Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten are always a part of every otakus' precious memories.

CAST:

Rina Satou (Negi Springfield from Mahou Sensei Negima!) as Mikoto Misaka

Satomi Arai as Kuroko Shirai

Aki Toyosaki (Yui Hirasawa from K-On!) as Kazari Uiharu

Kanae Ito (Amu Hinamori from Shugo Chara series) as Ruiko Saten

Kana Ueda (Sakuya Aizawa from Hayate the Combat Butler!) as Mii Konori

Atsushi Abe as Toma Kamijo




DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: October 29, 2010
Distribution: Geneon Universal Entertainment

Special "ONE"

Special "ONE"

For those who listened the opening theme of the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA, titled Future Gazer by fripSide, why not take a sip and listen to the closing theme, which is none other than Special "ONE" sung by Elisa, responsible for the closing themes of Kagaku no Railgun anime, Dear My Friend and Real Force.

This is the seventh maxi-single CD by Elisa. I don't really know what's in that song but I'm sure this is a nice one for those who want to savor the moment before getting ready for the Kagaku no Railgun OVA release this week, following the new story of Mikoto "Biri-biri" Misaka, Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten.

It seems fresh, but this song would be a perfect fit for a Railgun fan.

LIMITED EDITION:
A limited edition includes a Special "ONE". That is, a DVD of course. It includes the music video of Special "ONE" by Elisa. Hurry up and buy one because this edition's running out fast!

Future Gazer

Future Gazer by fripSide

Future Gazer debut! As a special treat before the To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (日本名：とある科学の超電磁砲) OVA goes on sale this late October, Geneon Universal pleased to announced that the OVA theme song titled Future Gazer, sung by fripSide, is now here as a maxi single CD, allowing Railgun fans to listen to the theme song on the upcoming To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA. Of course, the ending theme song Special "ONE", sung by Elisa (you know her for singing two closing themes from Railgun) coming very soon late this October.

About this song, Future Gazer sounds good, it kinda felt like the two Railgun opening songs; only my railgun and LEVEL 5 -Judgelight-. The tune seems to be more of a techno and this truly lives it up in either fripSide or Railgun fashion. If you're sure now, there is a new song coming up from fripside, titled fortissimo-the ultimate class. Anyway, I'm not kind of familiar about the fortissimo song, but best to stick with Future Gazer, because this is how you get started before the Kagaku no Railgun original video animation arrives this late October.

LIMITED EDITION: The limited edition not just packs the music CD, but also a bonus DVD containing the music video of Future Gazer, plus behind the scenes footage on fripSide going to Egypt for the shooting of the Future Gazer music video. This thing's getting hotter but hurry up because the heat's losing up fast, or in other words, LIMITED AVAILABILITY! So better buy it before the heat's gone.

If Index gets its own PSP game, will Railgun gets it own?

With the success of the second season of To Aru Majutsu No Index, titled To Aru Majutsu no Index II, it seems we are getting anxious to watch more of Index II or even better, waiting for the PSP game of Majutsu no Index this winter.

Yes I know, this winter, To Aru Majutsu no Index fits straight to PSP, as a fighting game. Do we otakus really really like it?

For fans of the recently ended anime, now waiting for its OVA release, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun, the question they asked is, "Will Railgun get its own PSP game as Index did?"

As of that, a certain 2channeler posted some magazine photo with a page containing the details.

A certain 2channeler photographed some magazine page about the Railgun PSP details

A certain 2channeler could be right. Kagaku no Railgun for PSP could be rather more of a visual novel game, with the decisions up to the player. Kinda like Misshitsu no Sacrifice, even better. On the teaser site, commercialization for this game starts this Spring 2011.

Hope I'll catch up to both of these!

Everyone's going to like them both because of Mikoto "Biribiri" Misaka!

Favorite To Aru girls?

As Majutsu no Index II (the second season of To Aru Majutsu no Index) and Kagaku no Railgun OVA (made for DVD and Blu-Ray sequel to the anime) draws near, the question I'm going to face is, who's my favorite To Aru girl? This question seems to be boring for me but anyway here are my top 7 girls that changed the whole To Aru series for fun.

