---
title: "A Certain Scientific Railgun"
year: 2009
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/a-certain-scientific-railgun-2009"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 30977
imdb_id: "tt1515996"
status: "Returning Series"
seasons_count: 4
episodes_count: 73
runtime_minutes: 24
community_rating: 7.4
vote_count: 130
content_rating: "TV-14"
---

# A Certain Scientific Railgun (2009) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/a-certain-scientific-railgun-2009

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

A Certain Scientific Railgun is an anime television series that follows Mikoto Misaka, a skilled esper known for her powerful railgun ability in the technologically advanced Academy City. Alongside her friends Shirai Kuroko, a teleporting member of the Judgment law enforcement team, and Uiharu, another Judgment agent, Mikoto navigates various incidents and dangers within the city. Joined by Saten, a Level 0 esper with a lively personality, the group frequently finds themselves involved in supernatural events and crime-fighting activities. The series aired in Japan between October 2009 and March 2010, with a second season titled A Certain Scientific Railgun S following later. An original video animation was also released in October 2010. The show features voice performances by Rina Satô, Satomi Arai, and Aki Toyosaki, among others, and became available for international streaming through platforms such as Netflix. Seven Seas Entertainment began publishing the series in North America in June 2011.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "In a futuristic city of superpowered students, a talented railgun user fights crime with her friends."

### Why Watch
- engaging supernatural abilities
- strong focus on friendship

### Caveats & Content Note
- features intense combat scenarios
- Tone & Suitability: The series depicts supernatural combat and law enforcement activities within a techno-metropolis setting.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: supernatural, action, urban, youthful

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **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

### A Certain Scientific Railgun (24 Episodes)
A Certain Scientific Railgun season 1 follows the lives of four students living in Academy City, a technologically advanced metropolis described as being twenty to thirty years ahead of the rest of the world. The city’s two‑point‑three million residents are eighty percent students, and the curriculum centers on the development of esper abilities. The series centers on Misaka Mikoto, a top‑level esper whose power allows her to manipulate electricity. She shares a room with Kuroko Shirai, another high‑level esper who serves as a member of Judgement, a student‑run law‑enforcement organization. Both girls attend Tokiwadai, a private academy reserved for the city’s most gifted and affluent youth. Kuroko’s Judgement partner, Kazari Uiharu, is a low‑level esper who studies at Sakugawa Middle School, where she is friends with Ruiko Saten, a level‑zero student who possesses no esper powers. Throughout

## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 73
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 7 (10%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 66 (90%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Rina Sato** as *Mikoto Misaka (voice)*
- **Satomi Arai** as *Kuroko Shirai (voice)*
- **Aki Toyosaki** as *Kazari Uiharu (voice)*
- **Kanae Itou** as *Ruiko Saten (voice)*
- **Atsushi Abe** as *Toma Kamijo (voice)*
- **Kana Ueda** as *Mii Konori (voice)*
- **Minako Kotobuki** as *Mitsuko Kongou (voice)*
- **Atsuko Tanaka** as *Harumi Kiyama (voice)*
- **Nozomi Sasaki** as *Misaka Sisters (voice)*
- **Kana Hanazawa** as *Erii Haruue (voice)*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the setting of the series?
The series takes place in a techno-metropolis called Academy City.

### Q: Who is the main character?
The main character is Misaka, who possesses electro-manipulation skills.

### Q: What is Shirai Kuroko's role?
Shirai Kuroko is a member of the Judgment law enforcement team who uses teleportation skills.

### Q: Who are the other members of the friend group?
The group includes Uiharu, a member of Judgment, and Saten, a Level 0 Esper.

### Q: What kind of powers do the students have?
The students are known as Espers and possess a variety of supernaturally powerful abilities.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [CERTAIN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certain)
- [A Certain Scientific Railgun - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Certain_Scientific_Railgun)
- [CERTAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/certain)
- [A Certain Scientific Railgun (TV Series 2009-2020) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515996/)
- [CERTAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/certain)
- [Watch A Certain Scientific Railgun | Netflix](https://www.netflix.com/title/70308190)

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