A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10
とある科学の超電磁砲T

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

The situation has Misaki very worried as their car hits a traffic jam. This forces Misaki to use her Mental Out over a wide area. As such, cars get out of their way, allowing them to proceed. On the way there, Misaki recalls her assignment at the facility as a young teenager. The research scientist get the reluctant Misaki to befriend a prototype clone of Mikoto, named Dolly. Dolly used to have a friend who was apparently repulsed by the scars on Dolly’s body.

Misaki is not able to change Dolly’s mind or wipe her memories. Instead, Dolly changes her personal perception so that Dolly accepts her as her friend, Mii-chan. Despite herself, Misaki comes to like Dolly. One day, Dolly collapses. Dolly wants to know Misaki’s real name. Stunned, Misaki tells her, making Dolly happy. The research scientist inform Misaki that Dolly is going to die and they take Dolly away, disturbing Misaki.

Meanwhile, the researchers have a meeting to discuss the situation. As soon as Exterior is complete, they will no longer have a need for Misaki. Also at the table, unbeknownst to anyone, is Misaki. She has the entire staff under her Mental Out control. In the present, Misaki believes her safeguards to prevent Gensei from discovering the location of Exterior should have worked.

Misaki and Mikoto arrive at the facility, but none of Misaki’s people are around. Misaki shows Mikoto what Exterior is–a giant brain made from Misaki’s brain. That increases her powers massively, but was created so that anyone could use Mental Out. Keitz calls Misaki to let her know he’s on the roof with Imouto. However, Gensei activates Exterior and takes control of him. Mikoto races up to the roof, only to find Gensei has sprung his trap and snare Mikoto.

Thoughts/Review

Welp, things are really getting good in A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10. And because I already know the story from the source manga, I’m liking little details that I missed on my original manga read-through.

Changes to the Source Material

A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10 took materials from the second half of chapter 59, all of chapter 60, and pretty much all of chapter 61. Most of the changes are minor. For example, in the manga, the car Misaki gets in is a Western car (steering wheel on the left side). In the anime, it is a normal (but nice) Japanese car.

There were some very minor frame cuts from the source manga here and there. Nothing too major, but the biggest one was where one of the Sisters were helping another lady. Cutting out that Imouto was doing a job doesn’t change anything.

On the other side, stuff was added. For example, Last Order and Accelerator have a scene together in a hospital bedroom where they are playing cards on the bed.

Finally, there was some scene shuffling, which is partially due to previous episodes having stolen bits. But here too, nothing that negatively impacts the story.

Misaki’s Tale

One thing I like about this arc is that we get some more Misaki backstory. And A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10 helps paint Misaki in a good light. Despite herself, she came to care for the prototype clone Dolly. And because of what the research facility did to Dolly, and their callous attitude, Misaki took the place over. I don’t think she would have done so had it not been for Dolly.

I know in the previous episode, Misaki mentions that the reason she can’t trust Mikoto is because she can’t use her Mental Out powers on Mikoto. So on that level, I can understand her attitude toward Mikoto.

On the other hand, Misaki’s friendship with Dolly comes off smelling slightly of retconning. It isn’t bad because the story was structured in such a way to set up a reason for Misaki to help protect Mikoto’s friends. But prior to this anime series (and story arc in the source manga), there was no hint that Misaki had prior relations with Mikoto or any of her clones.

Still, I do like Misaki and Mikoto being partners here. Misaki had to just give Mikoto a look for Mikoto to know what to do. And having Dolly in the mix made things more touching on a personal level.

Gensei’s Plan

Even though I already know the story being told in this arc, I still wanted to comment on Gensei’s plan in A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10. One thing I liked is how previous stories have impact on the current story. As such, there was a greater purpose to the Level Upper story that had previously happened.

That’s why I liked the notion that Gensei was still very much interested in the Level 7 project. Mikoto may have shut down the part that was slaughtering her clone sisters. But that doesn’t mean powerful people weren’t interested in seeing it progress. And Gensei simply chose Mikoto has his Level 6 experiment subject.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Let me wrap up my review of A Certain Scientific Railgun T 10 with a final thought. With Mikoto being transformed and Super Touma seeing the commotion, I guess we all know what’s going to happen next, eh? 😜

Still, this episode was a really good episode that I enjoyed a ton. I like seeing Misaki in a new light.