To Aru Majutsu no Index II - Episode 20

It's taken quite a while to reach this point, but last week's instalment of To Aru Majutsu no Index II finally delivered upon us a storyline worthy of its possibilities, with people passing out all over the place, Accelerator facing off against forces looking to capture Last Order in a skirmish which eventually includes Index within its goings-on, and Touma about to be the recipient of one rather unwelcome guest from the Roman Catholic church.

Starting out with Accelerator's plight, it seems that the appearance of Index has given them exactly the opportunity he required to escape, taking a hostage, snatching up Index and making good on that escape in no small part thanks to the appearance on the scene of God's Right Hand, aka Vento of the Front.  While Vento isn't interested in such trifles within Academy City, that doesn't stop some blood being shed, the aftermath of which is coincidentally come across by the now united duo of Touma and Last Order.

With more Hound Dog forces on the prowl, Touma escapes with Last Order only to find himself hunted down by Vento instead, leading to an early test of both individual's abilities which ends with Vento's own body letting the side down and granting Touma a reprieve... for now.  Elsewhere, Accelerator is having entirely too much fun mutilating those out to get him, as the whole of Academy City looks set to be plunged into Hell in a hand basket.  Oh, and Mikoto Misaka is wandering around the place too, which is always a good thing if you ask me.

At long last, we seem to have a story arc of To Aru Majutsu no Index which combines everything that the series does well - hefty slices of action that makes good use of its characters, and a wider plot which leverages Academy City excellently as a backdrop for the varied pitched battles about to be fought by a number of different factions as they become entangled and intertwined.  Aside from rushing through a couple of its plot points somewhat, this was a coolly and effectively delivered instalment that promises even better things to come over the next few weeks.  To Aru Majutsu no Index seems back to its best at last - it's just a shame that it took twenty episodes to reach that point.