Mikoto Misaka is Academy City's third-ranked Level 5 esper, possessing the ability "Railgun." This power enables electricity generation and manipulation up to one billion volts, allowing her to fire projectiles at high speed, create lightning, manipulate electromagnetic fields for wall-walking or disrupting electronics, control iron sand into weapons like whips or drills, generate electromagnetic pulses, and hack systems. Her combat merges creativity with raw power, demonstrated by techniques including forming iron sand constructs and large puppets. Born May 2, Mikoto entered Academy City in elementary school. She advanced from Level 1 to Level 5 through rigorous training, becoming a candidate for the Sisters Project. Researchers cloned her for military purposes after deceiving her into donating DNA under false pretenses of curing muscular dystrophy. She enrolled in Tokiwadai Middle School at age 12 as a Level 3, rising to Level 5 by April and achieving her current rank by August. An early incident saw her save Shirai Kuroko from a robber using her Railgun, leading to Kuroko's enrollment at Tokiwadai and their eventual status as roommates. Mikoto's refined "ojou-sama" public image contrasts her true personality: short-tempered, prideful, and exhibiting boyish tendencies like wearing shorts under her skirt. She harbors insecurities about her chest size and displays a fear of insects. Her fondness for cute merchandise, especially the frog mascot Gekota, often causes childish embarrassment. Despite her status, she treats lower-level espers without condescension, attributed to her own climb from Level 1. She values solitude, avoids duties like Judgment, and prioritizes self-reliance to protect others, sometimes resulting in hypocritical behavior like chastising others for risks she herself takes. Pivotal events shape her character. The Sisters Arc revealed her guilt over the cloning project and her powerlessness against Accelerator, forcing her to accept that some problems require collaboration. It also deepened her attachment to Kamijou Touma, whom she developed feelings for after he saved the Sisters. Her interactions with Touma highlight tsundere tendencies; she attacks him impulsively but panics if he is genuinely hurt, aware he can negate her powers. She persistently involves herself in his conflicts, traveling to Russia during World War III to retrieve him and joining his mission in Hawaii. Over time, she confronts his self-sacrificial ideals, notably rejecting his "perfect world" scenario during the Magic God Othinus Arc by emphasizing the value of their reality. Later arcs depict Mikoto seeking greater agency. Witnessing Touma's battles with supernatural threats like the High Priest fuels feelings of inadequacy and a drive to "stand on the same stage" as him. This motivates her to experiment with the Anti-Art Attachment, a weaponized suit amplifying her abilities. Using it against Kihara Yuiitsu draws Aleister Crowley’s curse, yet she continues modifying the device for non-lethal purposes. Her investigations into Academy City’s darker aspects, often alongside rivals like Shokuhou Misaki, reflect her growing resolve to understand the hidden layers of her world. Key relationships define her dynamics. Shirai Kuroko, her roommate and self-proclaimed protector, shares a bond tempered by comedic electrocutions but underscored by mutual care—Mikoto risks her life to protect Kuroko. The Misaka Sisters, particularly Misaka 10032, are viewed as younger siblings; Mikoto harbors guilt over their creation but fiercely defends them. Her rivalry with Shokuhou Misaki stems from opposing personalities, though they cooperate pragmatically during investigations like the Indian Poker incident. Tensions with Index revolve around competing affections for Touma, often escalating into petty arguments. She also clashes with Level 5 espers like Mugino Shizuri, who resents Mikoto’s higher ranking.