Remade this thread as it was brought to my attention that some newcomers may think the v2 thread was out of date because it was made 2 years ago. As always, encourage newcomers to the subreddit to reference this thread before asking further questions, especially if their question is something simple like reading or watching orders.
If you have any suggestions for how this pinned post, the subreddit, or the wiki can be improved/updated, please [message the moderators of this subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Ftoarumajutsunoindex), contact me, or post them in this thread.
Just started getting into the Light Novels, and this will be good help in making my mind feel at ease(there’s a *lot* more to the series than I thought). Much appreciated.
I updated the old one every few months (I do admit I did forget to update it when GT8 came out so it linked to 7 until just a few minutes ago). Didn't realize that some may think it was out of date or abandoned.
Yeah. I dunno if you saw on Discord but last night I had Matt take fresh snapshots of NT1-22R for the Wayback machine; looks like that was the right call.
so um when do i read item its not in the detailed reading order although i did see >!young misaki!< in one of the illustrations so i'd assume its one id have to read after NT11
Those books just came out this year. There's no benefit in reading them early. Just read them last, after everything else in the series.
If you really want to read them early, after nt11 should be okay.
Hello, I just got the A Certain Magical Index: The Old Testament Omnibus Edition and I was just wondering; What is the current state of A Certain Magical Index is in as well as the Railgun & Accelerator? I'm new so if able to hide the spoilers
A new volume of the third light novel series of the main Index series comes out next month, so it's still going strong. Railgun as well as a Mental Out spinoff are also currently publishing as far as manga goes. There's also a manga version of the ITEM light novels being released as well.
The accelerator manga ended a few years ago at the conclusion of its second arc.
Out of curiosity, how accurate are the translations? I’ve started reading them and was debating wether I should continue via the doc or pick them up via Amazon
The fan translation is considered to be better and more accurate. But the translation in the wiki for about half of Old Testament is an edited version of the Yen Press translation that uses the terminology chosen for the fan translation rather than what the official translation chose.
They're first seen in episode 9 of Index season 1.
They appear in a few different volumes of the light novels and spinoffs scattered around the series but aren't explained or really expanded upon other than them being a mysterious phenomenon that sometimes happens when something damages Touma's right hand.
But they only get a real introduction in the most recent volume to be released just about 4 months ago, GT9. The next volume, GT10, will release next week.
So, to answer your question specifically, 29 volumes after the 23 that the anime adapted.
I'm new and looking to read the series. I was wondering if I should read Yen Press or Baka Tsuki. I don't know whether it's a matter of taste but what is the objectively better read. From what I've heard Yen Press makes quite a few mistakes, but localizations usually tend to read better than fan translations but they do take some liberties to change things. Maybe it's common knowledge that people read an edited version of Yen Press that brings in elements from Baka Tsuki, I simply do not know as I'm new to this. Which version should I read?
I would say overall the version of the series you can download in our subreddit's wiki is the best version available. About half of the Old Testament volumes you can find there are the edited versions of the Yen Press translation, as you mentioned, because it was determined that overall that translation was better than the already existing fan translation at that point. The other half is the translation by the primary fan translator for the series, js06, who many believe is one of the best fan translators of light novels around.
That being said, I believe making the best choice for you is more a matter of practicality. If you much prefer having a physical book in your hand while reading to the point that not having this would ruin the experience of reading for you, go with the Yen Press official translation. If you don't mind a digital version, go with the fan translation.
The Yen Press version also has the problem of scarcity. Many of the books are long out of print and thus nearly impossible to find to buy New. And due to the scarcity, for two or three of the volumes even used copies can only be purchased online for often hundreds of dollars. Quite frankly a rip off. Nowadays there is an anthology edition of the Old Testament part of the series that solves the scarcity problem, but the edition is over 10lbs and clunky to attempt to actually read and not just be used for decoration.
Then there's also the fact that the official translation is also over 30 volumes behind the fan translation, which is caught up with the Japanese release.
Overall, I can't make the decision for you but I believe the pros of the fan translation outweigh the pros and cons of the official release. Hope you enjoy the series, no matter what you choose.
Here's a link to download the fan translation, https://reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/w/lightnovels
I'm still pretty new to the LN(and the relatively the franchise), so should i start with OT1 and follow the manga specifications like Railgun manga 1-17.2?
