Index Librorum Prohibitorum

* Anime
* Novel
* Manga
* Railgun
* Imaginary Fest

## Abilities

### Ability

**Spell Intercept** (強制詠唱 (スペルインターセプト) , *Kyōsei Eishō (Superu Intāseputo)*?, lit. "Force Chant")

## Debuts

### Manga

Index Chapter 1
 Railgun Chapter 32 (cameo)
 Accelerator Chapter 27 (cameo)

### Anime

Index Episode 1
 Railgun Episode 17

### Video Game

Index PSP Game

**Index Librorum Prohibitorum** (禁書目録 (インデックス) , *Kinsho Mokuroku (Indekkusu)*?, lit. "Index of Prohibited Books") is the eponymous character of *Toaru Majutsu no Index*. Commonly known as ***Index***, she is the main female character of the Magic Side; in *Toaru Majutsu no Index* series. She is a member of Necessarius and has Perfect Memory and is not poisoned by the effects of reading grimoires. As such, she holds within herself 103,000 magical grimoires at the beginning of the series.

## Etymology

Her name is based on the book with the same name, The List of Forbidden Books or *"Index Librorum Prohibitorum"* (禁書目録, **Kinsho Mokuroku**?) in Japanese. It is a list of publications prohibited by the Roman Catholic Church.

The avowed aim of the list was to protect the faith and morals of the faithful by preventing the reading of immoral books or works containing theological errors, although it also contained scientific works by leading astronomers, such as Johannes Kepler. The various editions also contained the rules of the Church relating to the reading, selling and censorship of books. It was abolished on 14 June 1966 by Pope Paul VI.

## Appearance

Index is a young girl around the age of 14-15, one or two years younger than Touma. She is small in stature, has a petite build, and, much to her chagrin, a flat chest. She has thigh length, silver hair, and large green eyes. She is also often seen wearing her Walking Church, a white, and modified nun's habit with gold highlights. It is an accurate replica of the Holy Shroud of Turin and offered Index ultimate protection from most attacks, however, it was destroyed by Touma's right hand. She still wears it, though safety pins are now needed to hold it together.

## Personality

Due to being raised in a church from birth and having almost no memories of her early life up until a year before she met Kamijou Touma, Index is rather innocent and naive, often being elated by things that an adult or even people her age would find mundane. She is slightly ignorant and curious of modern technology, not knowing what a touchscreen was or how it worked until Kazakiri Hyouka showed her.

She is shown to be very gentle and polite with people and has a compassionate nature, as displayed when she picked up a stray kitten and took it home, although Touma initially refused. She also, like Touma, possesses the trait of sacrificing herself for the sake of others which is why several people befriended her in the past who still keep caring for her despite her memory loss each year. Despite her naivety, Index is extremely intelligent, as a result of having the knowledge of 103,000 grimoires stored inside her. Due to her photographic memory, Index is able to remember everything in the books and often gives Touma information when needed.

Index can be easily irritated especially when it comes to Touma, who usually ends up angering her in some way as a consequence of his own bad luck. He is often bitten by Index as punishment. It is a recurring gag for Index to bite Touma whenever he has inadvertently annoyed or irritated her in some way (much like Misaka Mikoto's habit of trying to electrocute him whenever she is annoyed at him), occurring even in serious situations or in front of important persons. She has even bitten him out of anger for trivial things that he has not even done. At one point, Touma even compares her to a mosquito. However, in *Toaru Majutsu no Index no Subete*, it is noted that it is a sign of affection towards him, as Touma is the only person whom she bites. Index can also be rather bratty at times, often getting annoyed when Touma doesn't spend enough time with her.

She also has an extreme appetite as shown when she met Accelerator and made him to spend all of his money treating her to food. In fact, the very first thing she said to Touma was that she was hungry. Index has taken a liking to the anime Magical Powered Kanamin and once cosplayed as her. She has strong feelings towards Touma and even confessed her love after knowing Touma lost his memories because of her, however he avoided answering by changing the subject of the talk since he has no idea about what kind of feelings he used to have with Index.

## Background

Much of Index's background is currently unknown because of the periodic memory loss that was brought upon her. Although, Index states that she was born and raised in St. George's Cathedral, there is not enough evidence to corroborate this, as Index as well is unsure of it.

