A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 5

とある魔術の禁書目録 [Toaru Majutsu no Index] (Novel) #5

by Kazuma Kamachi, Kiyotaka Haimura (Illustrations)

A certain unlikely hero...
August 31. The day Accelerator meets a strange girl in a back alley and he's sure he's seen her somewhere before. The day Mikoto Misaka finds herself asked on a date by a very pleasant young man. That same day, Touma Kamijou awakes with an especially unlucky feeling. The reason: He's just realized he has completely forgotten to do any of his summer homework. Three characters, three stories, and one last day of summer vacation!

Genres: Light Novel, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Manga, Fiction, Comedy, Action

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2005

About the author

Kamachi Kazuma (鎌池和馬) is a Japanese-born light novel author and the original creator of the Toaru Majutsu no Index light novel series and Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, its spin-off manga series.

Reviews

[Niquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike previous vols this one takes place during the same day with each chapter alternating between Touma and Accelerator.

- The author sure likes to repeat certain lines to the point I want to tell him I get it already.

- This vol seems to focus on conspiracies.

- Not sure if this counts as a short story collection.

- Chapter 2 was the weakest part of the book for me, but I do want to see that sorcerer again.

- M realizes her fwelings for T not sure where this is going but hang in there sorcerer guy, I'm routing for you even if M doesn't like you at all.

- Look at you Accelerator, getting a look sidekick. Maybe the day I learn your real name isn't too far off.

- There's more I want to write, and so many quotes I wanted to mention, but I'm tired. Maybe next time.

[Caleb Nischara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before delving into the intricacies of each of the three stories, I find it pertinent to share some of my overarching reflections on the entire novel. One striking observation revolves around its thematic underpinning. Initially, I perceived the narrative as primarily setting the stage for the three "hero characters" of the story: Mikoto, Touma, and Accelerator. This notion resonated with my introduction to the franchise, where three concurrent shows—Index, Railgun, and Accelerator—coexisted, culminating in the movie's thematic convergence of these three heroes. However, this initial assessment proved flawed, as Hamazura emerged as the unexpected third hero instead of Mikoto. Thus, upon my initial reading, I discerned that the three distinct narratives didn't necessarily revolve around a single character each. Instead, the overarching theme emerged as that of protection. Each character navigates unique avenues to safeguard their loved ones and those close to them: Touma's protection of Mikoto by confronting Etzali and of Index by rushing to her aid; Etzali's silent guardianship of Mikoto, surrendering to Touma while entrusting him with Mikoto's protection; Accelerator's pursuit to shield Last Order from a debilitating virus; Last Order's role in alleviating Accelerator's self-loathing through dialogue and empathy; Kikyou defending Accelerator and Last Order by shooting with Ao Amai; Ao Amai's self-preservation instinct, safeguarding Last Order to prevent a premature activation of the virus; Mikoto's attempt to spare Etzali's feelings through dishonesty and safeguarding Touma from a collapsing skyscraper; Heaven Canceller's medical intervention to protect Kikyou and Accelerator; Ouma Yamisaka's sacrifice to safe the person he loves by invoking a grimoire at the cost of his own well-being; Index's plea to Ouma to abstain from employing her grimoires, paralleled by Touma's intervention to save him and, as implied in the denouement, his beloved from the narrative's aftermath through his Imagine Breaker. The seamless integration of this overarching theme throughout the narrative, interconnecting the disparate tales, showcases a remarkable organic cohesion that resonates with the essence of the previously established themes the series provided.

