Mikoto Misaka stands as a central figure within Academy City's scientific landscape. A high-performing student, she wields the power to generate and manipulate electricity and electromagnetism, classified as an Electromaster. Her signature Railgun technique propels metal projectiles at triple the speed of sound. With a maximum voltage output of one billion volts, this ability earns her the Railgun moniker and secures her position as the third-ranked Level 5 esper among the city's elite seven. Her electromagnetic control extends beyond combat, enabling her to hack electronic systems, manipulate electromagnetic waves (including radio frequencies and visible light), create shields, and generate natural lightning strikes capable of causing city-wide blackouts. An unintentional side effect of her power is an electromagnetic field that repels animals, causing them discomfort. Born to Misaka Tabigake and Misaka Misuzu, Mikoto entered Academy City during elementary school. Demonstrating exceptional talent, she rapidly ascended from Level 1 to Level 5 within approximately one year, a feat attributed to inherent aptitude and diligence. This rapid progression led to her being hailed as the "Ace of Tokiwadai" upon enrolling at the prestigious Tokiwadai Middle School. A pivotal event involved researchers deceitfully obtaining her DNA map under the guise of muscular dystrophy research. Her genetic material was instead used to create over 20,000 clones for the Level 6 Shift Project, an experiment designed to elevate the top-ranked Level 5 esper, Accelerator, by having him slaughter these clones. This revelation becomes a major turning point. Mikoto's personality blends confidence, impulsiveness, and underlying vulnerability. Outwardly, she exhibits a short temper, competitive spirit, and pride stemming from her formidable abilities, often leading her to act alone and avoid involving others. She possesses a strong sense of justice and loyalty, readily defending friends and loved ones, sometimes with excessive force. She harbors insecurity about her physical development, particularly her chest size, leading to friction with peers like Shokuhou Misaki. She also has a fondness for cute merchandise, especially the frog mascot Gekota. Interactions with Kamijou Touma frequently trigger tsundere behavior: blushing, verbal denials, and aggressive displays like electrocuting him when flustered or jealous, though she struggles to articulate her romantic feelings. She maintains a close yet chaotic relationship with Shirai Kuroko, her roommate and self-proclaimed devoted junior in Judgment, who often faces electrocution for persistent amorous advances. Acquainted with Touma before his memory loss, Mikoto later becomes determined to defeat him due to his power-negating ability, Imagine Breaker. The discovery of the Level 6 Shift Project and the slaughter of her clones forces a profound crisis. Witnessing their deaths and feeling powerless against Accelerator and the project's backers leads her to contemplate self-sacrifice to halt the experiment. This arc marks a significant shift, humbling her pride and forcing her to acknowledge her limitations and the necessity of relying on others, exemplified by Touma's intervention to save the remaining clones and defeat Accelerator. This event deepens her complex feelings towards Touma into a persistent romantic attraction. Following this trauma, Mikoto develops a strong protective instinct towards the surviving Sisters clones, treating them as siblings. Her determination to stay involved in Touma's dangerous world intensifies, despite his efforts to shield her. During the World War III arc, she travels to Russia to rescue him, only to be rejected as he prioritizes saving the world, leaving her feeling powerless. In subsequent conflicts, her frustration at being unable to match overwhelming threats drives her to seek greater power. This pursuit leads to her acquiring and modifying the powerful weaponized suit, the Anti-Art Attachment (A.A.A.). However, contact with the A.A.A. draws hostility from Academy City's founder, Aleister Crowley, who places a curse on her. Using the modified suit imposes physical and psychological strain, reflecting her conflict between the desire to stand beside Touma and the cost of pursuing power beyond her natural abilities. She later aids Touma during the invasion of London and participates in Operation Handcuffs. Within the *A Certain Scientific Railgun* spin-off, Mikoto takes a central role confronting Academy City's dark side, often concurrently with or preceding main series events. Key arcs include her investigation into the Level Upper incident and the Sisters Arc, overlapping with the main narrative's clone project. Another significant arc involves Kihara Gensei hijacking the Misaka Network and the Exterior device to force an unstable Level 6 Shift transformation upon her. This grants immense power but erodes her personality and sense of self, nearly causing self-destruction before intervention. These experiences cement her reliance on friends like Kuroko, Uiharu Kazari, and Ruiko Saten, solidifying her commitment to protecting the city and those close to her.