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A Certain Magical Index (TV series)

A Certain Magical Index (とある魔術の) is a Japanese anime television series based on the light novel series of the same name by Kazuma Kamachi. Produced by J.C. Staff, the series aired from October 2008 to March 2009 and was followed up by two sequels A Certain Magical Index II, airing from October 2010 to April 2011 and A Certain Magical Index III airing from October 2018 to April 2019.

Cast

Episodes

Production

A 24-episode anime adaptation of A Certain Magical Index was produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori,[1] which was aired in Japan from October 4, 2008, to March 19, 2009. The anime was collected into eight Blu-ray and DVD sets, which were released from January 23[2][3] to August 21, 2009.[4]

A second season titled A Certain Magical Index II began airing in Japan from October 8, 2010, to April 1, 2011[5] and was also streamed on Nico Nico Douga.[6] The second season's eight volumes of Blu-ray and DVD sets were released from January 26[7] to September 22, 2011.[8]

An animated film titled A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion (劇場版 とある魔術の禁書目録 エンデュミオンの奇蹟) was released in Japan on February 23, 2013.[9] It is based on an original story written by Kamachi and features the main characters from both Index and Railgun anime series, along with the new ones designed by Haimura.[10][11] The Blu-ray and DVD set of the film, which was released on August 28, is included with a bonus anime titled A Certain Magical Index-tan: The Movie – The Miracle of Endymion... Happened, or Maybe Not.[12]

The 26-episode third season titled A Certain Magical Index III aired in Japan from October 5, 2018, to April 5, 2019.[13][14] The third season's eight volumes of Blu-ray and DVD sets were released from December 26, 2018[15] to July 31, 2019,[16] with episodes 6 and 7 of the bonus short anime parody titled A Certain Magical Index-tan, which depicted Index in her chibi form, included in the first and fifth limited edition releases.[16][17] The third season was originally planned to be a reboot but it was later decided to be a sequel instead.[18] The three seasons were released on Hulu in Japan on March 24, 2022.[19]

In North America, Funimation (which now goes by the name of Crunchyroll LLC) has licensed the series for home video and streaming. An English language dub began streaming on their website in September 2012 and was released on DVD on December 11.[20][21][22] The first season aired in North America on the Funimation Channel on January 21, 2013.[23] It can also been seen on the Crunchyroll streaming service after the Funimation brand was unified with the former in 2022.[24]

The series was released in Australia by a partnership between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures.[25] Funimation has also licensed the film in North America and released it at theaters in the United States on January 12, 2015.[26][27] Animatsu Entertainment released the series in the United Kingdom.[28] In Southeast Asia, Muse Communication licensed the series and broadcast it through i-Fun Anime Channel[29] and their YouTube channel.[30]

Music

Maiko Iuchi of I've Sound is in charge of music for the series' three seasons. The first opening theme music, used in episodes 1–16 of the first season of A Certain Magical Index, is "PSI-Missing",[31] while the second one, used in episode 17 onwards, is "Masterpiece",[32] both performed by Mami Kawada. The first ending theme music, used in episodes 1–19, is "Rimless ~Rimless World~" (Rimless 〜フチナシノセカイ〜),[33] while the second one, used in episode 20 onwards, is "Oath ~Just a Little Once More~" (誓い言 ～スコシだけもう一度～),[34] both performed by Iku.

The first opening theme music of A Certain Magical Index II is "No Buts!",[35] while the second one, introduced in episode 17, is "See Visions",[36] both performed by Kawada. The first ending theme music, used in episodes 1–13, is "Magic∞World",[37] while the second one, used in episode 14 onwards, is "Memories Last" (メモリーズ・ラスト),[38] both performed by Kurosaki.

The first opening theme music of A Certain Magical Index III is "Gravitation", while the second one is "Roar", both performed by Kurosaki.[39][40] The first ending theme music is "Eve of a Revolution" (革命前夜), while the second one is "The Never-Ending Song" (終わらない歌), both performed by Yuka Iguchi.[39][40]

Reception

Chris Beveridge from The Fandom Post praised the anime adaptation, calling it a "fun series" and "pretty engaging".[41] Ian Wolf from Anime UK News also praised the series, specifically for the action, and stated the music was acceptable.[42] Like Beveridge and Wolf, Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network also offered praise to the series for the characters and action, while criticizing for being a bit generic at times.[43] Like Kimlinger, Theron Martin from the same website also praised the action and characters, while criticizing it for feeling preachy at times.[44] André Van Renssen from Active Anime called the series "a decent show", comparing it to Shakugan no Shana for its action. Despite that, they also criticized the series for being too violent at times.[45][46]

