To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S - 21

Though the girls in Railgun are a tight-knit bunch, it is indisputable that some members of the group are closer than others. Needless to say, Kuroko serves as being the closest girl to Misaka, and what I really love about her is that she can detect any change in Misaka's vibe. Not only that, but she goes out of her way to cheer Misaka up, without necessarily pushing to know all the facts. She understands that sometimes, the best course of action to take is no action, but to patiently wait out. 

For me, this is the third week in a row Railgun S punched me in the guts. Not the revelation Febri is artificial, but the fact her cells secrete toxins which only her lollipops can neutralize completely hit home. At this point, I was pulling a face more depressed than Misaka's. However, that brings on a topic I dislike, that is to say how JC Staff are developing Misaka into a lone wolf character. Evidently after the Sisters Arc (and which is prominently shown in the manga), Misaka learns from the ordeal, and is supposed to readily rely upon her friends. Fortunately, the ever so wise Kongou indirectly dissuades Misaka from soloing the Underworld with the words “True friends share both joys and dangers alike.”, outlining why Kongou is my favourite character in Railgun S (I guess her friends technically possess the credit...)

A cat appears, and so does an Misaka Imouto! At the same time though, the fact that there are so many obvious references to the past somewhat reduces the natural feel that the non-filler arcs had, and it arguably makes this arc’s experience a measure less fulfilling, especially when one considers how well the Sisters’ Arc was done. Toward this end, it’s starting to feel like they’re referencing more so for the sake of referencing than anything, and it’s detracting from the main plot line they’re trying to give us here with this arc. Of course, this doesn't detract from the arc itself, but I just feel like there are some things that could've been done better, and that it’s a pity because this filler seemed to have had some thought put in.

Febri this, and Febri that. There are so many unanswered questions revolving around Febri that it's driving me mad, though I know they are the key to this arc as I've so often reiterated myself. Misaka's greatest fear, as a result of her being Level Five, lies in the safety of those close to her. She knows she has the power to protect them, and doesn't want to shoulder the burden knowing they were hurt under her arms, which is what drives her so far. That's what makes her think so differently from her friends, who don't can't afford such a luxury, requiring teamwork to overcome problems Misaka could easily solo. If more people who had power in our world were like her, the world would surely be a better place, though I admit she's a unrealistic heroine on both accounts.

When Misaka prepared to take on the dark side of Academy City, especially someone she purportedly 'knew', my sensors detected another Level 5 on the horizon. What I winded up with was a redundant Kihara. Strange, what is she doing there? Nevertheless, a blast to the past offers the only light of salvation Misaka can hope to grasp onto, and an unreliable one at that. I guess though, considering Therestina's involvement with the whole Poltergeist Arc way back in the original Railgun, it’s not that far out of the ordinary In any case, her reappearance creates many new windows of possibility. However, the clock is ticking, and Febri has less than 72 hours to live... Hurry up Misaka, only you can find the solution, and save Febri!