‘A Certain Magical Index’ series can be either a very interesting watch or an extremely boring one, depending on how you decide to approach it. The series has an adequate amount of action, ecchi and funny moments which will catch your attention.
The franchise began with ‘A Certain Magical Index’ and then expanded into several spinoffs like ‘A Certain Scientific Railgun’ and ‘A Certain Scientific Accelerator.’ Each spinoff focuses on a different side character from the original plot.
‘A Certain Magical Index’ has received three seasons and a movie. ‘A Certain Scientific Railgun’ has also received three seasons so far. With a 12-episode season to its name, ‘A Certain Scientific Accelerator’ has also made its anime debut.
1. How to Watch ‘A Certain Magical Index’ in Order?
The recommended way to watch ‘A Certain Magical Index’ is by following the custom watch order below:
- A Certain Scientific Railgun (2009)
- A Certain Scientific Railgun S (2013)
- A Certain Magical Index (2008)
- A Certain Magical Index 2 (2010)
- A Certain Scientific Railgun T (2020)
- A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle Of Endymion (2013)
- A Certain Magical Index 3 (2018)
- A Certain Scientific Accelerator (2019)
I know a lot of you will think that starting with the original series, A Certain Magical Index, is the natural route to take, but let me explain why that might be a bad idea. The bonus episodes and specials hold no relevance to the main story. They could be watched at the end or be skipped altogether.
Fans have described the first few episodes of A Certain Magical Index as extremely slow. This will eventually make you lose interest in an otherwise excellent anime. So, begin with A Certain Scientific Railgun, and then follow Magical Index when you are absorbed into it.
2. ‘A Certain Magical Index’ Release Order
Of course, many of you would want to pick whichever anime came first. So I have also prepared the release date-wise watch order of A Certain Magical/Scientific franchise.
- A Certain Magical Index (2008)
- A Certain Scientific Railgun (2009)
- A Certain Magical Index 2 (2010)
- A Certain Scientific Railgun S (2013)
- A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle Of Endymion (2013)
- A Certain Magical Index 3 (2018)
- A Certain Scientific Accelerator (2019)
- A Certain Scientific Railgun T (2020)
Bonus Episodes (A Certain Magical Index)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan (2009)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan 2 (2009)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan 3 (2011)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan 4 (2011)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan 6 (2018)
- A Certain Magical Index-tan 7 (2019)
Specials (A Certain Scientific Railgun)
- MMR: Much More Railgun (2010)
- MMR II: Much More Railgun II (2010)
- MMR III: Much More Railgun III (2013)
- MMR IV: Much More Railgun IV (2013)
3. Where to watch ‘A Certain Magical Index’ series with English subtitles and dub?
Crunchyroll and Funimation stream most of the series under A Certain Magical Index franchise.
| Title | Where to watch with Eng sub? | Where to watch with Eng dub? |
| A Certain Magical Index | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Tubi | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Magical Index 2 | Crunchyroll, Funimation, Tubi | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Magical Index 3 | Crunchyroll, Funimation | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Tubi | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun S | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Tubi | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun T | Hulu, Crunchyroll, Funimation | Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu |
| A Certain Scientific Accelerator | Crunchyroll, Funimation | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
| A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle Of Endymion | Crunchyroll, Funimation | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
4. Can you download and watch ‘A Certain Magical Index’ series offline?
Several websites offer download options with their different packages, and we have the readymade list right here:
| Website | Subscription Packages | Offline Viewing |
| Crunchyroll | Fan – $7.99/month | No |
| Mega Fan – $9.99/month | Yes | |
| Ultimate Fan – $14.99/month | Yes | |
| Funimation | Premium: $5.99 a month / $59.99 per year | No |
| Premium Plus: $7.99 a month / $79.99 per year | Yes | |
| Premium Plus Ultra: $99.99 per year | Yes | |
| Netflix | Basic with ads: $6.99/month | No |
| Basic: $9.99/month | Yes | |
| Standard: $15.49/month | Yes | |
| Premium: $19.99/month | Yes | |
| Hulu | Ad-Supported: $7.99/month (or $79.99/year) | Yes |
| No Ads: $14.99/month | Yes | |
| Tubi | – | No |
A lot of anime are geo-blocked for several countries. If the anime isn’t available on any streaming website in your area, then you can use a VPN to bypass the geo-block.
There are many paid VPN services available, but you also have free options at hand. You can also use free browser extensions VPNs that you will find in the extension store.
If you are accessing streaming websites from your phone, you will find several VPNs from the app store. The important thing is that A Certain Magical Index and all of its spinoffs are present on Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, and many other streaming websites’ catalogs, so set your VPN to a suitable location to access the anime from anywhere.
6. How much time will it take to watch ‘A Certain Magical Index’ series?
It will take you a total of 63 hours and 40 minutes to complete A Certain Magical Index, Scientific Railgun, and all other spinoffs and movies. That is almost three days of constant binge-watching with no breaks in between.
| Title | Duration |
| A Certain Magical Index | 552 minutes |
| A Certain Magical Index 2 | 552 minutes |
| A Certain Magical Index 3 | 598 minutes |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun | 576 minutes |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun S | 576 minutes |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun T | 600 minutes |
| A Certain Scientific Accelerator | 276 minutes |
| A Certain Magical Index: The Movie – The Miracle Of Endymion | 1 hour 30 minutes |
7. Should you watch Magical Index first or Scientific Railgun?
While Magical Index is the parent series, its season 1 is regarded as the worst addition to the franchise. It also works as a spoiler for Scientific Railgun, which is a much more engaging anime. If you want to have a better outlook on the series and get involved in it, then Scientific Railgun is the best choice to start with.
8. About A Certain Magical Index
A Certain Magical Index is a Japanese light novel series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura. It has also received several manga and anime spinoffs.
It is based on Tōma Kamijō, a high school student in a scientifically advanced city where he meets a young nun named Index from the Church of England whose mind has been implanted with the Index Librorum Prohibitorum: the magical texts which the church removed from circulation. This meeting makes him explore more of the secret magical world of Science and begins his adventure with his friends.
No Comments on Complete ‘A Certain Magical Index’ Series Watch Order Guide – Easily Watch Anime