To Aru girl #7: Aisa Himegami - Remember the special featurette called To Aru Majutsu no Index-tan? Second part? Nope? Never mind, Himegami's too mysterious or in Japanese, fushigi. Mamiko Noto did a lot of mystery expressions on that character.

Aisa Himegami

To Aru girl #6: Kaori Kanzaki - Need to say it more? Guess she's bold enough to describe. No wonder that seiyuu Shizuka Ito portrayed such sexy roles not just Kanzaki, but she was Hinagiku from Hayate No Gotoku, Wilhelmina from Shakugan no Shana, and Tamaki from ToHeart.

Kaori Kanzaki

To Aru girl #5: Kazari Uiharu - Kuroko's ally from Judgment, a computer genius, and possibly a cute character from Kagaku no Railgun. Why do I called her cute? It's not her flowery stuff above her head, it's her voice. I can recognize her voice as the seiyuu who is behind Yui Hirasawa from K-On, Aki Toyosaki. At least her voice looks cute.

Kazari Uiharu

To Aru girl #4: Mii Konori - A very kind megane-shoujo Kuroko and Uiharu refer her as Konori-senpai. The brains of Judgment, and too kind for me to describe her seriousness. Kana Ueda, who is Sakuya from Hayate no Gotoku, Rin from Fate/stay night, and Yumi from Maria-sama Ga Miteru, did a lot of serious work portraying the kind but serious Konori-senpai.

Mii Konori

To Aru girl #3: Ruiko Saten - This Level 0, but cool, character seems to be a fan favorite. Her "genki" attitude always the trademark of Saten's personality, especially sometimes she messes with Uiharu. That flower on Saten's hair adds a nice touch of her "genki" personality. Kanae Ito, who is Amu from Shugo Chara, did a good job portraying this "genki" character. I really really like her for her major major humor.

Ruiko Saten

To Aru girl #2: Index - This priestess who was targeted by enemies but protected in the hands of Toma Kamijo? Sure! Index's too cute because of her super-cute personality. Back in the special featurette, Index loves hotdogs? BTW, she made an appearance on a Shakugan no Shana special featurette, Shakugan no Shana-tan. Seems that Index-tan has the urge to say "Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!" on the Index-tan featurette. Keep up the good work, Yuka Iguchi!

Index

and last but truly the first, a two-way tie!?

To Aru girl (or should I say girls) #1: Mikoto Misaka and Kuroko Shirai - I guess I like these two both! Mikoto "Biri-Biri" Misaka is the Level 5 Electromaster and Kuroko Shirai is the Level 4 Teleporter. Both of them are just like Yaya and Angelina, but different in a way. Kuroko loves messing it up with Misaka because, she calls her "onee-sama". Kuroko's funny but Mikoto Misaka is far out COOL because of her enemy butt-kicking coin that fires like a fully-charged railgun. Mikoto Misaka wows the crowd not just her railgun attack, but her tsundere personality. (I remember the hotdog part from Majutsu no Index)

Mikoto Misaka and Kuroko Shirai

Sir/Ma'am/Sir, I guess these are my faves. To Aru Majutsu no Index II coming this October and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA on sale this October. Hope I'll catch them both!

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Official Visual Book

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
Official Visual Book

The official visual book from the girls' day out spin-off of To Aru Majutsu no Index, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (日本名: とある科学の超電磁砲), packs a bunch of pics from Mikoto "Biribiri" Misaka, Kuroko "Judgment Desu No" Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten. These high quality pics are sure enough to satisfy more Railgun-ism with them every page.

Also added are the sequences from the opening and closing themes, episode guides, plus a special DVD that has a little something from Episode 13.

This visual book is always a best pick for Railgun fans who want to keep this as a fine souvenir from this girls' day out spin-off!

To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Archives 1-3

Just because that the To Aru Majutsu No Index spin-off, To Aru Kagaku No Railgun (日本名:とある科学の超電磁砲), ended does not mean you missed the fun-filled adventures of Mikoto (Biri-Biri, Onee-sama, Level 5 Electromaster) Misaka, Kuroko Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten.

