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Accelerator, introduced inA Certain Magical Index, is one of Academy City’s most formidable espers, holding one of the highest ranks available to them, the fabled Level Five. Initially portrayed as an antagonist, his character undergoes significant development, transitioning from a feared adversary to a complex protagonist.
His ability to manipulate vectors grants him unparalleled control over various physical phenomena, making him a pivotal figure in the series. Later gaining his own series, known as A Certain Scientific Accelerator, this shifting figure is one of the most interesting characters from his spin-off and the series in general.
Accelerator’s Origins And Abilities
Accelerator’s real nameremains undisclosed, adding an air of mystery to his persona. His moniker, ‘Accelerator,’ reflects his unique power:the manipulation of vectors. This ability allows him tocontrol the magnitude and direction of any force he contacts, enabling feats such as deflecting bullets, altering wind currents, and even modifying the flow of blood within a body.
Accelerator has an automatic defense mechanism that reflects any incoming attack, rendering him nearly invincible in combat.
His appearance,characterized by white hair and pale skin, results from his power’s constant activation, whichreflects ultraviolet radiation and prevents tanning. Despite his youthful age of 16, Accelerator’s life has been marred by isolation and exploitation due to his abilities.
Powers
Accelerator’s vector manipulationis not limited to defense; it encompasses a wide array of offensive capabilities. He can control vectorsrelated to motion, heat, electricity, and more, allowing him to perform feats such as:
Role In A Certain Magical Index
Accelerator’s introduction as an antagonist stems fromhis involvement in the ‘Level Six Shift Project,’an experiment aiming toevolve a Level Five esper into a Level Sixby having him kill 20,000 clones of Mikoto Misaka,collectively known as the Sisters.
Believing that achieving unparalleled power would grant himpeace from constant challenges, Accelerator participates in the experiment, which leads to him encountering and eventuallybeing beaten by Toma Kamijo.
A Certain Scientific Accelerator
Following his redemption arc in A Certain Magical Index, Accelerator becamethe protagonist of his own spin-off series, A Certain Scientific Accelerator. This short series delves deeper into his journey,highlighting his struggles, vulnerabilities, and growthas a protector rather than a destroyer.
Taking place after the Sisters Arc, the series follows Accelerator ashe recovers from the gunshot woundthat severely damaged his brain. To maintain his abilities,he must rely on a neural connection to the Misaka Network, using a special device to process calculations that would otherwise be impossible in his injured state.
Despite his condition,Accelerator remains a formidable force. The series focuses onhis efforts to protect Last Order, the youngest of the Misaka clones, from various threats, including secret organizations and rogue esper experiments. Unlike A Certain Magical Index, which features a balance between science and magic, A Certain Scientific Acceleratorleans heavily into the darker, more scientific aspects of Academy City.
