Dark Side of Academy City

The refers to the criminal underworld of Academy City. Reaching to the very top of the city's administration, as stated, it is often engaged in criminal enterprises, such as human experimentation, espionage, and assassinations.
Much of the science side story lines is concerned with the characters' struggle against the Dark Side of Academy City. Indeed, an entire story cycle is dedicated to this premise. The name refers to the contrasting image of what the Academy City wants to portray, a technologically advanced city filled with students wanting to become espers.
After the events of World War III, though many factions from the dark side have been forced to disband, this part of Academy City still exists.
==Principles==
===Origins and evolution===
The origins of the Dark Side of Academy City apparently evolved out of the need for the higher-ups of the city to have more security to protect the city's assets like the various research institutions. Officially, it is Anti-Skill that guards the security of the city, however, due to the powers of espers, as well as the developed military technology of the city, the organization's structure and equipment with dealing with them has been weakened. This "Darkness" fills the role of security where Anti-Skill cannot provide. People from the Darkness provide protection and security to important people and the various research institutions. This is born from the members of the Board of Directors and other important persons hiring personal bodyguards as well as companies and research facilities hiring private armies. The people the Darkness hire are composed by a variety of people, from individuals with esper powers and special abilities, to failed students or persons who are selected for a specific purpose.Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S Blu-ray and DVD Booklet 3, page 11 An example of the latter would be Accelerator, who is "recruited" under duress by the liaison to work for . Though each organization and the personnel in them has their own quirks and skills, somehow or another each of them has a dark past behind them. The form of the Darkness as seen in the story's first year has several factions working for the city against one another such as and , as well as factions opposed to the city itself like Skill-Out and .
Apparently, factions from the Darkness such as are all known to Aleister Crowley, and can be controlled by him.
===Culture===
Much if not all operations done within the dark side of Academy City is done in secret.
This attribute has likely contributed to the unique subculture of the dark side of Academy City. An example of this unique culture is that those who have been sold into an organization can be hunted down by others if they attempt escape, as with the case with Nunotaba Shinobu. Another is with Tsuchimikado Motoharu's apparent "execution", where it is revealed that when agents of the dark side are convinced that someone is executed and dead, they will not go after that person again because they have convinced themselves as it is an etiquette of the dark side. Epilogue
Espers are either used for experimental purposes or are recruited to the dark side of Academy City. Notable examples of this are Accelerator Chapter 3 Part 4 and Kinuhata Saiai, Chapter 4 Part 3 both were used for experiments in their younger days and later become operatives in the "Darkness" using their powers to aid their organizations. As the Board of Directors are involved, both Judgment and Anti-Skill are often powerless when it comes to dealing with the forces of the dark side, often with the higher-ups meddling through sheer bureaucracy and red-tape or the withholding of vital information. An example of this is when Anti-Skill is unable to enter Dangai University's Database Center during Skill-Out's attack of it.Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume SS Chapter 4 Part 6 A triumphant example of this is with STUDY, using their company to fund their operations.
Money is still a powerful motivator for organizations however. Factions such as and Scavenger are paid for the missions they successfully complete. However, there exists organizations that are in the "Darkness" out of principle such as Disciplinary Action, in their quest for justice in the city, and Komaba Ritoku's Skill-Out, gathering armed Level 0s to oppose abusive espers, can be found.
===Organization===
What seems to be the difference between petty gangs like the ones led by Okahara Ryouta, Elder Sister, or the ones that Misaka Mikoto deals with and the factions in the "Darkness" is that they are far organized than them or at least have some connections with powerful people in Academy City. Indeed, even Skill-Out factions such as that of Komaba Ritoku's are organized enough to become a threat to Academy City, Chapter 2 Part 1 had caches of money for their operations, Chapter 2 Part 3 and after the death of Ritoku, Chapter 4 Part 4 was tasked by Academy City itself for the assassination of Misaka Misuzu. Chapter 2 Part 4 Even though in many cases, the Skill-Out "Darkness" are not fully informed of the work they do. Regardless, Skill-Out is used from things such as temporary staffing to things that are illegal like human trafficking. Even Big Spider had connections with the outside allowing them to procure weapons, as well as in the inside that allowed them to use Capacity Down from Therestina Kihara Lifeline.