Another facet I'd like to delve into is the profound influence of Touma's mental state on the two chapters he occupies. While I tend to refrain from drawing direct comparisons to the manga, upon closer examination, I couldn't help but notice one of the most notable disparities in character depiction between the two mediums within this particular novel. Especially evident with Index and Mikoto, the manga portrays them as considerably more relaxed and amiable towards Touma compared to their portrayal in OT5. I believe that there exists a narrative reason behind this variance. Beyond the theme of protection, another central narrative thread emerges: Touma's realization that he has only 24 hours to complete his summer assignments, his ensuing efforts to fulfill them, and his subsequent descent into frustration, annoyance, and outright aggression as he stumbles from one distraction to another. This narrative arc is mirrored in the text through Touma's increasingly irritable and abrasive demeanor, as evidenced by his consistent labeling of Sphinx as "the stupid cat" in the final chapter and the explicit mentioning in the same chapter that Mikoto's words would have been potentially pleasant under different circumstances, but not within the context Touma finds himself. Consequently, the chapters from Touma's perspective depict these interactions more gratingly than the omniscient viewpoint presented in the manga. I find immense appreciation in instances where authors craft point-of-view chapters that not only adhere to the character's knowledge but also tailor the writing style and descriptions to reflect the character's specific emotional state they find themselves in. In this regard, OT5 excels in vividly capturing Touma's tumultuous mental landscape, thereby enhancing the credibility of the meta-narrative surrounding his struggle to complete his summer assignment.

Now, let's dissect each individual narrative, commencing with Accelerator's. Undoubtedly, his tale stands out as the most compelling and emotionally resonant among the trio, notably due to the parallelism with Touma's journey in OT1. Last Order assumes a narrative role akin to that of Index for Touma: her sudden intrusion into his life, coupled with her pure, childlike innocence, leaves an indelible mark on both characters. Initially resistant, they ultimately undergo a transformation, returning to the fray and surmounting monumental obstacles to safeguard the smile of an innocent girl. In this pursuit, they both endure significant brain injuries—Touma losing his memory and Accelerator his calculation abilities. While Accelerator's starting point in OT5 significantly diverges due to his role in OT3, emphasizing the parallels between their journeys fosters a sense of investment in a character previously depicted as a villain. It underscores the notion that, despite their stark differences, both are propelled by inherently human desires. Neither Touma in OT1 nor Accelerator in OT5 perceives themselves as heroes; their motivations stem from a beautifully egotistical desire to protect someone dear to them. Reflecting on the narrative's trajectory, albeit through a somewhat rusty understanding of my reading experience 10 years prior, it seems evident that the belief in the inherent worthiness of every individual to be saved as long as there exists someone who cares for them, and the affirmation that everyone, regardless of past transgressions, possesses the right to protect their loved ones, will also emerge as pivotal themes moving forward.

One aspect I found particular satisfying was the relationship between Accelerator and Last Order and how it developed narratively. Finally, we got glimpses into Accelerator's backstory, which shed light on the roots of his power-hungry nature. Beneath the veneer of malevolence he's crafted lies a genuine yearning for human connection, akin to that of any other individual. His pursuit of unparalleled strength, aimed at dissuading challengers and sparing himself the need to inflict and unwanted harm on them, speaks volumes about his inner turmoil, which seeks power not to dominate others, but to eliminate all reasons to ever hurt other’s again. Yet, it takes nothing more than the presence of an innocent girl to stir his heart—a girl who listens instead of fleeing, and articulates feelings he himself struggles to comprehend.
It's fitting that Last Order assumes this pivotal role, given her unique understanding of Accelerator through the shared memories of the Misaka Network. Through her eyes, aspects of his character previously veiled to him are unraveled. This revelation serves a profound thematic purpose, prompting Accelerator to confront the humanity he had callously disregarded, particularly in the face of the Sisters he had once mercilessly terminated. Their story unfolds with a poetic beauty, culminating in a bittersweet finale where the old Accelerator metaphorically perishes, giving rise to a newfound incarnation symbolically bound to Last Order through his connection to the Misaka Network.

Equally noteworthy is how Accelerator's newfound resolve to protect rather than destroy profoundly impacts Kikyou's own character arc. Witnessing his unwavering determination to safeguard Last Order, even as she urges him to end her life, inspires Kikyou to transcend her own perceived weakness and embrace kindness instead by saving Accelerator and Last Order. Like Accelerator, she undergoes a metaphorical rebirth in the hospital, discovering a newfound purpose in nurturing and protecting both, Accelerator and Last Order, in the future to come.
The symbiotic growth shared among Last Order, Accelerator, and Kikyou, as well as the way they influence each other, underscore the organic evolution of their character dynamics, rendering it one of the most compelling and authentic portrayals within the franchise thus far.