It is not known if 'Index' is her true name or if it is a name given to her because she holds within her the 103,000 grimoires. It is confirmed that Index was specifically chosen as the vessel for the 103,000 grimoires because she has the ability to perfectly memorize things and also because she is unaffected by the books' debilitating effects. She possesses no mana and therefore cannot use the grimoires. She is accompanied by Stiyl around the world in order to memorize grimoires, from the Pataliputra ruins to the Vatican Library.

Later, after becoming the vessel of the grimoires, she was given partners as a means of protection. Three years prior to the start of the series, she was the partner of Aureolus Izzard, then a year later, Stiyl Magnus. Index's relationship with her partners is unknown because of her periodic memory loss, but it is implied that both Aureolus and Stiyl cared for her deeply. In Aureolus' case, he was Index's teacher during his time with her. It is confirmed that Kanzaki Kaori were best friends with Index before Index's memory was erased.

The church told lies to Kanzaki and Stiyl regarding the true nature of Index's memory being erased, as they planned to make the grimoires harder to access as well as because of their fear of Index betraying them or her apparently becoming a Magic God. The church implanted a Collar and a multi-layered program that would disable her from using the magic of grimoires, as such she cannot access her mana, and therefore use magic, normally. To complete this defense, the Collar made Index extremely ill, and required an annual erasure of her memories.

Laura Stuart was the one that came up with this plan, as the alternative was to cut off all of Index's limbs and lock her inside the Tower of London to ensure absolute safety of Index Librorum Prohibitorum's knowledge from magicians that would misuse it, and to prevent her escape.

Index came to Japan a year before the start of the series, although she had already lost her memories prior to arrival, and has somehow awoken in a back-alley with at least basic knowledge regarding her position in the magic side. This was done as part of Stiyl and Kanzaki's plan to keep Index away from magicians that would misuse her knowledge, as Japan was seen to be a place with little history of magic according to them. Both Stiyl and Kanzaki believed it was for the best if Index spent the year running away from magicians as opposed to living through a year full of happiness, as then it wouldn't be as painful (for both themselves and Index) when her memory had to be erased. Index eventually ended up in Academy City as she was being chased by Stiyl and Kanzaki, because it was once again time to erase her memories. Moving from rooftop-to-rooftop during Academy City's unforeseen power outage, she slips and falls, landing onto the apartment balcony of the ever-unfortunate Kamijou Touma.

## Chronology

### Toaru Majutsu no Index

*Main article: Index Librorum Prohibitorum/Chronology (Toaru Majutsu no Index)*
Being the main heroine of ***Toaru Majutsu no Index***, Index has a large role in the events of the story, alongside Touma.

### Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index

*Main article: Index Librorum Prohibitorum/Chronology (Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index)*
Due to the story shifting focus from magicians chasing her down for her grimoires (though this is apparently still something that occurs occasionally) Index takes more of a backseat role for the GREMLIN Arc which opened **Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index** only reaching the role she had in Old Testament in the closing of the Arc. Though she takes her role as a main heroine again in the second overarching arc; the Fall of Academy City Arc, aiding Touma in battles and serving as someone he tries his hardest to protect alongside the Magic God Othinus.

### Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index

*Main article: Index Librorum Prohibitorum/Chronology (Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index)*
### Toaru Kagaku no Railgun

Index only makes a small appearance in *Toaru Kagaku no Railgun*. Apart from her brief appearance in the 2nd opening where she was seen chasing someone (Kamijou Touma), she appears in episode 17 of the anime where she met Tessou Tsuzuri during her patrol. Here, she introduces herself as a sister and not a student and is seen fighting against a cleaning robot who "ate" her donut. She later appears in episode 19 when Touma is looking for her. Her appearance in this part is somewhat obscured though she is seen eating food prepared by the Tokiwadai Dormitory for their visitors, and it is implied that she is the glutton that Tsuchimikado Maika was referring to earlier in the episode.

#### Sisters Arc

*Main article: Sisters Arc*
While Touma was hospitalized, Index is seen running to the hospital and into his room.

