Admin's Anime Review: Toaru Majutsu no Index - A Certain Magical Index of Prohibited Books

Title: Toaru Majutsu no Index
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Science-fiction
Original Run: October 4, 2008 - March 19, 2009.
Episodes: 24
Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori
Original Character Design: Kazuma Kamachi and Kiyotaka Haimura
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "PSI Missing" by Mami Kawada

Admin's Score:
Story: 90
Character Development: 90
Artwork: 90
Songs: 90
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 90



Toaru Majutsu no Index's all stars (left to right, front to back): Shirai Kuroko, Kamijyo Touma, Index Librarum Prohibitum, MISAKA Sisters, Misaka Mikoto, Accelerator, Tsuchimikado, Stiyl Magnus, Kanzaki Kaori, and Himegami Aisa.



Toaru Majutsu no Index is originally a series of light novel written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura. The series is published by ASCII Media Works under Dengeki Bunko imprint. A manga began serialization in May 2007.

Synopsis
The story took place in Academy City, a technologically advanced city located in western Tokyo, in which superhuman students are studied and reside there. Kamijyo Touma, a high-schooler in Academy City is a level 0 esper, meaning that he holds no esper power. He, however, possessed a mysterious power called Imagine Breaker in his right hand, a power that neglects all other powers with a touch. But, it doesn't neglect only espers and magic powers, but also his luck, resulting in him experiencing unfortunate events in his daily life. One day, he found a nun on his apartment's railing, starving. She turned out to be Index Librorum Prohibitum, a junior nun from English Purist Church, Necessarius. Despite her childish acts and high appetite, she got a hold of 103,000 forbidden magical books in her head, resulting from her ability of Perfect Memorization. Touma's encounter with Index was the beginning of another Touma's misfortune, as magicians from Necessarius was looking for Index to secure the 103,000 grimmoires. Together, they faced massive amount of battles and conflicts. When science and magic cross path, the tale begins !!

Strength:
Great original idea and basic concept of the story, and it is well refined by the story development that brings suspense to the audience. The unique thought of Touma and his ability of problem solving spice up the story and most of the battles, making it more interesting. Almost flawless artwork and very detailed, well-made background, perfectly depicting the Academy City. Nice battle depiction supported by the use of theme song, like in eps 23.

Weakness:
Some illogical scene like Touma's running almost too long to reach Index in only a small room, and Kanzaki spitting out the details of her origin while fighting against God-powered angel.

Screenshot:



The first time Touma met with Index. Touma gave the starving Index a hotdog he tripped over and suddenly, Index chomped up all of them , including Touma's hand. After this too, Index's tendency to bite Touma has not going down, even increasing...



Touma's Oscar-winning acting. Even having his right arm cut off, he still managed to stay calm, and even turn his whole self into the "real Imagine Breaker" for his opponent. This scene made me think that every ordinary human has Imagine Breaker, the power to exceed one's imagination, going beyond. That's why Touma's only level 0, normal human.



Accelerator, the strongest level 5 esper of Academy City, with MISAKA Sister series 20,001, also known as Last Order. Accelerator's involved in Virus Code case involving Last Order and made the story become his for 2 episodes, making Touma grumble about his appearance.

Bonus:
Toaru Majutsu no Index-tan favorite scene !!


I'm impressed they know Nasi Goreng !! Another phenomenal Indonesia's existence in Anime !!!
Watch also Toaru Majutsu no Index-tan for more laughter !!