I always enjoy a good anime when there is one to watch. One of the current ones that I'm watching is entitled To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (translation: A Certain Scientific Railgun). If you haven't heard of it and you enjoy anime as well, I highly recommend picking it up. It's just finished it's first arc and is beginning a second one. It looks like it'll be a 24 episode anime in total when it finishes (currently at 15/24).The reason I like this series so much is because the characters and the plot can be taken at many different levels. There is plenty of action, drama, and even attempted-yuri if that's what you're into. I say 'attempted' because the character that's head over heels for main character Misaka Mikoto (who is pictured above) is female and makes hilarious attempts at seduction. Ultimately, they all fail. *insert sadface here* However, one thing that separates an enjoyable anime from a good or great one for me is the development of a narrative speaking to the ways of actual society.
In short, in the world of TAKnR, human capabilities are based on whether or not you have an ability, a superpower of sorts. The ones that have an ability are called espers. TAKnR focuses on the events of Academy City, where the entire purpose of the city is to develop these superpowers. Based on the strength of their power, espers are ranked from Level 1 to 5. (Misaka is a Level 5 Electromaster, nicknamed 'Railgun'). However, there are also Level 0's - those that have no power, but reside in Academy City anyhow. It is with this basis that the plot in TAKnR moves forward. We see how the lower level espers attempt to develop their powers and how some of them detest the higher level-espers for having more power. While this is fine to be taken at face value for an interesting plot, I can't help but feel that the writers of this anime (and also the manga) are saying something about our society.
That is to say, those viewed as the "lower rank" of society will always try to move forward. They will do whatever it takes to prevent being looked down upon. However, try as some might, they fail. Again, I do not want to ruin the anime for people. Just go find it and enjoy it. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own To Aru Kagaku no Railgun or any of its related material nor am I claiming to. All properties and rights of said anime series go to J.C. Staff.