Now, let's turn our attention to Mikoto's narrative. One aspect that truly stood out was the impeccable comedic timing woven throughout. The initial interaction between Motoharu, Aogami, and Touma sets the stage for a hilariously dynamic trio, with Mikoto's witty commentary adding a special flair. The absurdity of their fistfight over Motoharu's sister-complex, further compounded by Maika's enthusiastic participation in the incest innuendo she shared with Mikoto prior, maintains a delicate balance of humor without veering into discomfort since both siblings consent to their unique relationship. Mikoto's dramatic descriptions of the fist-fighting scene, akin to a Hollywood blockbuster, coupled with her astute dating candidate analysis—disqualifying Aogami for his 2D girl fixation (which is especially funny for us ordinary Mikoto fans considering the unavoidable meta commentary) and Motoharu for his sister-simping—resulted in me laughing for days and weeks to come.
Additionally, the ensuing interactions between Touma and Mikoto, as they fumble through their awkward attempts at a date, and particularly Mikoto's endearing insecurity regarding her feelings for Touma, provide further comedic gold. Moments like her embarrassment over mustard on her nose or surreptitiously swapping her hot dog with Touma's add layers of hilarity. Equally entertaining are the exchanges between Touma and Etzali, where the latter interjects random yet surprisingly accurate answers to Touma’s homework while discussing serious matters of love.
Amidst the grim and dark tone of the Last Order storyline, this comedic interlude serves as a much-needed respite, effectively lightening the mood. The seamless transition between the Accelerator and Mikoto storylines, despite their tonal differences, prevents any jarring inconsistencies and ensures the narrative maintains its cohesive flow. This distinct separation of stories prevents any potential tonal dissonance, allowing each narrative thread to shine in its own right.

Given how much of a Mikoto fan I am, I feel compelled to delve a bit into her relationship with Touma. To clarify, if you were to inquire about the moment I believe she truly comprehended and embraced her feelings for him, I would unequivocally point to this juncture. While early Railgun chapters might hint at pre-existing feelings she harbored for him, I find OT3 offers a more plausible explanation: Touma represents a safe space and a sanctuary for Mikoto. Constantly constrained by the need to control her formidable power, she permanently needs to restrain herself to prevent inadvertent harm or even death to others. Despite her short temper, she even needs to maintain that restraint in moments of extreme annoyance, anger, or pain—barring the exception of her Railgun encounter with Accelerator where she aimed for his head. Amidst this, Touma emerges as the one person she can show her true pent-up feelings without the fear of causing any damage in the process. In his presence, she finds solace, able to shed her burdens and embrace her true self without reservation.

The genesis of her romantic feelings, however, likely stems from the gratitude she harbored after Touma's assistance during the Sisters arc—an encounter that left a lasting impact, as attested by Kuroko's observation in Railgun that “she has a face Kuroko never had seen on her before”. However, I believe it's in OT5 where Mikoto realizes that she is developing romantic feelings towards Touma. By acting alongside him in a natural setting and masquerading as a couple, she discovers the genuine pleasure she derives from his company. Yet, being a teenage girl navigating love for the first time, she grapples with articulating her emotions. Instead, she clumsily expresses her desire for Touma to regard her as someone special, employing the metaphor of hoping her name would catch his attention amidst a thousand others—an innocent yet deeply heartfelt sentiment that resonates with her character's sincerity.
Despite this tender vulnerability, there's a poignant moment when Mikoto realizes Touma's apparent lack of reciprocal feelings. Rather than succumb to despair, she exhibits remarkable resilience, immediately adopting a more relaxed and casual demeanor around him, akin to her interactions with her other friends. It's a testament to her strength of character. However, her emotional turbulence resurfaces upon listening to Touma's promise to Etzali—a promise that reignites her hope and underscores her complex feelings towards him, manifesting in her awkward behavior in his presence.