#### Dream Ranker Arc

*Main article: Dream Ranker Arc*
Index is seen looking for Sphynx and later finds him after he scares a crow into dropping the Indian Poker card that carried the Breast Upper in it.

## Other Appearances

### Side Stories

#### Toaru Majutsu no Index: Love Letter Competition

*Main article: Toaru Majutsu no Index: Love Letter Competition*
Bundled with Rainbow Spectrum Colors, the short story focuses on Kumokawa Seria's attempts on finding out a spy, by sending out a fake love letter to be delivered to Touma during a time when he is absent. This causes a ruckus with people who are familiar to him.

Index receives the blank envelope after Hyouka delivers it to Touma's address after it has done much travel. Index opens it up to discover that the envelope is empty.

#### Toaru Majutsu no Index: Road to Endymion

*Main article: Toaru Majutsu no Index: Road to Endymion*
Index supports Touma throughout the short story. She is the first one to notice the strange spell set-up around the city, and is invaluable during their attempt to save as much information regarding the cabal that has infiltrated the city as they can. She aids Touma in the final battle as she analyzes the magic that is used by Ureapaddy Exica against him.

#### Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index SS

*Main article: Toaru Majutsu no Index: Mars SS*
Index is the primary protagonist of the short story. After being given money by Touma after solving several puzzles from a reward site using his account, she is determined to buy Touma a gift that can make her happy. Here, she meets Mikoto and Kuroko, infuriating the former with her antics, reuniting with Hyouka, as well as being aided by Maika on what she should buy for Touma, ending with a steam oven to be delivered to Touma’s dorm.

She later meets an Egyptian magician named the Priestess of Bastet, who has reconstructed a specific Book of the Dead in Index using various clues that only Index can notice, and wants to extract it from her. Here, Index shows her prowess against the magician without throwing a single attack, using her Perfect Memory, her incredible fast-paced analytical abilities, and backdoor tricks that magicians use to quickly subdue her opponent. However, it is her empathy that beats the magician, as after discovering her goal, she determines that all she wanted was to know more of the person she cared for through that person’s Book of the Dead that was completed using Index. Index has her voice transform into that of the woman that the magician cared for, and ending with the magician satisfied with discovering the person’s feelings.

When Index returns, Touma asks how her day was, ignorant of her adventure and confrontation with a magician. She then says that Touma is going to be happy because his “steam” is coming to the dorm for delivery. Not knowing what she meant regarding the steam oven, Touma becomes confused.

### Anime Appearances

#### Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Miracle of Endymion

*Main article: Toaru Majutsu no Index Movie: Miracle of Endymion*
Index is a central character in the movie, where she and Touma meet aspiring idol Meigo Arisa in the streets, and become fast friends. They later become embroiled in a struggle between magic and science sides wanting her. Index is later tasked on preventing the plans of Ladylee Tangleroad in coming to fruition along with Touma, as she would bring the world to destruction using the Endymion. She later comes before Ladylee, who is revealed to be 1,000 years old and is searching for a way to die, in her core room, and though she tries to convince Index as they are both "cursed by magic", Index says that she knows that Ladylee will not die using her magic. She later uses her knowledge of 103,000 grimoires to analyze and undo Ladylee's spell, who has become too weak and maddened to stop her, while Shutaura Sequenzia and Arisa merge back into one another to cause the Miracle of Endymion.

Touma later admits to Index that Arisa was not an illusion as his right hand did not destroy her, and along with him, later hears a song only the two of the could hear, believing it to be from their friend.

## Character Art Designs

### Design Evolution

As shown in the preliminary sketch for the first volume of Index, Haimura Kiyotaka drew Index with straight hair according to his own tastes. He later changed it after her description did not match her design, which not only includes her hair but her costume as well. As seen in the below illustrations, Index's gildings was originally designed differently, but was changed later as it looked too Incan.

A notable problem Haimura had was the body size that both Touma and Index, especially in regards to the body and head ratio. It was not until volume 2 that Index's body has been settled into its current form. In his drafts for her design for the manga, Haimura states that Index's design has become rounder and smaller as time went on, referring to his deformed artstyle.