As for the factions that work for Academy City, they usually receive official names as designations, not chosen by them, but if the team is not considered "first rank" through unknown qualifications, they receive nicknames instead, as with Scavenger. The organizations are usually composed of field operatives, a mediator, and a large support staff. The most well-known setup for this is that there are four field operatives that answer to a mediator or a liaison with the higher-ups and a large staff that supports them during missions. Mediators or liaisons are often shown as mysterious men on the phone, acting as an in-between for the higher-ups, Chapter 2 Part 3 maintaining the confidential nature of their operations. An exception of this is 's Kouzaku Mitori, who also acted as a field operative and made contacted the members in-person. After the revelation that she worked for Kihara Gensei in order to use for his own gains, begins operating on its own without a liaison.
As for the support staff or subordinate organization, they perform numerous tasks, from menial labor such as transporting prisoners, Chapter 1 Part 7 corpses (including members of the field operatives),Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume SS Chapter 2 Part 2 to complex background work such as the technical department which supports the organization by giving the members useful technical aid. Chapter 2 Part 4
A unique faction within the "Darkness" is the Hound Dog, which is controlled by Aleister Crowley, and is a more like a military unit.
Prior to the events of World War III, if is anything to go by, it is implied that there is no way out of the organization other than dying. Motoharu says to Accelerator that if he followed the rules laid out by the Board of Directors then they will not let him out. He says that the organization is made so they profit no matter what happens. Still, it is likely incarceration can allow people to escape the "Darkness", however, people can still recruited even there, this is exemplified by Kouzaku Mitori being used by Kihara Gensei. Indeed, there are rumors that students from the Reformatory will suddenly disappear for reasons unknown, specifically high level espers or excellent students. When the guards report it, they are waved off and ignored. It is believed that Academy City makes some deal with the students and then release them in secret, and it may be more convenient to pass some of the missing off as dead.
===Terminology===
The following are certain terms which involve specific types of individuals, organizations and other key subjects, specifically associated with the dark side:
Term 	Type	Details
 	 	A service run by an individual or group which is meant to quickly and artificially strengthen the bonds between a group of gathered criminals to mitigate the threat to a group crime posed by infighting. Chapter 1 Part 2
 	 	A term used by certain individuals on the dark side to refer to others on the dark side who have not killed yet. Chapter 3 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Voice on the Phone	 	
==Chronology==
===Toaru Majutsu no Index===
====Battle Royale Arc====
====DRAGON Arc====
===Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index===
====Freshmen Arc====
====Agitate Halation Arc====
====Mental Out Arc====
===Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index===
====Christmas Eve Arc====
====Operation Handcuffs Arc====
====Post-Handcuffs Arc====
===Toaru Anbu no Item===
====Enemy Item Arc====
====Honey Queen Arc====
==Known Individuals and Factions==
===Individuals===
Name 	Status 	Affiliation 	Details
Accelerator 	Alive 	(Formerly)Academy City Board Chairman 	
Acid 	Alive 	Blue Blood 	
Aishima Hitomi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Aizono Mio 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Aleister Crowley 	Alive 	Academy City Board Chairman (Formerly) 	
Amai Ao 	Deceased 	Sisters Project (Formerly)Level 6 Shift Project (Formerly)Asociacion de Ciencia	
Amano Kaguya 	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Anjou Haruka 	Deceased 	Spider Queen (Formerly) 	
Aoumi Karei 	Deceased 	 	
Aritomi Haruki 	AliveIncarcerated 	STUDY 	
Baba Yoshio 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Benizome Jellyfish 	Alive 	 	
Liaison 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Caines 	Deceased 	Hound Dog 	
Catherine Hardclass 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Chef 	Alive 	Full Course 	
 	Deceased 	 	A man who used personal information and fictitious bills to threaten girls and trap his targets in digital chains. Killed by Frillsand #G while heading for the Vanishing Tunnel on December 25th. Chapter 4 Part 3
Counselor 	Alive 	Blue Blood 	
Crow 7 	Alive 	Black Crow Unit 	
Dennis 	Deceased 	Hound Dog 	
Depart 	Deceased 	 	
Drencher Kihara Repatri 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Elder Sister 	Alive 	 	
Engineer 	Alive 	Blue Blood 	
Etzali 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
 	Deceased 	 	An individual who left behind harmless powder identical to certain real substances to confuse criminal investigations. Killed by Frillsand #G while heading for the Vanishing Tunnel on December 25th.