With the OVA special coming this fall, Geneon Universal welcomes them back in To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Archives, a drama-music CD that features a two-part audio drama with elements never before told from the anime and two character songs for the high-voltage excitement Railgun fans will love. I'm sure they will listen to Archives after watching the entire Kagaku No Railgun story, and these CDs pack more Biri-Biri in the ears of otakus.

Archives One features a two-part mini-drama plus a song from Biri-Biri (CV: Rina Satou) and the Judgment member, Kuroko (CV: Satomi Arai). (Availability: March 2010, the date when Kagaku No Railgun anime ended)


Archives Two features another two-part audio drama with songs from Uiharu (CV: Aki Toyosaki) and Saten (CV: Kanae Ito). (Availability: April 2010)


Archives Three features the final two-part audio drama and two duet songs. First song features Mikoto and Kuroko while the last song features Uiharu and Saten. (Availability: July 2010)

To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Original Sound Track 2: Moment

It's here, the second part of the original sound track from the To Aru Majutsu No Index spin-off, To Aru Kagaku No Railgun. Composed by I've Sound's Maiko Iuchi (after hours of Biribiri fans reminisce back the first half of Railgun), the second wave of the anime's BGMs covered most of the second half to the final battle. In addition, the TV-sized version of Level 5 Judgelight by fripSide and Real Force by Elisa are included to this original sound track. If you want to hear the full versions of these two songs, you can buy them separately as a maxi single CD.

This second part is truly perfect to complete the entire memory of watching all Kagaku no Railgun episodes which stars none other than Mikoto Misaka (the electromaster fans love to call her Biribiri), Kuroko Shirai (Misaka's crazed roommate who calls Misaka her onee-sama), Kazari Uiharu (the computer genius) and Ruiko Saten (Uiharu's roommate, which fans find her an interesting character) in their dramatic events, pulse-pounding action, and some laugh-till-you-drop moments among them.

Spark!! To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Original Sound Track 1

Based on Kazuma Tamachi's science fiction fantasy light novel, To Aru Kagaku No Railgun, the spin-off from the hit 2008 anime, To Aru Majutsu No Index, revolves from the life and times of Mikoto Misaka, one of the Level 5 ESPers, who is an electromaster that shoots electricity, like a railgun, and her roommate Kuroko Shirai, a Level 4 teleporter who calls Misaka "onee-sama" all the time. Most fans found out that To Aru Kagaku No Railgun is more entertaining than the original because of the female characters, including newer ones like Kazari Uiharu (fans like this character because she is another one of Aki Toyosaki's anime roles) and Ruiko Saten (fans found this character entertaining than Mikoto Misaka) as well. With only a few episodes remaining on this high-voltage anime that packs a sting on the fans, Geneon Universal stings the Railgun fans with the first part of this soundtrack, subnamed as Spark!! Composed by Maiko Iuchi from I've Sound (who also worked from the original Majutsu No Index), twenty-two high voltage tracks (including the TV-sized versions of the songs "only my railgun" by fripside and "Dear My Friend" by Elisa, both full versions of this tracks are sold separately as a single album) stings the ears out of the Railgun fans, relieving every single moment of Mikoto Misaka, one coin toss at the time. Great when you want to recharge the best Railgun moments from the beginning.

Track Listings:
1. only my railgun -TVサイズ- (by fripside, full track sold separately as a single)
2. 常盤台中学校
3. 風紀委員の活動
4. ジャッジメントですの!
5. 初春飾利
6. 学舎の園
7. お姉さま…
8. 黒子の企て
9. いつもの仲間と
10. 策謀
11. searcher
12. battle area
13. 大切な友達
14. 渇望
15. 噂されるモノ
16. アンチスキル
17. 小さな望み
18. RAILGUN SHOOT
19. 逆転
20. あのときの約束
21. 木山せんせい
22. Dear My Friend まだ見ぬ未来へ -TVサイズ- (by Elisa, full track sold separately as a single)

Best Part: Twenty-two fully charged tracks are packed with even more voltage than Mikoto Misaka shooting electricity.

Worst Part: There is even more aside from this! (To Aru Kagaku No Railgun O.S.T. Part 2 coming soon!)