As a proponent of strong female characters, I often scrutinize relationships that overshadow a character's agency by making them too dependent on a male hero, yet the dynamic between Mikoto and Touma captivates me for its balance and depth. Mikoto's independence and resilience remain unwavering, akin to the Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor's strength in Railgun's 18th episode. Touma holds significance in her life without eclipsing her identity or agency, while Mikoto, in turn, holds a special place for Touma, as evidenced by his pledge to Etzali, even if his feelings might not be romantically. Their dynamic is one of symbiosis, each enhancing the other's narrative without diminishing their individuality, is a portrayal that resonates deeply with me and stands as one of my favorite fictional relationships, exemplifying the power of mutual enhancement rather than dependency.

When it comes to Etzali, what I find fascinating is how the narrative mirrors his feelings towards Mikoto with hers towards Touma. For instance, his initial gesture of inviting her for food, met with Mikoto's sarcastic response about having just eaten breakfast, resonates when Mikoto suggests getting Touma something to eat right after they share a hotdog—a scenario where Touma gives her the same reply she previously gave Etzali. This subtle interplay underscores the interconnectedness of their experiences.
Moreover, Etzali's character embodies the narrative progression I previously discussed. His pursuit of the Kamijou faction serves to weave together the various narrative threads, illustrating the tangible impact Touma has on the world. Etzali's assignment to deal with the Kamijou faction reflects a belief that Touma's gathering of sorcerers and espers disrupts the balance of power—a notion that gains depth as Etzali, a magical being, falls in love with an esper and, as a result, with her world. Merely by existing and drawing attention from the sorcerers, Touma inadvertently exacerbates the imbalance. His character doesn't merely mention the changing world from OT1 to OT4; he embodies it, adding layers of complexity to his narrative role. Etzali's profound love for Mikoto and her world compels him to remain close to her, not with the intent to harm but to protect. Purposefully losing to Touma allows him to break free from the role imposed upon him, offering a creative resolution to the conflict while also deepening his character development. This resolution ingeniously explains Touma's escape from the powerful Spear of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli without feeling contrived. It also affords Mikoto an opportunity to save Touma herself, forging a unique bond between them, even if romantic feelings aren't yet in play for Touma.

The narrative of this story unfolds organically and consistently, deftly connecting various plot points. Initially, Etzali's actions may seem perplexing or amateurish, but the ending ties up the open questions neatly by offering a satisfying conclusion. While perhaps not as profound as Accelerator's arc, Etzali's story serves as a compelling foundation for the evolving relationship between Mikoto and Touma, while expanding the world's lore and introducing an intriguing new character.

Now, let's explore the final story. While it doesn't fall into the realm of being lackluster, it also doesn't offer much I could discuss beyond the consistent theme of protection I highlighted earlier. However, there's also a noteworthy element of humor infused into this chapter, with Mikoto being replaced by Index. Their exchanges as Touma struggles to write an essay on a classical Japanese story using only his schoolbook knowledge, juxtaposed with Index essentially delivering a university-level lecture, provide ample entertainment. Touma's reactions to Ouma Yamisaka and the waitress, when they inadvertently disrupt his homework, add another layer of hilarity. Touma's perpetual attempts to focus on his schoolwork, constantly thwarted by shenanigans, are inherently comedic, yet his emotional reactions make us grasp the gravity of his situation and state of mind.

Narratively, this chapter holds its own intrigue. While OT1 implies that Index and her grimoires would take center stage, it's surprising that this is the first instance of someone attempting to actually seize her grimoires—and it will remain the last time for quite a while. Furthermore, the narrative cleverly subverts expectations by portraying Ouma's desires as altruistic, as he willingly sacrifices his own well-being to protect the woman he loves, aligning with motifs explored in Etzali's and Accelerator's arcs.
What's particularly compelling is how Kamachi deftly avoids transforming Index into a repetitive episodic adventure, where villains incessantly pursue her grimoires. Instead, he sporadically incorporates them into the story, always finding fresh and inventive ways to utilize them without rehashing the same plotlines. Ouma himself adds depth to the narrative, as his motivations aren't straightforward, even to himself, adding layers of complexity to his character.
Yet, the highlight of the story undoubtedly lies in Index herself. Her childlike innocence and unwavering desire to protect others, despite her own vulnerability, have a profound impact on those around her—a phenomenon shared by Accelerator and Last Order. Stiyl, Kaori, Touma, and Aureolus are all drawn to her for this very reason. Her ability to connect with Ouma, not through force but through understanding his emotions and motivations, exemplifies her character's depth. Despite the prevalence of gag moments overshadowing her overall character, Index's empathy remains her greatest asset, one that I hope Kamachi will be exploring further in future narratives.