External links

  • Official seasons 1 & 2 website
  • Official season 3 website

References

  1. Egan Loo. To Aru Majutsu no Index Light Novels Get TV Anime Anime News Network, June 4, 2008, retrieved June 4, 2008^
  2. https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/128028948 www.suruga-ya.jp, retrieved December 13, 2025^
  3. https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/428000177 www.suruga-ya.jp, retrieved December 13, 2025^
  4. https://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/428000192 www.suruga-ya.jp, retrieved December 13, 2025^
  5. Egan Loo. Toaru Majutsu no Index's 2nd Season Green-Lit Anime News Network, June 7, 2010, retrieved June 7, 2010^
  6. Egan Loo. Nico Nico to Stream 7 More Anime Right After Airing Anime News Network, September 13, 2010, retrieved September 13, 2010^
  7. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/bddvd/2nd/01.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  8. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/bddvd/2nd/08.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  9. Egan Loo. A Certain Magical Index Film Slated For February 23, 2013 Anime News Network, July 4, 2012, retrieved July 4, 2012^
  10. Jennifer Sherman. Toaru Majutsu no Index Novels' Haimura Draws Film's New Characters Anime News Network, June 7, 2012, retrieved June 25, 2012^
  11. Egan Loo. A Certain Magical Index Film's 1st Promo Streamed Anime News Network, August 10, 2012, retrieved August 10, 2012^
  12. Egan Loo. A Certain Magical Index Film's Blu-ray/DVD Previewed in TV Ad Anime News Network, July 15, 2013, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  13. https://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/601/1601573/ Dengeki Online, October 1, 2017, retrieved October 1, 2017^
  14. Rafael Antonio Pineda. A Certain Magical Index Season 3's Cast, Staff, October Premiere Revealed Anime News Network, June 8, 2018, retrieved June 8, 2018^
  15. https://toaru-project.com/index_3/bd/01.html toaru-project.com/index_3, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  16. https://toaru-project.com/index_3/bd/08.html toaru-project.com/index_3, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  17. https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1545710539 Animate Times, Animate, December 25, 2018, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  18. Kim Morrissy. A Certain Magical Index III Anime Was Originally Planned as a Reboot Anime News Network, November 12, 2018, retrieved June 13, 2021^
  19. とあるプロジェクト公式. https://web.archive.org/web/20220228090013/https://twitter.com/toaru_project/status/1498221435801665538 February 28, 2022, retrieved April 5, 2022^
  20. Egan Loo. Funi Adds Trigun Film, Moyashimon, Shiki, Black Butler 2, Sekirei 2, More (Update 2) Anime News Network, July 3, 2010, retrieved July 3, 2010^
  21. Kimberly Grace. Funimation's A Certain Magical Index DVDs Delayed 6 Weeks Anime News Network, September 18, 2012, retrieved September 18, 2012^
  22. Daryl Bunao. North American Stream List: Sept. 24–31 Anime News Network, October 2, 2012, retrieved October 2, 2012^
  23. Funimation Mon 21 Jan 2013 Funimation Channel, retrieved January 18, 2013^
  24. Alex Mateo. Sony's Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T Anime News Network, August 9, 2021, retrieved August 9, 2021^
  25. Jon Hayward. Universal Sony Home Pictures to Release Anime in Australia Anime News Network, February 18, 2013, retrieved June 13, 2021^
  26. Egan Loo. Funimation Offers A Certain Magical Index II & Movie on Home Video Anime News Network, December 19, 2013, retrieved December 19, 2013^
  27. Egan Loo. A Certain Magical Index Film Plays in Theaters in Texas, Virginia, NY, Missouri on Monday Anime News Network, January 12, 2015, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  28. Andrew Osmond. MCM Expo Announcements: Parasyte, Sidonia, Madoka Movies, Aldnoah.Zero Anime News Network, May 23, 2015, retrieved June 13, 2021^
  29. https://www.e-muse.com.tw/node/372 Muse Communication, September 21, 2018, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  30. A Certain Magical Index III – Episode 01 [English Sub] Muse Asia, August 21, 2019, retrieved June 12, 2021^
  31. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/1st/index00590000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  32. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/1st/index00660000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  33. http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sho-sai/index-shokai/index-music.htm J.C.Staff, retrieved February 20, 2009^
  34. https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001NOIJGE/ Amazon, retrieved February 20, 2009^
  35. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/2nd/index01430000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  36. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/2nd/index01480000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  37. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/2nd/index01440000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  38. https://toaru-project.com/index_1_2/goods/cd/2nd/index01500000.html toaru-project.com/index_1_2, retrieved June 14, 2021^
  39. Rafael Antonio Pineda. A Certain Magical Index Season 3's Theme Song Artists Revealed Anime News Network, July 9, 2018, retrieved July 9, 2018^
  40. Jennifer Sherman. Maon Kurosaki, Yuka Iguchi Perform A Certain Magical Index III Anime's New Theme Songs Anime News Network, December 4, 2018, retrieved December 4, 2018^
  41. Chris Beveridge. A Certain Magical Index Season 1 Complete Collection Blu-Ray Anime Review The Fandom Post, December 19, 2014, retrieved June 11, 2021^
  42. Ian Wolf. A Certain Magical Index Anime UK News, September 15, 2015, retrieved June 11, 2021^
  43. Carl Kimlinger. A Certain Magical Index Episodes 1–14 Streaming Review Anime News Network, July 2, 2012, retrieved June 11, 2021^
  44. Theron Martin. A Certain Magical Index II BD+DVD – Complete Collection Review Anime News Network, August 23, 2016, retrieved June 11, 2021^
  45. André Von Renssen. A Certain Magical Index Part 1 Active Anime, May 5, 2013, retrieved June 11, 2021^
  46. André Von Renssen. A Certain Magical Index — Part 2 Active Anime, May 5, 2013, retrieved June 11, 2021^