---
title: "A Certain Magical Index"
year: 2008
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/a-certain-magical-index-2008"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 30980
imdb_id: "tt1308089"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 3
episodes_count: 74
runtime_minutes: 25
community_rating: 7.5
vote_count: 193
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# A Certain Magical Index (2008) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/a-certain-magical-index-2008

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

A Certain Magical Index is a television series set in Academy City, a technologically advanced environment where the protagonist, Touma Kamijou, resides. Although classified as a level zero esper with no psychic abilities, Touma possesses a unique power in his right hand called the Imagine Breaker, which can negate any supernatural ability. His life takes a turn when he encounters Index, a girl fleeing from Necessarius, a formidable magic organization. Index has memorized 103,000 forbidden magical texts, making her a target and a valuable asset in the conflict between science and magic. As Touma becomes involved in her plight, he faces increasing dangers involving espers and magicians. The series explores the intersection of scientific advancement and mystical forces through its characters and their struggles. It presents a world where certainty about truth or outcomes plays a key role in both conflict and resolution.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A powerless teen defends a girl holding 103,000 magical books from warring science and magic factions."

### Why Watch
- unique blend of science and magic
- strong character dynamics
- intense action sequences

### Caveats & Content Note
- complex lore can be overwhelming
- some pacing issues in early episodes
- Tone & Suitability: Suitable for teens; contains fantasy violence and mild thematic elements.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: action-packed, urban-fantasy, character-driven, mysterious, fast-paced

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | Apple TV Store |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Crunchyroll | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (24 Episodes)
A Certain Magical Index season 1 is set in Academy City, a highly advanced place where people use science to develop supernatural abilities. The main character, Kamijo, is a student living in this city. He possesses the Imagine Breaker, a right hand that can negate all magic, psychic, or divine powers, but not his own bad luck. The story revolves around a young girl who is a nun from the Church of England, and her mind has been implanted with the Index-Librorum-Prohibitorum, a collection of magical texts removed from circulation by the Church. The series is a blend of animation, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, and mystery genres.

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 74
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 6 (8%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 68 (92%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Atsushi Abe** as *Touma Kamijou (voice)*
- **Yuka Iguchi** as *Index (voice)*
- **Rina Sato** as *Mikoto Misaka (voice)*
- **Nobuhiko Okamoto** as *Accelerator (voice)*
- **Shizuka Itoh** as *Kaori Kanzaki (voice)*
- **Anri Katsu** as *Motoharu Tsuchimikado (voice)*
- **Kisho Taniyama** as *Stiyl Magnus (voice)*
- **Satomi Arai** as *Kuroko Shirai (voice)*
- **Kimiko Koyama** as *Komoe (voice)*
- **Satoshi Hino** as *Shiage Hamazura (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Is the main character really powerless?
Touma is ranked as a level zero esper but has the Imagine Breaker ability on his right hand.

### Q: What does Index have in her head?
Index has memorized 103,000 forbidden magical books.

### Q: Are there more seasons after the first one?
Yes, there are sequels including A Certain Magical Index II.

### Q: Is this based on a manga or light novel?
It's based on a light novel series by Kazuma Kamachi.

### Q: Who is chasing Index?
Necessarius, a powerful magic organization she formerly belonged to.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [CERTAIN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certain)
- [CERTAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/certain)
- [CERTAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/certain)
- [CERTAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/certain)
- [Certain - definition of certain by The Free Dictionary](https://www.thefreedictionary.com/certain)
- [Certain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/certain)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*