10 Anime Like Toaru Kagaku no Railgun

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is one of my all-time favorite anime, and I’m pretty sure that’s clear from my username being Misaka, haha! I’m such a big fan of Misaka Mikoto and the whole Toaru world that it’s only natural for me to go hunting for more anime like Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, or A Certain Scientific Railgun is a Japanese manga written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Motoi Fuyukawa. The manga was later adapted into anime series and aired during 2009-2010.

The series is a spinoff, but it’s arguably better than the main anime called Toaru Majutsu no Index.

Anyway, let’s get back to the topic. These 10 anime are the ones I would recommend you to watch if you like Toaru Kagaku no Railgun.

10. Strike the Blood

Genres: Action, Harem, Supernatural, Ecchi, Vampire, Fantasy, School
Episodes: 24

Similarities: If you are into the mix of technology and superpowers, definitely go for it. They are both set in a technologically advanced city, and include people with special powers and research facilities.

Both of them also involve a mostly female cast with one guy in the middle of it (although Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is definitely not a harem).

Synopsis: On Itogami Island, a man-made island south of Japan that has developed into a monster and demon sanctuary (魔族特区), Kojo Akatsuki is suspected of being the Fourth Progenitor, a powerful vampire that could potentially disrupt the balance of power among the world’s three ruling progenitors.

Kojo was an ordinary high schooler before becoming a vampire and is reluctant to use the powers that he barely controls. Yukina Himeragi is a neophyte Sword Shaman whose first mission is to ‘observe’ him.

Before long, Kojo is the center of attention of many who are concerned about the risks he represents. Kojo and Yukina befriend various students and others, some of whom are attracted to Kojo, and whose situations drive his libido which provides the source of much of his power.

(Source: Wikipedia)

9. Guilty Crown

Genres: Action, Superpower, Drama, Romance, Sci-fi, Mecha
Episodes: 22

Similarities: Both of them are spiced up with some slice-of-life, superpower, and sci-fi elements.

There is also a similar character (Shu) to Touma (Misaka’s future boyfriend wink). They want to do what is right and protect what they hold dear, even though they start off really weak. The prevalent theme is to protect the world/ country/ city from evil.

Synopsis: In the year 2039, ten years after the outbreak of the Apocalypse Virus Japan nation falls under the control of the CGQ, a military force that is supposed to restore order its own way. An organization named Funeral Parlor is the only one putting up a fight.

The main character, Shu is a high schooler who had led a normal life until he met a mysterious girl named Inori who also happened to be a member of the rebellious organization Funeral Parlor and as it seems, she is a key member.

In a sudden turn of events, Shu discovers that he has an ability that allows him to use weapons called voids (weapons that can be drawn out from persons as the manifestations of their personalities).

Shu is forced to decide whether he will leave his comfort zone and fight or just run away and watch from the distance.

8. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Magic, Romance, School
Episodes: 26

Similarities: Similar to Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei is a supernatural anime set in a futuristic world where magic fuses with science.

The MC of Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei will certainly remind you of Touma, as they are both severely undervalued and considered weak despite being strong in their own unique way, which will be shown later.

Synopsis: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei follows the siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, who are enrolled in First High School. Upon taking the exam, the prodigious Miyuki is placed in the First Course, while Tatsuya is relegated to the Second Course. Though his practical test scores and status as a “Weed” show him to be magically inept, he possesses extraordinary technical knowledge, physical combat capabilities, and unique magic techniques—making Tatsuya the irregular at a magical high school.

(Source: MAL)

7. Girls & Panzer

Genres: Action, Sports, Military, School
Episodes: 12

Similarities: Both are action-packed anime revolving around a group of all-female friends.

Synopsis: Miho Nishizumi, a teenage girl from a prestigious family of sensha-dō practitioners transfers to Oarai Girls High School to get away from sensha-dō due to trauma she endured in the past.

To her unpleasant surprise, the Oarai Girls High School decides to revive sensha-dō soon after her transfer. The newly made friends of Miho force her to join because she is the only student with experience in this sport and she reluctantly agrees.

The national championship is knocking on the door and it’s not only Miho’s pride at stake – should they not win, the Oarai Girls High School will be closed.

6. Psycho-Pass

Genres: Police, Psychological, Action, Sci-fi
Episodes: 22

Similarities: Psycho-Pass and Railgun are set in a futuristic, self-sufficient city with highly advanced technology. That might seem like an ideal place to live in, but the dark side of the city is slowly unshackled. The main heroines have a strong sense of justice and despite being excellent at what they do they are very down to earth. They are also the ones who question the dark side of the city and investigate it.

Synopsis: Psycho-Pass is set in the 22nd century and the world has changed – Japan implemented the Sibyl System which is capable of determining the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass.

The police department takes in a new officer, Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with a heart in the right place. Shortly after she joins the world of Inspectors and Enforcers, Akane discovers that the Sibyl System is actually flawed. Can Akane truly do anything at all with that information under the all-seeing Sibyl system?

5. Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?

Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural
Episodes: 10

Similarities: Another supernatural anime like Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?. It also has a male lead who is extremely overpowered and can easily beat absolutely everyone (and everything). Other leading characters in these anime are gifted with special powers despite looking human-like, and they are hella strong!

Synopsis: Three extraordinary high schoolers gifted with psychic powers get unexpectedly and forcefully transported into an alternate world known as Little Garden, a world where all sorts of beings participate in high-stakes games using their special abilities.

4. Hamatora The Animation

Genres: Mystery, Comedy, Super Power, Drama
Episodes: 12

Similarities: Hamatora and Toaru Kagaku no Railgun show us a world where normal people coexist with people who have superpowers; in such a world, it’s only natural that a lot of crime is happening and has to be dealt with. As a result, both have organizations dealing with bad guys (Judgment in Toaru and Yokohama Troubleshooting in Hamatora).

Synopsis: “Minimum”. This seemingly innocent word means in Hamatora world small miracles, and this phenomenon has started manifesting in a limited number of humans.

The Minimum duo of Nice and Murasaki is a part of the detective agency Yokohama Troubleshooting (short version: Hamatora) and they await new clients at the lone table at Cafe Nowhere, their lackluster “office”.

Out of nowhere, the jobs that they start to receive seem to have mysterious connections to the serial killer targetting only Minimum Holders. Can the gifted duo solve this case?

3. K-On!

Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Music, School
Episodes: 13

Fun things are fun.
Yui

Why it’s similar: These two series will never disappoint you if you want to see 4 cute girls doing cute things. It’s all about friendship, bonding, and having some fun.

Synopsis: Hirasawa Yui, a young, carefree girl entering high school, has her imagination instantly captured when she sees a poster advertising the “Light Music Club.” Being the carefree girl that she is, she quickly signs up; however, Yui has a problem, she is unable to play an instrument.

When Yui goes to the clubroom to explain, she’s greeted by the other members: Ritsu, Mio, and Tsumugi. Although disheartened at Yui’s lack of musical know-how, they still try to convince her to stay to prevent the club’s disbandment. After playing Yui a short piece that re-ignites her imagination, they succeed in keeping their new member and guitarist.

Along with the tasks of school and homework, Yui begins to learn the guitar with the help of the other band members, experiencing many mishaps along the way. However, with the school festival drawing near and Yui getting stuck with her practice, will the Light Music Club be ready in time for their debut?

(Source: MAL)

2. Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi

Genres: Comedy, Parody, Romance
Episodes: 12

Similarities: Like Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, this anime was also made by J.C. Staff, so the similarity in art and animation is quite obvious.

Ookami Ryouko, the heroine of this anime, is a lot like Misaka Mikoto. Just picture Misaka with long hair and you’ve got Ookami Ryouko. These two gals are both tsundere and full of personality, making them super fun characters to watch. And, of course, both heroines are strong-willed and fight for what they believe in.

If you enjoy the slice-of-life part of Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, this is the way to go.

Synopsis: Ookami Ryouko is a spunky high school girl who’s tall, talks in a deep voice, and knows how to throw down. She’s got a best friend, Akai Ringo, who’s small and sounds super cute, but they’re both flat-chested so they’re bonded in that way.

They’re both in a school club called Otogi Bank, which helps other students with their problems, but they always collect a favor in return. The thing is, they’re all about solving any problem that comes their way, no matter how dangerous. But, there’s just one issue: they don’t have any boys on the team. So, they decide to recruit a guy to join them on their dangerous missions.

The only catch? The new recruit, Morino Ryoushi, is super shy and has this thing called scopophobia where he freaks out about being seen or stared at!

1. Darker Than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha

Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Super Power
Episodes: 25

Similarities: Both shows use superpowers and to top it off, the main protagonist of Darker than Black is manipulating electricity, just like Misaka Mikoto. There’s also the prevalent theme of the main protagonists fighting crime in a city full of people with certain superpowers.

Synopsis: It has been 10 years since Heaven’s Gate appeared in South America and Hell’s Gate appeared in Japan, veiling the once familiar night sky with an oppressive skyscape. Their purposes are unknown, these Gates are spaces in which the very laws of physics are ignored. With the appearance of the Gates emerged Contractors, who, in exchange for their humanity, are granted supernatural abilities.

In the Japanese city surrounding Hell’s Gate, Section 4 Chief Misaki Kirihara finds herself at odds with an infamous Contractor codenamed Hei. Called “Black Reaper” in the underground world, Hei, like his associates, undertakes missions for the mysterious and ruthless Syndicate while slowly peeling back the dark layers covering a nefarious plot that threatens the very existence of Contractors.

From the mind of Tensai Okamura comes a sci-fi thriller taking the form of a subtle exposé on a war in which political positions and justice have no sway—a war waged exclusively in the shadows.

(Source: MAL)