Francisca Obidos 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Frenda Seivelun 	Deceased 	(Formerly) 	
Frillsand #G 	Active 	Drencher Kihara Repatri 	
Fugan Ryuuzou 	Alive 	 	
Garan Kyouji 	Deceased 	 	
Go Hazime 	Deceased 	Produce 	
Gokusai Amazora 	Alive 	 	
Gokusai Kaibi 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Gokusai Rikuri 	Alive 	 	
Liaison 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Hamazura Shiage 	Unknown 	Skill-Out (Formerly) 	
Hanakawa Hinadori 	Alive 	Blue Blood 	
Hanatsuyu Kaai 	Alive 	 	
Hanatsuyu Youen 	Alive 	 	
Hattori Hanzou 	Alive 	Skill-Out 	
Hebitani Tsuguo 	AliveIncarcerated 	Big Spider (Formerly) 	
Helmeted Woman 	Unknown 	 	
Hikami Ryougo 	Deceased 	 	
Hikoichi 	Alive 	Skill-Out 	
Hishigata Mikihiko 	Deceased 	Produce (Formerly) 	
Hyoudou Maki 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Iizumi Rita 	Alive 	Scavenger 	
Ilenia Sagileska 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Imagawa Shiguma 	Deceased 	Spider Queen (Formerly) 	
Innai Chigiri 	Alive 	 	
Inoue Kasha 	Alive 	Blue BloodAnti-Skill 	
Liaison 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Kaizumi Tsugutoshi 	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Kakine Teitoku 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Kanmi Eiga 	Alive 	Level 6 Shift Project (Formerly) 	
Kasasagi 	Alive 	 	
Kawamo Ryuubi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Keitz Nokleben 	Alive 	Level 6 Shift Project (Formerly)Shokuhou Misaki 	
Kihara Amata 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Byouri 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Enshuu 	Unknown 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Gensei 	Unknown 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Hasuu 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Heikin 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Kagun 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Nayuta 	Alive 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Noukan 	Alive 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Ransuu 	Unknown 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Souji 	Deceased 	Kihara Family 	
Kihara Yuiitsu 	Unknown 	Kihara Family 	
Kinuhata Saiai 	Alive 	 	
Kochonwon 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Komaba Ritoku 	Deceased 	Skill-Out 	
Konoha Yayoi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Kosako Shunichi 	AliveIncarcerated 	STUDY (Formerly) 	
Kouzaku Mitori 	Alive 	(Formerly)Shokuhou Misaki 	
Kumokawa Seria 	Alive 	Kaizumi Tsugutoshi 	
Kuromatsu Takao 	Deceased 	Spider Queen (Formerly) 	
Kuroyoru Umidori 	Alive 	Freshmen 	
Kurozuma Wataru 	AliveIncarcerated 	Big Spider (Formerly) 	
Kusakabe Yumi 	Alive 	Level 6 Shift Project 	
Ladybird 	Terminated 	Kihara Hasuu 	
Lulu 	Alive 	Hound Dog 	
Madarame Kenji 	AliveIncarcerated 	STUDY (Formerly) 	
Maidono Hoshimi 	Alive 	Neoka Norito 	
Manabe Ritsuki 	Alive 	DA 	
Management 	Deceased 	 	
Maruiwa Kurumi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Matsuo Ryuusuke 	Deceased 	L.S.S. 	
Matsusada 	Alive, Hibernating	Agitate Halation Project 	
Liaison 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Mike 	Deceased 	Hound Dog 	
Mogari Takumi 	Alive 	DA 	
Mugino Shizuri 	Alive 	 	
Musujime Awaki 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Nakimoto Rizou 	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors (Formerly) 	
Nakimoto Rizou's Secretary	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Nancy 	Decreased 	Hound Dog 	
Neoka Norito 	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors (Formerly) 	
Nishio 	Deceased 	DA 	
Noriko 	Alive 	Disciplinary Guides 	
Nunotaba Shinobu 	Alive 	Level 6 Shift Project (Formerly)STUDY (Formerly) 	
Olaf 	Alive 	Hound Dog 	
Olosun 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Orson 	Alive 	Hound Dog 	
Professor 	Deceased 	 	
Raidou Yuuko 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Rensa 28 	Alive 	Yakumi Hisako 	
Rensa 29 	Alive 	Yakumi Hisako 	
Rod 	Deceased 	Hound Dog 	