[Lils · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of Accelerator and Last Order's relationship, I enjoyed seeing how she practically forced herself into his life and positively affected him. Although the volume was a bit choppy with the change in perspectives, I really liked reading Accelerator's perspective since Touma's story kinda just had the usual stuff with him fighting magicians, trying to do his summer homework on the last day of summer vacation etc, just his usual life of misfortune~

I think it was nice to see how Accelerator has been affected by the Sisters. He'll never be forgiven nor forgive himself for killing 10,000 lives even if he honestly thought that they were dolls, and I think it was nice to know that in a sense, he talked to each Sister in a demeaning way before killing them because he wanted them to have some sort of reaction to show him that he was wrong about thinking that they were dolls instead of lives. Regardless, what's done is done and he acknowledges that, and I think that's why when he chose to save Last Order, it felt like everything isn't so terrible after all, because Accelerator is recovering some thoughts and emotions he had discarded due to the effect of them on his abilities ever since he was a child. Something has hit him enough that he's willing to risk his life for them. In a way, Accelerator risking his life to save Last Order was executed similarly to when Touma saved Index in the first volume. However, for me, I could understand Accelerator's thoughts, his determination and his strength in wanting to right his wrongs much more than the initial Touma's thoughts of wanting to save a helpless girl. It's saddening that his powers had been affected after he got shot when he was prioritising saving Last Order and that his powers and his life kinda relies on the Misaka network now (which is kinda ironically cute too I guess), but I guess Accelerator has never really enjoyed having these powers anyway (since the reason he wanted to become a Level 6 was to become so OP that no one would ever dare to challenge him and get hurt ever again).

On the other hand, typical Touma stuff happening, fake date with Misaka was cute though haha. I guess it was surprising to hear that groups have gotten wind of a "Kamijou faction" including Misaka and the people he's been involved with like Kanzaki and are apparently active enough to want to kill them, so that's interesting and worrying.

I guess what I enjoyed most about this volume was how much more fleshed out of a character Accelerator had become without it being too overly cliche or sappy.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The city streets on August 31 were almost empty. Eighty percent of its residents were students. Just for today, most of them were spending their last hours of summer vacation struggling to complete their homework."
Never forget that! Apparently this is very important information because it is mentioned about 200 times in the book. Slowly I doubt the skill of Kazuma Kamachi. In each of his books he repeats himself a thousandfold. Now, after the fifth volume, I'm starting to get tired of half the book being the same four sentences.

[Damian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is where Accelerator first became an amazing character. This is where we first saw the consequences of the Sisters arc. It was clear that Touma's confrontation with Accelerator had changed Accelerator a lot, he started to feel much more conflicted about who he was. On Touma's side, he fought against two magicians this time. Kamachi took this opportunity to expand the magic side nicely, adding in Aztec magic. Overall, Accelerator's part was very strong, and Touma's part was pretty good.

[Matt W · Rating 4 out of 5]

After volume 4 (which wasn't bad, just average when compared to the brilliant volume 3), I had almost considered dropping the series. However, I stuck with one more volume, and glad that I did.

There still wasn't much to the plot, but I think what this one does better is focus on interesting characters and moments - Accelerator and Last Order were such a wholesome duo.

It still might be some time before I return to this series, but at least now I'm pretty sure that I will.