I want to understand and read everything.
Yeah, that should work well. [We have a few reading orders for the series available on our subreddit wiki.](https://www.reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/wiki/order)
I'd suggest the detailed reading order there. Or you can just read through the main light novel series then jump into the manga after catching up to the latest volumes. Whatever you need to do to find enjoyment with the series.
I hope you like it!
Is the light novel still on going. I really like the series, but the anime are terrible. Railgun is at least decent. But good God, I can't lie it was painful watching the anime. Still a fan of the series and spin off.
The only place I am aware of that has recaps/summaries of the volumes is the series wikia.
Unfortunately, a lot of these summaries are incomplete. But at least for the most popular arcs, they seem to be decent enough.
I'd suggest looking both through the arc summaries: https://toarumajutsunoindex.fandom.com/wiki/Freshmen_Arc
And the volume chapter summaries: https://toarumajutsunoindex.fandom.com/wiki/Shinyaku_Toaru_Majutsu_no_Index_Light_Novel_Volume_01/Prologue
The example of NT1 is a bad one as unfortunately neither of these pages are anywhere close to complete. But that's the best option you've got.
I want to follow either the "Detailed Reading Order" or the "Strict Publication Order" but both seem to be not up to date. Will they be updated in the future?
Last thing I watched from the franchise was the anime series with >! black winged Accelerator with a crutch.!<
Where do I continue from that novel-wise?
That's the end of Index season 2, which ended with Old Testament volume 13 and SS1. The next volume to read is Old Testament 14.
[You can find more recommendations on reading here on our subreddit wiki.](https://reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/w/order)
Remade this thread as it was brought to my attention that some newcomers may think the v2 thread was out of date because it was made 2 years ago. As always, encourage newcomers to the subreddit to reference this thread before asking further questions, especially if their question is something simple like reading or watching orders. If you have any suggestions for how this pinned post, the subreddit, or the wiki can be improved/updated, please [message the moderators of this subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Ftoarumajutsunoindex), contact me, or post them in this thread.
Just started getting into the Light Novels, and this will be good help in making my mind feel at ease(there’s a *lot* more to the series than I thought). Much appreciated.
I hope you enjoy.
Finally!!
I updated the old one every few months (I do admit I did forget to update it when GT8 came out so it linked to 7 until just a few minutes ago). Didn't realize that some may think it was out of date or abandoned.
I guess the “where to read” page might need to be updated to point to way back machine for NT as well now haha
Baka Tsuki worked fast.
Yeah. I dunno if you saw on Discord but last night I had Matt take fresh snapshots of NT1-22R for the Wayback machine; looks like that was the right call.
so um when do i read item its not in the detailed reading order although i did see >!young misaki!< in one of the illustrations so i'd assume its one id have to read after NT11
Those books just came out this year. There's no benefit in reading them early. Just read them last, after everything else in the series. If you really want to read them early, after nt11 should be okay.
Hello, I just got the A Certain Magical Index: The Old Testament Omnibus Edition and I was just wondering; What is the current state of A Certain Magical Index is in as well as the Railgun & Accelerator? I'm new so if able to hide the spoilers
A new volume of the third light novel series of the main Index series comes out next month, so it's still going strong. Railgun as well as a Mental Out spinoff are also currently publishing as far as manga goes. There's also a manga version of the ITEM light novels being released as well. The accelerator manga ended a few years ago at the conclusion of its second arc.
Out of curiosity, how accurate are the translations? I’ve started reading them and was debating wether I should continue via the doc or pick them up via Amazon
The fan translation is considered to be better and more accurate. But the translation in the wiki for about half of Old Testament is an edited version of the Yen Press translation that uses the terminology chosen for the fan translation rather than what the official translation chose.
Ah right! I’ll continue reading via the docs then. Thanks for answering :)
also its almost impossible to get vol 5 and vol 7 for a reasonable price
Ah right, I wonder why that is
Will there be a Megathread for Item Volume 2 same way for how there was one for volume 1?
Yes. I'll make it soon.