Sakasama Yuri 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Saku Tatsuhiko 	Unknown 	 	
Sakuragi Naruha 	Alive 	Scavenger 	
Sakurai Jun 	AliveIncarcerated 	STUDY (Formerly) 	
Sakurazaka Fuuga 	Alive 	 	
Saraku 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Sarizawa Saya 	Deceased 	 	
Scavenger Liaison 	Alive 	Scavenger 	
Boy 	Deceased 	 	
Liaison 	Unknown 	(Formerly) 	
Seike Taroumaru 	Alive 	Scavenger 	
Sejou Aika 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Sekimura Hirotada 	AliveIncarcerated 	STUDY (Formerly) 	
Shiokishi 	Unknown 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Shirokabe Renka 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Shundou Toshizou 	Deceased 	Clone Dolly Ideal 	
Shutaura Sequenzia 	Alive 	Black Crow Unit 	
Silvercross Alpha 	Deceased 	Freshmen 	
Spider Queen 	Alive 	 	
Stephanie Gorgeouspalace 	Alive 	Anti-Skill 	
Sugitani 	Alive 	Shiokishi 	
Sunazara Chimitsu 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Suzunari Yuuhi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Takitsubo Rikou 	Alive 	 	
Tamezou 	AliveIncarcerated 	Big Spider 	
Tao 	Alive 	Full Course 	
Teshio Megumi 	Alive 	 	
Tetsu 	Alive 	Skill-Out 	
Tetsumou 	Alive 	 	
Therestina Kihara Lifeline	AliveIncarcerated 	Kihara Family 	
Thomas Platinaburg 	Decreased 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Tobio Mami 	Alive 	Full Course 	
Toomine Kanari 	Decreased 	Clone Dolly Ideal 	
Tsuchimikado Motoharu 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Tsurigane Saryou 	Alive 	Kouga School (Formerly) 	
Vacuum Piece 	Deceased 	 	
Valart Signal 	Alive 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Vera 	Deceased 	Hound Dog 	
Vivana Oniguma 	Deceased 	 	
Wajiku Kobina 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Wanigawa Raifu 	AliveIncarcerated 	 	
Xochitl 	Alive 	(Formerly) 	
Yakumaru Itsuki 	Alive 	Scavenger 	
Yakumi Hisako 	 	Academy City Board of Directors 	
Yamakawa 	Alive 	Mitsuari Ayu 	
Yamate 	Deceased 	 	
Yoake Sayori 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Yobou Banka 	Deceased 	(Formerly) 	
Yokosuka 	Alive 	Aihana Etsu 	
Yosegi Misato 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Yoshikawa Kikyou 	Alive 	Level 6 Shift Project (Formerly) 	
Yumesaki Saibi 	Alive 	White Alligator 	
Yumiya Rakko 	Deceased 	(Formerly) 	
===Factions===
Name 	Status 	Affiliation 	Details
Academy City Board of Directors	Active 	 	
Big Spider 	Disbanded 	 	
Black Crow Unit 	Unknown 	Ladylee Tangleroad	
 	Disbanded 	 	
Blue Blood 	Unknown, likely dismantled	 	
 	 	 	Hideout providers. Killed by Frillsand #G while heading for the Vanishing Tunnel on December 25th.
 	 	 	Prologue Epilogue
Disciplinary Action 	Defunct 	 	
Disciplinary Guides 	Disbanded 	 	
Freshmen 	Unknown 	 	
Full Course 	Disbanded 	 	
 	Disbanded 	 	
Hound Dog 	Unknown 	 	
 	 	 	
 	Active 	 	
Kihara Family 	Active 	 	
L.S.S. 	Unknown 	 	
 	Disbanded 	 	
 	 	 	
An odd-jobs service for the entertainment industry, specializing in cleaning up trouble (e.g. witnesses to misdeeds, the aftermath of accidental murder etc) for individuals in the industry before the media could learn of it and ruin their careers. They worked out of a stunt agency, granting them access to TV stations. Had access to at least three small and expensive egg-shaped helicopters along with firearms. Prologue
Wiped out by Item on August 3rd one year before the main story, when Item were hired to kill idol Hatsuhane Sarari, who had hired Mutual Acquaintance to kill another idol who had witnessed her steal some charity cupcakes.
 	Defunct 	 	A surface level dark side group that were burned to death in a fire, believed by Item to be the work of Sadistic Dolls, given that acetylene (used in their flamethrower) was detected in the building's burnt remains. Chapter 1 Part 1
Scavenger 	Active 	 	
 	 	 	Couriers. Killed by Frillsand #G while heading for the Vanishing Tunnel on December 25th.
 	Disbanded 	 	
Skill-Out 	Active 	 	
Spark Signal 	Unknown 	 	
STUDY 	Disbanded 	 	
==References==
==Navigation==
Category:Academy City