Series & First Appearance
Accelerator is a prominent character from the Toaru Majutsu no Index (A Certain Magical Index) series, which was created by Kazuma Kamachi. He first appears in Volume 3 of the light novel series and has made subsequent appearances across other related media, including the A Certain Scientific Railgun manga and anime adaptations.
Profile at a Glance
Accelerator is approximately 17 years old at the start of the series and serves primarily as an antagonist-turned-antihero. He is affiliated with Academy City, specifically as one of its Level 5 espers. His signature ability, Vector Manipulation, allows him to control the direction and magnitude of any vector, effectively making him nearly invulnerable. However, this reliance on his powers results in a lack of physical prowess.
Personality & Motivations
Accelerator exhibits traits of arrogance and sadism, cultivating a persona that thrives on fear and dominance. Though initially driven by a cold, ruthless demeanor, experiences throughout the series begin to soften his outlook. He struggles with guilt over his actions during the Level 6 experiment against the Sister clones, leading to a complex internal struggle regarding his identity and morality. His primary motivation evolves into protecting Last Order, a Misaka clone whom he comes to see as someone worth protecting.
Abilities / Powers
Accelerator is recognized as the strongest esper in Academy City, primarily due to his Vector Manipulation abilities, which allow him to redirect any force acting upon him, rendering him nearly immune to all forms of attacks. However, his over-reliance on this power makes him physically weak, which ultimately leads to his defeat by Touma Kamijou, who capitalizes on this vulnerability. Following brain damage incurred from an assassination attempt, Accelerator’s powers are limited; he can only use a fraction of them for short bursts due to the electrode created by Heaven Canceler. The evolution of his abilities is marked by his "awakening" in subsequent volumes, where he develops enhanced capabilities, including the ability to use his powers without physical touch.
Major Story Arcs & Growth
Accelerator’s key story arcs include:
- The Level 6 Experiment: Involving his brutal encounters with the Sister clones. Accelerator initially sees these clones as mere obstacles, but the weight of his actions weighs heavily on him.
- Defeat by Touma Kamijou: This pivotal moment in Volume 3 reveals his vulnerabilities and forces him to confront his overconfidence.
- Protective Role: In his later appearances, particularly by the fifth novel, his relationship with Last Order leads him to adopt a more protective nature, softening his sadistic tendencies.
- Recovery and Transformation: After being severely injured, he seeks to redeem his past, which includes battling other espers and becoming entangled in the ongoing conflict involving the Agitate Halation Project.
- Final Confrontation with Touma: Their fight in more recent volumes demonstrates Accelerator’s ongoing internal conflict between his past and aspirations for a heroic path.
Notable Relationships
- Last Order: The last Misaka clone he protects. Her belief in his potential for goodness motivates much of his character growth.
- Touma Kamijou: His rivalry with Touma is central to Accelerator’s character arc; their battles force him to reevaluate his motivations and identity.
- Kikyou Yoshikawa: A scientist who showed him compassion, representing the only person he truly trusts.
- Aleister Crowley: The manipulative figure behind much of Accelerator’s suffering, serving as an antagonist to be overcome in Accelerator’s journey of redemption.
Iconic Moments & Quotes
- "I’ll show you the power of the strongest!": This line highlights Accelerator’s hubris and sets the tone for his early character arc in Volume 3.
- The moment he saves Last Order in Volume 5 demonstrates a decisive turning point in his character, where he shifts from antagonist to a reluctant protector, resonating deeply with fans and marking a significant evolution in his persona.
Trivia & Behind-the-Scenes
- Accelerator is voiced by Yoshiyuki Kouno in the Japanese version and has seen various English voice actors in its adaptations.
- In popularity polls, he frequently ranks among the top characters due to his complex arc and transformation from villain to antihero.
- The Goatskin arc references real-world mysticism and angelology, mirroring Accelerator’s multilayered narrative rooted in themes of redemption and morality.
Through the blending of personal growth, redeemable qualities, and an intricate backstory, Accelerator continues to captivate anime fans, representing the complexities of power and moral choices within the Toaru universe.