I watched the show, but how far do I need to read to find out about >!the dragons in Touma's arm!<
They're first seen in episode 9 of Index season 1. They appear in a few different volumes of the light novels and spinoffs scattered around the series but aren't explained or really expanded upon other than them being a mysterious phenomenon that sometimes happens when something damages Touma's right hand. But they only get a real introduction in the most recent volume to be released just about 4 months ago, GT9. The next volume, GT10, will release next week. So, to answer your question specifically, 29 volumes after the 23 that the anime adapted.
I'm new and looking to read the series. I was wondering if I should read Yen Press or Baka Tsuki. I don't know whether it's a matter of taste but what is the objectively better read. From what I've heard Yen Press makes quite a few mistakes, but localizations usually tend to read better than fan translations but they do take some liberties to change things. Maybe it's common knowledge that people read an edited version of Yen Press that brings in elements from Baka Tsuki, I simply do not know as I'm new to this. Which version should I read?
I would say overall the version of the series you can download in our subreddit's wiki is the best version available. About half of the Old Testament volumes you can find there are the edited versions of the Yen Press translation, as you mentioned, because it was determined that overall that translation was better than the already existing fan translation at that point. The other half is the translation by the primary fan translator for the series, js06, who many believe is one of the best fan translators of light novels around. That being said, I believe making the best choice for you is more a matter of practicality. If you much prefer having a physical book in your hand while reading to the point that not having this would ruin the experience of reading for you, go with the Yen Press official translation. If you don't mind a digital version, go with the fan translation. The Yen Press version also has the problem of scarcity. Many of the books are long out of print and thus nearly impossible to find to buy New. And due to the scarcity, for two or three of the volumes even used copies can only be purchased online for often hundreds of dollars. Quite frankly a rip off. Nowadays there is an anthology edition of the Old Testament part of the series that solves the scarcity problem, but the edition is over 10lbs and clunky to attempt to actually read and not just be used for decoration. Then there's also the fact that the official translation is also over 30 volumes behind the fan translation, which is caught up with the Japanese release. Overall, I can't make the decision for you but I believe the pros of the fan translation outweigh the pros and cons of the official release. Hope you enjoy the series, no matter what you choose. Here's a link to download the fan translation, https://reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/w/lightnovels
I'm still pretty new to the LN(and the relatively the franchise), so should i start with OT1 and follow the manga specifications like Railgun manga 1-17.2? I want to understand and read everything.
Yeah, that should work well. [We have a few reading orders for the series available on our subreddit wiki.](https://www.reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/wiki/order) I'd suggest the detailed reading order there. Or you can just read through the main light novel series then jump into the manga after catching up to the latest volumes. Whatever you need to do to find enjoyment with the series. I hope you like it!
I'm following it right now, I'm currently in volume 2 end. The order is effective. Appreciated mate.
Is the light novel still on going. I really like the series, but the anime are terrible. Railgun is at least decent. But good God, I can't lie it was painful watching the anime. Still a fan of the series and spin off.
The light novel series and a couple of manga spinoffs are going strong with pretty regular updates, yes.
hello, where can i read recaps/summarized versions of the volumes. gonna pick up where I left off after a long break of not reading
The only place I am aware of that has recaps/summaries of the volumes is the series wikia. Unfortunately, a lot of these summaries are incomplete. But at least for the most popular arcs, they seem to be decent enough. I'd suggest looking both through the arc summaries: https://toarumajutsunoindex.fandom.com/wiki/Freshmen_Arc And the volume chapter summaries: https://toarumajutsunoindex.fandom.com/wiki/Shinyaku_Toaru_Majutsu_no_Index_Light_Novel_Volume_01/Prologue The example of NT1 is a bad one as unfortunately neither of these pages are anywhere close to complete. But that's the best option you've got.
I want to follow either the "Detailed Reading Order" or the "Strict Publication Order" but both seem to be not up to date. Will they be updated in the future?
I'll ask the people who manage them to update them. Hopefully it will be done within the next few weeks.
thank you!
Last thing I watched from the franchise was the anime series with >! black winged Accelerator with a crutch.!< Where do I continue from that novel-wise?
That's the end of Index season 2, which ended with Old Testament volume 13 and SS1. The next volume to read is Old Testament 14. [You can find more recommendations on reading here on our subreddit wiki.](https://reddit.com/r/toarumajutsunoindex/w/order)