[Brandino · Rating 3 out of 5]

The former villain gets a genuine redemption, and ends up being the more interesting plot compared to the original MC's half of the book. Overall okay, but got extremely uncomfortable with a couple scenes that for some reason got full page art. At volume 5, it starts to feel like each book has to pander to weirdos in some way to stay relevant instead of standing on its narrative.

[Creativeimaginator · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally get to see best boy Accelerator in action, and this did not disappoint. Last Order is equally as precious.

[Mendhak · Rating 2 out of 5]

This whole volume felt like a filler. The focus was Accelerator. There were some Misaka bits which felt without purpose. Touma does Touma things. Meanwhile the series is called Index.

[Nehemiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories that is intertwined together to reveal certain emotion to the cast except for Touma and Index.

[Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

All here for Accelerator's character development. Not sure I liked the romantic subplot on the other side though.

[Iria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiero muchísimo a Accelerator y a Last Order 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

[Grace Ziehm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[John Thaiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Brandon Varnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is there to say about A Certain Magical Index, Volume 5? Well, I liked it, but I didn't like it as much as the other books of the series. I think that's because this particular series felt a little out of touch with the other stories. It didn't seem as linear. However, that doesn't mean that this wasn't an enjoyable tale.

This volume is split between two separate stories. One is about Accelerator, the strongest level five esper of Academy City. The other is about our resident Happless Hero, Toma Kamijou. These two stories don't intersect at all, and so it's almost like having two different stories combined into one volume. Of course, each story is really short, so even though this is two stories, they only last about two chapters each.



So, first things first, Accelerator is one of the most badass anti-heroes of all time. I've always liked anti-heroes, and this dude is quite possibly the physical embodiment of anti-heroism. In this volume, we learn a lot about his background, and while I don't think it condones what he did in the previous volume (no spoilers for those who haven't read it), I do think it allows us some insight into his psyche, which helps us understand why he did what he did.

We also get to see a softer side of Accelerator in this volume. In Volume 5, he meets a young girl called Last Order... yes, it's an odd name, but if you read the story, it'll make sense. Anyway, Last Order is the annoying little sister type of girl who jabbers on and on. In it, Accelerator seems really annoyed by her, but at the same time, I feel like he enjoys her company - after all, she's still alive.

Accelerator's side of this story seems to be about redemption beyond anything else. While I don't necessarily think Accelerator was redeemed by any means, I do think that the insight we're given, and the actions he takes in this volume, show off that he's not really a bad person - just batshit insane.



The second person this story follows is, of course, our resident hero, Touma Kamijou. I didn't like this side of the story as much. I think the reason for this is because Touma's story felt a lot like filler. There didn't seem to be any purpose to this story other than to have Touma in it because he's the main character. He was simply there to fill in the extra space, not because he was doing anything particularly important.

Overall, while I have to say that I did, indeed, like this volume, and there were many good aspects about it, I didn't enjoy it as much as previous volumes. However, I believe the next volume will be better, since we're getting back to the main story.

[Alec Rebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this volume; continues to be one of the funniest series I've read.... Liked how it was a bunch of short stories tired to together, and the better look into Accelerator's point of view. Looking forward to Volume 6

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Accelerator.

[Liz Licata · Rating 3 out of 5]

it felt too sporadic for me

[Silyara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for the Accelerator story arc. Touma's is 2 stars for rape culture/misogynistic thoughts pervading its arc.

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Graphic novel “To aru Kagaku no accelerator manga” by Kazuma Kamachi .
is about Accelerator a the top of LEVEL5 (is the worst people,have seven LEVEL5.) want to be a gold .
At the benign of the story : A mystical tell the Accelerator how to be the gold of the world. he recall went he was small , his ability always overload.If some one want to play with him, maybe he\she will died. He don’t want to hurt to other.
At the middle of the story , when the Acceleratori kill Ten thousand and forty-six “Misaka Miko”(cloned human, cloned the Misaka Miko .we call “sisters”)and he will be the gold.when he kill Ten thousand and thirty-one “sisters”. KamijouToma (Male master）LEVEL0 and he beat him . Accelerator lost and Begin to reflect on.
This story shows us that:better with people and believe your friend. Please don’t forget your believe things