### Gallery

Character design by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 1.Character design wearing Komoe's pajamas by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 1.Design of face and details of habit by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 1.Full body design by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 1.Rough sketches of habit by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 1.Full body design, including height, by Haimura Kiyotaka for Volume 2.Character designs by Haimura Kiyotaka.Shokuhou Misaki, Index and Misaka Mikoto's character designs by Haimura Kiyotaka for *Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Light Novel Volume 22 Reverse*Index in a New Year's kimono by Haimura Kiyotaka.Another illustration of Index by Haimura Kiyotaka.Index in a black bunny girl outfit, drawn by Haimura Kiyotaka.
## Quotes

* (To Touma, from Index Volume 1): *"I'm hungry."*
* (To Touma referring to John's Pen Mode, ibid): *"It feels like I’m gradually turning into a cold machine. It scares me."*
* (To Touma after losing his memories, ibid):*"Touma, you don’t remember? Index… loved you."*
* (To Touma, from Index Volume 2): *"Touma, this clothing is a materialization of God’s protection. I never even thought about how hard it is to wear, how hot it is, how it’s troublesome or how there should be a summer or winter version."*
* (To Touma, from Index Volume 3): *"And Touma, once again, once again, once again, you kept the problem all to yourself. If you don’t discuss these things with me, I’m gonna have to give you a serious lecture."*
* (To Touma after what had happened in Angel Fall, from Index Volume 4): *"No need to find excuses! You Oedipus complex boy! Always staring at your own mother, why is that attitude so different from me!!"*
* (While watching Magical Powered Kanamin, from Index Volume 5): *"I see, so this Magical Powered Kanamin normally dresses like a student. No wonder even the Albigensian Crusaders of the Roman Catholic Church couldn't even get a trace of her. But what's that staff that gives out rainbow light...ah! It must be a wand that's the 5th cursed tool 'Lotus Wand' that includes the 5 elements and remade with modern materials! Ohh, as expected of Japan! Such impressive Japanese magic."*
* (After failing to activate a vending machine, from Index Volume 6): *"Uu…uuuuuuuu…I became as unfortunate as Touma..."*
* (To Touma as she explains Idol Theory, from Index Volume 7): *"It’s not like that, Touma. Listen to me: the condition for being an idol is being a duplicate; as long as there’s even a slight difference in the levels of magic used between the idol and the original, the idol will lose its purpose. So, the Idol Theory can’t be used to solve everything. Once the original image is changed, the theory cannot be used."*
* (To Mikoto, from Index Volume 13): *"All prayers are heard."*
* (Heard by Stiyl while she is John Pen's Mode, from Index Volume 21): *"Chapter 20, Verse 9. Detected a distorted Christian motif. Beginning construction of the most effective spell in response to the aforementioned spell. Preparations for the activation of the spell named Eli Eli Lema Sabachthani are complete. Activating it immediately."*
* (To a drunk Touma while girls cling to him, from NT Index Volume 2): *"I was just about to say that you were being way too much like your normal self, Touma, but there’s someone I clearly don’t know mixed in!!"*
* (To Touma after he decided to go with Leivinia to Hawaii, from NT Index Volume 2): *"I was really worried. I was really anxious. Touma, you don’t have a trump card that will ensure your victory. There is no rule saying that you will come back. If you continue these battles where you don’t know if you will win, the odds of you coming back will be lower. Are you still going to go despite that?"*
* (To Touma as Fräulein Kreutune clings to him, from NT Index Volume 6): *"Touma! Who exactly is that girl clinging to your back!?"*
* (To Touma after the events of the Ichihanaransai, from NT Index Volume 6): *"Well, at least I know you haven’t changed, Touma. ...And I suppose there is something I should say. Welcome home."*
* (To Maika after Touma didn't come home for a day, from NT Index Volume 7): *"Touma really is stupid!! There was nothing but bread, cereal, biscuits, canned food, ham, bacon, bananas, and apples in the room! Does he not know that people can starve to death!?”*
* (To Touma who is amazed with her skill when it comes to food, from NT Index Volume 8): *"There may be a twenty or thirty year difference, but food doesn’t change! A fried egg was perfected as a fried egg a hundred years ago!! So there’s no problem!! As long as there’s food, I’ll eat it!!"*